Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Days gone by quickly and yet Hikaru was still as anxious and jumpy as ever. Hiroshi seemed to deal with the stress better as he acted as normal as possible. Until one day...
"HIKARU!"
Looking up to the source of the booming voice, the group was met with an alarming sight. Covering the sky was an army of at least a hundred raven youkai, their pitch black wings casted a large shadow over the land. Kagome let out a surprised gasp while the rest readied themselves for a seemingly imminent fight.
Leading the army was a youkai with a familiar shade of azure hair, his large wings spread magnificently and his stature showed that he was not an ordinary demon.
"Karahito!" The raven youkai girl hissed.
"Finally, I've found you. Surrender or you will regret it dearly," came the cold voice and an even colder glare from her opponent.
Sesshoumaru stepped in front of Hikaru instinctively. The male raven youkai seemed to be taken aback, partly from the Lord of the West's presence and partly from that protective pose of his.
"Sesshoumaru-sama? What are you doing here?"
"That would be none of your concern, Karahito." He made no move to step away.
"I'm sorry, Sesshoumaru-sama, but there is something I must discuss with Hikaru."
"Then do so here."
At the raven youkai's expression of hatred and a tint of fear, Sesshoumaru knew he was no threat to Hikaru.
"Karahito, leave. We have nothing to talk about," Hikaru said, stepping out from behind the inuyoukai, her hand still lingered on his.
"That is no way to talk to your brother, Hikaru."
"Brother?!" The other asked in surprise.
"Only because you treat your sister like trash," she retorted.
"Now, why don't we discuss this peacefully? I mean no harm," he showed a fake smile, his eyes still full of malice.
"Yeah right!"
"Hikaru, calm down. Don't lose your temper," Hiroshi soothed. He knew Hikaru would blow whenever Karahito was involved and they couldn't afford to lose their calm in a situation like this.
"Shut up, filth!" The male raven scolded harshly.
"Hey! Don't talk to Hiro-chan like that!"
"Still as naive as ever, I see. What could you possibly get from protecting that hanyou?"
"Better than siding with you, that's for sure."
"You knew his origin, yet you still stubbornly stand by his side?"
"Origin?" This time, Hiroshi was surprised. As far as he was concerned, he was an orphan without parents, raised to serve the raven youkai royal family since birth. Never did he question where he came from or who his parents were.
"Oh? Did Hikaru not tell you? I thought she would have done so when she found out. No matter, I shall tell you. It's not like it matters anyway."
"Karahito, stop-"
"You are the bastard child of Lord Yato, our father."
Hiroshi's eyes widened at this revelation. He was the son of Lord Yato, the one he had always looked up to growing up? Was that why the Lord was always so gentle to him, much more than other servants? Was that why he was assigned to serve Hikaru? Does that mean he was Hikaru's brother? Why didn't she tell him? Questions whirled around his mind, most of which he had no answer for. He glanced at the youkai girl, searching for confirmation.
"Hiro-chan..." Her expression revealed guilt and unease. That was all he needed to know it was the truth.
"Enough of this. Hikaru, you should know why I am here today," Karahito interrupted.
"Go away, Karahito, I would never listen to your demand."
"You insolent girl! Tell me where the Plume is!" He plunged at her in an angry rage. However, Sesshoumaru was much faster and, with a lash of his whip, forced the attacker to retreat.
"Karahito, how dare you attack the future Lady of the West."
"Lady of the West? Don't tell me..."
"Hikaru is my future mate. If you so much as lay a hand on her, you and your clan shall not live to see the day," Sesshoumaru's deep voice dripped with malice. His threat was not placed on deaf ears as Karahito seemed hesitant to take action.
"I will be back for my treasure, Hikaru," he threw the last words and signaled for his army to retreat. The sky cleared up momentarily. However, the clouds of doubts and anxiety had not cleared on the two raven group members.
…
"Hiro-chan..."
"I-I'm sorry, Hikaru. I need to be alone for a while," the hanyou avoided looking into her eyes and stepped out of camp dejectedly.
She heaved a sigh before settle down on the ground. The atmosphere was heavy, and those who remained stayed in awkward silence, too afraid to speak their mind.
"Hikaru-sama, can you explain to us what that was about?" Miroku uttered enough courage to voice his question.
"I guess..." She sighed again, "what to start with..."
"..." Everyone patiently waited for her to tell her story. Throughout the night, Hikaru spoke, in almost a low whisper, the tale of what happened twenty years ago.
FLASHBACK
"Father, I need to talk to you," Hikaru called out to Lord Yato in a hurry, "it's about yesterday."
"If you are talking about your challenge with Karahito, then I already know."
She looked at her father, searching for any signs that could indicate his feelings, be it anger, pride, disapproval or disappointment. She found none. Yesterday's fight was still vivid in her mind. She had recklessly challenged her half-brother to a fight, just to prove that she was as strong as him, and as capable to become the heir to the raven throne. For years, she had practiced everything she could think of that would make her a great ruler - swordsmanship, literature, history, hunting, warfare, economics, management and everything under the sky. What frustrated her so much was the fact that Karahito was neither a great general nor a good ruler. Even Hiroshi, who had no formal education besides what Hikaru taught him, had more qualities of a lord. And for what? All because Karahito was the first-born SON of the current lord, he was naturally the heir to the throne without much effort. The heir, like most full-blooded youkai, had a strong dislike for hanyou's. Yesterday, he had teased and ordered Hiroshi around as if he was no better than a slave, and Hikaru, out of frustration, challenged him to a battle.
Of course, a battle was by no mean a strange phenomenon in the youkai world. But this one was. Whoever had heard of an esteemed lady of noble heritage to challenge her own brother to a fight? It was wrong on so many level, or so the others thought. Most showed clear disapproval for the youkai girl, thinking she best go back to her palace and try to look pretty or, as she was of age, marry some wealthy lord and bear his children. Hikaru was having none of that. A fight she wanted, a fight she got. Karahito was too overconfident, not knowing that Hikaru fighting prowess was not to be underestimated. They had a heated battle in which Hikaru came out victorious. Close, but victorious nonetheless.
Which brought us to this point. Hikaru knew her father would most likely disapprove her actions and scold her for shaming the family again. What she got, though, was something she did not expect.
"You have been training, I see," he nodded to the girl.
"You're not going to scold me?" Hikaru was clearly taken aback by his reaction.
"Do you want me to?"
"No!"
"Alright then."
"Wait, Father! I... I don't understand."
"What don't you understand?"
"H-How come you're not giving me one of your lectures?"
"I have already given up on having a normal daughter long ago," he sighed, though a smile was tucked on his lips, "You never fail to remind me that you would much rather be treated like a boy."
"Thank you," she smiled brightly. This was going much better than she expected.
"If you are done, allow me to pass," he attempted to sidestep the girl in front of him, but she caught his arm faster.
"Wait! I have something I want to ask." Here it was. The moment she had been waiting for. It was time to voice what had been nagging on her mind for years.
"What is it?"
"I-I want..." She stuttered. What she was about to say wasn't going to make him happy, but she would say it anyway. Steeling her nerves, she tried to speak in a calmer voice, "I want to challenge Karahito for the right to become your heir."
His eyes widened a fraction. To say he was surprised was an understatement.
"I-I mean, I've wanted to do this s-since I was l-little. I-I think I would be a m-much better ruler." Whatever courage she had was leaving her faster than she could blink. The look her father gave wasn't encouraging in the slightest.
He peered at his daughter for a moment, thinking hard about something.
"You don't have to answer now, but please think about it," she looked dejected as she made to leave. It was too much of a shock for him, and she didn't want to get into trouble again.
"Fine."
"Pardon?"
"You obviously have proven yourself well serving the clan, first as an ambassador and later as a key advisor in court. I am about to retire and name Karahito the next Lord of the Northern Mountains, but now I will consider you as a potential heir."
"Really?" She brightened up considerately, her eyes full of hope and joy.
"A lord does not lie."
"I love you, Father!" She gave him a big hug, squeezing the life out of him.
"Alright, alright, you're killing me."
"Sorry," she squeaked and let go of him, "I'll see you later, Father. I gotta tell Hiro-chan!"
With that, she ran out, waving at him all the while.
…
"Hiro-chan, guess what!"
"What?" The hanyou looked up from his book. A giddy Hikaru was not a good sign, especially since the last time she became like that was when she'd kicked some young nobleman's ass.
"Father said I can be the heir!"
"Seriously? What about Karahito-sama?"
"He can be the heir too," she waved her hand dismissively at the mention of her arrogant sibling.
"You're confusing me."
"Father said he'll consider me as 'a potential heir.'" She finished, looking proud of herself.
"That's great, Hikaru. Your dream finally came true." Hiroshi smiled encouragingly.
"Well, not yet, I still have to beat Karahito, but I'm sure I can manage."
"It's still a big step. We should celebrate."
"Right! Let's go hunting!"
They were halfway out the door when a loud voice called out.
"Hold it! Hikaru, is what Father said true?" Karahito grudgingly asked. He was huffing from anger. Behind him, his mother was in pretty much the same state.
"Yep~"
"I do not approve! A girl like you can't be the heir. It's a disgrace!"
"And you lost to said girl in a fight," she stuck out her tongue in mocking.
"Why you-"
"Plus, it's Father's decision, you have no say whatsoever," she gave a smug smile and continued on her way, but not before poking some more, "It must suck to be you, since you're about to lose your position to a GIRL."
He and his mother were fuming with anger by this point and cursing the girl under their breath. Hikaru ran out in a much better mood.
…
"Father, what is the meaning of this? Why is she your heir!?" Karahito questioned, voice laced with disgust. Nearby, Hikaru stuck out her tongue in challenge. Lord Yato, seeing the obvious sibling rivalry, sighed before announcing with a regal voice,
"My decision is firm. Karahito, Hikaru, I call the both of you here because I want to say something of great importance, so listen well. As you know, I have decided to step down from my position and in need of an heir to replace me. I believe both of you are qualified; however, I must choose one. I want more time to decide and observe your behavior to see who best fits to rule the raven clan. To do so, I will entrust a secret that must not leak out at all cost, or the consequences will be deadly."
By this time, both the heir-candidates were leaning forward, eager to hear more. The Lord began his tale.
"A very long time ago, way before the both of you were born, this world was inhabited and ruled by youkai, and humans lived in fear for their lives. However, they soon grew adapted to their surroundings and began to thrive. Powerful youkai lords, including my own father, grew afraid of the humans' prowess and sought to decrease their number so as to prevent youkai from disappearing. Together, they infused their youki together to create something that has more destructive power than anything in this world. With this weapon, they planned to kill a great number of humans and brought upon an age of youkai. What they didn't think of was that by unleashing this weapon, even youkai will be killed as well, and thus render their purpose useless. Realizing their mistake, the lords sealed the weapon away in hope that no one will find it and lay waste to this world. My father assisted in the process by using his own plume as a seal. The Plume is now entrusted to the raven clan to protect. Should anyone attempt to use it to open a gateway to where the weapon was contained, this world will be annihilated. Do you understand?"
The room was silent as the words weigh in. Such a great secret was laying hidden all this time, by their own father no less. Karahito was the first to speak.
"Father, the humans are multiplying in number while youkai everywhere are facing extinction. Should it not be a good time to use this great weapon to contain them?"
"Foolish child! Did you not hear what I said? The weapon will indiscriminately destroy the land, human and youkai alike," Lord Yato replied in anger.
"But-"
"No but! While all Daiyoukai are concerned with the dwindling population of youkai, we are also inhabitants of this land and we do not want to lay waste to our own world. Do you understand?"
"... I understand," Karahito grudgingly respond, albeit still willing to argue.
"Father, why tell us such a great secret? Shouldn't it be better to do so after you've chosen your heir," Hikaru asked.
"I told you as a test, to see how you deal with this information. Tell me, Hikaru and Karahito, what do you think of humans?"
"..." She thought for a moment before replying with conviction, "I don't know much about them, so I cannot say for sure. Because of that, I don't want to make any assumption about them. But I believe all youkai, hanyou and humans can coexist without violence."
"Hiroshi have taught you well, Hikaru. Karahito, what about you?"
"...Coexistence is useless. Humans hate us and we hate them. At this rate, we will soon disappear from this land."
"...I see. I believe I have made my decision, based on your answers. Hikaru, you show compassion and ideals very different than your fellow youkai. Karahito, you reflected the feelings of many of your subjects. This is a hard decision, but as a lord I must be firm. Hikaru, I want you to continue protect this land and its inhabitants, regardless of race. Therefore I will hand you the title of Lord of the Northern Mountains and give you ownership of the Plume."
"WHAT!? But why, Father? What did I do wrong?" Karahito cried in outrage while Hikaru pumped her fist in the air.
"You did nothing wrong; at least, not yet. Your thinking is exactly what led the youkai lords to create the cursed weapon in the first place. I cannot entrust something to dangerous in your possession, for fear that you may try to use it for yourself. Hikaru, I do not know whether or not coexistence with humans is possible, but I believe in you. Your determination may be what we need to achieve that."
"Thank you, Father," she smiled at him, feeling proud that her father placed so much trust in her. She glanced at Karahito, whose face had contorted with a mix of anger, betrayal, outrage, sadness. She felt sorry for him for the first time ever; it must be a blow to his pride as a noble to lose his position to his younger sister. However, she had no intention of handing it back. She had waited too long for this day, to finally prove that she could be a great ruler and to finally carry out her plan for a brighter future for all of them.
"Well, it is already very late. You two best retire to rest. There are a lot of things I must do to prepare for the succession of my title."
The two raven youths bid their father goodnight. Hikaru skipped out in a bright mood and hurried to tell Hiroshi the news while Karahito glared at her retreating figure with hatred.
Hikaru: Heya readers. It's been a while. There's something the author would like to say.
Author: ...
Hikaru: *ahem* Author?
Author: ...
Hikaru: Spit it out!
Author: SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE! I got sidetracked with... stuffs.
Hikaru: Well there you have it. Our stupid author once again forgot about us! So if you want to blame, blame her!
Author: Or you should blame Hikaru because she's annoying.
Hikaru: *smacks Author with fan*
Author: OW! That's some powerful stuff.
Hikaru: Duh! It's made from my mate's fang.
Author: Oho! "my mate" you say. Already so possessive.
Hikaru: *blushes* S-Shut up! Don't you dare change the subject!
Author: Oh would you look at the time! Gotta go, toodles!
Hikaru: Wait!
Author: HAHAHAHAHA YOU CAN'T CATCH ME!
Hikaru: Well, readers, that's it for today. I'll just go chase after our author and force her to update faster. See you next time!