Rai, Sango, and Kagome stroll back towards the temple. The main sliding doors open slightly and Shippo appears in the doorway.
He catches Rai's eyes and both stare at each other. "Shippo, you want something?" asks Kagome.
"Huh…uh…oh breakfast's ready." Rai smiles and winks at him. Shippo's face turns bright red and he saunters back inside.
"What was that look for?" asks Sango.
"He's in love, what else?" chuckles Kagome. The women walk up the steps of the temple and Shippo greets them at the door.
As Kagome and Sango make their way inside, Rai hangs back and escorts Shippo outside, grabbing his hand gently. "Shippo, you want to do this?"
"Rai, I…" He drops to his knees, "I can't stand it any longer. That night was so magical and I want the magic to continue. I can't stop thinking about you. I'm in love with you, Rai. I want to see you always. I want to be in your life. Would you be my woman?"
"Shippo. I…" Rai replies with tears forming in her eyes, "I too want this to last. I've thought of you since that night. That was one of the reasons I came through here. I was following rumors, after describing who you were, that you'd be here in this village. I just had to find you. Shippo, yes I'll accept your offer. I'll be your woman." He embraces her again, holding her tightly. Rai wraps her arms around his torso, holding him as close as she can.
Kagome stands at a distance from the door, but watches Rai and Shippo hugging each other. She watches intently, biting her lip, trying not to squeal.
"Would you get away from that doorway?" orders InuYasha.
"But I…I just…"
"Don't you see?" chimes Miroku, "Shippo's really become a man. He's got a girlfriend now."
"But that's my niece," replies InuYasha.
"He can see whomever he wants," replies Sango, "Besides it's not like you own Rai. She's an independent person."
"That's right," confirms Kagome, "She's more like Sesshomaru than you. You can't tell Rai what to do, any more than you can tell him."
"Rai like Sesshomaru? Ugh, that's just…"
"Only natural she would be, being his daughter and all," assures Miroku.
"Don't remind me," grumbles InuYasha.
"Pay no attention to him," sighs Kagome, "He's just mad because she's chosen Shippo as her boyfriend. Both of them are more mature than we were."
"He's not mature. He's still…" pouts InuYasha.
"Oblivious as usual," sighs Sango, "Shippo has grown up. He's as mature as he appears. He doesn't cry over little annoyances and he's wised up to his ways."
"After thirty years, you'd expect anyone to grow up and mature," agrees Kagome, "Just as we've matured, so has he. Now he behaves like an ordinary grown man. I know it's no act either."
"He's a man. There's no mistake of that," replies Miroku, "When we were talking earlier about finding this woman, who turns out to be Rai, he was acting like any man would when he's in love."
Shippo loosens his grip of Rai and the two hold hands. They walk through the doorway to their anxious friends.
"So what happened?" asks Kagome, nearly tying herself in knots.
"I've got an announcement, guys," alerts Shippo, "Rai is my woman now. We're going to be together." Rai holds her new boyfriend around his waist in a side squeeze.
"So it's official now," sighs Kagome in dreamy delight, "It just doesn't seem real, Shippo."
"Get used to it," smiles Shippo, "At least now I don't feel so anxious anymore. I've found her. I don't know if you believe in destiny or not, but I feel Buddha must have had his eyes on this and wasn't going to let this slip by. It has to be destiny that had us meet in Nagasaki."
"I don't know about destiny, but I felt like someone was pointing me in this direction. Maybe it was Buddha, or Jii-chan. Jii-chan and I talk every night, or just about. Maybe he was arranging us to meet like we did."
"My father's involved?" asks InuYasha.
"It's possible," replies Miroku, "Spirits of strong individuals have been known to make things happen. As powerful as your father was, influencing people's hearts would be something he could do. Perhaps it was Inu no Taisho who saw to arranging this relationship. He was interested in his granddaughter's happiness."
"InuYasha, wasn't that how you were with Kikyo?" asks Kaede, walking into the room, "When you were in love like, you cared about nothing else." "So, I see everyone here. Inazuma will be in shortly; he's cleansing himself in the stream out back."
"No surprise," smirks Rai, "He loves being clean."
"Rai, since you're Shippo's woman now, you sit next to him. I've put Inazuma at the end here, as big as he is."
"That stupid horse is eating with us?" shrieks InuYasha.
"He's a welcomed guest, InuYasha. Please be polite," scolds Kaede.
"InuYasha, I will not have you talk that way about Rai's friend," snaps Shippo, "He's welcomed to stay here."
"You have some nerve, Shippo," growls InuYasha, "You've only been her boyfriend for five minutes. That's not enough time to bond with her."
Shippo closes his eyes then snuffs at InuYasha.
"It's not worth it, Shippo," Rai sighs, trying to calm him down.
"I know it's not worth arguing with InuYasha," Shippo sighs, "I just don't like anyone insulting you or any friend of yours. Inazuma is my friend too, don't forget." He winks at Rai. "Isn't that true, Inazuma?" he asks, feeling the demon horse's presence enter the room. Inazuma walks over and hangs his head over Shippo's shoulders.
"So, I've taken it you've heard about Shippo and me." Inazuma smiles and snorts in delight. Rai bursts out in laughter at Inazuma.
"What did he say?" asks Sango.
"He says now that you've found your lover, find me one too."
The group bursts out laughing. "Tell him it's going to be difficult, especially when he's such a womanizer," chuckles Sango.
"Yeah…hey, what's that supposed to mean?" replies Miroku.
"Like you need to ask," smirks Sango.
Rai points out Inazuma's spot at the table, and he gracefully sits, tucking his legs under his body. "You're giving Inazuma an omelet?" asks Kagome, sitting herself beside InuYasha.
"He's a natural-born vegetarian, but he's not strict. He likes eggs and a small sliver of meat."
"I've never heard of a horse eating meat," replies Sango, "Of course I've never been friends with a demon horse," she shrugs. "It's probably where he gets the energy to pull off lightning attacks."
"Plus he's a genius even by human standards," points out Rai, "Eggs and meat are the foods for fueling the brain."
"You see, InuYasha, he's not as stupid as you thought," rebukes Shippo, "He's a lot like Kirara."
"Where is she?" asks Rai.
"She's back at the house," sighs Sango, "She's in heat now and there's a male nekomata in the area."
"You just let her stay back?" asks Kagome.
"She acted like she wanted him to find her. I think she wants to get pregnant."
"Aw, so there will be kittens in the near future," smiles Kagome.
"Will she be able to fight still?" asks InuYasha.
"Of course not," sighs Kagome.
"You can borrow Inazuma," suggests Rai, "He says he'll help."
"No, I'll just ask Hachi," suggests Miroku.
"Thanks but you know Kirara; she can't just sit still for eight weeks," explains Sango, "I'm flattered for your help, but it's not as if she hasn't been pregnant before. She's fought during her last pregnancy, and her babies turned out fine."
"Rai, did you make this omelet?" asks Sango.
"I've diced sweet onions and pieces of beef into it."
"This is so flavorful," chimes Sango.
"You think that's something," chimes Miroku. "She's added flavor to the rice. Tastes like fruit?"
"It's cherry juice. I was just experimenting. I noticed Kaede had a cherry bush on her land, so I picked ripe cherries and squished them into a juice."
"Where did you get cherries?" asks Sango.
"I gave her a few packets of cherry seeds," admits Kagome, "I bought them when I went shopping for them last fall."
"I just like lots of flavor with food. The juice was so sweet I wanted to use it somewhere in this menu. Rice is such an everyday flavor, tasting it can get old. So I change the flavor."
"How did you learn to cook like this? Where do you learn this?" asks Sango.
"Mount Hiei is located near Kyoto. Kyoto's a port city with all sorts of foreign goods for sale. I've bought stuff with the allowance my sensei used to give me to use in various recipes. Cooking to me is a hobby and an art. Just as an artist uses paint to express his view and desires of the world around him, I use flavor in the foods I make. They paint a sense of wonder and enjoyment. I rarely paint the same picture twice. I'm always experimenting with flavor. What flavors that are pleasing I keep, ones that aren't I discard."
"You ought to give Kagome here pointers," snips InuYasha.
"I'm not going to say it now, since it'll ruin Rai's food, but just you wait until after breakfast."
"I can't wait to enjoy your cooking skills everyday," chimes Shippo. "To be the man to enjoy this…"
"For you, I'll make dessert," she whispers into his ears. His eyes widen with his mouth wrapped around the end of his chopsticks.
Inazuma pretends to ignore her and delicately grabs a piece of vegetable sushi with his teeth. Kaede watches him intently. "I guess that's what you do when you can't use chopsticks, Inazuma." Inazuma nods humbly. He shrugs his shoulders and grabs another piece of sushi with his teeth.
"Such manners. He's almost human," comments Sango.
"You've got that right," agrees Kagome, "I've never met a horse quite like this. Not even Entei was this well mannered."
"I'll say. He can even use…" Inazuma snorts at Kaede, "Sorry, but I've never met a horse with such discreet manners."
"Inazuma, don't be so embarrassed acting," chuckles Rai. "When ever we're traveling, and we happen upon a castle or temple, if he needs to go, he'll search for where a toilet is and uses it. He's even asked me to stand guard with him, so nobody sees. I usually put up a barrier for extra protection."
"How strange for a horse, and yet…" Sango pauses and sips her tea, "Again this is what Kirara is like. She acts the same way when nature calls."
"I don't see why all of you are getting so intrigued by this annoying beast. He's just a horse. He's no different than what we have in the stables in the village."
"InuYasha!" screams Kagome, "Why you…"
"That's enough!" thunders Shippo slamming his hands on the table, "What did I say about insulting Rai's friend? Nobody should be talked down like that, especially by someone like you."
"Shippo, don't," sighs Rai.
"No. I won't have either your name or his tarnished. I'm not going to back down from this. He's my friend too and I will not have him be put down like that."
"Shippo," sighs Sango. 'You really have grown up. It's true.'
'He's standing up for the woman he loves,' thinks Kagome, 'There's nothing I can protect him against anymore. He protects himself and those he cares about.'
Shippo excuses himself and stands up from the table. He storms towards the door, with Rai following him close beside him. He leaps off the porch and paces the courtyard. "Please calm down."
"I'm trying to. I'm trying not to lose it. I just want…" Rai stops in his path and embraces him with her arms.
"Thank you, Shippo. Thanks for standing up for Inazuma and for me." He hesitates at first, holding his clawed hands over her shoulders. Then he wraps his arms around her body, holding her head against his shoulder.
"Rai, thank you as well. For accepting to be my woman. For letting that night we first met be the starting point of this love."
"Shippo, I just…" she looks straight into his eyes. Tears start to form into hers. She sighs, trying to keep from crying.
"What's the matter? Are you crying?"
"I'm not crying because I'm sad. I'm just happy to be with you." Shippo's lips start closing in on hers. "Being t…to…ge…" Her voice is cut off with a soft kiss. "Sh…Shippo, just l…like th…" she tries to speak but quickly becomes interrupted by a long continuous kiss.
Kagome peeks out at them, from behind the door. "Kagome, what are you…?" InuYasha starts to ask.
"Shh. I don't want them disturbed."
"Then don't watch them," suggests InuYasha.
Kagome walks back, reluctantly to the table and starts clearing the dishes. "I'll help you," offers Sango.
"What are you doing? Rai's the cook. She should…" InuYasha grumbles.
"She went through all the trouble of making this delicious meal for us, it's the very least we can do," replies Sango.
"Yeah besides, Rai and Shippo need time to themselves. You can't very well ask Shippo to break away from his new girlfriend."
"He'll have to eventually. If you won't, then I'll go out there and break this up now. Besides he's got a lot of nerve yelling at me like he's all tough." InuYasha stands up and starts to march towards the door.
"Oswari!" shouts Kagome, jerking him to the ground face first. "You're not going out there." He starts to get up, when she shouts oswari again.
"Would you stop that?" InuYasha moans.
"Not until you promise you won't bug them ever. Oswari!"
"InuYasha, you've had this coming," replies Sango, "You keep denying Shippo's manhood. He's been a man for the last twenty-five years. We just haven't seen him in a long time. The last time was for a short while when Rai was three, before she joined the dojo at Mount Hiei."
"It doesn't matter. Shippo's still just a brat."
"Not anymore," rebukes Kagome, "Now the only immature brat there is, is you, InuYasha."
Rai suddenly breaks from the kiss and sniffs the air. "Something's very wrong."
"Yeah, I sense it too. My fur's beginning to stand."
Rai races inside and grabs her armor and swords.
"What's the matter?" asks InuYasha, with a sneer.
"There's an aura outside," replies Miroku. "I feel it approaching overhead." Inazuma races outside, heading back down to the house, almost running into a transformed Kirara.
"Are you going to grab his saddle and bridle?" asks Sango.
"I won't. He's flying down now and dressing himself." Inazuma flies back up to the courtyard, fully harnessed and waits for Rai.
"You're coming too, aren't you Shippo?" He nods and hops onto Inazuma's back. Rai races out and leaps into the saddle. Immediately, Inazuma darts into the air and flies through the sky.
Shippo looks out and sees flying serpents. "These things again?"
"It's Nakuhebi. He's after shards of the Crimson Jewel. He's searching all over these lands, looking for it. He uses these serpents to do the searching for him."
"So he's a lot like Naraku. Was he allies with Naraku?"
"Hardly, more like a bitter enemy. He saw Naraku as a nuisance. Nakuhebi wanted that jewel Naraku was obsessed with to wish the Crystal Stone of Jukon out of its resting place. Otherwise the path to search for it is almost hopeless and extremely deadly."
"Then why is he obsessed with this Crimson Jewel?"
"The Crimson Jewel of Life can at least guide you safely to where the Jukon is."
"What are you trying to do?" asks Shippo.
"Trying to prevent the Jukon's removal. The Jukon is the jewel for all living things. If it were removed, the Earth would die. Nakuhebi wants to fill the world full of demons and destroy all mortal life."
"That sounds like what Naraku wanted." Shippo watches the direction of the serpents' flight. He glances ahead further towards a range of mountains with a series of gray storm clouds lingering across the peaks. "It's Raimei Valley. Inazuma, take us there." He snorts at Shippo's command and flies towards the high plateau.
Suddenly a blast of lighting is jolted in their direction. Inazuma zips out of the way of the blast.
"That came from…" Rai starts to speak.
"Souten. She's in trouble." Shippo leaps off and flies down towards the plateau. Rai sees a woman standing in the middle of the courtyard. She looks at Shippo with bright red eyes with the wind from the mountains comb through her long black hair. She's dressed in red upper-body armor with black pants and kimono top.
"Inazuma, please fly to her," Rai commands. Inazuma snorts and lands in the courtyard beside her.
"Thank goodness you're here, Shippo. Who's this? She looks like InuYasha."
"I'm his niece, Rai. This horse is…"
"I know who he is. He's the thunder horse, Inazuma. I recognize him from the elders' descriptions of him."
"What's going on? If you recognized us, then…" Shippo starts to speak.
"Those serpents are plaguing this area. What's their deal? Their unwelcomed presence is stirring up the other lowlife demons in this region."
"They're searching for shards of the Crimson Jewel of Life. Do you have one, Souten?"
"I found some sort of red crystal. I thought the Shikon Jewel had returned, but I know it's been gone forever." She starts to unhinge one of the breast cups of her armor.
"Don't take it out!" shrieks Shippo. "If they're looking for it, they'll most certainly steal it from you, maybe even killing you in the process."
"It's too late," sneers Rai, unsheathing her Hono'osaiga. Inazuma snorts in anger and flies up, gaining an aerial advantage.
The first wave of attack immediately swerves in through the twenty-foot tall sacred archway. A serpent flies in approaching Shippo with its mouth open. Shippo quickly dodges out of the way of the fangs and blasts it from behind with a massive fireball attack, burning the serpent upon impact. Another serpent swerves in place of the one Shippo killed, but is blasted immediately by Inazuma's lightning.
Rai watches a gang of serpents fly around the mountain peaks, preparing for a direct ambush. Rai calls out Hi no Kizu in her mind and quickly ignites her sword. Before waiting for the serpents to strike, she sniffs them out and slices her sword through the gang, incinerating them immediately to ashes.
Serpents surround Shippo and fly at him. He quickly ignites his hands with Fox Fire and flings whole nets of flames over the bodies of the enemies.
He steps back, bumping into the back of Rai. "There's so many of these things."
"Doesn't matter. Show no mercy to them. If you get tired, just whistle. Inazuma will assist you."
"Me tired? Not after that breakfast. I've got enough energy to last out the week if I have to."
"Just protect Souten. She's carrying a hot item and it mustn't fall into their hands."
Suddenly Rai catches the glowing eyes of a menacing hoard of demons surrounding the small group of fighters.
"Rai, I'll take care of the riff raff," sneers Souten.
"Right, Inazuma. Help Souten take care of the marauders. Shippo and I can handle the serpents." The thunder horse snorts and backs up Souten. "Souten, be very careful you don't get bitten. They've got a slow-killing venom that no medicine can cure. You'll die in agony."
"Thanks for the warning," replies Souten, charging up her thunder pike.
"Where's Couryu?" asks Shippo.
"He's the cloud surrounding this mountain. He's trying to erect a lightning barrier." She looks to the sky. "Couryu! We need more help here. Please seek reinforcements."
The cloud transforms into a large serpent-like dragon. He immediately jets out eastward towards Edo.
"Shippo, you ready?" shouts Rai.
"Always," he growls back to her. "I've got a trick nobody has seen yet, not even InuYasha."
Rai covers for him, wielding her flame sword against the serpents. Shippo's claws lengthen as he plants his hands on the ground. A pillar of Fox Fire suddenly engulfs his body and instantly he's transformed into large red fox with four fluffy tails protruding off the back of him. He flies up in a rush, spreading fire across the bodies of the serpents.
"So this is your power. Animal transformation."
"Yes, affective isn't it?" He charges out, attacking the serpents with his fangs, sending fire throughout their bodies.
Rai strikes out, slashing her sword against the serpents. More serpents arrive, taking the places of their fallen comrades. Rai starts to aim her sword, when suddenly she feels a strong sudden brush of the Kaze no Kizu behind her. She turns immediately around and sees InuYasha standing in front of her.
"Oji(san), where did you come from?" she replies in disbelief.
"InuYasha?" Shippo growls in surprise, while still in animal form.
"Can't very well let you two have all the fun," he smiles, "Shippo, is that a new trick?"
"I was trying to kill off these serpents. This form is the most effective for me."
"H…how long have…Shippo, we've got no time for this," redirects Rai, "Souten is still in danger. She needs our…"
"…She'll be fine. Sango and Kagome are helping her."
"Then we'll stay here. Are you still able to fight, Shippo?"
"Do you need to ask?" he smirks. Shippo charges after a serpent, grabbing its neck in his jaws. He shakes the serpent violently, before severing its windpipe with his fangs. Promptly after killing it, he strikes out at another serpent, delivering the same fatal attack.
"Shippo," smirks InuYasha with an evil grin, "I take back what I said about you being a pipsqueak. You have gotten better since our last meeting."
"What did you expect?" Shippo smirks, licking the serpents' blood off his fangs, "I can't stay stunted forever." He spits the blood out and braces for another assault.
Meanwhile, Souten wields her thunder pike, showering the intruding demons with lightning bolts. Inazuma flies towards a gang of pig-headed snakes, blowing lightning from his mouth.
"Souten, it's been along time since we met last," comments Kagome, shooting at a demon with her arrow, "You've even gained lightning abilities."
"Naturally, I was just a child since our last meeting. But I've been training on the continent since then."
"On the continent? What's there?" asks Kagome.
"The rest of the Thunder Demon Tribe. They've been living in China ever since Hiten and Manten reigned this land. They only made it appear they were extinct, so those two idiots wouldn't discover them."
"So more exist," confirms Sango, flying in on Kirara, "How did you say you know Inazuma though?"
"He was raised on these mountains. Sure he's Entei's little brother, but he chose to live a separate life from Entei. He came to us when he was just a colt. He wished to know our ways and fighting skills. Since he posed no threat, the elders didn't object. Instead they honored his request and trained him. How does Rai know him though?"
"Her father sent him to her, while she was training at Mount Hiei. He's been by her side since."
"Her father broke the seal that was set on him? That was a strong spell. How is InuYasha that strong?"
"Her father is his older brother, Sesshomaru," corrects Kagome.
"S…Sess…ho…maru? That evil demon is her father? Impossible!"
"He married the human girl, Rin, when she came of age, and they have two children, Sesshaku and Rai. I've heard Sesshaku has his place on the continent and is a bomb expert. Rai is however a sword master like Sesshomaru. She's a trained samurai, even," explains Kagome.
"I see. That would explain her fighting skills," replies Souten, as she shoots down a hoard of demons with her lightning attacks, "I've seen those abilities in human samurai men. She even fights like a man in battle." Souten watches Rai twist around in midair with blinding speed, killing demons from all around her.
Rai removes the second sword for more advantage and creates a flaming twister, slicing ferociously with her flames.
"Why is Shippo fighting beside this Rai?"
"Because these two are together. They just declared it this morning," sighs Kagome.
"He's seeing Rai? So my childhood crush has a woman now. Not that I'm one to be jealous. I've got someone too."
"Really? You've got a boyfriend?" asks Kagome.
"Not a boyfriend," Souten corrects, "I'm married. My husband is in the northeast. He's training our two sons."
"So you've met a young thunder demon. You've ensured the future for the Thunder Demons," sighs Kagome, "Do you think they'll turn out like Hiten and Manten?"
"Hell no. I could never stand those guys. Raiten is a sweet man and would never let our sons fall into idiocy the way those two did."
"You hate them, but you used to detest InuYasha for killing them off."
"That was then. Times change, and so do opinions."
InuYasha growls, as more serpents continue their assault. "Why won't this end? How many do we have to kill?"
A sudden jolt blinks quickly in Rai's mind. "Attention! Anyone without a dragon's heart in their bodies back away a hundred feet away from here. Do it now!"
Inazuma quickly lands in front of Kagome and Souten and flies both girls off to safety. Shippo grabs hold of InuYasha and flies away from the center.
"Aw, these fools. They left this girl all alone," hisses one of the serpents.
"Rip her to shreds," grumbles another.
"Rai! You scum better not lay your disgusting…" InuYasha starts to growl, starting to rush back in.
Shippo holds his kimono back with his teeth. "It may seem that she's outnumbered, but then how come she looks so confident?"
"Will she be all right?" asks Kagome.
"I see what she's planning," replies Souten, "Her best strength is to destroy enemies all at once."
"Kagome, we've seen this too," comments Sango, "Talk about a daddy's girl. Sesshomaru can kill his enemies in one blow."
Rai resheathes her Naosusaiga and stabs the Hono'osaiga into the ground. She grasps the top of the handle and starts to pray. She closes her eyes and exhales once quickly out her nose. "Hono'o Hi En Korosu!" she chants, "Zetsumetsu no Jigoku!" Suddenly a massive ball of fire blasts out in all directions, incinerating every demon within the hundred-foot radius. No lives are spared in the blast, except for Rai's, who stands in the dead center.
She stares straight up into the sky with a calm yet evil gleam in her eyes. InuYasha blinks his eyes, looking into her eyes. 'Rai, that look. You look exactly like Sesshomaru. You wear the same expression he does after a huge massacre of demons.'
"This is the woman I love. Sesshomaru's daughter," sighs Shippo, "Her eyes are just as cold as his in battle."
Rai removes the flame sword from the ground cautiously, making sure all the demons were burned to ashes. She resheathes the sword and swings out the Naosusaiga blade, creating a cooling breeze. The breeze blows out, restoring life to the torched land.
Shippo flies back in first, transforming back into his demon form. "Rai? That was awesome."
Rai watches Inazuma land and approaches Souten with her hand out. "Hand it over now!" she demands.
"What? Is that the way to talk to the woman you rescued?" scolds Kagome.
"Why should I hand it over?" protests Souten, "I found it when I sleighed a demon. It's my treasure."
"Souten, that thing is too hot to hold onto. You think Nakuhebi has given up because we've defeated his serpents? You're naïve to think like that. He'll come after it and kill you if he has to, to get it."
"Then what do you suggest?"
"Hono'osaiga's sheath is the safest place. I've already got shards of the Crimson Jewel stashed."
"Won't they be disturbed when you draw your sword?" asks InuYasha.
"No. Once they go in the sheath, they adhere inside, almost becoming part of the sheath itself."
"I can see them in there," Kagome points out. "You've got at least ten red shards."
"You've got an awesome power. Are you a miko, Oba(san)?"
"Very perceptive, Rai. I've been one since I was 15."
"You don't dress like a miko, but I figure you have your reasons. My guess is to disguise the appearance, pretending to be an ordinary woman."
"You just got that from looking at her?" asks InuYasha.
"InuYasha, that's how samurai think," informs Sango, "They see things ten steps of their own eyes and guess things with accuracy."
"I can also read a person's mind and see the soul for what it is. Because of this, I'm able to see Jii-chan's spirit as well as the woman Inazuma and I saw last night."
"Last night at the temple? You don't mean?" InuYasha shrieks.
"Kikyo's more of a regular woman than what you might think, Oji(san). We talked all night about all sorts of things. She opened up to me about her youth and her life before becoming a powerful miko. Did you know she raised Kaede since she was a baby, after their parents died?"
"She never told me that," replies InuYasha, "She never told me anything about her past. By the time I met her, she was already a miko."
"She said if she had lived longer, she'd accept you for a husband. She was prepared to go all the way."
"I never…I know she said that, but…" Kagome starts to look glum.
"Would you have really done that? Would you have married her if she lived?"
"I suppose, but it's too late. I've let go of that."
"Have you, Oji(san)? The woman I saw, I thought it was Oba(san) at first. Kikyo looks like her identical sister. More than that, she is the same woman. You have the exact same soul, Oba(san)."
"Rai, you shouldn't say such things," scolds Shippo.
"Leave her be. What she says is true," sighs Kagome, "I'd rather hear an honest opinion than a lie. It hurts to hear it, but I'm not a kid anymore. I can't hide Kikyo's soul at all anymore. I'm becoming more like her all the time. Rai's perceptions are right on the money. She's so much like Sesshomaru, that it's eerie. It's like I'm hearing this from him."
Rai holds out her hands and Souten reluctantly opens her breastplate of her armor. She pours a pile of red shards into Rai's cupped hands.
"You had that many shards?" asks Sango. "That's like fifteen."
"Actually there's only five in this pile," corrects Rai.
"But I've found all of them," replies Souten, "Your math is way off. Sango's right."
"Oba(san), can you spot them? The way to tell is look past the luster."
"There are five dull stones in this pile," observes Kagome.
"They're dull because they are away from the Jukon," informs Rai. "If you were standing at the mouth of the cave at the base of Mount Hiei, the shards will glow brighter than the sun. The two stones resonate off of each other." Rai picks up the five dull stones and slides them into Hono'osaiga's sheath.
"What do you do with the shiny ones? Just throw them away?" asks InuYasha.
"Sometimes. I leave them to the mercy of low-class demons. Or what I'll do is sell them."
"You sell them? To whom?" InuYasha asks.
"How do think I don't starve to death?" She smirks, faking twinkles in her eyes, "Oh honey, could you please buy me these rubies? What a magnificent red jewel! I've always wanted you to buy me something so pretty." "Sure, anything for you, my queen," replies Rai, in a faked male voice. Shippo chuckles at her various impressions. "You know, something like that."
"Will Nakuhebi come after them?" asks Kagome.
"He's not interested in useless jewel shards. The ones that look the most beautiful have no power. They're like ordinary rubies. A human appraiser would think what he's looking at is a genuine ruby or red diamond. I've sold these in Kyoto and made a killing. But since I'm a wanderer, I just use the money to boost the local economy and to fund local temples."
"Miroku could learn a thing or two from you, Rai," sighs Sango, "He's always looking to get rich off of others."
Rai splits the remaining shards among the group. She gives two shards to InuYasha. "I recommend you pawn these off back in the village tonight. Maybe take Oba(san) out for Ramen," Rai suggests.
"Take her out?"
"It'd be a good idea," suggests Sango, "Treat her, since she just lost her grandfather."
"A better idea would be in my town," suggests Kagome, "They'd fetch a much higher price back home in Tokyo."
"Can I have a few jewel shards?" asks Shippo. "I want to take you out tonight."
"Aw. Shippo's first date," chimes Kagome.
"Quit that. It's embarrassing," he laughs, scratching the back of his head with his finger claws.
"If you take me to a different town tonight. That way the jewel shards can be dispersed. That way it makes them that much harder to find."
"I get it," chimes Sango, "There's an inn with a huge hot spring. I've been urging Miroku to come with me for some time."
"Can I have one?" asks Souten. "There's a village not too far from here that serves the best curry. I'll treat Couryu and myself tonight."
"What about the last three shards?" asks Kagome.
"Perhaps you can put them on your grandfather's grave," suggests Rai. "Or you could pawn them and buy him a bouquet of flowers with the money."
"Really?" sighs Kagome.
"I've got some gold with me, perhaps I can buy something for him."
"For Jii-chan? But you don't know him, do you?"
"No but I know what it is to be the granddaughter of a beloved man. I'm visited by my Jii-chan every night."
"Really? You get to talk to him? You don't ever…" Rai embraces Kagome, holding her tightly. Kagome starts sobbing in Rai's arms. Rai strokes her claws through Kagome's long flowing hair. Sango steps forward and rubs her best friend's back.
"I never knew my parents or grandparents," sighs Souten. "I've been alone with Couryu for my whole life. I raised him from when he was just a hatchling."
"I'm an orphan too," sighs Shippo, "But I know what Kagome's going through." He rubs Rai's back, motioning to embrace Kagome in her place. Rai hands her over and Shippo holds her gently in his arms. He closes his eyes, reflecting back to his childhood when she held him like this.
"Your warmth feels good," replies Kagome, through her tears, "Shippo, when did you become the one to hold me?"
"Nothing changes," sighs InuYasha, "With the exceptions of overall maturity and powers, Shippo is how he's always been."
Kagome slowly pulls away from Shippo's embrace and wipes off her face with her hands. "I'm so sorry I'm making you sad," apologizes Rai, "I don't mean to open such a wounded heart."
"No need to be sorry. I just miss Jii-chan."
"You're a powerful miko. Don't you have the ability to see the dead or at least speak to them? You must know the death of a person doesn't mean their soul is lost. If your grandfather is a very strong-willed highly spiritual man, then he should have no problems talking to you. Your dreams are the best places to listen to the departed ones. That's when your body is at rest, giving your soul freedom to see what mortal eyes can't."
"You sound like you speak from experience," comments Sango, "If only Miroku could hear you now."
"Where is he? I missed him in this battle," wonders Rai.
"He stayed back in the village in case those serpents attack it while we're away. Besides Kaede's getting on in years and he wanted to stay to help her out."
"I want to talk about the origins of the Jukon and I want him present to hear it," requests Rai, "However it must be discussed in a location isolated from the rest of the world. Nakuhebi could have spies lurking everywhere and I don't want any of them to know secrets."
"There is a secret chamber in the temple," informs Sango.
"Let's go back now," suggests Rai.
"Aren't you meeting with Koga this morning?" asks Sango.
"He can just wait. It was rude of him to barge in on our bath, so why should I show him any politeness?"
Rai bows to Souten, saying sayonara to her, signaling to Inazuma. Inazuma trots toward Rai and both she and Shippo leap on his back. Kagome climbs on the back of Kirara with Sango. Inazuma launches into the air first, followed by Kirara. InuYasha takes off after the two demonic animals.
"Rai, why is it you told Kagome such hurtful things?"
"You'd rather I lie to her only to make her feel good? That's just something I don't do. It would hurt worse to hear a lie, and then my integrity would by compromised."
"I see. So you're naturally an honest individual. I should be grateful for that value in you. I met a girl once just the opposite of you. She'd lie all the time. It got to the point I detested her and wanted nothing to do with her."
"Sorry if I talked about Kikyo. I didn't know talking about her was such a sore subject."
"Kikyo was a part of InuYasha's life. She reappeared thirty years ago and at times came between Kagome and InuYasha. You were close in saying she's related to Kagome. Kagome's the reincarnation of Kikyo. That's why they seem like twins."
Rai sighs, looking down at Inazuma's mane. "I didn't mean to upset her about an old love rival, especially now when she has to deal with her grandfather's death. I feel like I made her feel worse." Rai's tears drop onto Inazuma's neck. "I'm so ashamed of myself."
"Why? You've done nothing wrong. You know very little about us and it's understandable you don't know anything about stuff that happened ten years before you were born."
"Jii-chan has been filling me in, so has Chichi-ue."
"It's awesome you've got your grandfather to talk to. He's dead, but that's only a small detail for you. Equally neat is Sesshomaru's in your life as well. I wish I had that. I miss both my parents; both died when I was just a small child. Kagome and I met shortly after I lost Chichi-ue. Those two Thunder Demons, Hiten and Manten, were the ones who killed him, too."
"Sorry to hear that, Shippo. If you want, you can meet me in the dream world and I can ask for him to come."
"You've got that ability? Clairvoyance?" asks Shippo.
"It just comes naturally to me. When I fall asleep, my body releases my soul temporarily. I'm still alive. A spirit barrier falls in place of my soul, repelling all evil spirits wanting to possess my body. Then the dragon's heart adds even more protection. In my spiritual body, I'm able to talk to the souls of the dead. I can also visit someone else in their dreams, acting as a medium."
"That's amazing," replies Shippo. "I've only met one person in my life able to do something like that."
"Chichi-ue and Jii-chan."
"Naturally I would think your grandfather did that when he was alive. But Sesshomaru's good like that. He's able to call upon souls of the dead."
Inazuma lands softly in front of the temple. Miroku sits on the steps, watching them arrive.
"How did the fight go?"
"It's over for now, but don't count on this being a defeat for Nakuhebi. As long as he's searching for the Crimson Jewel of Life, battles like that will continue. He'll do what it takes to get his hands on all the shards."
"This is Naraku all over again," sneers Miroku. "He's been dead for thirty years, but he's still at it."
"No, Nakuhebi is his bitter rival. Besides the pursuit for the legendary Shikon was Naraku's only obsession. Nakuhebi's interested in the Jukon and the Crimson Jewel is the key that leads to the Jukon's resting place."
Kirara lands in the courtyard, followed close behind by InuYasha. "Everyone's here," replies Rai, "Could we meet in this secret room, Sango?"
"Follow me," instructs Miroku. Shippo and Rai dismount Inazuma and all three start following Miroku. Sango and Kagome dismount Kirara as the nekomata reverts back to her kitten form.
Miroku leads the group into a spacious room with straw and gravel on the sunken floor. The walls are lined with sacred sutras. Pillowed seating lined the room, forming steps for the sunken floor. Lamps are lit, providing lighting for the room.
"Oh folks," Rai speaks abruptly, "in case any of you has to pee or something, do it now."
"Why's that?" asks InuYasha, "I'm fine."
"You sure? We just had green tea for breakfast. What I'm about to do is put a lot of you to sleep so we can actually go to the cave."
"I thought you said that was a dangerous place," inquires Miroku with a confused expression.
"In your mortal bodies it would be, but spirits can't be harmed. I also know the way through it the cave. Jii-chan has shown me on numerous cases."
"My father knows the way?" asks InuYasha.
"Of course. He's the one who started this."
"If we're going to spirit journey, then excuse me," replies Kagome in a quiet voice. Kagome walks briskly away from the room and exits the temple.
"Uh me too," replies Sango, trying to catch up with her.
"I've done this before," informs Miroku, "I'm fine."
"Inazuma and I are quite used to it. I didn't drink anything; the food provides enough hydrating material to sustain a body for days. I knew we'd be doing this from the moment I got up."
InuYasha steps out of the room and disappears from sight. "He was waiting until both Sango and Kagome were out of the temple," chuckles Shippo, "He can't let anyone see any discretions."
"Just like Inazuma," Rai sighs. Inazuma snorts, acting embarrassed.
After a while, Kagome and Sango enter the room. "My gosh, I didn't realize I was holding all that in," sighs Kagome, deeply.
"I know," agrees Sango, "That's not healthy either, especially at our age." InuYasha returns immediately after the two women.
"I thought you were going to hold it," smirks Kagome.
"Shut up. I was working out frustration, nothing more."
"So that wasn't your bare ass standing…"
"P…please don't blab."
"So everyone's here. I can see the room is sealed. I assume it means no evil spies can come through here."
"Right," confirms Miroku, "This is a soundproof room too."
"Will it prevent our spirits from exiting or entering?" asks Rai.
"No. In fact the lights will blow out when you're ready, I'll make sure of that."
"You blowing the lamps out will make it pitch black in here," gripes InuYasha.
"When you enter spirit form, you'll be able to see. The cave itself is pitch black, even in the daytime. You'll notice a number of lanterns among the corpses."
"What's going to happen to our bodies?" worries Sango.
"Relax," replies Miroku, "I've been through this too. This room is sealed to prevent evil spirits from finding our bodies. Also there will be pseudo spirits in our places. They will keep our bodies alive and sleeping."
"Will anyone see us?" asks Kagome.
"Demons might, but not humans. Even if evil demons see us, they can't do anything," informs Rai, "So find a comfortable spot in the room, and we'll begin."
"I don't feel tired," comments InuYasha.
"Not a problem, because I know an incantation that has the power to put you under."
"I've got a sutra with the same power," replies Miroku, feeling around in his sleeves. He holds out a sutra with nemuri written in kanji. The group finds a seat around the room with Miroku and Rai in the center, on the gravel floor. Both Miroku and Rai sit upright, each holding a sutra.
Rai chants, "Rei-teki na Janpu!" Simultaneously as Miroku chants, "Nemuri!" Suddenly the lamps blow out and everyone in the room is ejected from their bodies.