Chapter 7: The Power of the Elves

Middle-Earth: Rivendell

Kaname felt herself slipping away from the world of the living and all she could think about was what led to this. She had just been an ordinary school girl living with her twin brother and her parents at their family shrine until that fateful day when she and brother were pulled into Feudal Japan. As baffled as she and her brother were at the time, Michiru didn't seem to be as hesitant and unsure himself as he used to be but Kaname still remained the same. Sure she had the same powers as her brother and they shared the same adventures but deep down she wondered if she was even meant to take them. Their father had asked Michiru to go to the storage shed and Kaname just went along to help and it was Michiru who was more determined to return to the Feudal Era. She wondered if she was nothing more than a tag-along.

She saw bright light all around her and suddenly she heard a voice speak inside her head, saying something to her in an unknown language. Though she couldn't understand it she could tell that the voice was trying to guide her away from the darkness.

"Where am I? Am I dead?"

"No, not yet at least. You are safe in Rivendell, child." Another voice replied.

Feeling relief Kaname began to open her eyes and saw a grown man with long hair and pointed ears dressed in royal attire. Kaname asked, "Who are you?"

The man replied, "I am Lord Elrond of Rivendell, and I must say that for someone as young as you, you're most fortunate to have survived a wound such as that and live to tell about it."

Kaname looked and saw that she was dressed in a beautifully woven gold dress. She pulled up the sleeve and looked at her bandaged forearm. It still hurt a bit but she didn't feel nauseous about it. She then noticed someone sitting next to her bed. It was her brother and he too was dressed in a long-sleeve blue elvish attire. He was asleep with his head right next to her.

Lord Elrond said, "Your brother has hardly left your side since you've arrived, as well as your dog-eared friend."

This news took Kaname by surprise and she began to blush as she pictured Inuyasha standing against the wall watching her while Michiru sat next to her.

She looked at Elrond and asked, "Where is everyone? Are they alright?"

"They're safe, and they'll be glad to hear that you've awoken." He replied.

"What about Frodo, I remember that he had gotten hurt?"

"Me and my best healers are still attempting to save Frodo but its too early to tell whether or not he will live through this. But do not despair, we will do all that we can to save him."

Kaname smiled and said, "Thank you, Lord Elrond."

"You are very welcome; now if you'll excuse me, I must see how Frodo's doing."

As Lord Elrond walked out of the room, Kaname shook her brother lightly and he stirred awake. He looked up and and was glad to see his sister awake.

"Kaname! You're awake!"

He then sat up and hugged her tightly.

"Uh, bro... can't... breathe..." She gasped.

Realizing that he was squeezing her, he let go and said as he blushed with embarrassment, "Oops, sorry. I was just so worried."

"Its okay, so I hear that Frodo's still hurt."

Michiru nodded, "Lord Elrond is doing all he can to help him, I even tried using my Shikigami but it did very little to help him."

"Yeah, you'd think that as powerful as we are that we could just heal the injury altogether."

Michiru replied, "I guess our healing powers have their limits."

Kaname smiled at the fact that they weren't as powerful as they should be. They came a long way and learned so many Shikigami Techniques and yet they were still not very strong. She then looked at her brother and said, "By the way, nice attire you got on, bro."

Michiru smiled and said, "Lord Elrond offered us elvish clothing and I didn't want to be rude."

Kaname giggled and replied, "That, and you've always had a thing for blue."

Michiru said, "What can I say? Its my favorite color." He then remembered something that Kaname should hear. "Oh and you should know that Gandalf is here."

Kaname's eyes widened and she asked, "Gandalf?! He's here? Why wasn't he in Bree?"

"Apparently, he was being held prisoner, but he wouldn't go into it. Saying he only wished to explain it once." Michiru explained to Kaname.

* * *

Inuyasha was making his way through Rivendell trying to take his mind off of Kaname, but he just couldn't. Fortunately they had gotten her there quick enough to save her and she was merely resting and yet his mind always wandered to her. He remembered how this always happened whenever Kikyo or Kagome got hurt and that he would always rush to there aid to protect them because he cared about them. He knew that he cared about Kaname given that she's his best friend's sister, but he began to wonder if there was more to it than that.

I doubt it would work out, both Kagome and Michiru will probably flip.

As he was sorting his feelings together, he sensed someone approaching him from behind. He turned and saw Kagome dressed in a beautiful green dress woven by the elves. She appeared with a distressed look in her eyes, she was obviously concerned about his constant pacing.

"Hey." Inuyasha greeted her.

"You're still worried about Kaname, aren't you?" She asked plainly.

Inuyasha grunted and replied, "What does it matter? She's just resting, she'll be up in no time."

"Inuyasha, I'm not stupid. I can tell that you care about her, especially given that she's in love with you..." Kagome stopped herself, feeling awkward bringing up the "L" word over the situation between Inuyasha and Kaname.

Inuyasha winced at the mention of it and said, "I-I don't know what talking about."

"Yes you do. Ever since Kaname told you that she loved you, you've been acting like its no big deal. Now she's been injured and you're trying to take your mind off of her. Its obvious that you care about her and yet you act like you don't," Kagome said. "I care about Kaname too, she's my best friend who I feel understands my problems back home. But she doesn't know what its like to care about someone who doesn't care about you. If you keep acting like this, then she'll be heartbroken. So stop pretending that you don't care when deep down you really do."

Inuyasha was taken back by Kagome's statement, but she was right, he was concerned about Kaname and yet he was denying it which wasn't doing him or her any good.

"She's not like you or Kikyo, she's different, she's... special." Inuyasha said hesitantly.

Stunned, Kagome just had to ask, "D-Do you love her?"

After about a minute, Inuyasha replied, "I don't know."

Kagome sighed and said, "But you do care about her?"

"Yeah."

Kagome put on a small smile and asked, "Was it so hard to say?"

Inuyasha snickered and said, "I guess not."

Before either of them could say anything else, they both heard Shippo scamper over to them as he said, "Hey, you two, Kaname's awake!"

As Shippo hurried ahead of them, the two looked at each other. Kagome smiled as Inuyasha simply said, "Thanks."

Kagome nodded and she replied, "Let's go see how she's doing."

* * *

The news of Kaname's awakening reached everyone and soon they all gathered around her bedside expressing their concern.

"Don't scare us like that again."

"You sure gave us quite a scare."

"Are you sure you're all right?"

Soon Kaname started to feel crowded and she said, "Everyone, I'm fine! Just please stop crowding me."

"She's right," A voice said. They all turned and saw Strider standing in the doorway. "You shouldn't crowd someone whose only just recovering."

Michiru stood up and said, "Thank you, Strider. If it weren't for you my sister wouldn't be here right now."

Strider smiled and said, "You're welcome, Michiru."

Shortly after everyone started to give Kaname her space, Michiru walked onto a terrace and was joined by Sango who was wearing a beautifully woven red dress which made Michiru stare in awe the first time he saw her in it. "I'm glad your sister's okay. I can tell that it was hard for you to endure seeing her like that."

Michiru nodded and said, "I made a promise to my parents that I would protect Kaname during our travels. I felt so helpless when I could heal her."

Sango placed her hand on his shoulder and said, "You did what you could and she's fine now so there's no need worry about it."

Michiru smiled at Sango's comforting words. "Thank you, Sango."

She smiled and replied, "Hey, what are friends for?"

As she walked away, Michiru thought about what she said and could only express slight sadness. I just wish we could be more than that.

* * *

Two days later, Frodo had awoken from his long sleep; with the help of Elrond's healers as well as some assistance from Michiru and Kaname, the hobbit was still among the living. Later that afternoon, a large group gathered in Elrond's study. The group consisted of Inuyasha, Kagome, Shippo, Miroku, Sango, Kilala, Kohaku, Michiru, Kaname, Gandalf, Frodo, Bilbo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Strider, Arwen, and Lord Elrond. Michiru and Kaname were the last to arrive as Lord Elrond spoke, "Michiru, Kaname, thank you for joining us." He then turned to Gandalf and said, "You told me some of our new arrivals here would be of great importance to us."

Gandalf nodded and said, "Yes, but I did not tell you all, that is for them to tell."

Miroku looked at the wizard and said, "But Gandalf, didn't you tell us not to speak of our place of origin?"

"You are among friends, Master Miroku; you may tell only those who are standing in this room." Gandalf replied.

With that said, Inuyasha's group took an hour and told them everything which started with the creation of the Shikon Jewel, the birth of Naraku and the tragedy of Inuyasha and Kikyo fifty years earlier; to the day Kagome fell down the well to five-hundred years into the past, the shattering of the Sacred Jewel and the quest to find all the pieces; which led to the gathering of Shippo, Miroku, Kilala, Sango and Kohaku, the surprise encounter with Michiru and Kaname which led to the destruction of Naraku and finally their arrival in Middle-Earth.

Everyone who was listening was without a doubt stunned even those who already knew. Sam said in astonishment, "Wow, so you all come from a completely different world? I never would have guessed that."

Arwen smiled at Sam's statement and said, "It certainly explains your special abilities."

"Not to mention their mannerisms." Strider added.

Inuyasha heard Strider's comment and said, "Hey, I still have no problem with slicing you to bits, pal!"

Strider raised an eyebrow as Michiru tried to calm his friend down. Gandalf sensed that he was going to cause trouble and he said, "Inuyasha, sit!"

As expected, nothing happened. Everyone but Inuyasha's group was surprised and Kagome started laughing and said, "I'm sorry, Gandalf; but Inuyasha doesn't sit--," CRASH! "--Unless I tell him to."

After Inuyasha hit the floor, everyone broke into a big laugh; even Lord Elrond found it comical.

As everyone was dismissed, Lord Elrond said to Michiru and Kaname, "Wait you two, Gandalf and I would like to have a word with you in private."

Michiru looked toward the others and Sango told him, "Go ahead, we'll be waiting you for you."

Michru smiled and nodded. But what they didn't know was that Arwen had seen the look in their eyes. Being an elf with keen eyes, she could tell that Michiru and Sango had feelings for each other.

Michiru and Kaname entered and then Gandalf spoke, "I have told Lord Elrond that your powers had warded off the Ringwraiths you encountered."

Elrond added, "Yes, and I must admit that I was impressed by your unique talents, and yet I can't help but to notice that both of you haven't reached your fullest potential."

The twins nodded and Gandalf said, "You've learned to use your basic techniques and yet with what happened with Frodo, you don't feel as strong as you should be."

"Which is why we've agreed to help you. You see the elves possess the ability to call upon the ancient spirits of Earth, Fire, Air and Water; which is in relation to your Shikigami Powers. We've agreed that while you remain here, we will help you master your abilities to their fullest potential."

Kaname asked, "So you can help us learn new techniques and abilities?"

"Yes, in fact we might even teach you a few things that very few mortals are graced to learn."

Astonished, Michiru said, "Thank you, this would be very helpful to us."

* * *

After being dismissed from Elrond's study, Michiru and Kaname made their way back their rooms. Along the way however, Michiru came to a door to a gallery where a man walked out of with a disdained look on his face. Michiru watched the man leave and then peeked inside. He saw Strider and Lady Arwen standing near an altar looking at each other. He heard Arwen speak to him, "Why do you fear the past? You are Isildur's heir, not Isildur himself. You are not bound to his fate."

Though Michiru never was one for eavesdropping given with what happened at Bag-End was his first time, he was curious as to what they were talking about.

Strider shook his head with a fearful look and replied, "But the same blood flows through my veins, the same weakness."

Michiru was slightly confused but he gathered that whoever this Isildur was, Strider is obviously a descendant and fears that he will succumb to the same fate as Isildur, and judging by his expression it wasn't a good fate.

Arwen approached him and said, "Your time will come, you will face the same evil and you will defeat it."

She then started speaking is what Michiru assumed was elvish, but what surprised him was that she spoke a tender, caring manner. They then started to walk toward the entrance and Michiru quickly hid behind a bush as they walked by.

* * *

They made their way toward a stone bridge overlooking a river. Michiru quietly followed behind and hid behind a stone column a small distance away. Not too close to be spotted but close enough to listen in. He heard Arwen ask Strider something in elvish. To his surprise, Strider responded in elvish. Michiru peeked out and looked at them as they spoke. He saw them look into each others eyes deeply and then it hit him, Strider was in love with Lady Arwen. The way she spoke to him, the way he looked at her, it was all too obvious. Michiru began to feel slightly envious at how they were together. Strider was a man who looked dangerous at first sight and Arwen was the daughter of a mighty elf lord; and yet they were together. He wondered if he would ever be with Sango despite how she felt about Miroku.

Michiru then heard Strider speak in the common language, "You said you bind yourself to me, forsaking the immortal life of your people."

Michiru was slightly surprised to hear that elves were immortal and the fact she was and he wasn't, he understood how hard it would be for them to be together.

Arwen then said, "And to that I hold, I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone."

He saw Arwen give Strider something, it was a silver-white necklace that glimmered brightly.

"I choose a mortal life." Arwen said.

Strider looked at her fearfully and said, "You cannot give me this."

"It is mine to give to whom I will, like my heart." And with that the two shared a blissful kiss that made Michiru blush.

"Its so romantic." A voice said right behind Michiru. He turned quickly and was faced with Sango.

Feeling ashamed for his eavesdropping on two people in love, Michiru stammered, "S-Sango, h-how long have you been s-standing there?"

Sango smiled and said, "Since you started following them." Michiru gulped nervously and as he was about to run away, Sango placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. "Don't worry, this will just be between us."

Michiru sighed in relief and said, "Sango, I was just..."

Sango stopped him and said, "You don't need to explain. Its quite obvious that you were curious. Probably wondering if you'll be with someone like that."

"Sango, I..." He said as he looked into her eyes. As Sango looked into his, she blushed as she saw his feelings for her and despite her own shyness, she found herself leaning toward him. Michiru sensed what was happening and found himself inching toward her as well.

It was pretty obvious that they were about to share their first kiss but before they could, they heard Strider and Arwen gasp at the sight of them as they rounded the corner to which the two backed away and blushed.

Michiru said nervously, "W-Well, we're just gonna head back to our rooms, goodnight!"

With that the two ran off hoping that they weren't followed. Arwen simply smiled as the two young lovebirds fled.


I'm sorry for the long delay, I've had a hell of a time putting in certain parts and taking some parts out but here you go. I figured I'd have Gandalf be like a mentor to Michiru and Kaname in regards to magic skills. Also Inuyasha's starting to head more towards Kaname and Sango's about ready to confess her feelings to Michiru given that they've both nearly lost a sibling and they're getting closer to their first kiss.

Next chapter: The Fellowship of the Ring (I was going to call it the Council of Elrond but it seemed to be used a lot.)

Inuyasha, Michiru, Miroku and Sango are asked to attend the Council to decide the fate of the Ring and they learn surprising facts about Strider and the Ring while the others sneak in along with the hobbits.