Chapter 25
Disclaimer: I do not own the anime/manga InuYasha by Rumiko Takahashi nor the characters. I do however own my story and my OC Alisha.
On a cliff side a distance away, Sesshomaru sat on a flat rock looking down into the valley below still covered in wounds. The others were not far behind. A-un was laying on the ground, Alisha propped up against the dragon's side. With Jaken assisting, Rin cleaned and bandaged the woman's injured arms and legs.
It had been an hour since Moryomaru had fled when Rin finished and her mother's eyes opened. The reincarnated Midoriko saw her pushed up sleeves and pant legs as well as the bandages. She smiled and thanked her adopted daughter.
"I helped too," Jaken huffed.
"Of course, thank you too, Jaken," the priestess told him. Glancing over at the dog demon's back she asked, "What about Sesshomaru's wounds?"
"He won't let us tend to them," the little girl answered dejected.
"Lord Sesshomaru is not wounded. Don't be stupid. We must pretend he has not been injured," Jaken defended his lord, whispering the last part. However, the dog demon's ears heard the remark. Sesshomaru turned to glare at him causing the imp to fall to his knees in a bow.
"I can see from her that his wounds have still not healed," Alisha commented as she slowly brought herself to her feet, "I guess I'll just have to do it myself."
"Lady Alisha, you should rest," Jaken advised in a panic as he saw her rise.
On her feet though a little shaky, the priestess reassured, "I'll be fine." Turing to her daughter she asked, "Rin honey, can you hand me the first aid kit please."
The child obediently handed her mother the white box. Thanking her, Alisha carefully made her way over to the demon lord. Jaken was impressed by the woman to say the least. Even though she had to be in a lot of pain and low on energy, the priestess still managed the carry herself with strength and pride as she approached his lord. Though when she reached him, her descent was not so graceful. She nearly fell into her sitting position on her knees.
Alisha lifted the lid to the medical kit and began looking for a pair of tweezers, alcohol swabs, and bandages. The demon lord beside her growled in warning. Glancing up at him she saw a glare in his amber eyes. She however was unfazed by his attempt at intimidation. Alisha looked at him pointedly and like she had before bared her teeth and growled right back. Rin giggled from her spot next to A-un. She was ignored by the two adults as their eyes remained locked.
The human's attempts at growling did not have the same effect that they had the first time. Though Sesshomaru's growling ceased though his eyes did not lighten.
"I don't see the problem. I've tended to your wounds in front of Jaken before," the reincarnated Midoriko argued, "There are small shards of diamond in your wounds. They wont heal properly unless they are removed. You'll have scars all over your face otherwise."
Sesshomaru turned his gaze away. "Do as you like," he said softly.
With a small bow of the head, the priestess told him, "Thank you, Sesshomaru. How is your chest wound?"
"Almost healed. It is unnecessary to bandage it," he responded matter of factly.
Carefully with the pair of tweezers, Alisha pulled the shards from the lord of the West's face. Sesshomaru watched her as she did her work. Taking note of her gentle hand on his chest that she used for leverage as she leaned in to see the shards better. Her arms and legs were covered by her clothing once more, but the dog demon was fully aware of the injuries she sported. The priestess' spiritual energy was still low as well. In fact she felt weaker than that old woman Kaede. She should be resting. Yet there she knelt making sure to see to his wounds. Such a foolish woman Alisha was.
Sesshomaru closed his eyes. He felt so weak and powerless after his fight with Moryomaru. The wretched demon's words ran through his head. ~You failed to protect your companion from me and she was right beside you. You're just not fast enough or strong enough.~ He suppressed a growl. Was it because of his inability to protect those around him that Midoriko did not want him with her at her final battle? He was not able to protect her either.
The demon lord opened his golden eyes and raised them up and away from her injured limbs. The glitter of silver from underneath her haori collar caught his attention. The necklace he gave her was sparkling in the slowly setting sun. With much determination, he though, 'She is mine to protect. I will not fail to do so again.'
Sitting back on her heels, Alisha put the tweezers and swabs away in the medical kit. Some of the redness around the cuts was going away, hinting that the wounds would soon heal completely. Satisfied with her work, the priestess stood carefully. Her legs shook slightly under her weight, but Alisha focused her strength and stood tall once more. Just as the woman was returning the first aid kit to her bag attached to A-un's saddle, Sesshomaru stood as well.
"Is something wrong?" the reincarnated Midoriko asked. With her spiritual powers so low she was unable to sense demons.
The demon lord said nothing as he watched the sky. Following his gaze, the woman saw a large cow in the sky flying toward them. She smiled to herself as the bovine landed a few feet away carrying Totosai on its back.
"Something is missing," the sword smith mused looking at the demon lord's hip from his seat on his cow, "So Tokijin broke?"
"I can still kill you with my claws," Sesshomaru responded flexing said claws.
"I figured you would say something like that," Totosai responded.
"Why are you here, Totosai?" the lord of the West questioned, eyeing the sword smith suspiciously.
"Tenseiga called to me of course," the old demon responded without showing his previous fear of the demon lord, "Don't tell me, Sesshomaru, you did not notice Tenseiga was restless."
Resting his left hand on the sword's hilt, Sesshomaru responded, "Why would Tenseiga call you?"
Pulling on his white beard, Totosai told him, "Well it's time to reforge Tenseiga into a weapon."
To say everyone was shocked was an understatement. Even Sesshomaru's cold face portrayed the emotion, by widening his eyes.
"Something changed in your heart, Sesshomaru. Something that angered your heart and filled it with sorrow. Does anything come to mind?" the sword smith asked.
In the demon lord's mind's eye he saw the image of Alisha being crushed by the adamant tentacles. The image then changed to when Moryomaru stole the woman's jewel shard and stabbed her through the back. Then he saw her bloody unconscious form in his arms. Sesshomaru mentally sighed. So it had been her that had changed his heart.
"Can I have Tenseiga?" Totosai requested holding his wrinkly hand out.
Sesshomaru hesitated for a moment, but then pulled his father's heirloom from his side and handed it to the old demon. If it meant that Tenseiga could become a weapon then the old man could have it. Unexpectedly, Totosai then turned to the warrior priestess.
"I would like to take Seinaruga with me as well. It seems that it is need of repair," the old demon told the woman seriously.
"Seinaruga (Holy Fang?) What are you talking about, Totosai?" Alisha questioned confused, placing her hand on her sword's sheath.
"You've been carrying that sword without knowing its name this whole time?" Totosai asked stunned. He turned to the eldest son of his old friend, "The two of you have been traveling for two years and you never told her where her sword came from?"
He received an annoyed look as an answer. Sighing Totosai explained to the priestess, "I forged Seinaruga at Sesshomaru's request seventy five years ago." Said demon lord emitted a low growl that was ignored by the sword smith. "It's not completely a demon blade. That's why a human like you can wield it. Seinaruga's core is made from a fang while the blade is made from holy steel. It was very difficult to make, I'll tell you that. And you went and abused it."
Alisha was a little annoyed at the accusation. It had been life or death. She regretted damaging Midoriko's sword, but she was not about to die. "You said you could repair it though," she pointed out.
"Yes, Seinaruga called to me as well. I can repair the holy steel that had been damaged, but I'm an old man. It will be a lot of hard work to handle the holy steel at my age," Totosai complained, making the woman sigh in annoyance. She really hated his feeble old man routine.
"Totosai," Sesshomaru called gaining the swords smith's attention, "How long will it take to reforge Tenseiga?"
"Three days at most," Totosai answered honestly.
"You have four days to complete both swords," the demon lord informed him leaving no room for argument.
"R-right," the old demon said nervously as he held out his boney hand for Midoriko's sword.
Almost reluctantly, Alisha pulled her sword from her hakama belt. She knew this would be the best way for it to be fixed, but it felt odd parting with it. The sword had been at her side for so long. Totosai took it from her and held it in his lap with Tenseiga.
"Meet me at the Yami Bog to the North in four days. I trust you know where it is," Totosai told them. Sesshomaru answered with a small nod. Seeing the dog demon's acknowledgment, the sword smith commanded his bovine ride to take off.
After Totosai had left Alisha suggested, "We should go and make camp somewhere less open while we wait."
They set up camp some distance away in a quiet and dense forest. After Jaken and the two humans ate dinner, the reincarnated Midoriko approached Sesshomaru who was sitting aside and sat down beside him. He did not move or look at her even when she leaned back against the tree so they were shoulder to shoulder.
"Why did you never tell me about Seinaruga?" the woman asked quietly as she watched Rin showing the imp her latest drawling she did of him.
"It was unnecessary," he answered.
Alisha's sigh caused him to look at her. "You know, you'll never get rid of me this way," she told him with a smirk, "You remember why I'm following you, don't you? If you don't tell me anything about Midoriko I'll never leave."
In truth the demon lord had truly grown fond of his priestess companion. At first he did not want to think about Midoriko and kept all thoughts of her far in the back of his mind. He did not want her to leave though he would never openly admit such a thing. So to cover his true intentions he told her some of what she sought. "Midoriko had broken her sword in a difficult fight while we had been traveling together," he explained looking toward the fire once more, "Magatsuhi had begun to destroy nearby villages looking for her. She needed a weapon so I had Totosai make one for her."
"Using one of your fangs."
"Yes." "Care to tell me why."
He glanced at her and answered, "No."
"Of course not," she laughed. Quieting her laughter the priestess told him seriously, "Thank you, Sesshomaru, for telling me. I know you probably don't want to talk about Midoriko. After all you probably believe she betrayed you in the end."
"What else would you call such an action?" Sesshomaru inquired with a raised eyebrow.
The reincarnated priestess smiled softly and was about to explain to him about how Midoriko had wanted to protect him, but before she could form any words a glowing eel like creature floated in front of her. A few more quickly joined it. Alisha knew what these creatures were and stood. The soul collectors floated around her before heading toward the trees. They stopped and waited for her to follow.
"It looks like it is finally time for Kikyo and I to have that talk," the woman said to reassure the demon lord that they were harmless, "I'll be back later."
"They're pretty," Rin commented as she watched the soul collectors dance through the air.
"Rin, please stay here," Alisha told her daughter who responded with a happy, "Yes, mommy."
"Lady Alisha, are you alright to travel?" Jaken questioned, concerned for the human woman after all she was still weak.
"Jaken, are you concerned about a human's wellbeing?" the priestess chided. She chuckled at his red/green cheeks, "Don't worry. Kikyo shouldn't be too far away. I'll make it."
Slowly and carefully, the reincarnated Midoriko skirted around trees and stepped over roots. She had originally thought about grabbing her flashlight, but the soul collectors glowed brightly enough for her to see. The floating eels lead her to a clearing not more than fifteen minutes away. Sitting on a rock in the middle of the clearing were Kikyo and Kohaku. Alisha made her way over and sat on a rock in front of them.
"Nee-sama, are you alright?" Kohaku asked worried. He had seen the whole thing at a distance and saw her sluggish movements at the moment.
"I'm fine. Just a little drained of energy," she reassured before making eye contact with the undead priestess, "We are overdue for this chat, aren't we?"
"Yes, the event we need to discuss is drawing nearer," Kikyo answered.
"If you want to speak to me than this has to do with the sacred jewel," the younger priestess commented glancing at Kohaku. She could see the jewel shard shining with purity in the back of his neck.
"Kohaku holds one of the final shards. He will be important at the end when it is time to finish Naraku once and for all. If the final shard is of a great purity and matches a small speck that I plan to soon add to Naraku's jewel, then the jewel should completely purify and kill the demon in one shot. Of course this means a sacrifice," Kikyo glanced over at the young demon slayer beside her.
Midoriko had warned her, but it did not make the reality of Kohaku's fate any less painful. "Kohaku, you are thinking for yourself again. How do you feel about this?" Alisha asked concerned for the boy.
Kohaku could not match his adopted sister's gaze, ashamed for his uncontrollable actions that killed their father and friends. "I have to. This will be the best way to kill Naraku," the boy answered softly, "I don't deserve to live anyway. Besides I should technically be dead."
"Kohaku," the reincarnated Midoriko said softly, "Sango and I hold nothing against you. We know it was Naraku's control that caused you to do those things." She paused and sighed, "But you have already made your choice."
The younger slayer gave a curt nod and replied, "I have."
"Kohaku has to be protected from Naraku until the time is right. But I'm afraid my time in this world is growing shorter," Kikyo explained, "If I die before it is time for Kohaku's part in this, you will have to be his guardian. His shard must remain pure and will remain its purest with Midoriko's energy."
"Which you borrowed some from Midoriko's remains," Alisha accused.
"I had to so that I could remain in this world longer and have the power to purify the jewel. If Midoriko had not wanted me too I never would have been able to do so," the undead priestess defended.
"You are right. When the time comes I'll protect Kohaku. Though I do not agree with this plan. But since this is all Midoriko's will, I will play along," Alisha stated reluctantly.
"That is all I ask," Kikyo told her, "You should go back and rest. You won't be able to protect yourself in such a state."
"Yes, you're right," Alisha pushed herself to her feet but quickly fell back down. She let out a frustrated groan.
Kohaku went to help her, but the woman shook her head. Taking a deep breath she whistled loudly. The two people in front of her looked at the priestess oddly. Their silent question was answered when A-un flew down from the opening in the trees above them. Kohaku smiled at the sight of the familiar dragon and understood how his sister decided how she was going to return to camp. Slowly but with pride and determination Alisha got onto the kneeling dragon's back.
Taking hold of the reins she told them, "Be careful until we run into each other again." The woman from the future then rode A-un back to camp where she promptly went to bed.
The next morning when Alisha woke up she felt back to normal. To test her spiritual power she made a barrier around Jaken. The little imp walked into the transparent wall and was shocked. He only hit it one more time before he sat in the center, not moving an inch. The priestess released him and apologized saying she only wanted to test her powers. Jaken was not pleased but did not voice his grievances less he actually be purified.
After bathing and breakfast the woman approached her long term traveling companion. "Since we really cannot do much of anything right now and I'm mostly useless without a sword, I was hoping I could go home for a day. I just want to restock, see my family, and take a proper shower," Alisha explained.
"Will you be taking Rin?" Sesshomaru questioned.
"I was planning to," she responded.
"Be back here by tomorrow night or I will go and bring you back myself," the demon lord warned before turning around and smiling at her daughter, "Rin, we're going to take a little trip to my home."
"Yay, I get to see Grandma and Grandpa!" the young girl cheered with glee.
They packed up the supplies and strapped the backpack onto A-un's saddle. The dragon would be staying in the area around the cave to wait for their return. Getting on the dragon's back Alisha and Rin waved good-bye and flew off toward the South. Due to their time restraints, the priestess drove their ride faster than normal. They arrived outside Midoriko's cave in three hours. After unmuzzling A-un the two females entered the cave and walked to the back.
Picking Rin up into her arms and resting the child on her hip Alisha asked, "Are you ready, princess?"
"I'm ready. I like the tickly feeling when we go through time," the girl giggled.
"Alright here we go," the priestess stated as she jumped down into the whole, quickly enveloped by the familiar purple light.
When they climbed out of the hole they were surrounded by a vibrant green forest. Rin seemed a little disappointed that there was no longer snow on the ground. However, her tune quickly changed when they stepped into the backyard of Alisha's childhood home. Water flowed down the small rock waterfall into the koi pond which had purple lilies floating on the water's surface. When Rin peered over the edge, she could see large colorful fish swimming toward her. Their mouths open and closed at the surface looking for food. The rest of the yard was covered in green grass and on the edges by the house were beautiful flowers of all colors and shapes.
Rin was trying to pet the fish when her adopted mother told her, "We need to go inside now. There are things I need to get done today."
The priestess' family was out for the time being, so it was only the two of them in the house. After taking nice long hot showers the mother and daughter changed into cloths from the modern era. Rin dressed in a yellow sun dress with white sandals while Alisha dressed in black capris and a brown t-shirt. On the shirt was a graphic of a bulldozer chasing trees and forest creatures. On top of the shirt it read 'Run forest, run!' The necklace Sesshomaru gave her rested overtop of the fabric, open to the world for once.
"Well we have to go food shopping while we are here, and diffidently restock the first aid kit," the woman declared adding, "Between Sesshomaru and I it's practically empty."
"Will Lord Sesshomaru and Master Jaken be alright while we're gone?" the child asked innocently.
Laughing softly at her daughter's concerned, Alisha explained, "Sesshomaru is still very strong even without his sword. Both of them will be fine." The woman then noticed that Rin was carrying her stuffed dog in her arms. "Why do you have your dog, sweetie?"
Innocently looking up at her mother the girl replied, "I wanted to bring Maru-chan with us to the market."
Alisha could not help but smile at the name Rin had given the stuffed dog. "Alright, so long as you hold onto him the whole time and don't lose him," she told the girl in a motherly tone.
"I will, mommy," Rin responded hugging the animal tight.
"Let's get going then. By the time we get done, grandma and grandpa should be back," the priestess told her daughter and lead her back outside to her silver/gray car.
With Rin safely buckled in the backseat, Alisha drove to the nearby grocery store. During the drive they sang to the songs from the woman's mp3 player which was connected to the car stereo. When they arrived, they got out and grabbed a shopping cart from the lot. When Rin saw the building she remarked that it was not the same market they had gone to before. Her mother explained that this market was just for food.
The two girls walked around the store, placing canned soup, dried fruits, and similar items in the cart. While they were down the medical aisle and Alisha was restocking her first aid kit, a man approached Rin.
"Would you like some candy, young lady?" the man asked with a smile.
Before the girl could even speak, Alisha stood to her full height and rounded on the man. "No, she would not! Now leave my daughter alone before I call the police," the priestess threatened, "Or would you prefer I give you a reason to use these bandages." She held up a box of gauze to driver her point.
The man's eyes widened before he made a hasty retreat. "Mommy, what did he want?" Rin asked innocently not having understood what candy was.
"To hurt you, princess," Alisha explained softly, "He was offering sweets so that you would go with him away from me so he could hurt you."
"But why would he want to do that?"
"Rin, you should know of all people that not all bad people are demons. Monsters take all shapes," Alisha smoothed the black hair of her daughter avoiding the lily comb. "I have what we need. Let's go check out now."
As they stood in line at the register, the priestess was cursing her luck. She had somehow ended up behind one of those people that keep hundreds of coupons in a binder and had nearly fifty for her order. The woman behind her and Rin caught sight of the child and smiled sweetly down at her.
"Are you shopping with your big sister, honey?" the woman asked.
Rin drew closer to her mother afraid this woman might be like the man from before. She relaxed when Alisha told her in Japanese, "She is not one of the monsters. Don't worry."
Smiling up at the woman while hugging Maru, the child proclaimed proudly in English, "No. She's my mommy."
"Oh," the woman responded, giving Alisha a scrutinizing glance, "And you're father?"
The child's face fell before she sadly responded, "He is in a grave in Japan beside my mother and brother."
Realization hit the woman. She quickly turned an apologetic gaze upon the priestess. Alisha was cradling her child's head her thigh when the woman spoke, "You adopted her."
Alisha nodded in the affirmative as the cashier began her order. "Last year. She has only just begun to call me her mother. I found her all alone and mute. I could not help but take her in."
"You're total is fifty seven forty two," the cashier said gaining the time traveler's attention.
Alisha handed the cashier a few bills. After she took the change and gathered her bags, the young woman told the customer behind her, "There is no age restriction for people with good hearts. But don't worry I am not offended. If anything it was nice of you to believe we are blood related." One hand on the cart and the other holding one of Rin's, the priestess made to leave, "Let's go, sweetie."
By the time they arrived back home, Alisha's mom was in the kitchen pulling out pans for making dinner. The older woman was not surprised by her daughter's presence since she had noticed Alisha's car missing. Of course the blonde was happy to see her daughter and Rin. The priestess hugged her mother and told her that she would make dinner tonight. She had after all bought the ingredient to make it. So while Alisha made dinner for her family, her mother took Rin into the other room and played a board game while a movie played in the background.
Fully rested, showered, and wearing clean cloths, the time travelers returned to Feudal Japan the next day early in the afternoon. A-un was waiting faithfully outside the cave's entrance. The dragon was remuzzled and the restocked backpack was strapped on the saddle.
"Do you think Lord Sesshomaru and Master Jaken will be happy to see us?" Rin questioned cutely.
Giving her an one armed hug so she could keep hold of the reins, Alisha replied, "I bet they'll be very happy. Those two where probably bored without us."
Rin giggled at her mother's words. The reincarnated Midoriko was about to say something else when all of a sudden she felt a strong pulse of demon energy. She had no time to react when she felt something wrap around her ankle and pull her off of the saddle.
"Mommy!" Rin shouted reaching out to her.
As quickly as she could, Alisha created a barrier around A-un and Rin. The woman knew this demon energy. It was Naraku. "Rin, hurry back to Sesshomaru! Don't worry about me! Go!" she shouted.
Naraku pulled the priestess up to his side and chuckled in her ear as Rin flew off. "Don't worry I have no interest in her."
Struggling against him the reincarnated Midoriko demanded, "What do you want, Naraku?" 'If only I had my sword,' she thought desperately.
A tentacle wrapped around her neck and began to squeeze. Naraku chuckled darkly, "Your soul." The tentacle tightened and everything went black.
Next chapter you'll all get to learn something special about Alisha. I'm sorry I left you with a cliffhanger yet again but I just love leaving all of you in anticipation. Also in the next chapter I'll be experimenting with points of view and will even get a little more closeness between Sesshomaru and Alisha. Before I go I want to thank all of you for your wonderful reviews and follows. Thank you for reading, I hope to have another chapter ready for you next month. Bye for now. -_^