A/N: Okay, clarification time, thanks to Pruningshears. A few things, I
hope you all understood, but knowing my way of writing, *I* know what I
mean, and sometimes I assume everyone else does.
All of these ideas given by Pruningshears are going to be in this chapter, but some of the things discussed was:
What exactly is Francesca carrying in her backpack?
How long has Francesca been there total?
Why does it seem that she can heal from injuries in a day- This one I'll answer here. She hasn't actually healed completely from most of her injuries. The bumps and bruises from her arrival (and flight thanks to Kei) are still a little sore. The attack by the thugs that resulted in her throat being cut has healed. This in part was thanks to Kei (again, which will be explained again in this chapter.) As for the attack against Kohana, she's still got those bandages around her torso and back. I hope this clarifies some stuff.
I glanced around at my companions quickly, who all stared at me expectantly. I was suddenly the center of attention and I didn't want to be. All my previous courage began to run through me like a waterfall, and I felt my knees shake. I couldn't do this, I wasn't a warrior like them, I didn't know the first thing about fighting. Most of the time I couldn't fight, hell even argue with someone, because of my empathy. I would break down from the overload of emotional flow. How I had managed so far here was an amazement of epic proportions. I stared at the creature, or rather where the creature stood, and tried to gather up my strength. I was just standing there, or however it reposed, and all I could feel was its hunger, masked by something else.
"You sunova, what are you doing," I muttered again, this time in English so I couldn't be understood by my present company. Everyone shifted, just as nervous as I was. Suddenly something gripped my attention from behind, another hungry echo through my body and I spun around.
'Stupid!' I thought as I felt the hunger shake me. "There's another one," I warned and was met with a shimmer of fear through the air. The hunger pitched louder in my head, glowing with an air of excitement. I froze as two more roars of hunger filled my mind, from opposite sides of me. One for every direction.
"Get out of here," I whispered to the rest of them, who all stood ready to fight, "We're surrounded."
With the exception of the ones I knew, the rest of my party's fear grew more powerful. And this seemed to please the creatures a great deal.
I looked all around, senses searching despretely for an exit, but all I could feel was the fear and the hunger. As the hunger grew, so did the fear. Wait a minute! I glanced at the ones who reflected the most fear, traced its path and felt the blood rush from my face as I realized the cause.
'My God, they're feeding off the fear!' I realized. That was why they always struck once and then returned a short time later. It made perfect sense. The fear of one would only squelch their hunger for a short time, but once more people gathered, once the fear was magnified by many, then it would be a grand feast ready for the taking. And that was what we were, a feast that they were just waiting to be ready to cook. I had to give them something greater to hunger for, and lead them away from the group.
"Whatever you do," I whispered in English feeling Keitaro shift closer to me, "Do not follow me, and do not run!" I moved away from his reach and tapped deep within myself, calling up my worst fears, my greatest horrors, the creatures of many a cold sweated nightmare and let the cold chill run along my skin, bringing every hair to full attention. One by one, I felt their attentions drift away from my companions and begin to focus on me, first with confusion laced within the hunger, and then the ever growing sensation of evil joy. I abandoned myself to my fear and took off in a mad sprint into the woods, leaping over a fallen tree to pass between two of our invisible foe. My heart beat rapidly in my breast as I dashed through the underbrush. I could feel the hunger reaching out for me, pulling at the depths of my gut, searching for more. So lost was I in the sensation that I was summoning to my concious mind, that I failed to see a change in the terrain beneath my feet, and tripped, falling down a small slope. By the time I had finished my tumble, I was quite beaten and torn. All my aches and pains from the weeks past had once again flared up with renewed anger. I groaned and tried to stand, but my legs refused to cooperate, and I fell backwards into the carpet of decaying leaves and new growth. Around me the air shimmered with hunger and I knew I was surrounded, this time with no where to run, and no means to run either.
"At least I got the children to safety," I whispered to myself and closed my eyes, ready to resign myself to what I was sure was the end. I felt the air shift around me, and I was lifted to my feet, gripped by the back of my shirt. I opened my eyes, hoping to at least carry with me, a glimpse of my advesary, but that would not be. The hunger died down to one of puzzlement, as if suddenly they knew not what to do with me. I reached up behind me, to try and touch my captor, and where I could see nothing, my hand sunk into what only could be described as a thick mist. I pulled my hand back, dry as the rest of me, but I knew I had felt something. I reached back again, this time with my hand as well as my senses and found something solid.
Fire flashed through me, and a million images came crashing into my already tired mind. I cried out, and felt the creature shake with pain, and release me. My already brused behind hit the dirt with an audible crash, and I winced at the pain that radiated up my back. I couldn't breathe, again. I must have literally looked like a fish out of water. I felt my eyes expand, and my mouth moveing to try and grasp some air into my lungs but to no avail.
Silver and red flashed over my head, and I tried to warn him, but my voice would not obey me. Keitaro stood before me, sword drawn, looking around at what appeared to him to be an empty forest.
"Something's different," he whispered, "I can smell them!" I lifted my hand, the one I had touched the creature with, and he nodded, glancing around. I could feel confusion, and hunger though the latter was very faint, and uncertain. I couldn't understand what was going on, till I stopped looking with my 5 senses and listened completely to my 6th. Keitaro was a sea of perfect calm, and while most would be angry, or fearful at the endevor before them, he only reflected calm and protection. All the other victims were fearful, and terrorized, and I had not been. Now my rescuer was neither fearful or angry, and this change of events was too much for the creatures to handle. One by one, they slipped out of my senses, and as I expanded myself to my furthest limits, I knew that they had gone far away. Far enough away that we didn't have to worry about their return.
My breath came back slowly and I sucked in the sweet air, thick with the smell of earth and moisture, but the sweetest fragrence to my oxygen deprived lungs. Keitaro knelt beside me, and gently supported me as I sat up, feeling my back ache as the edges of the wounds on my back pulled against the stitches. I took slow breaths until I could speak, and looked at him.
"I told you not to follow me," I said reproachfully, and he glared at me.
"I just saved your life, again, and that's all you have to say to me?" he hissed. I smiled, "You're right, thank you Keitaro." He nodded and helped me to my feet. I stood shaking, still looking around expecting another attack, but nothing but the sounds of the forest returning filled my ears. I sighed and started hobbling back in the direction that we came. He caught up to me in a few steps.
"What do you think you're doing?" he asked.
"What does it look like, I'm walking back to the others," I said, "I have to make sure the children are alright." He sighed and knelt before me. "Get on, at the rate your walking, Kohana will be grown and mated before we reach the den." I gave in, knowing that he wouldn't accept a no and frankly I couldn't disagree. I probably wouldn't even make it up the hill I fell down, given the condition I felt. So I carefully placed myself on his back, and he took off running.
I didn't even realize we had returned, until I heard my name being called in several voices. Keitaro stopped his run, and I felt my arms go slack, and my body fall backwards. Strong arms caught me, and held me, and I looked up into Kaemon's face. I sighed and felt Kohana grab a hold of my arm.
"Nee-chan, you're bleeding," she whimpered, and I looked down at my arms, which were streaked with dirt and blood. I must have scratched myself on my fall and not have realized it. Maeko appeared at my side as well, and began wiping away all the grime with a wet cloth. I clenched my teeth as it stung, but didn't move until she was done. Then Kaemon lifted me up in his arms, and began walking away, Maeko following behind.
"Where are you taking her?" Keitaro's gruff voice echoed behind us.
"Someplace where your sister can check all her injuries, before you feed her to the wolves again," Kaemon snapped and I could feel his arms tighten beneath me. The tension in the air was stiffening and it brushed my skin.
"Keitaro, I'll be fine," I said, and Kaemon kept walking. I could feel Keitaro's anxiety follow us into the den. Kaemon gently set me back down on the ground, and Maeko had me lay down on my stomach.
"You can leave now," she said softly. Kaemon wasn't pleased with being dismissed so easily, and shuffled his feet as he walked out of the cave. After a few moments, I heard Maeko sigh," He may be my cousin, but he tries on my patience like no other," she said, "I think he honestly thought I'd let me stay while I undid your bandages."
"And I think he honestly thinks I'd have let him stay," I replied, much to her mirth. I felt the cool blade of metal against my skin as she carefully cut away the dirty and torn bandages from my back. I closed my eyes and rested my head against the ground, trying to shake off the shudders at the memory of a knife on my skin. I heard her hiss as she pulled the bandages from my skin, and stood, leaving me laying there alone. I heard her reapproach, and saw the folds of her red pants from the corner of my eye. I laid my head back down in my arms, and braced myself for what I might feel next. But nothing could have prepared me. I felt hot breath along my skin, and far from being painful, it was soothing. Something warm and wet slowly traced itself along the cuts of my back.
"Maeko?" I whispered shakingly, and heard a different voice reply, "No, it's me."
"Keitaro! What are you doing?" I said, trying to shift away, but he held me firm, "You don't want to do that, you'll hurt yourself further, just stay still and relax."
"But what are you doing?" I said and felt the warm sensation along my skin again. It brought back memories of the night I was attacked, the same soothing warm sensation on my neck.
"I'm licking your wounds, stupid girl, even you should realize that," he replied, his voice rippling along my back, before he started again. I gasped softly, not from pain, but from the pure sensuality of it. His licks grew harder, but I never felt any pain. Only after a moment did he stop, and it seemed that he was out of breath.
"Our saliva can heal, how do you think I stopped the bleeding on your neck," he murmered, as he rose away from my skin, and began to place clean bandages there. I was still a little shocked at the realization, and was only vaguely aware when he carefully wrapped a long bandage around my torso, careful to avoid touching me. I carefully lifted myself up on my elbows, and felt him tie off the bandage, moving away. My back didn't hurt, well it did a little, but not as much as before. More like the dull ache of an injury long healed, rather then a fresh wound. I looked up at him, and he extended his hand, helping me to my feet.
"Why?" I asked, as I could look him in the eyes again, and he smiled.
"Because Maeko asked me to, and because Kohana would never speak to me again if I didn't do everything I could to help you," he said, and I felt my heart drop into my stomach. Why did I feel like that? After all, I shouldn't have expected anything greater to come from him, should I? I looked away.
"Oh," I said, "Well, I will have to thank both of them," I said, gathering up my shirt and slipping it carefully over my head. Without another word, I walked out of the den, leaving Keitaro speechless behind me. I blocked out every emotion, including my own, as I stepped out into the dying sunlight. Kaemon sat atop a magnificent chestnut horse, with Kohana seated before him, hoping up and down excitedly at the thought of a ride. She saw me and waved.
"Nee-chan, Kaemon said he'll give us a ride back to the village. We get to ride on a real horse!" she called excitedly. I stepped forward and gently put my hand on the horse's neck, rubbing it slowly.
"That's very kind of him," I replied, "But I don't know if there's room for three, so why don't you two head back and I'll catch up," I offered. Kohana didn't understand and grinned happily, but I saw the look of dissapointment in Kaemon's eyes.
"How will you get back, you're injuried, and I wouldn't dare think of letting you walk back all that way," he said. Kohana glanced between the two of us curiously.
"I'll take her," spoke up Keitaro behind me, and I stiffened, taking a step away as I felt him right at my back.
"Don't be silly cousin," spoke up Kaemon good naturedly, "She doesn't need to be jolted around the woods like a sack of grain on your back, it wouldn't be good for her wounds."
"I don't think its her well being you're so worried about," countered Keitaro, and the tension around us spiked. Kohana looked worried, and kept looking between Kaemon and Keitaro, not quite understanding the tension, but knowing it wasn' t good. I lifted my arms to her, and she slid from the saddle into them, hugging me close, and I carefully placed her on my hip.
"You two can fight over whatever you are holding against each other, but I won't allow you to put Kohana in the middle of it, we're going back to the village and leave you two to handle things," I said, and turned on my heel and headed towards the path to the village. A quick thunder of hoovebeats sounded behind me, and I felt an arm wrap around my waist, and lift me up. Kaemon laughed and took off in a gallop, holding onto me. This was getting a little tiredsome, and I certainly had had enough excitement in the past days to last me a while.
"My cousin, doesn't seem to understand how to handle a woman as delicate as you," he crowed and I sighed, "And I suppose you do?"
"Certainly," he said proudly, and I grinned.
"Kaemon, trust me, I'm not like any other woman you know, and I am most certainly not delicate," I said, jabbing my elbow upward to connect with his chin. His eyes rolled back and his grip loosened on us. I pushed him backward, and watched him fall to the ground. Our horse, free from the control of his reins, took off in a wild run. Kohana screamed and grabbed onto me.
"Kohana, I need you to trust me, okay?" She nodded her head, "Alright, grab onto the horse's mane, it won't hurt him I promise, but I need to use both my hands." Kohana grabbed a hold of the mane and I grabbed a hold of the saddle, and twisted myself around to straddle the horse, rather than the English style that I was holding before. My fingers gripped the leather tightly, and I prayed that I wouldn't fall as I attempted this. I locked my legs around the horse's side and reached forward, grabbing a hold of the mane and pulled back. The horse whinnied loudly and bucked his head back, but I didn't let go, and he quickly slid to a stop. Kohana had her eyes tightly closed and I carefully peeled her off. She looked up at me, and grinned.
"I was very good Nee-chan," she piped up and I nodded, "Yes, you were," I said, as I slid from the saddle, and carefully walked along the horse, running a gentle hand along his neck to calm him. He snorted loudly and I whispered soothingly to him, until he bowed his head and nudged me with it. I smiled and ran a hand along his crest.
"Poor thing, you were probably more scared than we were," I murmered and gently took the reins in my hand, looping them back over his head, and pulled myself up in the saddle again with a little more difficulty. Kohana sat there, still as a rock and I placed her before me.
"Come on, let's get back on the main road, " I said and gently turned the horse in a gentle trot back along the path we had taken. We arrived back to the main road, to find Kaemon and Keitaro running towards us. I reined in the horse and waited patiently as they caught up.
"Are you mad woman?" Kaemon yelled at me, out of breath, "Knocking me from the horse, when you could have been hurt or worse!" I rolled my eyes.
"I don't appreciate being kidnapped against my will, and as you can see, I managed alright," I said calmly. Keitaro grinned slightly, obviously still amused over the battering his cousin took.
"You were fortunate that the horse grew tired and slowed," Kaemon spoke up. I narrowed my eyes and pulled an arm around Kohana's waist as I pulled back on the reins, rearing the horse up. He called out loudly and fell forward on all fours again, pawing at the ground. Kohana giggled and I stared Kaemon down.
"Fortune had nothing to do with it, I took years of horseback riding, and I knew exactly what I was doing. Before you assume you are my better in all things, you had better learn at least to try to rise up to be my equal," I said arrogently and took off down the road. Kohana glanced back at the two men as we rode away.
"Well, now you've certainly done it," Keitaro said, walking up to his cousin and placing a hand on his shoulder, "I doubt you have any chance of winning her heart now." He sounded almost cheerful about it.
"Do not assume anything yet cousin," Kaemon said angrily, pushing the hand from his shoulder, and stormed after the horse.
"I don't have to assume anything," Keitaro muttered to himself as he took off running into the forest as swiftly as he could, "I know what she is seeking in a mate, and you are doing more and more to push her away," he laughed to himself as he raced to beat us back to the village.
We sped up to a gallop just before reaching the village, because Kohana wanted to try taking the reins, and she laughed happily as the horse sped up beneath us. I gently helped her pull him back into a trot and then stop right before her home. Kagome rushed out, and Kohana jumped into her mother's arms.
"I rode a horse!" she announced happily, and pointed back at me as I slid off the horse. Hands grabbed me around my waist and I yelped as a winded, but grinning Keitaro helped me down. I stared at him amazed, as he placed me on my feet.
"Th-thank you," I stuttered and walked over to where Kagome stood waiting.
"We were worried for you," Kaogme said, balancing her youngest in her arms, "We heard you were attacked." I nodded and smiled, "All is well, they're gone now, but I don't know how long. I need to speak to you, both of you, as well as all the elders as soon as possible." Inuyasha stepped out of the house, Tetsuseiga in his hand. I glanced up at him, "If you are going to summon the youkai from this afternoon, then I only ask that you summon Kouga, and not the others."
He looked surprised, "The others won't like that, " he said sagely, and I nodded, "I understand that, but if you must give them a reason, give them this. Kouga was the only one among them who was not afraid. They can try to argue that, but it was true. All else I will explain later." Inuyasha and Kagome exchanged a look, but both nodded. Kagome placed Kohana down and headed out into the village, and Inuyasha took off into the woods. I sighed and glanced at Keitaro, who was tying up the horse.
"What are you going to do?" he asked, walking up to us. I smiled, and reached down to take Kohana's hand before looking back at him.
"I'm going to do something they don't expect," I replied and turned to walk into the house. Keitaro stood there, jaw slack and open before muttering, "As if you haven't done that already," he shouted then, "What are you getting me into, woman?!"
The mixed council met a few hours later, long after the sun had set. I had tucked a sleepy Kohana into her bed, much to her dissatisfaction, and waited till she had drifted off to sleep before walking out into the center of the village. A large bonfire had been lit and everyone was assembled around it. I took a seat next to Kagome, and glanced around, seeing the golden gleem of Keitaro and Inuyasha's eyes on the other side of the fire. After a moment, I realized everyone had been waiting for me, so I stood up, and tried to make myself look as dignified as I could.
"I need volenteers to come with me, to fight these things," I said calmly, and saw the looks of shock that surrounded me, quickly followed by the looks of humor.
"Really, and how do you propose we do this? You faced these things today with a group of youkai and they weren't up for the challenge," came a voice from the group, causing Kouga to growl. I held up my hand for silence.
"Things have changed, we have more information on these creatures now, and the power to fight them," I said.
"What information?" sounded another man.
"They are vulnerable, they have their weakness. These creatures have a form, I've touched them, Keitaro smelled them on my skin," I said, holding out the same hand, a hand I tried desprately to avoid touching anything else. Kouga rose and sniffed my wrist, "Lavendar, jasmine and mist," he said after a moment.
"Jasmine, there's only a few places where jasmine grows, but they're all much north, in the moutains," commented one of the older men. I nodded, "That's where I believe they come from, the mountains. When I touched one, I saw a lot of things, felt a lot of things. One of the things I saw was snow, lots of cold snow. I also saw battle," I shuddered slightly at the memory, "Many bloody brutal battles," I said before a twing of nausea gripped my stomach, causing me to pause and take a deep breath.
"These creatures feed on fear, and anger, and probably all forms of strong negitive emotion. They seem to attack a lone figure, and set the bait readily available for others to find. Then they feed off the fear of the groups that come and view the sight of what is left over," I paused and glanced around.
"This will probably be the most dangerous thing you will have to face, and I wouldn't blame any of you for not speaking up," I said softly, "Honestly, I don't want to go either. I'm afraid, this is not the sort I would have ever thought to face in my lifetime, but I know I have to go, because inside I feel that it is my responsibility. I have a gift that can save lives, and I wouldn't dream of backing away from this chance, perhaps to discover why it is I came here." There, I said it, I admitted my fear, showed my weakness, and I waited for the backlash.
A lone figure stood, "I will go with you," I heard and through the fire I saw the flash of red-gold hair. Sadly, I shook my head. "No Shippou, though I understand your reasons, you cannot go. You grieve the loss of your mate, and that sadness, and the anger you feel towards these creatures will only weaken you before them, and probably cost you your life."
"You said yourself, they feed on fear, and yet you go," he yelled. I nodded, "I am afraid, but not afraid of what could happen to me, but afraid of what will happen to those I care about, if I don't go." He glanced away, "Shippou, your mate is dead, and I cannot change that, though if I had the power I would, but you have two kits to worry about now. What will happen to them, if you go off for your revenge and not come back? You, of almost all of us here, understand what they would suffer." I didn't want to bring it up, but if it would bring to his eyes how much more he was needed here, then I knew that it was only for the best. He looked in the direction of Inuyasha's hut, where the twins were sleeping, and sighed, bowing his head.
"Francesca-sama," he whispered, "You are truely a wise sensei, and though it pains me to realize it, I know what it was like when I lost my mother, and how much worse it was when I lost my father. I do not want my kits to feel the same thing, even though I know they would be taken care of. I respect your decision," he bowed respectfully and sat down again. I glanced around at the rest of the group.
"Where are all the youkai? How are we to face this, when they won't," called another voice from the crowd, and I heard Kouga's growl.
"I only asked Lord Kouga to this meeting, because I learned today that yes they were afraid, but Lord Kouga showed no fear, and for that I invited him, perhaps hoping he would agree to accompany me," I glanced at him. He watched me carefully, "I cannot, not for fear, but I have a duty to my pack, and I cannot leave them behind to travel on a quest." He bowed his head, and I respectfully bowed as well as I could at the waist, trying to keep the sadness from my eyes.
"I will go," I heard behind me and bowed my head. I didn't want him to volenteer, and I felt my stomach tighten at the thought.
"I will go as well," came another male voice, which sturred whispers from the group. I turned my head to stare at Keitaro and Kaemon, when a figure stepped from the shadows.
"I will go as well," came a soft female voice. "Maeko," I whispered, and started to disagree with her, but she stepped forward and took my hands in hers, "With all the injuries you aquire, you will need someone to bandage you, and I'm sure you don't wish to be the only woman on your travels, especially with those two." I smiled and squeezed her hands, "Thank you Maeko."
"Well, I certainly cannot leave either of you alone with them," spoke up another man, and Naoko stood up. I smiled with tears in my eyes as I turned back to the assembled.
"The smaller the group, perhaps the better," I said, "but is there anyone else who will come with us?" No one else spoke up, and bowed to Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku and Sango. "I will do my best to keep them from any harm," I vowed solumnly, and felt four hands touch my shoulders, "And we will do our best to protect you," they said.
"Well, it is settled, you five will set out tomorrow, and all our hopes go with you, " said an elder.
AN: I was going to start a new chapter here, but I think I'll keep going, after all, you all put up with this long wait, the least I could do was give you something worth waiting for!!
I knelt by the futon Kagome had given me, and opened up my backpack and began pulling out everything I had placed in there before all this had begun. My wallet, my hotel key, my bottle of water, the Inuyasha manga I had brought with me, my Discman with my CD case, and my spare batteries, my small camera and some extra film. I stared at all the contents and placed my wallet to the side, pulling out the plastic photo holder I carried inside. This went inside one of the smaller pockets of my bag. My bottle of water I placed in a side pocket, zipped up beneath the mesh. After a few moments, I placed everything else in there, since they were all small and could fit in one of the front pockets, without taking up too much room. I didn't wish to leave them behind. I placed my wallet and key on my futon, and zipped up my bag. I smiled slightly, comparing the pack that I would now carry with me, with the pack that Kagome once took with her. Red and black to her bright yellow. Somehow it seemed fitting that my pack was much darker, as I carried a heavy heart with me, where she once was young and innocent of all that was to occur.
Kagome appeared in the doorway, "All set?" she asked, and I nodded, grabbing the blanket she had given me, and carefully rolling it and securing it with some string. She smiled, "You're a little luckier than I was, you'll be travelling by horseback," she announced and I looked up at her. "Kaemon got them from his lord," she explained and I nodded. "Can I speak with you, about things back there?" she asked softly and I nodded, motioning for her to sit.
"How, how have things changed in all these long years?" she began and I looked down at my hands. "Kagome, I don't know how to tell you this and I'm not sure myself why, but 25 years has not passed in our...my world, but only 6."
"Six!" she exclaimed and I nodded, "I know, and I don't understand it myself, I think that it has something to do with what happened to the well, after you defeated Naraku. I only know what was said in the anime, why don't you tell me your story?"
Kagome looked down at her own hands a minute, taking a deep breath and nodded, "Alright. I have tried hard not to think of that night, and that fight. For many years it would bring me nightmares at just the thought of that horrible creature, and everything he almost cost us. He had the majority of the shards, and we had followed him around Japan and even between worlds (AN: I'm going by the manga at this point, or at least up in the manga where I have read). I never thought we would see an end to it, but we finally caught up with him. The battle was long, and tedious, and it came down to just Inuyasha, Naraku and I. Miroku and Sango were knocked unconcious, but Inuyasha refused to give up, refused to die. There was so much blood, and I can't say even now where it all came from. Kikyo had already died, or perhaps returned to being dead by Naraku's hand, for the last bit of the shard. Inuyasha was in such a frenzy that surely his youkai would have appeared, if he had given a second thought to throwing away his sword. I don't even know how it happened, but I found myself in Naraku's grasp, much like you were a few nights ago with those thugs. It was perhaps the worst mistake he could have made. He gave me this," she lifted her chin, to show the thin line of scar that ran along the smooth skin of her neck.
"He didn't count on the danger I could inflict on him, just for being so close. He stole the last piece of the shard from me, and swallowed it. Inuyasha froze, and I closed my eyes, thinking with all my might, that if I could purify it, as I had done with the evil miko, without touching it, that I could defeat Naraku in a way we hadn't tried, from the inside out. That was when Naraku began screaming and released me. I fell to the ground, trying to stop the bleeding on my neck. Inuyasha fell beside me, and healed the wound on my neck, and we watched as Naraku tried battling the purifying power of the Shikon no Tama. 'Mirodoko, if you can hear me, I give my life to stop him,' I thought as I rose to my feet, and stumbled forward and placed my hand to Naraku's chest, willing all my miko abilities into the jewel. Naraku screamed one last time, and crumbled into dust, leaving the jewel, lifeless on the ground. "
"It was over, it was finally over and we had won. But now came the hardest part, having to say goodbye to my friends, and most of all, goodbye to Inuyasha, my heart and soul. I didn't want to face him, and he begged me to stay, begged me with all his being. I couldn't, I knew my life was waiting for me on the other side of the well. That was when Midoriko decided to cash in on my promise and appear. She told me, that I would have to keep my deal, and give up my life. Inuyasha wouldn't hear of it, but I knew I had made my sacrifice, and I wasn't afraid. That was when Midoriko told me that perhaps I was given a chance that most others would not have. She said I had two lives, and that I could chose which one I wished to give up. I could remain in the Sendoku Jidai, with Inuyasha and live out my days with him and our children, or I could return to the future, and live out the life I had dreamed of as a child, grow up, go to university, and continue on a normal life. But there was no more normal life for me, I had lived so far in the extraordinary that I couldn't imagine knowing anything else anymore. So I went home, one last time and said my goodbyes. Sato cried, and begged me not to go, and my mother cried as well, but I had made my decision. Jii san was the one who surprised us all, by giving us his blessing, hugging me tightly, and telling me that in his heart, he knew that I was making the right choice. He gave me to Inuyasha and made him swear that he would always protect me. Then, before my first family, he joined me to my new one. I think the only thing that made the seperation bearable was the fact that they had given me to my husband willingly."
I sighed and ran my hand through my hair, "I had no idea Kagome," I said and she smiled. "Of course not, but do not let that worry you now. I believe you came here for a reason, a reason to help us, and I know you will succeed. You have a strength within you, I can see it, and I know you will be able to make it through every obsticle." I smiled gently and she nodded.
"I think that because you gave up your life in the future, and in a sense died there, that the well would no longer let you pass. As well, if the jewel was lifeless, then it wouldn't have given you the power to travel like it used to. Where is the jewel now?"
Kagome glanced up the hill, to the small gravesite Kohana had taken me, "We respected Kikyou's last living wishes, that the jewel be buried with her. We placed the dust and bones that remained from her second form with the jewel up there. It is a relief to know that we don't have to worry any more about someone trying to attack us for it."
"How is my famly?" she asked next, and I smiled faintly, "Your brother is a handsome young man, and he runs the shrine. You should see the joy he takes in it. I didn't get to meet your mother, but I am sure she is well. Your brother told me something, before I left. Your grandfather, passed on last winter," I whispered, not able to meet her gaze. But she didn't look as sad as I thought.
"Death comes for all of us, at some point or another, and Jii-san left knowing his shrine would be in capable hands, so I know he rests in piece," she replied. I pulled out the manga from my bag and handed it to her.
"I only ask you one favor Kagome, please tell Kohana what I couldn't. Tell her where I come from, and how I know about her Grandma Kaede, She was asking me, but I didn't know how to tell her." She nodded her head, "I will. And there is something I ask of you," she replied in return, "Take care of my children, please. I know now what my mother felt watching me go through that well so many times, knowing that one day I might not come back. I only want them to return safe."
I nodded, "I promise you Kagome, I will do my best, any more than that I cannot promise." She nodded and stood, giving me a hand to help me up, and helped me secure my backpack on my back. "One more thing Francesca, do not judge Keitaro by how he appears on the outside. He is his father's son, and sometimes more so than he should be. Remember how Inuyasha was towards me in our travels, and keep that in mind on yours." I glanced at her curiously, but she simply smiled and escorted me to the door, carrying my rolled up blanket.
Kaemon stood outside, securing the saddles on the horses, and smiled brightly, "Good morning, Francesca," he said cheerfully, and I nodded my head. Maeko was sitting on her horse, looking a little nervous, and Naoko was still saying goodbye to his parents. Keitaro stood against the wall of the house, looking bored and annoyed by all this. Kagome looked around, and I heard a soft noise escape her lips. Inuyasha stepped up beside her, and draped an arm around her shoulder gently. She motioned to us and said, "It's just like us Inuyasha. The girl from the future, the hanyou, the monk, the warrior and-" she smiled at her daughter, "well, mostly like us. All we need now is a youkai child and the set is complete."
"There's someone else you forgot," came a soft voice and Aiko stepped forward, holding Kirara in her arms. The kit mewed softly and jumped from the gir's arms, and into mine, looking up at me with those beautiful blue eyes, as if she was studying me.
"Kirara wants to come with you," she said softly. I looked down at the firecat, who mewed again.
"Thank you Kirara," I said, bowing my head slightly. Sango stepped up to me, "I'm entrusting you with three of my family," she said softly, scratching Kirara's ears. "This will be the first time we've been far apart since I was a child, " she said sadly before stepping back. Inuyasha stepped forward and embraced his son, arm to arm, and reached along his side.
"Take Tetsuseiga with you," he said and I almost protested but Keitaro beat me to it. "Father I can't!" he said, but Inuyasha pressed the sword and scabbard into his hand.
"Take it, and always remember to use it to defend lives," he said solemnly. Keitaro sighed and tied it to his belt, bowing to his father one more time before stepping back. I watched the families exchange their goodbyes and felt a little sad until I felt a tiny tugging on my hand. There stood three sleepy eyed pups, looking sad.
"You were going away without saying goodbye?" pouted Kohana. I felt my lower lip tremble slightly as I knelt and took them into my arms. I had only been in this land for less than a week, and yet I felt like it was forever, and that I were truly leaving the littlest members of my family behind.
"Oh sweetie," I whispered into Kohana's hair, "I didn't want to make you sad by making you watch me go," I said gently. She smiled through her tears, "You'll come back, right Nee-san?"
"I promise," I said and reached behind my neck and unclipped my favorite necklace, a gold chain with a gold four leaf clover. I slipped it around Kohana's neck and fastened it. She stared down at the charm in amazement as I spoke, "This is my favorite necklace, and something that has always brought me luck. You hold onto it, until I come back, alright?" She nodded slowly and I ran my hand through the kits' hair.
"You two take good care of Kohana and each other, alright. Practice your kitsune tricks and one day you'll be the best in the world," I said and they nodded their heads in unison. I hugged them again, reinforcing my mental walls to keep out their sadness. Then I released them with tears in my own eyes and stood, walking up to my horse and pulled myself up stride saddle. Keitaro steped up with us and Kaemon looked at me as if he swallowed a frog. I glared at him, "If you say anything about how I am riding, I swear I'll make sure I'll dump you in the first river we cross."
He swallowed nervously and nodded, much to the great amusement of his family. "Just what he needs, " I heard Miroku whisper to Sango who laughed. I gave them both a knowing wink and looked at Keitaro who was standing beside me.
"Where's your horse?" I asked and he snorted. "I don't need a horse," he said, much to the annoyance of his family.
"Keitaro doesn't like horses," Kagome explained and he turned his head to give his mother an angry look. I glanced down at him, "Don't think I'll let you walk the whole way, " I said and he crossed his arms.
"Kei," said Maeko impatiently, "Just get on your horse, we'll tether it to one of ours, so it won't run off with you again," she sighed. Keitaro gave his sister a look that could have froze ice and I realized what had happened. He was afraid of horses, because he got caught on a runaway. I glanced at the 5th horse, chewing patiently on some grass, and trotted over to it, grabbing its reins and tying them off on the back of my saddle. The horse compliantly followed me as I returned to the group.
"You can ride with me Keitaro, till you feel more comfortable," I offered and he started to give me a disgusted look when I knelt down over the saddle and whispered for his ears only, "Listen, you can ride behind me, and save your feet for when we'll need it, or you can walk all across this country, and tire yourself needlessly. Besides, if you're riding with me, it might keep your cousin's hands to himself." He glanced up at me, and sighed, nodding in agreement.
I offered my hand, and he grabbed my forearm instead, holding on tight. I moved my foot from the stirrup, so he had something to step into and helped him swing into the saddle behind me. His arms closed around my stomach tightly, and through the tension in his arms, I could tell he was nervous, and frightened. I smiled and gently patted his hands.
"Easy, I won't let you fall," I murmered under my breath, and felt his grip relax a little. I glanced at the others, and took a deep breath.
"Alright, let's go everyone," I said and nudged my ride into a gentle trot, and headed down the main road of the village, and into the greatest adventure of my life.
AN: Okay, seems like a good place to stop. Wow!! 15 pages!!! That's a new personal record for me! Thanks to everyone who stood behind me and waited patiently for me to finish this chapter, I hope its worth the wait!! I understand there's probably spelling/grammatical errors, but I was typing as fast as I could to get this up and out today, please forgive those errors.
Welcome also to a new reader, Nina, who took the time to read my other stories on my website, and enjoyed them!!
All of these ideas given by Pruningshears are going to be in this chapter, but some of the things discussed was:
What exactly is Francesca carrying in her backpack?
How long has Francesca been there total?
Why does it seem that she can heal from injuries in a day- This one I'll answer here. She hasn't actually healed completely from most of her injuries. The bumps and bruises from her arrival (and flight thanks to Kei) are still a little sore. The attack by the thugs that resulted in her throat being cut has healed. This in part was thanks to Kei (again, which will be explained again in this chapter.) As for the attack against Kohana, she's still got those bandages around her torso and back. I hope this clarifies some stuff.
I glanced around at my companions quickly, who all stared at me expectantly. I was suddenly the center of attention and I didn't want to be. All my previous courage began to run through me like a waterfall, and I felt my knees shake. I couldn't do this, I wasn't a warrior like them, I didn't know the first thing about fighting. Most of the time I couldn't fight, hell even argue with someone, because of my empathy. I would break down from the overload of emotional flow. How I had managed so far here was an amazement of epic proportions. I stared at the creature, or rather where the creature stood, and tried to gather up my strength. I was just standing there, or however it reposed, and all I could feel was its hunger, masked by something else.
"You sunova, what are you doing," I muttered again, this time in English so I couldn't be understood by my present company. Everyone shifted, just as nervous as I was. Suddenly something gripped my attention from behind, another hungry echo through my body and I spun around.
'Stupid!' I thought as I felt the hunger shake me. "There's another one," I warned and was met with a shimmer of fear through the air. The hunger pitched louder in my head, glowing with an air of excitement. I froze as two more roars of hunger filled my mind, from opposite sides of me. One for every direction.
"Get out of here," I whispered to the rest of them, who all stood ready to fight, "We're surrounded."
With the exception of the ones I knew, the rest of my party's fear grew more powerful. And this seemed to please the creatures a great deal.
I looked all around, senses searching despretely for an exit, but all I could feel was the fear and the hunger. As the hunger grew, so did the fear. Wait a minute! I glanced at the ones who reflected the most fear, traced its path and felt the blood rush from my face as I realized the cause.
'My God, they're feeding off the fear!' I realized. That was why they always struck once and then returned a short time later. It made perfect sense. The fear of one would only squelch their hunger for a short time, but once more people gathered, once the fear was magnified by many, then it would be a grand feast ready for the taking. And that was what we were, a feast that they were just waiting to be ready to cook. I had to give them something greater to hunger for, and lead them away from the group.
"Whatever you do," I whispered in English feeling Keitaro shift closer to me, "Do not follow me, and do not run!" I moved away from his reach and tapped deep within myself, calling up my worst fears, my greatest horrors, the creatures of many a cold sweated nightmare and let the cold chill run along my skin, bringing every hair to full attention. One by one, I felt their attentions drift away from my companions and begin to focus on me, first with confusion laced within the hunger, and then the ever growing sensation of evil joy. I abandoned myself to my fear and took off in a mad sprint into the woods, leaping over a fallen tree to pass between two of our invisible foe. My heart beat rapidly in my breast as I dashed through the underbrush. I could feel the hunger reaching out for me, pulling at the depths of my gut, searching for more. So lost was I in the sensation that I was summoning to my concious mind, that I failed to see a change in the terrain beneath my feet, and tripped, falling down a small slope. By the time I had finished my tumble, I was quite beaten and torn. All my aches and pains from the weeks past had once again flared up with renewed anger. I groaned and tried to stand, but my legs refused to cooperate, and I fell backwards into the carpet of decaying leaves and new growth. Around me the air shimmered with hunger and I knew I was surrounded, this time with no where to run, and no means to run either.
"At least I got the children to safety," I whispered to myself and closed my eyes, ready to resign myself to what I was sure was the end. I felt the air shift around me, and I was lifted to my feet, gripped by the back of my shirt. I opened my eyes, hoping to at least carry with me, a glimpse of my advesary, but that would not be. The hunger died down to one of puzzlement, as if suddenly they knew not what to do with me. I reached up behind me, to try and touch my captor, and where I could see nothing, my hand sunk into what only could be described as a thick mist. I pulled my hand back, dry as the rest of me, but I knew I had felt something. I reached back again, this time with my hand as well as my senses and found something solid.
Fire flashed through me, and a million images came crashing into my already tired mind. I cried out, and felt the creature shake with pain, and release me. My already brused behind hit the dirt with an audible crash, and I winced at the pain that radiated up my back. I couldn't breathe, again. I must have literally looked like a fish out of water. I felt my eyes expand, and my mouth moveing to try and grasp some air into my lungs but to no avail.
Silver and red flashed over my head, and I tried to warn him, but my voice would not obey me. Keitaro stood before me, sword drawn, looking around at what appeared to him to be an empty forest.
"Something's different," he whispered, "I can smell them!" I lifted my hand, the one I had touched the creature with, and he nodded, glancing around. I could feel confusion, and hunger though the latter was very faint, and uncertain. I couldn't understand what was going on, till I stopped looking with my 5 senses and listened completely to my 6th. Keitaro was a sea of perfect calm, and while most would be angry, or fearful at the endevor before them, he only reflected calm and protection. All the other victims were fearful, and terrorized, and I had not been. Now my rescuer was neither fearful or angry, and this change of events was too much for the creatures to handle. One by one, they slipped out of my senses, and as I expanded myself to my furthest limits, I knew that they had gone far away. Far enough away that we didn't have to worry about their return.
My breath came back slowly and I sucked in the sweet air, thick with the smell of earth and moisture, but the sweetest fragrence to my oxygen deprived lungs. Keitaro knelt beside me, and gently supported me as I sat up, feeling my back ache as the edges of the wounds on my back pulled against the stitches. I took slow breaths until I could speak, and looked at him.
"I told you not to follow me," I said reproachfully, and he glared at me.
"I just saved your life, again, and that's all you have to say to me?" he hissed. I smiled, "You're right, thank you Keitaro." He nodded and helped me to my feet. I stood shaking, still looking around expecting another attack, but nothing but the sounds of the forest returning filled my ears. I sighed and started hobbling back in the direction that we came. He caught up to me in a few steps.
"What do you think you're doing?" he asked.
"What does it look like, I'm walking back to the others," I said, "I have to make sure the children are alright." He sighed and knelt before me. "Get on, at the rate your walking, Kohana will be grown and mated before we reach the den." I gave in, knowing that he wouldn't accept a no and frankly I couldn't disagree. I probably wouldn't even make it up the hill I fell down, given the condition I felt. So I carefully placed myself on his back, and he took off running.
I didn't even realize we had returned, until I heard my name being called in several voices. Keitaro stopped his run, and I felt my arms go slack, and my body fall backwards. Strong arms caught me, and held me, and I looked up into Kaemon's face. I sighed and felt Kohana grab a hold of my arm.
"Nee-chan, you're bleeding," she whimpered, and I looked down at my arms, which were streaked with dirt and blood. I must have scratched myself on my fall and not have realized it. Maeko appeared at my side as well, and began wiping away all the grime with a wet cloth. I clenched my teeth as it stung, but didn't move until she was done. Then Kaemon lifted me up in his arms, and began walking away, Maeko following behind.
"Where are you taking her?" Keitaro's gruff voice echoed behind us.
"Someplace where your sister can check all her injuries, before you feed her to the wolves again," Kaemon snapped and I could feel his arms tighten beneath me. The tension in the air was stiffening and it brushed my skin.
"Keitaro, I'll be fine," I said, and Kaemon kept walking. I could feel Keitaro's anxiety follow us into the den. Kaemon gently set me back down on the ground, and Maeko had me lay down on my stomach.
"You can leave now," she said softly. Kaemon wasn't pleased with being dismissed so easily, and shuffled his feet as he walked out of the cave. After a few moments, I heard Maeko sigh," He may be my cousin, but he tries on my patience like no other," she said, "I think he honestly thought I'd let me stay while I undid your bandages."
"And I think he honestly thinks I'd have let him stay," I replied, much to her mirth. I felt the cool blade of metal against my skin as she carefully cut away the dirty and torn bandages from my back. I closed my eyes and rested my head against the ground, trying to shake off the shudders at the memory of a knife on my skin. I heard her hiss as she pulled the bandages from my skin, and stood, leaving me laying there alone. I heard her reapproach, and saw the folds of her red pants from the corner of my eye. I laid my head back down in my arms, and braced myself for what I might feel next. But nothing could have prepared me. I felt hot breath along my skin, and far from being painful, it was soothing. Something warm and wet slowly traced itself along the cuts of my back.
"Maeko?" I whispered shakingly, and heard a different voice reply, "No, it's me."
"Keitaro! What are you doing?" I said, trying to shift away, but he held me firm, "You don't want to do that, you'll hurt yourself further, just stay still and relax."
"But what are you doing?" I said and felt the warm sensation along my skin again. It brought back memories of the night I was attacked, the same soothing warm sensation on my neck.
"I'm licking your wounds, stupid girl, even you should realize that," he replied, his voice rippling along my back, before he started again. I gasped softly, not from pain, but from the pure sensuality of it. His licks grew harder, but I never felt any pain. Only after a moment did he stop, and it seemed that he was out of breath.
"Our saliva can heal, how do you think I stopped the bleeding on your neck," he murmered, as he rose away from my skin, and began to place clean bandages there. I was still a little shocked at the realization, and was only vaguely aware when he carefully wrapped a long bandage around my torso, careful to avoid touching me. I carefully lifted myself up on my elbows, and felt him tie off the bandage, moving away. My back didn't hurt, well it did a little, but not as much as before. More like the dull ache of an injury long healed, rather then a fresh wound. I looked up at him, and he extended his hand, helping me to my feet.
"Why?" I asked, as I could look him in the eyes again, and he smiled.
"Because Maeko asked me to, and because Kohana would never speak to me again if I didn't do everything I could to help you," he said, and I felt my heart drop into my stomach. Why did I feel like that? After all, I shouldn't have expected anything greater to come from him, should I? I looked away.
"Oh," I said, "Well, I will have to thank both of them," I said, gathering up my shirt and slipping it carefully over my head. Without another word, I walked out of the den, leaving Keitaro speechless behind me. I blocked out every emotion, including my own, as I stepped out into the dying sunlight. Kaemon sat atop a magnificent chestnut horse, with Kohana seated before him, hoping up and down excitedly at the thought of a ride. She saw me and waved.
"Nee-chan, Kaemon said he'll give us a ride back to the village. We get to ride on a real horse!" she called excitedly. I stepped forward and gently put my hand on the horse's neck, rubbing it slowly.
"That's very kind of him," I replied, "But I don't know if there's room for three, so why don't you two head back and I'll catch up," I offered. Kohana didn't understand and grinned happily, but I saw the look of dissapointment in Kaemon's eyes.
"How will you get back, you're injuried, and I wouldn't dare think of letting you walk back all that way," he said. Kohana glanced between the two of us curiously.
"I'll take her," spoke up Keitaro behind me, and I stiffened, taking a step away as I felt him right at my back.
"Don't be silly cousin," spoke up Kaemon good naturedly, "She doesn't need to be jolted around the woods like a sack of grain on your back, it wouldn't be good for her wounds."
"I don't think its her well being you're so worried about," countered Keitaro, and the tension around us spiked. Kohana looked worried, and kept looking between Kaemon and Keitaro, not quite understanding the tension, but knowing it wasn' t good. I lifted my arms to her, and she slid from the saddle into them, hugging me close, and I carefully placed her on my hip.
"You two can fight over whatever you are holding against each other, but I won't allow you to put Kohana in the middle of it, we're going back to the village and leave you two to handle things," I said, and turned on my heel and headed towards the path to the village. A quick thunder of hoovebeats sounded behind me, and I felt an arm wrap around my waist, and lift me up. Kaemon laughed and took off in a gallop, holding onto me. This was getting a little tiredsome, and I certainly had had enough excitement in the past days to last me a while.
"My cousin, doesn't seem to understand how to handle a woman as delicate as you," he crowed and I sighed, "And I suppose you do?"
"Certainly," he said proudly, and I grinned.
"Kaemon, trust me, I'm not like any other woman you know, and I am most certainly not delicate," I said, jabbing my elbow upward to connect with his chin. His eyes rolled back and his grip loosened on us. I pushed him backward, and watched him fall to the ground. Our horse, free from the control of his reins, took off in a wild run. Kohana screamed and grabbed onto me.
"Kohana, I need you to trust me, okay?" She nodded her head, "Alright, grab onto the horse's mane, it won't hurt him I promise, but I need to use both my hands." Kohana grabbed a hold of the mane and I grabbed a hold of the saddle, and twisted myself around to straddle the horse, rather than the English style that I was holding before. My fingers gripped the leather tightly, and I prayed that I wouldn't fall as I attempted this. I locked my legs around the horse's side and reached forward, grabbing a hold of the mane and pulled back. The horse whinnied loudly and bucked his head back, but I didn't let go, and he quickly slid to a stop. Kohana had her eyes tightly closed and I carefully peeled her off. She looked up at me, and grinned.
"I was very good Nee-chan," she piped up and I nodded, "Yes, you were," I said, as I slid from the saddle, and carefully walked along the horse, running a gentle hand along his neck to calm him. He snorted loudly and I whispered soothingly to him, until he bowed his head and nudged me with it. I smiled and ran a hand along his crest.
"Poor thing, you were probably more scared than we were," I murmered and gently took the reins in my hand, looping them back over his head, and pulled myself up in the saddle again with a little more difficulty. Kohana sat there, still as a rock and I placed her before me.
"Come on, let's get back on the main road, " I said and gently turned the horse in a gentle trot back along the path we had taken. We arrived back to the main road, to find Kaemon and Keitaro running towards us. I reined in the horse and waited patiently as they caught up.
"Are you mad woman?" Kaemon yelled at me, out of breath, "Knocking me from the horse, when you could have been hurt or worse!" I rolled my eyes.
"I don't appreciate being kidnapped against my will, and as you can see, I managed alright," I said calmly. Keitaro grinned slightly, obviously still amused over the battering his cousin took.
"You were fortunate that the horse grew tired and slowed," Kaemon spoke up. I narrowed my eyes and pulled an arm around Kohana's waist as I pulled back on the reins, rearing the horse up. He called out loudly and fell forward on all fours again, pawing at the ground. Kohana giggled and I stared Kaemon down.
"Fortune had nothing to do with it, I took years of horseback riding, and I knew exactly what I was doing. Before you assume you are my better in all things, you had better learn at least to try to rise up to be my equal," I said arrogently and took off down the road. Kohana glanced back at the two men as we rode away.
"Well, now you've certainly done it," Keitaro said, walking up to his cousin and placing a hand on his shoulder, "I doubt you have any chance of winning her heart now." He sounded almost cheerful about it.
"Do not assume anything yet cousin," Kaemon said angrily, pushing the hand from his shoulder, and stormed after the horse.
"I don't have to assume anything," Keitaro muttered to himself as he took off running into the forest as swiftly as he could, "I know what she is seeking in a mate, and you are doing more and more to push her away," he laughed to himself as he raced to beat us back to the village.
We sped up to a gallop just before reaching the village, because Kohana wanted to try taking the reins, and she laughed happily as the horse sped up beneath us. I gently helped her pull him back into a trot and then stop right before her home. Kagome rushed out, and Kohana jumped into her mother's arms.
"I rode a horse!" she announced happily, and pointed back at me as I slid off the horse. Hands grabbed me around my waist and I yelped as a winded, but grinning Keitaro helped me down. I stared at him amazed, as he placed me on my feet.
"Th-thank you," I stuttered and walked over to where Kagome stood waiting.
"We were worried for you," Kaogme said, balancing her youngest in her arms, "We heard you were attacked." I nodded and smiled, "All is well, they're gone now, but I don't know how long. I need to speak to you, both of you, as well as all the elders as soon as possible." Inuyasha stepped out of the house, Tetsuseiga in his hand. I glanced up at him, "If you are going to summon the youkai from this afternoon, then I only ask that you summon Kouga, and not the others."
He looked surprised, "The others won't like that, " he said sagely, and I nodded, "I understand that, but if you must give them a reason, give them this. Kouga was the only one among them who was not afraid. They can try to argue that, but it was true. All else I will explain later." Inuyasha and Kagome exchanged a look, but both nodded. Kagome placed Kohana down and headed out into the village, and Inuyasha took off into the woods. I sighed and glanced at Keitaro, who was tying up the horse.
"What are you going to do?" he asked, walking up to us. I smiled, and reached down to take Kohana's hand before looking back at him.
"I'm going to do something they don't expect," I replied and turned to walk into the house. Keitaro stood there, jaw slack and open before muttering, "As if you haven't done that already," he shouted then, "What are you getting me into, woman?!"
The mixed council met a few hours later, long after the sun had set. I had tucked a sleepy Kohana into her bed, much to her dissatisfaction, and waited till she had drifted off to sleep before walking out into the center of the village. A large bonfire had been lit and everyone was assembled around it. I took a seat next to Kagome, and glanced around, seeing the golden gleem of Keitaro and Inuyasha's eyes on the other side of the fire. After a moment, I realized everyone had been waiting for me, so I stood up, and tried to make myself look as dignified as I could.
"I need volenteers to come with me, to fight these things," I said calmly, and saw the looks of shock that surrounded me, quickly followed by the looks of humor.
"Really, and how do you propose we do this? You faced these things today with a group of youkai and they weren't up for the challenge," came a voice from the group, causing Kouga to growl. I held up my hand for silence.
"Things have changed, we have more information on these creatures now, and the power to fight them," I said.
"What information?" sounded another man.
"They are vulnerable, they have their weakness. These creatures have a form, I've touched them, Keitaro smelled them on my skin," I said, holding out the same hand, a hand I tried desprately to avoid touching anything else. Kouga rose and sniffed my wrist, "Lavendar, jasmine and mist," he said after a moment.
"Jasmine, there's only a few places where jasmine grows, but they're all much north, in the moutains," commented one of the older men. I nodded, "That's where I believe they come from, the mountains. When I touched one, I saw a lot of things, felt a lot of things. One of the things I saw was snow, lots of cold snow. I also saw battle," I shuddered slightly at the memory, "Many bloody brutal battles," I said before a twing of nausea gripped my stomach, causing me to pause and take a deep breath.
"These creatures feed on fear, and anger, and probably all forms of strong negitive emotion. They seem to attack a lone figure, and set the bait readily available for others to find. Then they feed off the fear of the groups that come and view the sight of what is left over," I paused and glanced around.
"This will probably be the most dangerous thing you will have to face, and I wouldn't blame any of you for not speaking up," I said softly, "Honestly, I don't want to go either. I'm afraid, this is not the sort I would have ever thought to face in my lifetime, but I know I have to go, because inside I feel that it is my responsibility. I have a gift that can save lives, and I wouldn't dream of backing away from this chance, perhaps to discover why it is I came here." There, I said it, I admitted my fear, showed my weakness, and I waited for the backlash.
A lone figure stood, "I will go with you," I heard and through the fire I saw the flash of red-gold hair. Sadly, I shook my head. "No Shippou, though I understand your reasons, you cannot go. You grieve the loss of your mate, and that sadness, and the anger you feel towards these creatures will only weaken you before them, and probably cost you your life."
"You said yourself, they feed on fear, and yet you go," he yelled. I nodded, "I am afraid, but not afraid of what could happen to me, but afraid of what will happen to those I care about, if I don't go." He glanced away, "Shippou, your mate is dead, and I cannot change that, though if I had the power I would, but you have two kits to worry about now. What will happen to them, if you go off for your revenge and not come back? You, of almost all of us here, understand what they would suffer." I didn't want to bring it up, but if it would bring to his eyes how much more he was needed here, then I knew that it was only for the best. He looked in the direction of Inuyasha's hut, where the twins were sleeping, and sighed, bowing his head.
"Francesca-sama," he whispered, "You are truely a wise sensei, and though it pains me to realize it, I know what it was like when I lost my mother, and how much worse it was when I lost my father. I do not want my kits to feel the same thing, even though I know they would be taken care of. I respect your decision," he bowed respectfully and sat down again. I glanced around at the rest of the group.
"Where are all the youkai? How are we to face this, when they won't," called another voice from the crowd, and I heard Kouga's growl.
"I only asked Lord Kouga to this meeting, because I learned today that yes they were afraid, but Lord Kouga showed no fear, and for that I invited him, perhaps hoping he would agree to accompany me," I glanced at him. He watched me carefully, "I cannot, not for fear, but I have a duty to my pack, and I cannot leave them behind to travel on a quest." He bowed his head, and I respectfully bowed as well as I could at the waist, trying to keep the sadness from my eyes.
"I will go," I heard behind me and bowed my head. I didn't want him to volenteer, and I felt my stomach tighten at the thought.
"I will go as well," came another male voice, which sturred whispers from the group. I turned my head to stare at Keitaro and Kaemon, when a figure stepped from the shadows.
"I will go as well," came a soft female voice. "Maeko," I whispered, and started to disagree with her, but she stepped forward and took my hands in hers, "With all the injuries you aquire, you will need someone to bandage you, and I'm sure you don't wish to be the only woman on your travels, especially with those two." I smiled and squeezed her hands, "Thank you Maeko."
"Well, I certainly cannot leave either of you alone with them," spoke up another man, and Naoko stood up. I smiled with tears in my eyes as I turned back to the assembled.
"The smaller the group, perhaps the better," I said, "but is there anyone else who will come with us?" No one else spoke up, and bowed to Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku and Sango. "I will do my best to keep them from any harm," I vowed solumnly, and felt four hands touch my shoulders, "And we will do our best to protect you," they said.
"Well, it is settled, you five will set out tomorrow, and all our hopes go with you, " said an elder.
AN: I was going to start a new chapter here, but I think I'll keep going, after all, you all put up with this long wait, the least I could do was give you something worth waiting for!!
I knelt by the futon Kagome had given me, and opened up my backpack and began pulling out everything I had placed in there before all this had begun. My wallet, my hotel key, my bottle of water, the Inuyasha manga I had brought with me, my Discman with my CD case, and my spare batteries, my small camera and some extra film. I stared at all the contents and placed my wallet to the side, pulling out the plastic photo holder I carried inside. This went inside one of the smaller pockets of my bag. My bottle of water I placed in a side pocket, zipped up beneath the mesh. After a few moments, I placed everything else in there, since they were all small and could fit in one of the front pockets, without taking up too much room. I didn't wish to leave them behind. I placed my wallet and key on my futon, and zipped up my bag. I smiled slightly, comparing the pack that I would now carry with me, with the pack that Kagome once took with her. Red and black to her bright yellow. Somehow it seemed fitting that my pack was much darker, as I carried a heavy heart with me, where she once was young and innocent of all that was to occur.
Kagome appeared in the doorway, "All set?" she asked, and I nodded, grabbing the blanket she had given me, and carefully rolling it and securing it with some string. She smiled, "You're a little luckier than I was, you'll be travelling by horseback," she announced and I looked up at her. "Kaemon got them from his lord," she explained and I nodded. "Can I speak with you, about things back there?" she asked softly and I nodded, motioning for her to sit.
"How, how have things changed in all these long years?" she began and I looked down at my hands. "Kagome, I don't know how to tell you this and I'm not sure myself why, but 25 years has not passed in our...my world, but only 6."
"Six!" she exclaimed and I nodded, "I know, and I don't understand it myself, I think that it has something to do with what happened to the well, after you defeated Naraku. I only know what was said in the anime, why don't you tell me your story?"
Kagome looked down at her own hands a minute, taking a deep breath and nodded, "Alright. I have tried hard not to think of that night, and that fight. For many years it would bring me nightmares at just the thought of that horrible creature, and everything he almost cost us. He had the majority of the shards, and we had followed him around Japan and even between worlds (AN: I'm going by the manga at this point, or at least up in the manga where I have read). I never thought we would see an end to it, but we finally caught up with him. The battle was long, and tedious, and it came down to just Inuyasha, Naraku and I. Miroku and Sango were knocked unconcious, but Inuyasha refused to give up, refused to die. There was so much blood, and I can't say even now where it all came from. Kikyo had already died, or perhaps returned to being dead by Naraku's hand, for the last bit of the shard. Inuyasha was in such a frenzy that surely his youkai would have appeared, if he had given a second thought to throwing away his sword. I don't even know how it happened, but I found myself in Naraku's grasp, much like you were a few nights ago with those thugs. It was perhaps the worst mistake he could have made. He gave me this," she lifted her chin, to show the thin line of scar that ran along the smooth skin of her neck.
"He didn't count on the danger I could inflict on him, just for being so close. He stole the last piece of the shard from me, and swallowed it. Inuyasha froze, and I closed my eyes, thinking with all my might, that if I could purify it, as I had done with the evil miko, without touching it, that I could defeat Naraku in a way we hadn't tried, from the inside out. That was when Naraku began screaming and released me. I fell to the ground, trying to stop the bleeding on my neck. Inuyasha fell beside me, and healed the wound on my neck, and we watched as Naraku tried battling the purifying power of the Shikon no Tama. 'Mirodoko, if you can hear me, I give my life to stop him,' I thought as I rose to my feet, and stumbled forward and placed my hand to Naraku's chest, willing all my miko abilities into the jewel. Naraku screamed one last time, and crumbled into dust, leaving the jewel, lifeless on the ground. "
"It was over, it was finally over and we had won. But now came the hardest part, having to say goodbye to my friends, and most of all, goodbye to Inuyasha, my heart and soul. I didn't want to face him, and he begged me to stay, begged me with all his being. I couldn't, I knew my life was waiting for me on the other side of the well. That was when Midoriko decided to cash in on my promise and appear. She told me, that I would have to keep my deal, and give up my life. Inuyasha wouldn't hear of it, but I knew I had made my sacrifice, and I wasn't afraid. That was when Midoriko told me that perhaps I was given a chance that most others would not have. She said I had two lives, and that I could chose which one I wished to give up. I could remain in the Sendoku Jidai, with Inuyasha and live out my days with him and our children, or I could return to the future, and live out the life I had dreamed of as a child, grow up, go to university, and continue on a normal life. But there was no more normal life for me, I had lived so far in the extraordinary that I couldn't imagine knowing anything else anymore. So I went home, one last time and said my goodbyes. Sato cried, and begged me not to go, and my mother cried as well, but I had made my decision. Jii san was the one who surprised us all, by giving us his blessing, hugging me tightly, and telling me that in his heart, he knew that I was making the right choice. He gave me to Inuyasha and made him swear that he would always protect me. Then, before my first family, he joined me to my new one. I think the only thing that made the seperation bearable was the fact that they had given me to my husband willingly."
I sighed and ran my hand through my hair, "I had no idea Kagome," I said and she smiled. "Of course not, but do not let that worry you now. I believe you came here for a reason, a reason to help us, and I know you will succeed. You have a strength within you, I can see it, and I know you will be able to make it through every obsticle." I smiled gently and she nodded.
"I think that because you gave up your life in the future, and in a sense died there, that the well would no longer let you pass. As well, if the jewel was lifeless, then it wouldn't have given you the power to travel like it used to. Where is the jewel now?"
Kagome glanced up the hill, to the small gravesite Kohana had taken me, "We respected Kikyou's last living wishes, that the jewel be buried with her. We placed the dust and bones that remained from her second form with the jewel up there. It is a relief to know that we don't have to worry any more about someone trying to attack us for it."
"How is my famly?" she asked next, and I smiled faintly, "Your brother is a handsome young man, and he runs the shrine. You should see the joy he takes in it. I didn't get to meet your mother, but I am sure she is well. Your brother told me something, before I left. Your grandfather, passed on last winter," I whispered, not able to meet her gaze. But she didn't look as sad as I thought.
"Death comes for all of us, at some point or another, and Jii-san left knowing his shrine would be in capable hands, so I know he rests in piece," she replied. I pulled out the manga from my bag and handed it to her.
"I only ask you one favor Kagome, please tell Kohana what I couldn't. Tell her where I come from, and how I know about her Grandma Kaede, She was asking me, but I didn't know how to tell her." She nodded her head, "I will. And there is something I ask of you," she replied in return, "Take care of my children, please. I know now what my mother felt watching me go through that well so many times, knowing that one day I might not come back. I only want them to return safe."
I nodded, "I promise you Kagome, I will do my best, any more than that I cannot promise." She nodded and stood, giving me a hand to help me up, and helped me secure my backpack on my back. "One more thing Francesca, do not judge Keitaro by how he appears on the outside. He is his father's son, and sometimes more so than he should be. Remember how Inuyasha was towards me in our travels, and keep that in mind on yours." I glanced at her curiously, but she simply smiled and escorted me to the door, carrying my rolled up blanket.
Kaemon stood outside, securing the saddles on the horses, and smiled brightly, "Good morning, Francesca," he said cheerfully, and I nodded my head. Maeko was sitting on her horse, looking a little nervous, and Naoko was still saying goodbye to his parents. Keitaro stood against the wall of the house, looking bored and annoyed by all this. Kagome looked around, and I heard a soft noise escape her lips. Inuyasha stepped up beside her, and draped an arm around her shoulder gently. She motioned to us and said, "It's just like us Inuyasha. The girl from the future, the hanyou, the monk, the warrior and-" she smiled at her daughter, "well, mostly like us. All we need now is a youkai child and the set is complete."
"There's someone else you forgot," came a soft voice and Aiko stepped forward, holding Kirara in her arms. The kit mewed softly and jumped from the gir's arms, and into mine, looking up at me with those beautiful blue eyes, as if she was studying me.
"Kirara wants to come with you," she said softly. I looked down at the firecat, who mewed again.
"Thank you Kirara," I said, bowing my head slightly. Sango stepped up to me, "I'm entrusting you with three of my family," she said softly, scratching Kirara's ears. "This will be the first time we've been far apart since I was a child, " she said sadly before stepping back. Inuyasha stepped forward and embraced his son, arm to arm, and reached along his side.
"Take Tetsuseiga with you," he said and I almost protested but Keitaro beat me to it. "Father I can't!" he said, but Inuyasha pressed the sword and scabbard into his hand.
"Take it, and always remember to use it to defend lives," he said solemnly. Keitaro sighed and tied it to his belt, bowing to his father one more time before stepping back. I watched the families exchange their goodbyes and felt a little sad until I felt a tiny tugging on my hand. There stood three sleepy eyed pups, looking sad.
"You were going away without saying goodbye?" pouted Kohana. I felt my lower lip tremble slightly as I knelt and took them into my arms. I had only been in this land for less than a week, and yet I felt like it was forever, and that I were truly leaving the littlest members of my family behind.
"Oh sweetie," I whispered into Kohana's hair, "I didn't want to make you sad by making you watch me go," I said gently. She smiled through her tears, "You'll come back, right Nee-san?"
"I promise," I said and reached behind my neck and unclipped my favorite necklace, a gold chain with a gold four leaf clover. I slipped it around Kohana's neck and fastened it. She stared down at the charm in amazement as I spoke, "This is my favorite necklace, and something that has always brought me luck. You hold onto it, until I come back, alright?" She nodded slowly and I ran my hand through the kits' hair.
"You two take good care of Kohana and each other, alright. Practice your kitsune tricks and one day you'll be the best in the world," I said and they nodded their heads in unison. I hugged them again, reinforcing my mental walls to keep out their sadness. Then I released them with tears in my own eyes and stood, walking up to my horse and pulled myself up stride saddle. Keitaro steped up with us and Kaemon looked at me as if he swallowed a frog. I glared at him, "If you say anything about how I am riding, I swear I'll make sure I'll dump you in the first river we cross."
He swallowed nervously and nodded, much to the great amusement of his family. "Just what he needs, " I heard Miroku whisper to Sango who laughed. I gave them both a knowing wink and looked at Keitaro who was standing beside me.
"Where's your horse?" I asked and he snorted. "I don't need a horse," he said, much to the annoyance of his family.
"Keitaro doesn't like horses," Kagome explained and he turned his head to give his mother an angry look. I glanced down at him, "Don't think I'll let you walk the whole way, " I said and he crossed his arms.
"Kei," said Maeko impatiently, "Just get on your horse, we'll tether it to one of ours, so it won't run off with you again," she sighed. Keitaro gave his sister a look that could have froze ice and I realized what had happened. He was afraid of horses, because he got caught on a runaway. I glanced at the 5th horse, chewing patiently on some grass, and trotted over to it, grabbing its reins and tying them off on the back of my saddle. The horse compliantly followed me as I returned to the group.
"You can ride with me Keitaro, till you feel more comfortable," I offered and he started to give me a disgusted look when I knelt down over the saddle and whispered for his ears only, "Listen, you can ride behind me, and save your feet for when we'll need it, or you can walk all across this country, and tire yourself needlessly. Besides, if you're riding with me, it might keep your cousin's hands to himself." He glanced up at me, and sighed, nodding in agreement.
I offered my hand, and he grabbed my forearm instead, holding on tight. I moved my foot from the stirrup, so he had something to step into and helped him swing into the saddle behind me. His arms closed around my stomach tightly, and through the tension in his arms, I could tell he was nervous, and frightened. I smiled and gently patted his hands.
"Easy, I won't let you fall," I murmered under my breath, and felt his grip relax a little. I glanced at the others, and took a deep breath.
"Alright, let's go everyone," I said and nudged my ride into a gentle trot, and headed down the main road of the village, and into the greatest adventure of my life.
AN: Okay, seems like a good place to stop. Wow!! 15 pages!!! That's a new personal record for me! Thanks to everyone who stood behind me and waited patiently for me to finish this chapter, I hope its worth the wait!! I understand there's probably spelling/grammatical errors, but I was typing as fast as I could to get this up and out today, please forgive those errors.
Welcome also to a new reader, Nina, who took the time to read my other stories on my website, and enjoyed them!!
