A/N: I'm going to make this clear. I do not own the Inuyasha series. And although I posted 'The Nine-Tail Fox's Son' I do not own the Naruto series it's based off of, or the prologue chapter of the manga series that prequel 'The Nine-Tail Fox's Son'.

I suggest reading the first thirty-six chapters of 'The Nine-Tail Fox's Son' (found on my list of stories I posted) before reading this story.

Secret of the Jewel of Four Souls

Back in the Village of Demon Slayers, everyone was either getting chores done or exploring the village as they waited for Sango to recover.

"What's going on anyway?" Inuyasha asked. "Hey, Miroku! Is that Sango still in bed?"

"I believe so," Miroku replied as if it was the millionth time Inuyasha asked.

"Well, get her up! She knows where Naraku's whereabouts! She says she can't remember the castle where Naraku is staying! But if we keep looking, she's bound to remember!"

"It's probably Naraku's doing. He probably put a spell on her… which made her forget everything…"

"So what? We've been waiting now for ten days! A wound like that… I'd be up around in three days!"

"I would probably take to bed for a month," Miroku said. "Besides, Sango suffers not only from physical injuries. She lost her entire family… the wound to her heart goes deep."

"Yeah, but that's why we're going to offer her to join us. After all, no better way to heal such injuries than revenge," Inuyasha said.

"Naruto may argue against that," Miroku said.

"Speaking of Naruto, where is he?" Inuyasha asked.

"Last I check, he was using the remains of the Slayer Village's training field to break in his new sword," Miroku said.

…

Naruto cut through three training dummies that the village had left.

"Not bad," Naruto said. "Now if I can find someone to teach me how to use a sword so I don't just swing wildly at my opponents like Inuyasha."

Naruto sheathed his Katana and left to see if there were any chores for him to do.

Naruto passed one of the grave sites to see that Sango was at their side with Kirara.

"You must be feeling somewhat better if you're out here showing respect to the dead."

Sango turned to see Naruto. "The graves, you buried all the villagers and marked their graves."

"Ah, yeah. We felt that since they died as warriors, they deserve to be buried like ones," Naruto said. "Inuyasha gathered the bodies, Miroku and I dug the graves, and Kagome and Shippo marked them."

"Thank you."

Naruto looked down. "Look, I don't know what it's like to lose everyone I know, but I know what it's like to want revenge for the death of someone close. Although I wouldn't recommend a life of only revenge, you can at least make sure your kin didn't die in vain by making sure what happened to you don't happen to anyone else."

"And I'm guessing the best way is to join you and your friends?" Sango asked.

"Well, that's up to you, but at least if you travel with us, you have a better chance against Naraku than you would alone," Naruto said. "If there's anything I learned during my time as a ninja, it's the importance of working in a group. And of course the more the merrier in the fight against evil!"

"All right, I'll come with you." Sango said.

"Really?" Naruto asked. "That's great! Oh that reminds me. Is it true what we heard about the sacred jewel being born in your village?"

"That's right. Are you interested in it?" Sango asked.

"Me? No way. I prefer growing stronger the old fashion way," Naruto said.

…

Nearby Kagome, who came out looking for Sango, overheard the conversation.

Naruto is the fortunate one, Kagome thought, Everyone who comes in contact with the Sacred Jewel Shards becomes unhappy. But Naruto avoids it as much as he could and is able to stay happy because of it.

"Hey Kagome!" Naruto shouted. "Sango said she'll guide us to the cave where the Sacred Jewel was created in return for us burying the dead here."

"You don't have to be loud about it," Sango said.

"Oh, that's great!" Kagome said.

…

As promised, Sango—who was carried by Inuyasha since she was still recovering—showed them to the cave once more. Myoga tagged along, curious to learn of the Jewel's origin as well.

"So Sango… just how do we get rid of this barrier?" Inuyasha asked.

"Most importantly, we need to learn how Naruto was able to bypass it the first time we were here."

"You were able to enter the cave before, Naruto?" Sango asked.

"Uh, yeah," Naruto responded. "It was weird, though. There was this voice who told me I was the only one at the time who can pass."

"You didn't say that before," Shippo said.

"Well, like I said, it was strange," Naruto admitted.

"She must have already sense good intension from you to let you through," Sango said. "I have known that, I wouldn't have believed Naraku when he said you helped destroyed my village."

"That's okay," Naruto said.

"But who is it that let Naruto through?" Miroku asked.

"The person from whom the Sacred Jewel was born."

"Wait—you mean that crystalize lady in the cave?" Naruto asked.

"Crystalize lady?" Inuyasha responded.

"Yeah, there was a crystalize lady surrounded by the remains of demons in there," Naruto said. "It's as if—well it's easier to see than describe."

"The rest of you should be able to enter now," Sango said.

"Are you sure?" Inuyasha asked.

"Until now, countless people have become victims of the Sacred Jewel. I would guess it's because of Naruto's purity from the Jewel and evil that let him threw. Now it became clear you sympathize with the dead that will let you through."

"Just be aware of any weird feeling you might get as you pass the barrier," Naruto warned.

With success they, by pass the barrier and felt what Naruto was talking about. Only Myoga wasn't able to pass though.

From that point, Naruto led them since he was in there before.

"Watch your step," Naruto warned. "The further we go in the more remains we'll encounter."

They reached a room with crystalize demons surrounding themselves along side a dragon demon. At the top was a crystalize human warrior girl.

"Wh-what is this?" Inuyasha asked.

"Demons, dragons, and spiders all merged into one to wage battle against one single human," Sango said as Inuyasha let her down.

"I take it that person is the crystal woman?" Naruto asked.

"That's right. She's a priestess from several centuries ago," Sango said.

"But look at the number of demons surrounding her," Inuyasha said. "This priestess must have had immense spiritual power."

"The court nobles controlled power at that time. Wars and famine dragged on and on… and countless people perished. By devouring the dead and the near-dead… demons grew in number. Many priest and warriors set out to slay them… but one priestess known as Midoriko… was able to purify demon souls and render them harmless. She ranked the strongest of them all."

"She was able to purify the souls and weaken the demons?" Kagome asked.

"Yes…" Sango replied. "In this world; humans, animals, trees, and stones alike… are created through the four souls."

"Four souls?" Naruto asked.

"It's basically what Shikon means," Miroku said.

"Oh—right." Naruto said.

"I've come across it in my readings. The four souls are namely: Aramitama, Nigimitama, Kushimitama, and Sakimitama," Miroku explained. "Combine they become the soul of one person… housed inside the heart. Aramitama governs courage. Nigimitama governs friendship. Kushimitama governs wisdom. Sakitama governs love. When the four souls work properly in harmony it is called Naobi… and the human heart is filled with good. Inuyasha, do you follow me?"

"W-What?"

"I don't understand at all!" Shippo said.

"I think I understand," Naruto said, "Basically anyone who is consider of good heart is considered the part of the four souls of Courage, Friendship, Wisdom, and Love working together in Harmony, right?"

"That's right Naruto." Miroku said.

"But what about those who done evil things?" Naruto asked. "How does the four souls mix in with that?"

"When one does bad deeds," Sango explained. "The four souls energize evil, and the human loses his way."

"In other words, with both humans and demons… the soul can turned good or bad."

"Oh." Naruto responded.

"Midoriko must've been a formidable foe to the demons. She was able to purify the souls of demons and make them powerless," Sango said.

"She fought off an army of demons, but her power didn't last," Inuyasha said. "Just means that this Midoriko wasn't much was much of a priestess."

"She hasn't lost the battle yet," Sango argued.

"Are you talking about that gapping hole in her chest?" Naruto asked.

"What hole?" Inuyasha asked.

"Seriously, Inuyasha? It's right there! Right where her heart should be!" Naruto argued.

"I see it," Kagome said.

"After battling for seven days and seven nights, a demon got its fangs into Midoriko," Sango explained. "With the last ounce of her energy, Midoriko seized the demon's soul, took it into her own soul and forced it out of her body. And what flew out of her from that hole, was the Sacred Jewel."

"Whoa." Naruto said.

"She wasn't able to purify the demon's soul. All she could manage was to seize the demon's soul."

Kagome took out her shard that Inuyasha retrieved back from the Demon Puppet.

"Although the flesh is gone… Inside the Sacred Jewel, a battle still wages between the souls of Midoriko and the demons. That is why this fight isn't over yet."

"Inside the Sacred Jewel… a war still rages on?" Kagome asked.

"Hah! In any case… it's all because Naraku came for the Fragments… that the story become so complicated," Inuyasha said. "I'm gonna take possession of the Sacred Jewel and use it to become a full-fledge demon! Then Midoriko can rest in peace!"

At that moment Inuyasha started glowing before he was forcefully ejected from the cave.

"People who think like that will be thrown out of the cave, like that," Miroku said.

"Miroku, Kagome, do you guys remember what Naraku said how he came to be?" Naruto asked.

"Huh?" Sango responded.

"You mean how so many demons merged with the body of Origumo?" Kagome asked.

"What about it, Naruto?" Miroku asked.

"Well, I was just thinking—Origumo did that to get back at Kikiyo, right?" Naruto asked. "What if by doing so, Naraku had set off some kind of alternate version of what Midoriko had to go through with these demons? What if the real reason we're all together, the reason why Naraku cursed Miroku's grandfather, forced Inuyasha and Kikiyo into thinking they betrayed each other, Sango's village being destroyed, not to mention what brought Shippo Kagome and myself here, is to bring us together not to mention how Naraku was formed—maybe it's a sign that it's our mission to finish off what Midoriko started."

"That's deep," Shippo said.

"But it is possible," Miroku agreed.

"If what you say about Naraku is true, then I agree," Sango agreed.

Kagome on other hand stayed quiet. Us finishing off what Midoriko started—is it really possible?

…

They left the cave and found Inuyasha before returning to the Slayer village around sunset and got ready for the night as Shippo relay as much of the story as he could understand to Myoga.

"And Naruto thinks that the story of how Naraku came to be set off some kind of chain events that will led to finishing Midoriko started?" Myoga asked.

"Yeah!" Shippo said. "You think it's possible?"

"Well, it's hard to say, but if Naruto is right, then whatever the choice is made on the Shikon Jewel will finish the battle inside the Shikon Jewel once and for all," Myoga said. "But only in theory until such events come to past."

"In other words you don't know," Shippo said.

"I maybe wise, but that doesn't mean I know everything," Myoga said.

…

That night they stayed at Sango's place as Sango relay how the Sacred Jewel ended up in the hands of Kikiyo. Except for Inuyasha who stayed on the roof of the hut, but he was able to hear the story anyways, due to his hearing.

"I believe it has something to do with Midoriko… but the villagers worked as slayers for generations. Over the centuries, the Sacred Jewel passed through the hands of various humans and demons. And it returned here, during my grandfather's time. It came out of a demon that he slew. But his life and many others were sacrificed in the fight. The Sacred Jewel which was removed from the demon, but it was horribly defiled, and beyond the abilities of the Slayers to handle."

"So they put it in Kikiyo's care," Miroku said.

"Kikiyo… I hear of a priestess so named who was able to purify the Jewel."

"Yes, but as we said before, Naraku killed her," Naruto said.

"When demons and evil men possesses it, the Jewel becomes defiled. When a pure-hearted human possesses it, the Jewel becomes pure," Sango said. "It is very complicated. But if Naruto is right and history is repeating itself with the birth of Naraku."

"Then without a doubt, it'll be our job to finish what Midoriko started," Miroku agreed. "Inuyasha! Do not think about using the Sacred Jewel to become a great demon!"

"Hah!"

"Leave it to Inuyasha to be too stubborn to listen to reason," Naruto sighed.

…

That night everyone fallen asleep when Myoga popped by, and got Naruto's attention by trying to suck his blood. Of course Naruto responde with a slap.

"You better have a good reason for waking me, Myoga," Naruto said.

"I do. I need you to come with me," Myoga said.

"Huh?"

…

Myoga had Naruto take him to the cave.

"Myoga, I don't know if Midoriko will let you through this time around," Naruto said.

"Well, it might have been easier if you brought the Shikon Jewel Shard."

"Not a chance!" Naruto responded.

"Meow!"

Naruto turned to see Kirara following them with the shard around her neck.

"Kirara—what? Why do you have the Shard of the Shikon Jewel?" Naruto asked.

Kirara mewed.

"I see, you want to help Myoga too," Naruto said. "Alright let's go."

They reached the entrance.

Myoga jumped off Naruto's shoulder into the ground.

"Midoriko, I, too, feel compassion for humans. However, when one lives and sees so much death, one becomes accustomed to it. Forgive me." Myoga said. "Naruto now!"

Naruto set up two scented candles and a small bouquet of flowers.

"Please forgive me. This afternoon, I was too eager in my pursuit of truth, so please let me pass the barrier."

Myoga jumped through the barrier, and this time he made it through.

"It looks like your plan for forgiveness worked," Naruto said.

They headed to the remains.

"Stay here until I'm done," Myoga said.

"Suit yourself."

Myoga took the jewel shard and placed it into a bento bag before jumping up the remains.

"So many demons. A single priestess took on this many demons?" Myoga wondered out loud as he climbed. "Unbelievable. Many of the demons merged with others into huge ones. And that hole in the chest, that must be where the Sacred Jewel was thrust out."

"Are you done talking to yourself?" Naruto asked. "We really should get back before the others wake up."

Just then the cave started shaking.

"W-what…?!" Myoga said before the shaking forced the sacred jewel shard off his back and fell to the ground.

Kirara growled as the cave continued to tremor.

"Yeah, I sense it too," Naruto agreed. "Something is definitely happening."

Just then, the spirits of the decease demons started appearing and taking form. Myoga was forced off the crystal lady but Kirara saved him before growing into her true form.

The demons started attacking and Kirara and Naruto dodge them.

Kirara growled and ran toward the sacred jewel shard. However the demons formed into a dragon and manage to grab onto Kirara.

"Kirara!" Naruto responded. "No other choice!"

Naruto meanwhile took out a scroll and bit down on it before making the handsign. "Fox Demon Transformation Jutsu!"

Naruto transformed into his true form. Then he summoned chakra and started forming the Chakra bomb.

Midoriko, forgive me, Naruto thought.

Just then Naruto felt a presence touched him and his forming chakra bomb grew in size with brand-new energy.

Use your tails to whack it, Naruto heard Midoriko's voice said.

Whatever you say, priestess!

Instead of swallowing the chakra bomb, Naruto used his tail to whack it at the dragon. With success it hit the dragon and destroyed it without destroying the cave, or harming Kirara.

Naruto transformed back into human form. "Whoa."

"Naruto!"

At that point, the others showed up to see that the battle ended.

"What's going on?" Miroku asked.

"Don't worry about it! Get the Jewel Shard and get it out of the cave!" Naruto said.

"Right!" Miroku found the shard and left.

"Naruto what were you doing?" Inuyasha asked.

"It's not my fault! It's Myoga's idea!" Naruto said. "I didn't even want to bring the Jewel Shard!"

"Myoga huh, figures," Inuyasha said.

Naruto relayed what happened to Inuyasha.

"Well, at least you got rid of the spirit," Inuyasha said. "Nice work, Naruto."

"Thanks," Naruto responded. "But I can't take all the credit. I think the spirit of Midoriko helped."

"Yeah, whatever. I'm going back." Inuyasha left.

Naruto turned to see Midoriko only to see Kirara next to her.

"You knew her before you came to the demon village, didn't you, Kirara?" Naruto asked.

Kirara purred slightly.

"I see. Don't worry, Kirara, I'll keep your secret," Naruto said. "At least until the others come by this themselves. Who knows, if history is repeating itself, they might find out themselves how you helped the Priestess Midoriko all those years ago."