Love and War
Disclaimer: I do not own, or make any money from, the stories of Inuyasha.
All Inuyasha characters are the sole property of Rumiko Takahashi, Sunrise and Viz
All original characters belong to me.
Chapter Eleven
Time Rip
"Jii-chan, you remember me?", Kagome asked, shocked.
"Of course, girl. How could I ever forget my dear granddaughter!", her grandfather cried happily as he hugged her tightly.
"I'm just surprised, that's all.", Kagome said, as she pulled away from her grandfather's embrace, "Souta didn't know me at all."
Tears fell down her grandfather's face, "Oh, dear girl, what has happened to the world? The world has gone crazy! The shrine ... it's gone ... everything I know is gone. I keep telling people this isn't how it's supposed to be. So, they called me crazy. Your mother and Souta locked me up in here. But, I knew ... I knew you would return and help set everything straight."
"I'll try grandpa. Really, I'll try.", Kagome spoke softly, as she held the old man's hands.
"Kagome.", Inuyasha said softly.
Kagome turned her head towards Inuyasha. He was facing the door. Kagome stood up and turned toward the door. Standing there was a young man, apparantly in his early twenties, dressed in a military outfit,
"You know Higurashi-sama?", the young man asked.
"Yes. Why?", Kagome's voice was suspicious.
"Then I suggest you leave."
"Why is that?", Kagome stated, her fists on her hips, "I came to see my grandfather and to find out why he's locked up in this hell hole!"
"Your ... grandfather?", the young man said, hesitantly, "I was told he only had a grandson. Not a granddaughter." The man's gaze moved from Kagome to Inuyasha, "What are you?"
"Huh?", Inuyasha's voiced surprised at the question.
"Are you a ... demon?", the young man questioned, "Those ears ... aren't human."
Kagome stared at Inuyasha, realization hitting her like a ton of bricks, "Oh no! How could I have forgotten to cover those things!"
"Did they see you at the front desk?", the young man asked.
"Yes, they did.", Kagome groaned.
"Then come with me. You're not safe here. The military police will be on their way."
"Why?", asked Kagome.
"Don't worry about it. I'll tell you later. Just follow me."
The young man walked out the door, followed by Inuyasha. Kagome leaned over and kissed her grandfather, "We'll be back for you. I promise.", she whispered in his ear, before following Inuyasha. The young man led them down a corrider to a small room,
"Why are we here?". Inuyasha asked.
"The whole hospital is under video survelliance. Everything that was said and done in that room and the hallways was recorded. I'm just erasing your visit.", the young man told them.
"Won't they be able to tell the video was altered?", Kagome asked, after assuring Inuyasha she would explain what the man was talking about later.
"No. Usually nothing happens around here. I have tons of video just showing empty halls and your grandfather's room with only him in it. I can easily splice it together and they'll never know. They're stupid like that. They don't have the videos time and date stamped ... so there's no way to tell what time anything happened.", he explained.
"What about this room?", Kagome looked around suspiciously.
"HMPH! This room? This is my domain. They think it's being monitered ... but I just keep re-taping footage of me sitting here watching the monitor. It's beneficial for when I want to take a walk.", he smiled, "Ok. It's done. C'mon. It's the end of my shift anyway. Let's get outta here before the military police show up."
Inuyasha and Kagome followed the man outside and into an alleyway, "We'll take the alleyways to my place. It'll be safer.", he said.
Inuyasha leaned into Kagome, "And, uh, why are we following him? He could be leading us into a trap.", he whispered.
"I don't think so.", she whispered back, "Otherwise, he could have kept us in the room until the military police showed up."
The young man turned back to them, "By the way, my name is Hideki. What's yours?"
"I'm Kagome and this is my husband, Inuyasha.", she replied.
"Wow. You're married to a demon? How did you get away with that?", Hideki asked.
"Get away with it? What do you mean?", Kagome asked back.
"Demons aren't allowed here. Any demons that show up are to be exterminated. That's why the military police will show up at the asylum.", he explained.
"Well, we were at the library for many hours and Inuyasha didn't have his ears covered there either. The librarian didn't call anybody.", said Kagome.
"The library across from Blessed Virgin Mary?", he asked.
"Yea.", Kagome responded.
"Oh, that's alright. She's one of us.", he said.
"Huh? One of who?", Kagome asked.
"We are the people who remember the original time.", he explained.
--
Back at the asylum, three miltary policemen walked in,
"Where is he, Leiko?", one of them asked.
"In room 34. With Higurashi. He had dog ears.", she told them.
She led them back to the room. When they entered, no one was there but the old man,
"They were here. I tell you they were.", Leiko insisted.
One of the policemen shook the old man, "Hey. Crazy. Where did your visitors go?"
"Visitors? I haven't had any visitors.", Higurashi told them.
"You lie, old man.", Leiko insisted, "They were here. A young girl and a demon man."
"And you call me crazy?", the old man stared into her eyes, "At least I don't see imaginary people and demons."
Leiko was obviously frustrated, "Officers. Come with me. I'll show you on the video."
The officers followed her to the small room. She played back the video from shortly before the young girl and the demon arrived. All it showed was an empty hallway, except for workers, and Higurashi's room ... without visitors,
"But, they were here. I swear it, officers.", she looked at them pleadingly.
"I'm sorry, Leiko.", said the one officer, "You know what the penalty is for a false report. I have to take you with me.", he turned her around and placed her wrists in cuffs,
"But ... but ... you have to believe me ... you have to ... they were here ... I wouldn't make a false report ... please don't take me there ... PLEASE!", she pleaded.
One of the other officers shook his head, as he watched his partner take Leiko out. He said to the other officer, "What a shame. She was a good informant too."
"Yea. But, we have alot of work to do finding these rebels claiming there's another world out there. She's obviously gone wacko herself. The firing squad is too good for her.", the other officer huffed.
--
"Original time?", Inuyasha raised his eyebrow.
"Yes. Just like your grandfather. This time isn't right. Your grandfather runs Higurashi shrine but, that's no longer there. But, you must have realized that this is wrong. I figured that out when you said you knew Higurashi-sama. His daughter-in-law and grandson don't come to visit him at all. You're the first visitors he has ever had. He would talk about a granddaughter but, his records indicated only a grandson. He kept saying you were away but, that you would be back and that you would fix everything. Everyone in the asylum just thought him a kook."
"Poor jii-chan.", Kagome sighed, "So, how is it you and my grandfather and anybody else that you know remembers this 'original time'?
"We've come to the conclusion that anyone with deep seated spiritual, mystical, or demonic powers weren't completely affected. Oh, here we are.", he unlocked the door and walked in, "Sit down.", he motioned to the couch, "Make yourselves comfortable. Do you want a drink? I have some Coca-cola and some Dr. Pepper."
"I'll take a Dr. Pepper.", Kagome said, and when she noticed Inuyasha staring at her strangely she said, "He'll have a coke."
Hideki handed them their bottles of soda and sat down with his, "Sorry for the tight quarters. That's one thing about Japan that hasn't changed.", he said with a smile.
"Kaede's hut is bigger that this.", Inuyasha commented.
"Hut?", Hideki queried.
"Yea.", said Kagome, "If you know about spirtual powers, then I guess it won't be much of a stretch for you to believe that we can time-travel."
"Time travel? Really? I mean, how? What do you use? Where do you go?", Hideki's interest piqued intensely.
"The old well on my family's property. It connects me to Feudal Japan. That's where Inuyasha is from. That's why he doesn't understand alot of what you are saying. We live very simply back there.", Kagome explained.
"COUGH COUGH!", Inuyasha almost spilled his soda, "What is this?", he choked out, "It has weird bubbles in it."
Kagome and Hideki laughed at Inuyasha's predicament, "I should have warned you not to try to drink it fast. He's never had a soda before. My mother never buys it and when I used to bring back modern food to the past, he never wanted to try it. Only ramen and potato chips.", said Kagome.
"So, you were in the past when this occured?", Hideki asked.
"Yes.", answered Kagome.
"And you remember the original time?"
"Yes, we do. Are you a priest? You said spiritually strong people can remember the original time. Are all the people that remember it priests or priestesses?", asked Kagome.
"No. Very few priests are left. Apparantly, their spiritually wasn't that strong. I have magic powers, as do most of the others.", Hideki told them.
"Magical powers?", Kagome asked.
"I'm a wizard."
"Wizards ... exist? Like Harry Potter type wizardry?" Kagome stared at him in disbelief.
Hideki laughed, "You're married to a demon and you time travel through a well and you ask ME if I'm real?"
Kagome leaned back in the couch, "True."
"Actually,", Hideki started, "J.K. Rowling is one of us. She's a witch. The Harry Potter stories? They're real. She used to attend Hogwarts. The Ministry of Magic was very concerned when she wrote those books. We try to keep ourselves away from Muggles because they don't understand."
"Muggles?", Inuyasha questioned.
"Non-magical people.", Hideki told him, "Anyway, Harry Potter was the only one everybody in the wizardry world knew ... with his battle with Voldemort and all. J.K assured the Ministry of Magic that Muggles were naive enough to not believe the stories as true. And, she was right.", he finished and took a sip of his soda.
"So, all the people in the Wizardry world remember the original time?", Kagome asked.
"Yes. But, I'm afraid that's not good enough.", he said with a sigh.
"Why is that?", asked Kagome.
"Because, with what is happening, pretty soon this world, as it is now, will become permanent. And all of us that remember the original time will disappear.", Hideki explained.
"Including my grandfather?", Kagome asked, worried.
"I'm afraid so.", Hideki frowned, "Unless something is done to destroy this time."
Kagome looked at Inuyasha and then back at Hideki, "And how would we do it?"
"I don't quite understand the dynamics of what has happened. But, my master does. Tomorrow morning we'll go to his home. He'll explain everything to you ... at least, it's his theory on what happened to this world. Maybe then you can figure something out. You can stay here for the night, if you would like. It's cramped but, it's safe."
"Ok.", agreed Kagome.
--
The next morning after breakfast, Hideki again led them through alleyways to get to their destination.
"A dojo?", Inuyasha queried.
"Yes. This is where my master resides. You know of dojos?"
"Yea. They have them in my world too.", Inuyasha told him, "The humans use it for practicing. I'm just surprised that dojos are in this world too."
"Anything that has to do with war exists. Japan's history in this new world is based entirely on military might.", Hideki informed him.
"I realized that when I was at the library.", Kagome said, as they walked in.
"Master Katsu.", Hideki called out.
And older man walked out, "Hideki? I'm surprised to see you here."
"Master Katsu, I have brought some visitors. This is Higurashi Kagome. And her husband, Inuyasha."
The older man looked at Inuyasha, who, today, had his ears covered, "You are a demon ... no ... a half-demon.", he spoke.
Inuyasha raised his eyebrow, "You can tell, can you?"
"Kagome is Higurashi-sama's granddaughter. She's highly spirtual also. She time-travels from the well on her family's shrine to Feudal Japan, which is where Inuyasha is from.", Hideki told him.
"Hmmmm. Is that so?", the older man studied the two, "Feudal Japan, you say. Are you here to assist us in returning this world to what it should be?"
"If we can, yes.", agreed Kagome.
"I told them that you would be able to explain your theory of what occurred.", Hideki told him.
"Is that so? Hmmm. Come with me. I'll tell you my theory, because I believe it started sometime in the Sengoku Jidai.", the older man said, as he walked into another room, followed by the small group, "Have a seat.", the older man directed them.
The trio sat on the pillows on the floor. A television was on behind Katsu, it's volume down low. Katsu pulled out some fabric, one red and one green,
"I believe in Quantum Mechanics. Specifically, the Many-Worlds Interpretation. In it's basic form, Many-Worlds states that every outcome of a person's life that could happen, even though in this world it didn't, happens in a parallel universe. We, technically, shouldn't see these other universes, but, some people do see glimpses of them. I believe that someone, from a parallel universe, managed to time warp into our universe. In doing so, he or she, altered our world.", he started to rip the red fabric, "This is the start of the change. It formed a time-rip in our universe, starting a whole new parallel world. As the rip increases over the years, the new world,", he laid the ripped red fabric on the floor and placed the green fabric over it, "Is slowly becoming prevalent.", he continued to rip the red fabric, stopping just short of the edge, "When this time-rip finishes tearing our universe apart, the new world will be permanent and the world that had been, will be gone forever. As will everyone who remembers it."
"So, you're saying, that when the time-rip ends, all of you, and my grandfather, will be gone?", asked Kagome.
"Yes. That is what I am saying. And, there will be nothing anybody can do to change that.", Katsu said.
"What about me and Kagome?", Inuyasha asked, "We remember the original world. Will we disappear too?"
"Maybe not.", the older man appeared lost in thought, "You can time-travel. So, you can remain in the old era. Before the time-rip destroys the original world. You both should be safe."
"Yea, but Kagome was born in the original world. Her family doesn't recognize her, which says she wasn't born in the new world ...", Inuyasha stated.
Kagome looked at him in awe. She was shocked at how much he comprehended, 'Is his dumb hanyou attitude just a facade?', she thought.
"That may be.", said Katsu, "But, she was born before the time rip completed and went to the past before the time rip probably started. So, it is possible that the time-rip will not kill her. She is already crossing dimensions into another parallel universe. What will most likely occur is she will not be able to cross dimensions any more. Your portal will probably close."
Kagome's mind turned to the television. She stood up and went over to it. The others followed,
"Kagome?", Inuyasha called her name.
Kagome turned up the volume,
"Hideki? Who are they?"
"Them? King Charles and Queen Diana. They are the monarchs of Great Britain. That's part of the new world. Diana didn't die ... in fact, they never divorced. Queen Elizabeth died in the 80's and Charles ascended to the throne."
"That's it!", said Kagome.
"What? What's it?", Inuyasha asked.
"That accent!", she replied.
"Accent?", queried Katsu.
"Nishimura! You're right, Kagome!", said Inuyasha.
"Lord Nishimura?", Hideki asked her.
"Yes. He's the one who caused the rip. He came in and destroyed all the warlords ... especially the ones who would have aligned with Oda to unify Japan!", she told him.
"Forgive us, child, for our memory lapses. That is the first thing to start going as the rip comes closer to the edge.", Katsu told her, "We start forgetting our history and all we read is the history that is available now.
"So, you're saying that Lord Nishimura wasn't Japanese?", Hideki asked her.
"Yes. I knew he was western. He didn't look Japanese. He spoke it fluently but, he had an accent. I recognize it now. It's a British accent. That might explain why Britain and Japan are the world's superpowers instead of the United States.", she said, excitedly.
"You're right.", said Inuyasha, "Myouga says Nishimura disappears from our world from time to time. Maybe he returns to his world."
"He's controlling both worlds. He's combining them into this world.", mused Kagome.
"Hmmm.", thought Katsu, "Maybe, in his world, Great Britain is a world power. And, by fnding the portal to Feudal Japan, a time of major strife for the country, he's setting Japan up as a world power by destroying all the warlords, making him the one to unify Japan instead of Oda. By crossing between both worlds, he's actually destroying two universes and making a completely new one."
"So, we have to find Nishimura's portal and destroy it.", said Inuyasha, "If we can take Nishimura out of the puzzle ..."
"The time-rip should stop in your era.", said Hideki.
"Not so fast.", warned Katsu, "Depending on what time period Nishimura is from, the time rip may be permanent, at least for Japan, until when his era comes in. You may need to stop things in his era, first."
"This is all way too confusing.", said Kagome.
"I agree.", said Inuyasha.
"Hideki, what about my grandfather?", asked Kagome.
"I can keep an eye on him.", Hideki offered.
"There may be a way we can save your grandfather from being destroyed.", mused Katsu.
"How?", asked Kagome.
"You are highly spiritual. Your soul is spiritually strong. That is why you can time travel. Inuyasha is connected to you and that is why he can time-travel. Your grandfather is highly spirtual and he is connected to you ..."
"You think the old man can travel through the well too?", asked Inuyasha.
"Very likely, yes.", Katsu answered him.
"We've never tried it before.", said Kagome.
"It's worth a shot.", said Inuyasha, "At least he'll be safe."
"It may not save him from the fate that awaits him, though, should you fail.", warned Katsu.
"I understand.", said Kagome.
"We just won't fail.", said Inuyasha.
"Ok. Kagome. Inuyasha.", Hideki addressed them, "I'll meet you at the well tonight around midnight. I'll have your grandfather."
"Will you be able to get him out?", asked Kagome.
"Yea. Chika's on tonight on survelliance. She's one of us.", Hideki told her.
"I'll take Kagome to the well.", said Inuyasha, "And then, I'll return to the asylum. I'll wait for you there in the alleyway."
"Why? I'm capable ..."
"Because, the old man's slow and I can get him back to the well faster. Plus, it takes you out of danger."
"I agree with Inuyasha.", said Kagome, "He's a demon. He's faster."
"But, what about the police?", asked Hideki.
"I ain't worried about them."
--
After night fell, Inuyasha transported Kagome to the well. They both removed the borrowed clothes and dressed in their own outfits,
"Is that wise, Inuyasha?", Kagome asked him.
"Why?"
"Bright red ... calls attention to yourself ..."
"PFFT. Don't worry about me. I'll be on the rooftops. And, do you honestly believe that a human can catch me?"
She smiled, "No. I guess not. Before you leave, take these clothes over to next door."
"Yea. Yea. Whatever.", he kissed her, "No one's around. Now's my time to go. See ya when I get back.", he said as he left.
'Stay safe, Inuyasha.', she thought.
--
Hideki walked into the maintence entrance of the asylum and slowly wound his way to the video room. He quickly opened the door and went in. The girl inside was surprised,
"Hideki! Why are you here?"
"Chika, I need your help. I'm breaking Higurashi-sama out. His granddaughter is here. She's one of us. She's going to try to get her grandfather to a safe place."
"Where is this place? Do you know? Can we all go?", asked Chika.
"It's not so much a place as a time.", he told her.
"A time? The time has to be now. It won't be long until we're gone for good.", said Chika.
"No. Kagome can time-travel. She has a time portal. It's probably because of her spiritualness, since the portal is on the Higurashi family land."
"Oh.", Chika said, dejected.
Hideki pulled her into his arms, "Don't worry, Chika. Higurashi-sama's granddaughter will fix this world. I just know she can.", he looked at his watch, "I have to get Higurashi-sama. I need you to erase all evidence of my being here tonight. Is Leiko here?"
"Oh, you didn't hear? Leiko was executed by firing squad last night."
"For filing a false police report?", he asked, smiling.
"You knew about it?", Chika asked.
"Not about her being executed, no. But, I figured she called the military police. Higurashi-sama's granddaughter is married to a demon."
"She is? How is that possible?"
"Her time portal takes her to the Feudal Era. That's where he's from. I gotta go. Protect my ass, ok, Chika?"
"Sure thing.", agreed Chika.
Hideki slipped quietly out of the room and walked down the corrider leading to room 34. Making sure no one was around, he slipped inside the room,
"Higurashi-sama. Wake up.", he urged.
The old man turned over,
"Hideki!"
"Yes. I've come to take you outta here."
"Where are we going?"
"To the well on your land. Katsu believes you can travel through as well as your granddaughter and the demon."
"Kagome? Where is she?", the old man asked, sitting up.
Hideki got some clothes out of the closet,
"She's at the well. Inuyasha is going to take you there."
The man got dressed as quickly as he could,
"Come on. The coast is clear. Let's get out of here.", Hideki told him.
Hideki led him down to the maintenence hallway,
"Isn't this place bugged?", asked Higurashi.
"Chika's handling all that. Don't worry."
Hideki opened the door. As planned, Inuyasha was waiting for them,
"C'mon. We don't have time to dawdle.", Inuyasha told them, kneeling down, "Get on my back, old man. You too, Hideki."
"Why me?"
"Because if the old man doesn't make it through the well, I ain't having him sitting at the bottom and rotting away. You can bring him back here."
"Alright.", he agreed climbing on.
"Hold on tight.", Inuyasha said, as he leapt up to the top of the building.
"Demon! Let me down this instant!", cried a frightened Higurashi.
"Don't tempt me, old man. Be quiet, we don't have far to go.", ordered Inuyasha.
Inuyasha landed on a rooftop close to the well,
"All's quiet. It's safe to go.", Inuyasha told them, as he hopped to the ground beside the well house. He kneeled to let them off,
"Kagome's inside.", Inuyasha informed them.
Inuyasha opened the well house door,
"Inuyasha?", came a quiet voice.
"It's me, Kagome. It's alright. Hideki and your grandfather are with me."
Kagome came forward, "Hideki? Why's he here?"
"In case your grandfather can't go through the well. This way he isn't alone.", Inuyasha explained to her.
She hugged him tightly, "Thank you for thinking that far ahead, Inuyasha."
"Bah! What was I gonna do? Let the old man rot? I'd never hear the end of it. Alright, old man, get on my back again.", he said, kneeling down.
"Kagome?", her grandfather looked at her,
"It's okay, jii-chan. Trust me.", she said.
The old man climbed onto Inuyasha's back. Inuyasha then wrapped his arm around Kagome's waist and hopped onto the lip of the well,
"Ready?"
"Yup.", answered Kagome, "Bye for now, Hideki!", she said, as Inuyasha jumped into the well.
Hideki watched in fascination as the blue light swallowed them up,
"Good luck, you guys. Please save us."
