Part 2! Kind of quick I know. Sorry.
Inuyasha was sitting on the fence surrounding the village. The thought of leaving Cynder bothered him. He would never admit it, but he really cared for her. More than just a friend or sister, much more. He just didn't know if she felt the same. One day. When this is over, we are going to talk about the future. Our future. But for now... he sighed. For now, he had to focus on finding and destroying Naraku. Suddenly, movement at the top of the hill above him caught his eye. He stood up on the fencepost. Two shapes were walking down the hill with two others, slightly harder to see, behind them. The wind blew towards him and he caught three scents. Cynder!
"Cynder!" he called, running up to meet her.
He ignored his brother as he skidded to a halt in front of her. Her eyes met his, full of anger and pain. He looked down and saw the bundle in her arms. "Emiko."
Without another word, he gently took Cynder's arm and steered her to the hut they were using. She seemed to be on the verge of collapsing, an emotional day, plus carrying Emiko, who, might not have been big, was taller than her. He quickly picked up Emiko and laid her on a spare mat as the others woke up, looking at the scene in confusion. He caught Cynder as she stumbled and set her down next to Emiko's body, "Cynder, what happened?"
"I think I can explain."
They turned to see a human looking like Emiko except for black hair, smaller build, and slightly tanner skin.
She stepped forward, "Cynder is in no position to speak right now. She is fatigued and needs rest. I will tell you what has happened, if you'll allow me."
Inuyasha nodded and turned to Cynder, finding her already on her side, fast asleep. He smiled and turned back to the human, "Tell us everything."
She told the story as the sun slowly rose above the trees, casting a faint light on the sleeping village as dawn broke.
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"So let me get this straight. You are Emiko, but not Emiko." Inuyasha said with a growl of frustration.
"Yes."
"Gah! That's confusing."
"I'd love to explain further strong one." Rina said, sidling up to him.
"Heck no." a voice said behind them.
They turned around to see Cynder standing in the doorway, leaning on the frame.
The gang had gone outside a few hours ago to let Cynder sleep, leaving Sesshomaru to keep an eye on her and Emiko.
"Cynder, you're supposed to be sleeping. You need to rest." Inuyasha ordered.
"You can't tell me what to do Inuyasha! Besides waking up to find a friggen youkai keeping guard is bad enough. I don't even know why he agreed to that."
"He seems concerned for Emiko." Kagome said, while Sango nodded. Rina rolled her eyes but said nothing.
"Feh! I don't know who you guys are watching, but Sesshomaru doesn't care for anyone." Inuyasha scoffed.
Cynder sighed and smack Inuyasha on the back of the head, "You're so thick."
"Hey! Teme...!"
"Oswari!"
WHAM!
Everyone ignored Inuyasha and helped Cynder, who was still a little shaky. Miroku turned to Reina, "Alright, but how do we get you guys back in her head?"
"A stupid thing to do if you ask me." Rina grumbled.
They just ignored her.
"We have to find the jewel that fits that sword." Reina said, nodding to the sword that she had asked Sesshomaru to bring down.
Miroku picked it up carefully and examined it, "I've heard of such a sword. It is said that the jewel lies in the heart of these mountains." he pointed to a range of mountains on the map, "A few days journey away from here. We have to seek out the jewel and place it in. The jewel, though dangerous, is generally a kinder energy. It should allow us to find it if we have a true and just purpose. This seems good enough."
They all looked at each other, nodding.
Inuyasha stood up, "Well, let's get everything together. I want to leave as soon as possible."
He threw a slightly nervous look at Rina, who winked at him. Kagome leaned over to Sango, "You know, I think it's less of the attraction to men then it is the freaking them out that Rina enjoys."
"I agree." Sango said, nodding her head, "Doesn't help much with the like factor however."
Kagome sighed, "I know. She's just creepy. It's amazing Emiko even had her in her head. I guess we all have one though."
An hour later, they set off. Sesshomaru had been asked to carry Emiko, since Cynder was still weak, but determined to move on. Miroku and Inuyasha led the way, Reina behind them, then Kagome and Sango, then Cynder a few steps ahead of Sesshomaru and Rina bringing up the rear, talking to Sesshomaru every once in awhile. Sesshomaru eventually moved up to Reina's side, finding her more like Emiko and, though she was a human, more comfortable to be around. Reina took his wariness in stride, not talking to him much, but providing random facts for the others around her who were interested, Kagome especially. Rina eventually walked next to Miroku, of which was very excited about. Sango kept a wary eye on her, though she had seemed to stop with the flirting. She still would bat her eyelashes at Sesshomaru every once in awhile, but other than that, kept silent.
They walked until it was too dark, then made camp. The next day, they started out again. Reina eventually started humming gently, singing notes underneath her breath.
"A song? Do you want to sing it?" Cynder asked curiously.
Reina laughed, "Oh no. I have no voice. That's Rina. She has the voice. This is just what has been in Emiko's head."
"Oh." Cynder shook her head, reminding herself that this human was merely part of Emiko's mind. She wasn't an actual person, "What is it?"
"She was thinking of different theme songs. This one she was piecing together."
"For?"
"Sesshomaru." Reina said matter-of-factly.
Cynder stumbled slightly, "Nani?"
"Well she believed that everyone had their own song. A gentler song, one that's not too hard or anything. One that describes moments that they feel."
"And mine?"
"Every Heart."
"Can you sing it?" Cynder asked Rina.
She perked up slightly, happy with the positive attention, "Let me think Shifter. Ah yes." she began singing.
Tell me babe
How many do I shed my tears?
Every Heart
Every Heart is not a gentle yet
Shall I do?
I can never say my loneliness
Every heart
Every heart doesn't know what to say or what to do
I was afraid of darkness because I felt that I was left alone
So I prayed for help to distance million stars
Round and round the planets revolve around the sun
And we seek after love and peace forever more
Growing growing whoa baby we can work it out
Look up at the sky every heart is shining all today
Show me now
What kind of smile do I come across
Every heart
Every heart can take a step towards dreams
All of us want to take a lasting happiness
Whenever you feel sad
I wanna hold you and give you a sound sleep
Someday every heart will be free and easy
We'll have peace of mind
Someday all the people find the way to love
Goes and goes the time goes on, we are not alone
We live on together and we will find some precious things
Sometimes we will smile, sometimes we will cry
Somehow don't forget believing in yourself tomorrow'll never die
There is the warm heart places on my mind
In my earliest days and it's so sweet
There are so many stars they have talked with me so kind
They say yes always times a friend of mine, so shine
Round and round the planets revolve around the sun
And we seek after love and peace forever more
Growing growing whoa baby we can work it out
Look up at the sky every heart is shining all today
Goes and goes the time goes on, we are not alone
We live on together and we will find some precious things
Sometimes we will smile, sometimes we will cry
Somehow don't forget believing in yourself tomorrow'll never die
She finished and there was the silence of afterwards. The song was filled with sadness, yet hope. Cynder smiled, though her eyes were moist, "Arigato, Emiko."
They continued on, occasional talk, though most were thinking. Cynder was worried. It seemed that every time she looked at Reina and Rina, they got clearer and brighter. They were too, and it was clear that Reina was getting nervous. She was content with being a part of Emiko. Rina, however, looked excited. For now it seemed, she would not try anything to gain her freedom, but she could still hope. They walked a little faster, seeing the mountains in the distance, but never feeling like they got any closer. As the sun began to set, they arrived at the foot of the mountains. There were multiple paths in, but they took none of these and instead went off, climbing upwards to a small cave high in the rocks. When they reached there, they looked at their path before them. Small and narrow, it wound off down into the depths of the mountain.
"This is our road." Reina said, "Now it is up to the jewel to decide if it will show itself to us."
Without another word, they all set off, single file, down the path. Cynder would glance back at Emiko ever so often, worried by her paling skin. They walked for what seemed days, stopping to rest sometimes and getting seemingly nowhere.
"Reina, does this road have a name?" Kagome sighed.
Reina opened her mouth to speak, but Rina beat her too it, "The Never-ending Path. If the stone concludes you unworthy, you will never leave. You will walked this path until you die."
Cynder looked around, noticing the skeletons which attempted to climb the walls for the first time. Rage filled her and she flung herself at the walls, yelling, "HEY! Stupid stone! My friend is dying because of your sword and we care about her, so I think that is a perfectly good reason for you to let us see you! Are you listening? Save my onaway!"
With no change, she slumped to the ground, fatigued and depressed. They were all silent for a minute, then Inuyasha spoke softly, "Can you sing?"
Cynder looked up, "N...nani?"
"Can you sing for us? Something to cheer us up, maybe. We need something beautiful in this cursed tunnel."
Cynder smiled slightly, and nodded, "Sure."
She turned to Rina, "You have no idea how much I loathe this, but I'm gonna ask you for help."
Rina looked at her, then nodded, "Alright."
They began singing, their voices bouncing off the rocks.
Well I know the feeling
Of finding yourself stuck out on a ledge
And there ain't no healing
From cutting yourself with the jagged edge
I'm telling you that
It's never that bad
Take it from someone who's been where you're at
Laid out on the floor, and you're not sure
You can take this anymore
So just give it one more try, to a lullaby!
And turn this up on the radio!
If you can hear me now, I'm reaching out
To let you know that you're not alone
And if you can't tell, I'm scared as hell
Cause I can't reach you on the telephone!
So just close your eyes (close your eyes)
Oh honey here comes a lullaby
Your very own lullaby!
Please let me take you
Out of the darkness and into the light
Cause I have faith in you
That you're gonna make it through another night
Start thinking about
The easy way out
There's no need to go and blow the candle out!
Because you're not done, you're far too young
And the best is yet to come!
So just give it one more try, to a lullaby!
And turn this up on the radio!
If you can hear me now, I'm reaching out
To let you know that you're not alone
And if you can't tell, I'm scared as hell
Cause I can't reach you on the telephone!
So just close your eyes (close your eyes)
Oh honey here comes a lullaby
Your very own lullaby!
Well everybody's hit the bottom!
And everybody's been forgotten
And everybody's tired of being alone!
Yeah everybody's been abandoned
And left a little empty handed
So if you're out there barely hangin on...
Just give it one more try, to a lullaby!
And turn this up on the radio!
If you can hear me now, I'm reaching out
To let you know that you're not alone
And if you can't tell, I'm scared as hell
Cause I can't reach you on the telephone!
So just close your eyes (close your eyes)
Oh honey here comes a lullaby
Your very own lullaby!
Oh honey here comes a lullaby
Your very own lullaby!
Everybody listened to the song, drinking in the music. When they finished there was silence. Then suddenly, the ground trembled and a crack of light shone through the darkness ahead of them, breaking through like a knife through a veil. They walked through it and appeared inside a large chamber, the rocks glowing a white yellow color. Sitting on a podium lie the jewel, nothing fancy, more like a rock than anything, an egg shaped granite stone. As they approached however, they saw that there was a bluish aura around it. Reina walked over, beckoning them, "Quickly, quickly! Emiko's connection is fading rapidly."
They gathered around as Reina and Rina stood side by side, Rina looking unhappy. Reina gestured for Sesshomaru to put Emiko on the podium as Cynder lifted the stone off. Miroku withdrew the sword and placed the tip of it on Emiko's temple. Cynder took a deep breath and looked at the two consciences who were now touching the jewel with her, "Well. See ya."
"We'll be right back, you just won't hear both of us." Reina said, smiling.
Rina nodded to them, "It's a pity that we could not be together longer. I would have preferred my own body."
"Whatevs." Cynder growled.
Rina smiled evilly, "Good bye Cynder. I'll see you when I'm in control."
Her voice sounded like Emiko's. Cynder narrowed her eyes and pressed the jewel into its place.
With a click, it slid in. The sword trembled and turned blue, the consciences fading and turning into unrecognizable yellowish light once more. They flew into the jewel, swirled down the sword, and covered Emiko in a yellow light. They glowed brightly, then faded, the sword and jewel disintegrating. For a second, Emiko lie still. Then, she opened her eyes and sat up, almost falling off the podium.
"Where... gah!" she steadied herself, "Where am I?"
Cynder threw her arms around her, "With us. Home. And safe."
Emiko seemed shocked, then hugged her back.
The group smiled, Inuyasha gently pulling Cynder off her, the former staggering and falling unconscious from lack of sleep and emotional distress. Sango helped Emiko off and Miroku assisted in supporting her while Keirsha healed her wound. Sesshomaru had vanished. No one cared much at that moment however, they were all just happy to be together once more.
Emiko lay in her field, looking up at the sky. Cynder was still sleeping, which was good. She had pushed herself past her limit for her onaway. Emiko smiled. It was good for someone to look after Cynder for once, not the other way around. A song which she had finished drifted into her head and she started singing.
There must still be a soul that you have left behind
Hidden somewhere
In the deep deep of the forest
Lying among the trees
People who are too tired they just don't look around
Any farther
They disappear into the eternal darkness
Of a foreign place
Could we, still have seen if we were there?
Could we've seen it if we were little?
We go on with our lives, and lose those things behind
Wrapped around in lies, we stand there voiceless
We wander and live our lives, until we find a way
Searching for the light, for eternity
Things are passing and changing and moving around
But the colors of the sky
Still remain the same, as we used to know
Every single day
We are running so free now ignoring the risk
The limits that we had
We leave our fears behind, take another chance
Our souls will live again
If we catch the rhythm of time
We could probably fly so high
We go on with our lives, and lose those things behind
Wrapped around in lies, we stand there voiceless
We wander and live our lives, until we find a way
Searching for the light, for eternity (3x)
We go on with our lives, for eternity
Searching for the light, for eternity
As she finished, she heard a voice behind her, "That's really pretty. I missed my singing partner."
Without looking to see who it was, Emiko replied, "And I missed you being able to sleep. Afraid I'll go missing again?"
Cynder sat down next to her with a sigh, "Kinda. And I can't sleep with Inuyasha snoring in there."
"Inuyasha doesn't snore."
"He does now."
They sat in silence for a moment, Cynder laying down as well, "That song."
"Yeah?"
"It's Sesshomaru's song, isn't it? I recognize the lyrics from when Reina was humming it."
"Yep, it is."
"I liked it, unfortunately. It sounds like him."
"If you mean sad and unknowingly lost? Then yeah, that's what I was going for."
"I hope we don't end up like that."
"We won't."
"How do you know?"
Emiko smiled, "I have faith in friendship and bonds."
Cynder shook her head, "I agree with you, but you are so weird sometimes."
"Thank you, I take that as a compliment."
"I meant it as one."
They lay in silence for a minute longer, then Cynder turned over on her side, "I'm going to sleep now. G'night onaway."
"It's about time. G'night."
Emiko listened to Cynder's breathing until it turned deep and steady, then sat up. Without looking into the trees behind her, she called out softly, "Appreciate the audience. I assume you like the song."
There was a faint rustle as a shape took to the sky. Emiko grinned and lay back down, turning on one side, "And a good night to you too Sesshomaru."
The End
