Chapter 12: The Oracle's Proposal
The clinking of the fork to the small plate shook Hitomi up. She carefully opened her eyes to meet Akio's steady hands place the dishes over the kitchen sink, creating another wave of noise. '7:47' blinked the square digital clock on the wall, as Hitomi rubbed her eyes, weary of the restless night she had.
"Good morning," Hitomi sleepily mumbled as Akio looked over his shoulder.
"Morning." Akio returned with a smile. He motioned to a plate on the round glass table, "I left you breakfast." Hitomi nodded as Akio hitched up the black messenger bag on his shoulder and walked over to the living room. He stared at Hitomi's messy long hair flow over the gray couch, then at her lazy eyes, with a smile that slowly disappeared into his concerned eyes.
"Is there something you forgot to tell me...?" he finally said leaning onto the wall with his arms crossed.
Hitomi hugged her knees, not knowing what he ment.
Akio thought back to her voice the night before, calling out that man's name. Her voice was so clear he would have thought she was awake if it wasn't for her closed eyes. The tabby cat leaped onto the black blanket in front of Hitomi, curling up in the small bundle, not braking the bond between their eyes.
"You talked in your sleep...You mentioned that lord's name quite a few times..." Akio said slowly, observing her reaction. Hitomi suddenly blushed, bringing her hand to her face, too embarrassed to say a word. He silently watched her mouth open slightly and her eyes shift, struggling with her thoughts. He leaned on the wall, bringing an gap silence between them. "Listen," he finally said staring into her blue irises, "just be careful, OK? I wouldn't doubt it if guys back in the feudal era also have twisted schemes behind their sweet talk."
She paused for a moment then smiled,"Talking bad about your kind, Kobayashi?"
"What? Don't believe me?" He said simply, "Sweeping a girl off her feet just to get what we want, is really not that hard y'know."
"Akio!" Hitomi said in disbelief as he turned towards the door laughing.
"Just be careful, alright?" he started as he opened the door, "Now be a good girl and don't run off to your little adventures. I'd feel much better if you would stay here, or at least in the area."
"You're going to be late, you pervert." Hitomi said crossing her arms with a playful smile.
Akio gave a little wave, "Yeah yeah... I'm gonna be back around five. Don't burn the apartment down till then got it? In other words, please don't try to cook..." Hitomi was about to argue when he quickly closed the door.
Hitomi pressed her knees harder to her chest as she entangled her fingers together, with a ray of light striking her smiling face. The small cat yawned and stretched on the soft blanket, with Hitomi's curious eyes following her shimmering coat. She brought a hand under the cat's chin and stroke it gently as the cat purred in delight.
"I'm happy everything is back to normal between me and Kobayashi, after I told him everything," She said stroking the cat's fluffy chin, "But...I cant believe I said his name..." Hitomi slowly stopped, as the cat looked up to her in disappointment, "Izumi's child...Yumiko-san never mentioned they had children..." With a thoughtful pause, Hitomi resumed petting the brown feline, "I wonder what happened to that child..." she leaned in and whispered, "Hey, Momo-chan, do you want me to go buy you some salmon?" the cat meowed sweetly in response making Hitomi giggle.
The following two days went by quickly, for both Hitomi and Akio. Spending her days tiding up the place and running simple errands for Akio's elderly neighbor during the day and joking around with Akio till the early hours of the following day. On the third morning, Hitomi woke up earlier than usual, being it a Saturday, it took her quite a few more tries than usual to wake Akio up. She hurried around preparing everything, making sure she took everything necessary. In a khaki messenger bag she stuffed in, as neatly as she could, the lengthy blue kimono and a few toiletries. She wore a simple white T-shirt with blue sleeves along with a beige skirt and navy blue socks, matching nicely with her brown school shoes. With her long brown hair down, Hitomi and Akio walked out. For some reason she was bursting with energy; an unexplained anxiety grew inside her chest as they walked toward the Higurashi residence in the clear morning sky. She felt careless. As they passed the many skyscrapers, she smiled thinking how exhilarating the rush would feel if she would jump off, not thinking at all of the consequences, bringing a smile to her face as she contemplated the idea.
"I've managed to pull you through this semester," Akio said drinking from his cup of coffee, "I pulled some strings and asked them to let you slide through this, with the promise that coming next semester you will jump back to your normal nerdy phase."
Hitomi smiled and thanked him, with the messenger bag swinging at her side.
"Do you think everything will be back to normal by then? I mean, three months to live off a dream really isn't a lot of time. What if you don't come back? Not only the school will be getting on my case but not to mention your father. Not to mention me!" Akio playfully wrapped his arm around her neck, "What will I do without my little Hitomi? Who will love me now? I'm going to disappear into nothingness!"
Hitomi laughed pushing his arm away, "Oh Akio, it's not like I'm going to live there now. I'm only going there for a few days and come back. You worry to much!"
"Yeah, but then you go back again..." Akio muttered.
Both of them began walking up the stairs of the shrine, birds tuning in into a cheerful song as they swing from one tree to the other. Hitomi grasped her staff. The wooden sea shell was tapping onto the side of the crystal, bringing her attention to the deep lovely color.
"I'm not sure..." Hitomi said now in a low voice breaking the morning sounds, "I'm not sure when this will end..." she flashed a cheerful smile to Akio, "But, y'know, the strange thing is that... I've never been happier." Akio hesitated then returned the smile, turning onto their stone path with a thoughtful gaze. The two walked into the shrine grounds in silence. As they reached the covered hut they stopped. Mrs. Higurashi was walking back towards the house when she also spotted them with a motherly smile.
"Oh Hitomi-chan, Good Morning. I didn't know you were here," said the cropped hair lady with a bow as the two arrived next to her and returned the greeting.
"Good Morning. Yes I arrived three days ago," she bowed once more, "Sorry I did not inform you."
"Oh no it's fine," she replied with a small laugh, "Oh! Will you be returning? Kagome-chan has just gone back. She asked for you..."
"Me-chan..." Hitomi said in almost a whisper then to Mrs. Higurashi, "Yes, I..." She grasped tightly onto her staff, "I'll be heading back..."
Mrs. Higurashi paused as she looked at her ancient staff, then smiled kindly, "I see...Well, if you hurry you just may be able to catch up with her."
Hitomi bowed at her and thanked her as she did the same. She turned to Akio who had his hands shoved in his pockets, "Well... I guess I'll see you in a few days. Thank you for everything, Ak-" before she could finish he grabbed her tightly in a close embrace.
"Please be careful," He whispered in her ear as he squeezed her one last time and pulled back, "Never let your guard down..."
Hitomi stepped back and bowed to them both, thanking them one last time before walking fast up the wooden stairs of the timber hut. She quickly slid open the door and hastily walked down to the mouth of the well. Grabbing both sides tightly she leaped into the darkness. Quickly, a wave of light pulled her in and expelled her onto the ancient air. With a soft thump, she landed onto the ground, looking up at a cloud-less sky.
"You must be the priestess Kikyou's incarnation, are you not?" A voice said from above the well. Hitomi recognized it as Takeshi's as she quietly climbed up the vines.
On the grassy field, Kagome was approached by the three guardians. Kagome took a step back, making her green skirt brush against a wooden plank. If her experience had taught her anything, it would be that if people knew who she was it usually meant something bad.
"Please don't be frightened," He reassured her, "We will not harm you." With another deep bow, he went on, "I am Yamamura Takeshi. The Guardian of the Earth Element." The rest went on introducing themselves, except Kenji who would only stare at her strange clothing. This made Kagome nervous, as Kenji's eyes trailed down to the ends of her green skirt.
"Hey!" Kagome shouted pulling her skirt down with one hand.
Kenji locked eyes with her, "Your clothes are like hers... Are you from the same village as priestess Akiyama?"
"Akiyama? Akiyama Hitomi?! Do you know her?!"Kagome quickly said.
"Me-chaan..." a voice called from behind her. Kagome turned towards the voice. Hitomi's hands carefully pulled herself up from a wooden board, peeping her face from behind, revealing an embarrassed smile. Kagome knelt quickly next to her and helped her up. Once on steady ground, Hitomi and Kagome threw their arms around each other, holding each other close.
"Hitomi, you're alright..."Kagome said smiling.
"Oh, Kagome..of course I am..." Hitomi said softly. It's been almost two weeks since she'd seen her. Two long strange weeks where everything changed.
Kagome laughed a little as she pulled away. "Yes. I can see that." Hitomi helped Kagome stand up as she faced the others.
"I see you have met my friends..." Hitomi smiled, nodding at them.
"Friends?"
Hitomi grabbed Kagome's hands and stared into her eyes with a smile not quite for happiness but rather excitement. "Kagome...I think I've found the reason why I could also go through the well. I also had a past life in this time- just like you Kagome. It seems I am also a reincarnation of a priestess-or rather, a guardian. The Elemental Guardian of Water..." Kagome's eyes shot up in surprise as her mouth moved rapidly, however not letting out a single word. Hitomi went on, "I know this seems strange...it feels too strange actually...But I am here now... Oh Kagome I really wanted to talk to you again!"
"Hitomi..." Kagome managed to whisper, then fell silent looking away trying to sink everything in. Her brown eyes confused she looked back up at hers.
"Blue eyes...?" Kagome was puzzled.
Hitomi paused for a moment, then nodded slowly, bringing up a smile, "We have a lot to talk about..."
The guardians looked towards the village as they each pulled out their weapons in an eager stance. A tense feeling fell upon the area as a quiet rumble shook the earth under their feet. The girls could also feel it. Something was coming.
"I sense a jewel shard..." Kagome whispered quickly as everything stopped.
Two explosions were heard, breaking the silence. Quickly, flames and deep smoke jumped off of the roofs of two houses in the village, as cries, like small voices, were heard from the desperate villagers. A two headed lizard demon stood behind all this, looking side to side, searching for its next target. From its mouth a stream of fire shot out through the sky. A two tailed cat, it seemed, circled around it then made its way towards them.
"Sango! Miroku!" Kagome called and waved to the cat as it jumped onto the ground.
A young girl, Sango, leaped off of the beast, "Kagome! Glad you're back!" Sango looked at the strangers behind her as she pulled up her boomerang.
The young monk made his way next to his companion and also stared at them.
"Miss Akiyama," A smile flashed over Miroku's charming voice, "I'm glad to see you again."
Hitomi nodded curtly and blushed, when Kagome took over.
"I sense a jewel shard on that demon...where is Inuyasha?" Kagome said with an official voice.
"He is back at the village. We should go to him." Sango replied as she mounted the two tailed cat. Kagome nodded and began to walk to them, when she stopped. She turned to Hitomi, who was staring at the burning village.
"Stay here okay, Hitomi. We'll be right back-"
"I want to help." Hitomi looked willingly into her eyes.
"You'll be staying here," Takeshi said sternly before Kagome could reply. Hitomi looked back at him confused. "This is not our fight, my lady," Turning towards Kagome's group, "Now go before any more lives are taken."
The group did as they were told and were off with incredible speed into the root of the suffocating smoke.
Hitomi turned sharply towards Takeshi, but before she could open her mouth, Takeshi began walking towards the woods surrounding the village, with the others following.
"Let's see what they can do, shall we?" Takeshi said with an exasperated sigh.
Hitomi slowly followed suit. The guardians made their way to an elevated hill side of the forest where they had a clear view of the whole village and the lands surrounding it. Takeshi stood with his arms crossed staring with a studious stare down at the fight, as Yumiko sat on a rock- chin in hands she also viewed the battle with the look of a mother watching over her children. Kenji, with a hand over his spear, looked indifferently at the pathetic demon. With one swing of his Buryoku he could finish him off easily. Hitomi's worried irises shadowed Kagome and her friends' movements, gasping every now and then when the demon got close. Each time grasping tighter and tighter the Ittaisei staff.
"It is be best if we do not interfere," Takeshi said softly as he placed a hand over Hitomi's fists, gently pushing them down, "They will be alright, my lady. It is not their first time..."
A battlecry was heard from the half dog demon, causing a violent storm explode from his sword, making its way towards the towering demon. At the same speed, a pale red arrow, zoomed its way towards the storm, combining and creating a thunderous noise. The powerful orb crashed into the lizard's chest, piercing its body into pieces. Hitomi watched in awe as the demon disappeared into a weightless dust.
"K..Kagome?" Hitomi gasped looking at the skillful archer gaze onto the remains. Without her knowing, her feet began to sprint down the hill towards them. Inuyasha looked towards the breathless Hitomi making her way to them. Her scent. There was something strange intertwined with it.
"Kagome," Hitomi managed to say between breaths, "You...You were incredible out there! All of you were!"
The guardians soon appeared behind her, making Inuyasha's nerves shoot up even more. His eyes went stern. That scent. He recognized it instantly.
"Who are you?" Inuyasha demanded.
Takeshi hesitated a bit then smiled. That devilish smile that granted his lips a noticeable air of superiority. "We never actually met did we, young Inuyasha?" Inuyasha frowned, "Ha ha... yes. Your brother has sent us here. Or did your nose already pick that up?"
"Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha pondered out loud as he aimed his sword at them, "Whatever you have to do with that bastard, I'll make sure you receive my warm welcome."
"The Tetsuaiga..." Takeshi's eyes grew cold. "If only we had it...if only we had it back then..." The earth shook softly underneath their feet.
Inuyasha tilted his head in puzzlement, his eyes locked onto Takeshi's. Yumiko whispered into his ear as she squeezed his arm gently. Takeshi blinked and shook his head making the small tremble disappear.
"Hitomi-chan," Yumiko called softly as she kept her comforting grip on Takeshi's limb, "We need to get going..."
Hitomi did nothing, almost ignoring her surroundings, as she stared at Kagome's hands. She also had powers. Just like her. "Kagome..." She lifted her eyes to her friend's, "I need to speak to you...
The morning sun bathed the small hut where the odd groups sat, closely listening to Hitomi's every word. Her whereabouts during these two weeks were a mystery that slowly dissolved in Kagome's eyes. Hitomi chose her words carefully and slowly; meticulously weeding the parts the guardians wanted to omit, with a shake or a nod. The plague of the Darkness, the guardians' exact mission, Hitomi's strange dreams, Izumi's life and death, and especially Izumi's romantic involvement with the lord of the Western lands were all erased from the official story. In their minds, Hitomi only happened to stumble into the Ittaisei which awoke her sleeping abilities (those including bringing back the dead) and with the help of the guardians and lord Sesshomaru's uncharacteristic charity, she has been able to learn and control her powers. The story, of course, fell flat on Inuyasha's ears, making him sneer at each detail of Sesshomaru's involvement. But seeing Hitomi's tone of sincerity, concern soon clouded his mind.
"My lady," Takeshi stood up from his seating position as Hitomi finished her story, "We have a matter of business we need to attend to..."
"Oh yes," Hitomi blurted out embarrassed, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. You really shouldn't have waited for me. You could have left any time you felt like..."
"No. It seems my lady does not understand. The water priestess must also join us in our journey..." Takeshi replied meeting only a small nod from Hitomi. He looked at Inuyasha's group for a long moment then bowed deeply. "We will see each other again, I hope," his last words trailed as he walked off. Yumiko kindly thanked them and exited with Kenji silently following close behind her.
All eyes fell upon Hitomi as she bid farewell to her friend, promising they would try to keep in touch in this strange new era. Inuyasha kept his eyes on her, like trying to lock pick a complex lock. Was she speaking the truth? A human girl receiving help from the demon lord that hated humans? He did save her after all, but why the interest in her? Could he be using her? Inuyasha's head was spinning with never ending questions. As she bowed and thanked the group one last time, he calmly walked next to her- their eyes meeting face to face. She could feel the demon blood within him through those amber eyes. That same demon presence she felt as she got lost in Sesshomaru's eyes. Inuyasha also found something in her deep blue eyes: the kind heart of an honest girl.
He leaned in and whispered gently, "Is everything alright?" Hitomi nodded softly, a bit startled by his question. "Be careful with who you deal with...and what you use those powers of yours..." Hitomi nodded once again as she left the small hut.
Once outside, the guardians reassembled and were off with little words spoken. The four of them headed east on a deserted dirt road. Hitomi followed them silently, looking at the tall trees and grassy fields to the roadside. Yumiko walked next to her as Kenji walked 20 steps behind. Takeshi led the way about 30 feet ahead of them; silent and with his arms neatly folded behind his back, pushing his thoughts around in his crowded mind.
"Yumiko-san," Hitomi said softly enough for her to hear, "Why wasn't I allowed to say the truth of...everything, to Kagome?"
"Well, Takeshi-kun does not like to reveal much about the guardians' business to strangers." Yumiko replied in the same quiet voice, "I guess he doesn't want people to interfere into our battles, just like he wont interfere the battles of others."
"Battles? What do you mean..?"
"As soon as we get there, things will clear up," Yumiko flashed a smile.
"Where?"
"We are going to take you to the Oracle. The elder asked to see you as soon as you came back. He will explain with more clarity the situation we are in. Just be patient."
Hitomi walked silently for a while, then asked shyly "Will lord Sesshomaru be there?"
"Yep. He'll meet us there," Yumiko laughed, "These past three days he's been very impatient. Pacing back and forth in his palace like a little boy! It's obvious a little part of him went away when you did..."
Hitomi went silent again, blushing more than ever. Her eyes shifted to the side, keeping her eye on an orange flower, that dream...Izumi and lord Sesshomaru's child...should I ask her? She lifted her face towards Yumiko's smiling face. But why would she keep it from me? Maybe she lost her child and it is too painful for them to remember? Or perhaps I just made it all up...?
The sun slowly slipped across the sky, as the guardians made their pilgrimage to the center of the lands- where the oracle resided. The colors in the sky began to show the early signs of dusk as they arrived to a towering mountain. Takeshi walked up to a rocky wall and gently placed his hand over its rough surface. The kanji in his hand glowed a bright green making the rock wall beneath his fingers disappear, revealing a secret passageway. The mouth of the new found cave was pitch black as Takeshi walked in. Hitomi followed the group, holding onto Yumiko's kimono sleeve, as they guided her through the darkness. Slowly, Hitomi spotted a soft gleam of blue light at the center of the cave's corridor. They walked at a moderate pace, Hitomi's heart jumping in her chest, until the objects became clear in front of her. They had entered a chamber dimly lit by four colorfully flamed torches that hung over the mouths of other dark corridors. Over the northern, southern, eastern, and western corridors a white, green, blue, and red flame was poised over each torch, respectively. In the middle of all this, four pillars formed a square, one at each corner holding a colored flame. The elder rested, legs crossed and eyes closed, facing the approaching group. Wrinkles cut his peach skin breaking up at the sides of his head and chin where white hairs sprouted softly away from his body. His tired eyes disappeared into his creases below the long white eyebrows. He wore a simple black kimono with white lining, which made him disappear in the darkness of the cave. Sesshomaru stood silent on the side of the center, invisible in Hitomi's eye range.
The group stopped two meters away from the oracle and knelt before him. Hitomi however, did nothing as she stood hypnotized by the mystic being. He slowly opened his eyes and stared into hers. Hitomi's heart almost stopped. There was something about him that made her incredibly calm. It scared her.
"Come closer, my dear Sui." The oracle voice was gruff and raspy as he motioned to her, "Do not be frightened..."
Hitomi bowed deeply and slowly began making her way towards him. One foot after the other, it seemed she would never reach him. She folded her hands over her lap as she slowly made her way in front of the elder. A shaky hand came out of his sleeve and clasped Hitomi's chin. Bringing her a bit closer, he examined her face. His breathing was calm and weak as he moved her head side to side. A smile appeared on his thin lips.
"Akiyama Hitomi. You are truly an interesting young woman..." The elder said calmly letting go of her chin. She pulled away in surprise. "Oh ho ho. Please do not be frightened my child...," he spoke tiredly, "Aye, I do know your name. I can see your past with a single glance." Hitomi dared not to say a word, "Akiyama Hitomi. Second child of Fumito and Shiomi Akiyama. Your mother died when you were just a child, leaving your father look after you and your older brother Kouichi. You were confused most of your life until two weeks ago. A light lit up your skies, opening your heart to your destined positioned. To your destined life." Hitomi was speechless as she hardly stood in front of him. "My dear Sui...There is much for you to know about. Your soul hungers for the answers to set itself free..." The elder paused and closed his eyes for moment. "I see what Takeshi meant by strong willed. You have what it takes to match Izumi's power and perhaps even surpass it. To have done so much in so little time...your abilities grow stronger with each passing day...Do you recall the seal that Izumi casted over The Darkness that night...?
Hitomi hesitated then nodded, "Yes. It sealed The Darkness back into its source...your heart..."
"Aye... I hoped my children," he motioned at the kneeling group, "would not face that part of me again...But I am afraid things do not go how we wished them for... Izumi thought the same way. The seal is to be broken when the next water priestess surpasses Izumi's power. That priestess will be you." Hitomi stood silent, as the skin on her skull began to crawl, "You powers...will soon surpass her, even if not practiced it grows. Izumi's soul is aching for that last battle..."
"What...But I- I can't. I couldn't be..." Hitomi blurted out.
"Sixteen years ago I felt Izumi's presence come back to me. That unmistakable aura overcame me. It was then when I knew, she had come back to finish her duty."
"B-but how can I, with my weeks old experience, expect to defeat him if Izumi, who trained her whole life, couldn't even weaken him? I cant do this. I cant do this..."
"My dear Sui, do not be frightened...If I am correct, it was you who revived your father when you were not even aware you had that ability. It took Izumi five years to master that power, when it only took a mere thought from you..." Hitomi said nothing but shook her head. The elder continued in a soothing voice, "My dear child, you will be prepared for that time, I am certain of it. Set your soul free. Open your eyes and see how much you can achieve with that heart of yours. That noble heart that once saved the world from the stormy shadows of the netherworld..."
"But that wasn't me..." Hitomi whispered.
The elder nodded, "Aye. However, her heart and soul still beats strongly inside of you. The protective spirit of water is what binds you two together, making her power yours and much more..."
Hitomi looked at the darkened ground. The soil seemed damp and soft under her shoes. Her mind was pitch black with doubts like each of the wide mouth's of the surrounding caves.
"You will not be alone..." The elder said in response to the jumbling questions in her mind, "You will not fight alone... before Izumi's death, the guardians were searching for the three great powers of this Earth. That is the only way to completely destroy the darkness," he tapped softly his chest, "Although we together are one of the powers mentioned, we cannot do this by ourselves. Which is why we need the other two. We have discovered one, however the other still remains a mystery even to myself. Back then, my children could not restore one of those powers due to the absence of one piece. The twin swords of the demon lord, the Great Inu no Taishou, were separated. Even though lord Sesshomaru possessed the Tenseiga, alone they are useless to our purpose..." At the mention of his name, Hitomi turned towards the lord, startled. His eyes were steady on hers, "Many years have passed since then and now, with the Tetsuaiga reappearing once again, the second power is complete. My dear Sui, I will train you and teach you what you need, for a battle is underway. Your brothers and sister will go and search for the last piece. I am certain we will all be ready for that night that you will fully awaken and destroy this part of me..."
"I-I will..." Hitomi struggled, "do as I am told."
"I am sorry, my dear, but we cannot let you return to your world..."
"I understand," Hitomi replied a bit dazed, "I will do as you say..." Her heart began to race. What she was feeling at the moment was the strangest mixture of emotions. Anxiety, excitement, fear. They all hit her at once, each taking a turn at her heart. Her uncertainty, however soon disappeared into dust as she stood contemplating the strange road ahead. A longing-a hole- in her soul was craving to be filled.
