Ok, guys. So here I am with another chapter of Forgotten Legend. :D

I made a vow to myself that I would upload a chapter before travelling, so here it is! XD

Oh, and before we start with the Reply to Reviews, last chapter I wrote something that was misunderstood. I was complaining about myself being slow at translating stuff, and I'm afraid that some of you might have gotten the idea that I'm translating someone else's story. So just to clear the mess:

I'm translating this story to Portuguese, so I can upload it on another site for my Brazilian folks. :) But I wrote the original version (in English) too, so the story is of my authority.

But truth be told: I AM slow at translating stuff. XDDD

And I'm not so fond of doing so either, but... Anyway.


Reply to Reviews

PrincessAnime08

A part of it, yes. There's a lot of secrets they'll soon discover.

Thanks for reading and for your review. They are very important. :D

glon morski

Well, I checked the chapter before uploading and I guess (and hope) that the names are all written right this time. XD

And thanks for the review. :D

KikyouWillDieByMyHands

Thanks! :D

And sorry if it took so long. D:

Kagomethebeautifulmiko

Nah, that's ok. :D

Indeed, Inuyasha's been very sweet with Kagome. What a lucky girl, eh?

Thank you! I'm having lots of fun writing this story! :D

And thanks for the review too. It's very very very important. ;)


Oh, this time I've got THREE soundtracks for this chapter. Nice, huh? :D

(Okami – Kamiki's Sorrowful Fate)

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(Okami – Princess Sakuya's Theme)

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(Ico - Colapse)

.com/watch?v=YYE2xYC_Go4


On with the story!


Chapter IX – Memories of a Forgotten Past

(Background music: Okami – Kamiki's sorrowful fate)

The forest was dead silent in the darkness of the night. Not even the crickets dared do sing, nor the breeze dared to blow. The sun refused to raise from the distant horizon, and the moon, sole witness to the pain of a lonely dying miko, quietly cried a rain of tears made from the purest mystical light of silver.

The tree branches bowed mournfully at the passing of the wounded priestess, whose pace was slow but steady despite the pain and exhaustion. On each drop of her blood that fell to the soil, bloomed the most rare and beautiful of the flowers, many of them colored in crimson red.

Hair as golden as the morning sun, tainted in blood, shone with an eerie dust of pink light that trailed after her like the tail of a comet. Green eyes, once known for holding the very essence of life, young but yet so wise that even the most experienced of the elders couldn't ever comprehend. Now they held emotions that had never been seen on them before...

Sad... defeated... but still hopeful and determined. For she might have lost the battle, but not the war.

-You're doing your part well, Inu no Taisho.-She muttered, her lips perking up in a soft smile.-Now I shall complete mine.

Tiredly, she stopped in the middle of a clearing, and her smile grew. Green eyes looked up at the dark starry night, calm and conformed.

-May our efforts bless and protect you always,... Higurashi Kagome.

/\\\\\

Kagome's eyes snapped open. After a while, she raised her head a bit to locate herself in the camp. She was lying on her belly in her sleeping bag, near the fire, with her arms crossed under her head. Shippou was lying next to her, leaning his back against her side.

Sango was nested against Kirara's transformed body, and Miroku was leaning against a tree not too far from her.

And she could sense Inuyasha up in a tree, hovering over her. Ever since they left Hitomiko's village, he's been keeping a close watch on her, maybe because of fear that Naraku was after her now that Kikyou was dead. Or maybe because he was just a bit edgy after everything that had been happening.

This was their second night after leaving Hitomiko's village, and everything seemed peaceful till then.

But not in Kagome's dreams.

Sighing, the miko carefully raised from her sleeping bag, not wanting to wake up the others, especially Shippou. However, Inuyasha was already awake even before she was startled awake by her dream, and keeping a close watch on her.

She feed the fire some firewood and sat next to it to get a bit warmer. It wasn't a cold night, but the breeze was a bit cool.

-Are you alright, Kagome?

She smiled and looked back. Inuyasha had silently hopped down from the tree and was watching her carefully, his eyes and hair glowing with the fire light and the moon light bathing them.

Something about that image soothed Kagome's soul. She just loved how his hair gave him a mysterious touch when highlighted by the moonlight, how his eyes got even more beautiful under the fire light, and how his voice got a bit husky when he whispered. He was so beautiful.

-It's alright, Inuyasha. I just woke up with this dream again.-She offered him a soft smile. He sighed.

-It's the second time, Kagome. You woke up from a dream last night too.

-I know, but it's not the same.-Kagome assured him.-I'm sure it's nothing.

-If it's nothing, why do you get up and sit next to the fire? Why don't you try to sleep again?-The half demon sat next to her and crossed his arms inside the sleeves.

-Because...-She looked at the fire.-...they are weird dreams. I might be wrong, but... sometimes she says my name in the dreams.

-Who?-The hanyou arched his brows.

-The woman in my dreams.-She clarified, looking up at him.-She also said... something about your father... Inu no Taisho.-Kagome paused and looked to the ground, trying to pull back the memories of her recent dream.-She said... that he's doing his part well. And that she will do hers as well.

-Do you think... this woman you're talking about... might be my mother?-Inuyasha lowered his head, but watched her through his bangs.

Kagome shook her head no.

-I don't think so. Your mother was dark haired, and this woman... is blonde.

-Do you think these dreams of yours are related to... star mikos?

-I'm not sure, but... maybe they are.

-Kagome...

She looked up at him, signalizing she heard him.

-Last night you seemed more disturbed than today. Were your dreams worse?

-Not exactly. They were just... weirder.-She narrowed her eyes as she tried to remember that dream.

/Dream\\\\\

(Background music: Okami – Princess Sakuya's Theme)

His golden eyes were trained on the village below as the breeze blew on his long silver hair. The activity of this village wasn't different from other human villages he had seen before. But there was something about this little town that got his interest. A particular female human. One that awoke his curiosity about these fragile and strange creatures.

His gaze accompanied the strange courting ritual of two young humans. A compliment from one part, a change of colors on the other, mostly to a light pink. That female had turned beet red earlier when the male gave her a flower. He didn't really get it.

-I see you're really interested in human's behavior.

The mighty dog demon turned to the blonde haired priestess walking her way up hill, carrying a wooden staff with a golden five pointed star and three branches of herbs on the top. She also had three small cherry blossoms behind her ear, with a tiny green leaf each. She wore a light green and white kimono with delicate dark green vine patterns on the hakama.

-Humans are strange creatures.-He commented, looking back to the village. The yokai's voice was strong and pulsed with wisdom and respect.-It's even stranger to hear you saying that my destiny is intertwined with one.

The miko chuckled to herself.

-You'll understand what I mean in the right time.-She turned towards a tree and caressed its trunk as if it could feel her caress.-So you've been waiting for me the entire night, huh? Your mate won't be very happy about it.

The yokai looked back at her, his brow arched in confusion.

-How do you know?

She chuckled again.

-The forest told me.-She said as if it was a common thing to say. Turning, she smiled and held her staff with her other hand.-And I could sense your presence farther than you think I could. I'm a miko, remember?

-That's why I can't understand why you're not attacking me. As a miko, you should purify me to my very bones at first sight, shouldn't you?

The blonde miko's gaze got more serious as she looked at the daiyokai.

-Do not interpret me as any ordinary human, Inu no Taisho. Much less a common miko.-She sat beside him, keeping her staff close at her side her, and looked up at the vast clear sky.-I am the Hana no Miko Hannari, the second star miko.

Inu no Taisho wasn't familiar with that term, but he could understand that whatever it meant, wasn't something trivial. The priestess beside him seemed to understand his doubts, and soon explained.

-Each star miko is born as a tool of destiny, a guardian of the mortal land, a glimpse of hope in a time of chaos. Each one of us has the power to control a unique element. I can control the nature of flora, and I can see the future of those around me, as well as my own. I am here because it is my destiny to put an end to a millennial curse, which exist since the time of my antecessor, the mighty priestess Midoriko.-Hannari paused for Inu no Taisho to take the information in.-You'll have a son, Inu no Taisho, and he will be of decisive importance to the future of the next star miko after me. You must be very wise on your choices, for many of them will have consequences in a future beyond your time.

Inu no Taisho was surprised, but hid it as he looked at the human.

-My son?

-Remember when I told you your fate was intertwined with a human?

-So you mean a half demon?-Inu no Taisho arched his brows again.-I doubt that. I don't have THAT much of interest in humans, miko.

Her lips creased in a sly smile.

-Yokai or not, one can't control their heart. You'll see it.-Hannari stood and dusted her hakama to get rid of any dirt. Then she turned and walked back to the village. But before, she turned and looked once again at the dayokai.-And Inu no Taisho?

He looked up.

-The sword from heaven shall revive those whose lives were taken, and the sword of the mortal land shall only kill to protect the innocents.-Hannari's emerald green eyes shone with wisdom.-A sword that doesn't cut is the key to soothe the roaring heart of a killer, and a killing blade is the only way to bring back the lost human heart consumed by the soul of an uncontrollable demon. Shall your decisions be made wisely, for only then your bloodline will be saved, and only together the sword sisters can eternally banish the mighty blade forged in the depths of hell.

The silence fell between the yokai and the miko. They stared at each other in that same silence for several minutes. Inu no Taisho felt that he shouldn't doubt this human words. Especially now that he noticed that her hair started glowing with a bright pink dust of pure light, floating from her golden hair and fading away before reaching the ground. No human nor yokai had this characteristic, nor this powerful aura. Ordinary humans also couldn't have so much wisdom in such a young age. Then again, she told him to not interpret her as any human or miko.

Hannari seemed to notice that he respected her words, and smiled satisfied.

-Keep my word close to your memory, Inu no Taisho, and my prediction close to your heart. It's ok to be confused now, but in the right time you'll understand it all.-Hannari turned once again and left, leaving behind the daiyokai to replay her words over and over again in his mind. As he looked up at her retreating form, he saw as she stopped in front of a dead tree, looking at it with sadness. Then she approached and touched it caringly. Rejuvenated by her touch and powers, the tree perked up with green leaves and white flowers blooming, which blossoms floated in the breeze and gently touched the miko in some kind of gratitude. Hannari smiled, and Inu no Taisho picked her whisper of 'you're welcome'.

/Dream\\\\\

The pair stared at the fire in a moment of silence as they tried to understand the meanings of those dreams.

-These dreams...-Inuyasha started.-...maybe they aren't just dreams.

-What do you mean?-Kagome looked up at him.

-Maybe they are memories. Not your memories, but the memories of your antecessor.

Kagome looked down, trying to understand what he was saying.

-Think about it, Kagome. Hitomiko told us that star mikos have some kind of connection with each other. Maybe your antecessor is trying to tell us something.

-Yeah, maybe.-The young priestess admitted.-But we can't assume that she really knew your father. It might be just my imagination.

-We can ask Myouga-jii. If my father did met your ancestor, Myouga knows about it.

-And if it's really true, then it was Hannari who predicted Souunga's banishment and the need to forge the Tetsusaiga and Tesseiga, not your father.

-And it might be also because of her prophesy that I inherited Tetsusaiga, and Sesshoumaru the Tenseiga.-Inuyasha pulled the sword and its sheath from his side, and observed carefully each detail of the weapon.-Somehow, she knew all along.

-She had that power all along.-Kagome nodded, also staring at the sword.-She knew that you'd need this sword more than your brother, and that Sesshoumaru would need to learn a few things from a sword that can't kill.

Inuyasha chuckled.

-Humph. It's odd to think that some things are like they are now because of a woman that knew so much from a time beyond her own.

They looked at each other, losing themselves on the depth of each other's gaze. Then all of a sudden, Kagome gasped lightly and slapped her neck.

-Huh?-Inuyasha observed as she brought her open palm between them.

-Myouga-jii-chan?-The miko arched her brows.

-Just in time, you old flea. We were talking about seeing you.-The half demon smirked.

-Greeting, Inuyasha-sama, Kagome.-The little yokai greeted them as he puffed himself up to normal and jumped on the hanyou's shoulder.-I was passing by when I heard you saying my name. How can I be useful for you?

-Myouga-jii-chan, do you know anything about Inu no Taisho knowing a woman called Hannari?-Kagome asked anxiously.

-Hannari?-The demon repeated, trying to recall old memories.-Oyakata-sama wasn't aggressive to common humans, unless if necessary. But I can't recall memories of him being as gentle and caring towards a human as he was to Izayoi-sama.

-We're not talking about being close friends, Myouga-jii. We just need to know if he somehow knew this human.

-Hum...-Myouga crossed his tiny arms and closed his eyes, trying to search his memories.-Wait. I remember something.

/Flash Back\\\\\

(Background music: Ico – Collapse)

-Oyakata-sama, we're already beyond the western lands. Where are we going?-Myouga asked, confused as he looked around the forest.

This was supposed to be just another patrolling of the western lands, but they had already passed the limits of the daiyokai lands several hours ago. Being a daiyokai, they were already really far from the territory.

But Inu no Taisho didn't give him any credit, and kept walking peculiarly determined. Myouga crossed his arms in defeat. It wasn't the first time he was ignored, and wouldn't be the last. He was pretty sure of it.

The small flea's thoughts were interrupted when the daiyokai stopped all of a sudden, by the edge of a clearing in special.

-Oyakata-sama?-Myouga looked up, but his master's gaze was fixed forward. The small vassal followed his gaze, and gasped.

In the middle of that clearing there was a female human dressed in light green and white clothes, laying on a pool of her own blood, and surrounded by a mystical dust of pinkish light. Sprouting from the blood all over the clearing, beautiful crimson flowers bloomed and formed the most secret of the gardens.

Her body was covered in deep gashes, one of them fatally piercing her chest, missing her heart by mere inches. Blood leaked from her lips.

The priestess seemed to acknowledge their presence, and she raised her head to look at them, trying to smile.

-I didn't know that your lands extended this far, Inu no Taysho.-But something in her voice told otherwise. She knew very well where the borders of his lands were.

The daiyokai was silent as he approached, eyeing her fatal wounds. He knelled, his gaze, secretly sad, reaching her eyes.

-What happened?

She closed her eyes and sighed.

-Something that even you couldn't stop from happening.-She opened her eyes and looked up at him.-But you don't need to worry or feel sad. I had been waiting for this day. I knew all along.

Myouga kept himself quiet, and observed as his master reached for the human, pulling her to his arms. He stood and started walking to a different direction, away from the clearing, never minding the blood soaking his elegant clothes.

The walk to the closest village was silent. Hannari took the time and attempted to relax, trying to soothe the pain and enjoy the fact that there was no more suffering. Her mission was almost done. But she couldn't finish it alone. She was thankful that Inu no Taisho appeared to help her.

When he reached the borders of the village, she touched his chest to make him stop.

-You can leave me here now. I can walk the rest of the way.

-You're too injured.

-Injured or not, I'll die here anyway.-She smiled weakly, resigned.-I just need a little more time to finish my duty.

Inu no Taisho observed her in silence.

-I already told you: no need to be sad. I'm your friend, and I'm resigned to my fate, but you will find someone that you would willingly die to keep safe. Be patient, and all will come in time.

The daiyokai nodded solemnly, and knelled to let her go.

She stood with some trouble and struggled to walk towards the village, but stopped and turned to him with a serious expression.

-Keep my word close to your memory, Inu no Taisho, and my prediction close to your heart. It's ok to be confused now, but in the right time you'll understand it all. You don't need to remember me, but promise me that you'll never forget what I told you.

Inu no Taisho stared at her, and a ghost of a sad smile appeared on his lips.

-I'll never forget. Neither you nor your words... Hana no miko, Hannari.

She smiled back, and turned to keep walking to the village.

Inu no Taisho stood there for a few more minutes, before taking a few steps backwards to the shadows of the trees. He wasn't leaving though. Not yet.

Myouga was still observing his master's actions. His face was emotionless, but his eyes betrayed him, as one that is preparing for a grave event.

/Flash Back\\\\\


Preview to Chapter X

-"From the death a star miko... to the birth of another."-Inuyasha thought.-"But if only a star miko can completely purify the Shikon... then why Hannari didn't?"

REVIEWWWWWS! PLEEEEASE! :DDDD