A Departure and A Revelation
As the rain continued to fall, Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, Miroku and Shippou set off to save Amaya.
"What are we going to do with the children?" Miroku asked worriedly at his wife Sango.
Sango gestured to Kirara, who had the couple's three children on her back.
"Kirara will take Kichiro, Minako and Daiki home and meet up with us along the way. Until then, we'll walk."
Miroku nodded in agreement and helped Minako get settled atop the big cat. They had never gone so far away from their parents.
"No! Daddy, I don't want to go!" Minako cried as she clutched her father's kimono.
Miroku gently pried the tiny fingers off the material and set Minako back on Kirara,
"You must Minako, my sweet, it's too dangerous for little girls where Mommy and I are going. Kichiro and Kirara will take care of you, be thankful of them."
Minako cried even harder, she missed her parents already, "But I'm not a little girl! Mommy said I was a big girl! I want to go with you!"
Miroku turned his head away, refusing to hear anymore and patted Kirara's flank and she flew off into the sky, her passenger's tears falling on the heads on their parents.
Their mood dampened further, the group set off. Kagome walked with Inuyasha, Shippo beside them (he was a great deal taller now) while Miroku and Sango walked a few steps behind the threesome.
The group walked, and walked and walked. Inuyasha was having trouble picking up his daughter's scent, it was too far up. To get a better look of where they were, he jumped up into the tree tops and scanned the horizon. Kagome made camp while Inuyasha did this, setting a small fire and unpacking some of the food supplies and water.
When the food was cooked, Kagome called up to her mate and he hopped down.
"Anything?" Sango asked with concern in her voice.
Inuyasha shook his head from behind his bowl of stew he was gulping down.
"Could you catch her scent?" Kagome continued.
Inuyasha shook his head again and put the bowl down to answer.
"They must still have a barrier up around them. I have no idea where to go!"
Kagome put her arm around him and hugged Inuyasha tight.
"We'll find her, we just have to!"
"Child of the hanyou Inuyasha and miko Kagome! Do you wish to know your purpose in life? The gods have told me and it is quite interesting."
Amaya was shocked by the old demon's words. The gods? Who were they…and what does he mean, my purpose in life?
The Oracle waited for an answer from Amaya, although it seemed an obviously rhetorical question. When she didn't answer, he continued.
"You, Amaya the hanyou, are the Feudal Diamond, a powerful child. The gods have revealed to me that you are the destined wife of my grandson, my heir."
Amaya was even more shocked than before. She spoke, her body numb.
"How can I get married? I'm 3!"
The Oracle and other demons in the gigantic hall laughed, or grunted as it sounded to Amaya.
The Oracle, having stopped the laughter after a few moments, leaned forward to look at Amaya in the eyes.
"Are you all human or just half? It does not matter how old you are! My grandson is 7 himself! We have waited long enough, you shall marry him and ascend the throne."
A hushed murmur rumbled through the crowd.
"Throne? What throne?" Amaya asked, her voice struggling to produce the words.
The Oracle spoke in his wheezy voice again, "Well, you won't be on the throne, your job is just to produce heirs for my grandson in a few years. You shall not have any power over these demons."
The crowd cheered.
Amaya was even angrier now, "I thought I was the Feudal Diamond! I'm powerful, I should be the ruler!"
This made the demons laugh even louder than before, some rolling on the ground with tears in their many eyes.
"Silly, silly child. Enough! I shall not speak with you anymore, for I am weak. Bring forth my grandson and the two may get acquainted. Thank you."
The Oracle's servants carried their master out of the room, just as he had entered.
A few moments later, as the audience began to disperse to their celebratory parties, the grandson of the Oracle was brought before Amaya.
The boy demon was young, as the Oracle had said. He was taller than Kichiro and more muscular. He had spiky green hair with small, spiral horns poking through the top of his messy mane. He was wearing a white gi and had bare feet. He smiled down at Amaya and walked down from the platform to greet her.
Amaya watched the boy come to her from the corner of her eye. She kept her head bowed, refusing to look at him with honor.
The boy brushed Amaya's hair to the side and peeked under it, staring Amaya right in the eyes.
"Hi!" he said cheerfully, "I'm Kazuki! What's your name?"
Translation Note: Kazuki means: "beginning of a new generation"
Author's Note: Thanks for reading and reviewing! Check out my other Inuyasha fanfic: Home for the Holidays! It's award winning!