Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Flashback: Plume
Hikaru had the best sleep ever. She was finally named the heir, a big load off her shoulder, and Hiroshi was extremely happy for her. Hiroshi almost had to tie her to the bed to get her to sleep and when she pointed out that she was a youkai and therefore doesn't need that much sleep, he still wanted her to rest for the big day instead of jumping around in excitement at the news. Grudgingly, she let herself be lost in sleep.
She saw, in her dream, the image of a young boy clad in white. Her dear Shiro-chan. He was smiling at her and congratulating her. When she hugged him, however, he transformed into a handsome youkai whose molten golden gaze made her cheeks pink. He bent down to whisper something in her ear while his arms wrapped around her in a warm embrace. She couldn't hear what he said though and asked him to say it again. He just gave her a breathtaking smile and slowly inched his face closer to hers. Slowly. Slowly. Just a little mor-
"AAHHHHHH!"
The scream woke her up and instinctively, she ran out to the source of the scream. A couple maids was running about, wailing at the top of their lungs, horror etched on their faces.
"What happened!? Tell me!" Hikaru immediately asked the nearest one.
"Ka-Karahito-sama... he... he... attacked the Lord!"
Upon hearing that, she rushed towards where the maid had pointed. Adrenaline rushed through her system as she tried to make it there as fast as possible. Her only thought was "Why!? How!? What had he done!?"
The scene before her would be etched into her minds forever. There, on the floor, was her father with a deep wound that stretched from his shoulder all the way to the small of his back. Before him was Karahito, holding a prized youkai sword that once belonged to her father, dripping with blood. She knew that even though her father was a powerful youkai, the wound inflicted by the sword was poisonous and will kill him if it wasn't treated soon. Hiroshi was already at the scene and facing Karahito in a defensive pose; he must had arrived shortly before her.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, Karahito?!" She attempted to reach him, but Hiroshi put out his hand as a stop signal.
"Hikaru, take Lord Yato to safety! I'll hold him off!"
"B-But Hiro-chan-"
"Hurry! He's mortally injured!"
Knowing the gravity of the situation, Hikaru abandoned her instinct to fight and instead helped her father up.
"Don't think I will let you do that!" Karahito swung his sword at her, but it was blocked by Hiroshi. Hikaru successfully dragged her father further away from the mad youkai.
"GET OUT OF MY WAY, FILTH! OLD MAN, TELL ME WHERE THE PLUME IS!" Karahito yelled while exchanging blows with Hiroshi. Their abilities were even and so none managed to inflict any wound on the other.
"The Plume?! You attacked your own father just because of some artifact?!" Hikaru was livid. She disliked her half-brother, but never would the thought of his betrayal crossed her mind until today. She really wanted to help Hiroshi defeat Karahito, but at the same time, she knew that her own father needed help urgently. Mustering all of her strength, she half-carried him away from the site, towards the healer's wing. Or at least, she intended to. However, she was only half-way there when Lord Yato stopped her.
"Father, please stop struggling. Your wound needs to be treated!"
"No, Karahito won't allow that to happen. Hiroshi can only hold him off for so long and I don't want him to be killed in my stead," he heaved, wincing from the pain, "Hikaru, listen to what I am about to tell you!"
She ceased her movement and gravely nodded. No matter how determined she was to get her father to safety, she knew better than to go against his wishes, especially when his expression was one of resignation, as if he knew he could no longer fight death. His prized sword was a formidable weapon, bestowed to him by the previous Lord of the West, InuTaisho's father himself; one deep slash and the victim, no matter how powerful, could hardly stay alive for long. Her stomach clenched at the thought that Hiroshi was fighting against such a deadly weapon, but she trusted that he would be able to avoid death.
"Hikaru, I want you to take the Plume and go to Bokusenou-sama. He will be able to tell you what to do from then. Take Hiroshi with you and don't come back here recklessly," her father whispered in her ear, afraid that anyone else would overhear, although all the residents and guards of the palace had either tried to fight Karahito or fled. Those who joined the battle a distance away were split into two fractions; Karahito must have persuaded some of her father's subordinate to join him while the rest fought along Hiroshi. All around them, only the cries of battle and clamor of weapons could be heard, and her father's voice was almost inaudible if it wasn't for her proximity.
"But what about you, Father?!"
"Hikaru, promise me that you will do what I said!" The sternness in his voice, though reduced somewhat due to his failing strength, still managed to convey just how serious he was.
"I-I promise!"
"Good. The Plume is sealed in my right wing. There's no time to unseal it now, so you will have to cut it off."
Her face paled at the mention of committing such an act to her own father. He could sense her faltering resolve and immediate reinforced it.
"I don't have much longer. If you don't take it now, Karahito will! Considering this your father's dying wish!"
"B-But! I-I-"
"There's no time for hesitation! Do it! And once you do, fly away with Hiroshi. I will hold him off!"
"Y-Yes… I-I will do it!" She fought the tears that threatened to fall out. She could not afford to cloud her eyes and ruin their plan.
"Here's my dagger, do it the moment I spread my wing. I wish you luck, my daughter," he gave her a smile before stopping in hesitation, "I suppose this is a good time to tell you this: Hiroshi is my child and your half-brother. I'm sorry for keeping this a secret."
She gasped at this new information, but upon seeing the display of majestic black wings from her father, immediately did as she was told - this was not the time to show surprise nor shock.
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" The painful scream from her own father as she cut apart his wing forever etched into her mind. The scream echoed eerily around the palace, immediately stopping the din of battle.
Karahito turned to the source of the noise while pulling his sword away from the body of an unfortunate guard. Hiroshi, quite damaged from the struggle but thankfully still alive, joined the dozens or so survivor to focus on Hikaru.
The severed wing fell apart as soon as it left Lord Yato's body. The sleek black feathers floated down to the ground, saved for one. The feather clutched in Hikaru's hand was much longer than the others. Its color was slightly different than her father's wing - rather than a shiny graceful black, it was much darker in color, as if made of pure darkness. She could feel the energy pulsing inside this powerful artifact.
The others seemed to be in a trance as they stared at this object, and Karahito's eyes reflected a blood-thirsty desire for the Plume before him.
"HIRO-CHAN!" Hikaru called, successfully snapping the hanyou out of his trance and allowed him to pushed apart the fighters to get to her.
"GIVE ME THE PLUME!" Karahito advanced at inhuman speed, his sword pointed straight in an attempt to stab Hikaru.
"AARGH!" Her father, mustering the last of his strength, leaped at the sword and drove it through his body. His arms clenched around Karahito as the latter tried to withdraw.
"LET ME GO! LET ME GO!" He struggled to get out as he punched and kicked his father, whose pained whimpers soon disappeared. I am proud of you, Hikaru.
Hikaru and Hiroshi at this point were just specks in the dawning sky.
… …. …. ….. ….. … …. …. … …
They flew as fast as they could, occasionally taking short breaks in dense forests to relax their wings and replenish themselves before taking off again, the possibility that Karahito would catch up haunting them day and night. After the sixth grueling day, they finally arrived at their destination.
The siblings dragged their exhausted bodies towards the old tree demon. Hikaru was grateful that her memory had not failed her as she had only been here once when she was but a child. That day, she had attached herself to her father's leg and begged him to take her on his trips. He had agreed on the conditions that she would fly the long distance on her own. She was under the impression that they would only fly around raven youkai's territory and was confident that she could keep up. However, the trip actually took them fifteen days, ten if her father had ignored her exhaustion and kept going. She remembered asking her father why he had to go so far away, and he told her it was to pay respect to an old friend. That was the first time she meet Bokusenou-sama. Thankfully, she recalled that Karahito had never followed Lord Yato on one of his private trips and so would have no idea that this was where they went.
Clutching the Plume in her hand, she approached the elderly youkai. The tree demon appeared to be asleep, and she gasped his name to wake him.
"Bokusenou-sama…"
Hiroshi rested his body in a nearby tree as he was still hurt from the countless wounds of battle. She nodded to him to indicate that he can let his guard down and that they were safe in this forest.
Bokusenou opened his eyes slowly. When he saw the battered Hikaru standing before him, the deep, groovy wrinkles on his face stretch as he spoke.
"You are Lord Yato's daughter, are you not?"
"Yes. I-I need your help. Please…"
He stayed silent, as if waiting for her to explain herself. She took a deep breath before she explain to him what happened, occasionally choked up when her thoughts strayed towards her father's death. Toward the end of the story, tears were streaming down her face and she mourned the loss of the father she respected, the home she held dear and the uncertain future. Hiroshi embraced her as she sobbed into his shoulder, his eyes were also drenched in tears. It was then that she remembered the little piece of information her father had whispered to her before his death - that Hiroshi was her half-brother. She could not bear to tell him. She had tasted the pain of losing her father, she did not want to sadden Hiroshi further by telling him that he had a father whom he could no longer see again. For now, she would let Hiroshi think that his Lord had died and some day in the future, when everything was settled and the Plume finally destroyed, she would tell him. She just hoped that such a day will come.
Bokusenou-sama silently waited for them to cried their hearts out. When only muffled sobs were left of their grief, he instructed them on what to do. He told them to hide the Plume in a specific place, sealed away from the rest of the world and safe until their return. They were to travel to a village in central Japan where an old well lay nearby. He told them to fashioned bracelets out of his wood, which would allow them to cross the well into the future and also to disguise their youki. Their only mission was to find a way to destroy the Plume once and for all.
They set off as soon as they regained a little of their strength. They did not dare to stay there too long lest Karahito find them and figured out where the Plume was hidden. Before long, they were standing in the forest clearing, about to travel to a distant time for an extended period.
"Hikaru, are you ready?"
"Yeah…" she stared at the well with sadness. She did not want to leave to a strange place, not knowing when or if she would make it back. However, she had promised her father she would do this, and so she will ignore her own wants to fulfill her mission. An image of a child with snow white hair and eyes of molten gold flashed in her mind. Her Shiro-chan. She wanted to see him again, but now, with the indefinite future ahead, who can tell if that day would ever come?
"Hiro-chan, wait a bit!" She turned towards the nearest tree and, using the bloodied dagger in her possession, she cut up a slab of bark and carved her final message to her childhood hero. She called the nearest raven and asked for it to be delivered to him. With that done, she jumped down the well after Hiroshi with no more hesitation. She will find a way to destroy the Plume, and when she came back, she would find her Shiro-chan.
*End Flashback*
… … … … … … … … … … … …
Hikaru heaved a sigh once she was done telling her story. She felt a squeeze in her hand and instantly she looked over at her mate-to-be. A while ago, he had held her hand when her expression revealed her discomfort at remembering the past. His encouragement gave her the strength to speak and she was surprised to note that, despite the ache in her heart these memories brought, she did not cry. She timidly smiled at him before turning to the others to gauge their reaction.
"Hikaru-sama, where exactly did you hide the Plume?" She had anticipated this question.
"I'm sorry, I cannot say. I don't want you to be targeted by Karahito once I tell you."
They nodded in understanding before the shooting at her the next question.
"Since you came back to the Sengoku era, does that mean you found a way to destroy the Plume?" Kagome asked.
"Yes and no. I only know that the Plume would be destroyed in some way, because there was no record of any unnatural disaster in the future. As for how it was destroyed, I was told that it was somehow related to the Shikon no Tama."
At this, the group gasped in surprise, as they have not considered that possibility. However, now it made sense to them why Hikaru and Hiroshi decided to follow their group and also her assistance in retrieving the jewel shards.
"I'm sorry, exactly who tell you that?" Inuyasha narrowed his eyes in suspicion. Now that the Shikon no Tama was involved, he felt the need to find out everything about Hikaru's story. What if everything was actually a trap to take the jewel from them?
"Um… I'm not sure if I should tell you or not… It's a little complicated…" she trailed off, looking anywhere but at the curious faces before her.
"Just spit it out, woman!" Inuyasha snapped, ignoring the threatening growl from Sesshoumaru. Her behavior was getting more and more suspicious. What did she have to hide?
"O-Okay… I guess I can tell you since I pretty much told you everything…" She took a deep breath, as if braving herself for what was about to come as her listeners inched closer in anticipation. "The person who helped Hiroshi and me when we came to the future was Kagome-san."
"Me?!" Said person exclaimed in surprise. As far as she could remember, she did not remember meeting Hikaru before that fateful day at school, let alone actually helping her.
"Well… maybe not you, Kagome-san. More like… a future you. She looked a little older and more mature."
Ignoring that little comment about her current immaturity, Kagome almost leaped at the raven youkai in an attempt to learn more about said "future" her.
"What do you mean by that?"
"How should I say this… when Hiroshi and I got out of the well and ended up at the shrine, we saw you, or "future you," waiting for us there. She explained that she already knew we would arrive in the future and introduced herself as Kagome. We thought she was sent by Bokusenou-sama, but she said she'd met us in her past, which corresponds to the time we met in school, 20 years after I went through the well."
Kagome's mind were spinning from imagining the situation. She was strangely reminded of the confusing plot line of those time-traveling novels.
"Wait… so you mean 20 years before I was actually born, another me lived in the future? How is that possible?!"
"You are, at this instant, living 500 years before you were born. It's the same logic."
"B-But the well can only travel 500 years back and forth, there is no way for me to choose which time period I want to be in."
"Simple, you would just stay in the Sengoku era, and then live until the modern era," Hikaru shrugged, as if that was the obvious answer.
"In case you haven't noticed, I'm a frigging human. I can't live for 500 years!" Kagome huffed, the strangeness of this situation was irritating her.
"You said you mated a hanyou."
"What?" She tilted her head in confusion. Where did that come from?
"I said, the future you told me that she mated a hanyou. That's why she could live that long."
"M-Mated, you say? A-As in m-marriage?"
"Yeah, I guess that's what humans call it."
Kagome blushed. Marriage. With a hanyou. And that somehow made her able to live for 500 years. With a hanyou. As her mate. Hanyou… She glanced at the nearest and only hanyou around. His golden eyes met her halfway before they turned from each other at breakneck speed, both blushing heavily at the implication. Her heart raced at the thought that her feelings for the inuhanyou will possibly be returned in the future.
"Ahem," Hikaru cleared her throat, jolting Kagome out of her revery, "now that you're done feeling embarrassed, can we get back to the topic?" The raven youkai's tone was one of teasing, a smirk visible on her lips. Kagome made a mental note to get her back later.
"Fine. Keep telling your story."
"Okay… so future Kagome helped Hiroshi and I settled down, find us jobs and a place to live and all that. She refused to tell us what happened in the Sengoku era, saying that it would affect the future, so we didn't have any lead on how to destroy the Plume. So for 20 years, we just tried to fit in society and gather info when we can. We didn't see future Kagome much or know anything about her, so don't even bother asking," Hikaru held up a hand when Kagome was about to voice her questions. Grudgingly, she settled down to listen, determined to find out more about her future self at a later time.
Hikaru continued, "The last time I saw future Kagome was about a year ago. She suddenly appeared before us after more than 15 years of no contact. She finally decided that it was time to tell us about herself. So, we learned all that stuffs about the Shikon no Tama and how she came to meet us. That's when I found out that I traveled with you guys in the Sengoku era, and that somehow lead me to finally destroy the Plume. From that, I figured that the Shikon no Tama and the Plume have something to do with each other, although I'm still not sure what. So I waited until the day that we are supposed to meet at school and finally go back to the Sengoku era. The end."
The campsite was silent once Hikaru had finished her story. The group did not know what to make of this. Now, not only do they have to retrieve the jewel shards and stop Naraku, they now have to worry about an ancient weapon and Hikaru's evil half-brother whose goal was to destroy humanity. Hikaru observed her companions with piercing violet eyes, waiting for their reaction. Her gaze rested on the daiyoukai next to her who shifted closer to show his full support at whatever she strived to do. She beamed a smile at him before resting her head on his shoulder, finally allowing herself to relax from all the tension surrounding her.
"So… what are we going to do now?" Sango asked uncertainly. As a demon slayer, she would not normally hesitate to fight against anything that threatened humans, but currently, her main mission was to rescue her brother from Naraku's clutches as soon as possible. How could she fight on two fronts at the same time? Miroku's concerns mirrored her own as he too had to worry about the danger of his own life.
"..." The silence stretched on for a while, with most occupants at the site looking questioningly at one another. Hikaru heaved a sigh when she realized that her companions were not completely willing to participate in her quest. Now that Karahito knew where she was, there was no telling how far he would go to capture her. By staying with the group, she was endangering all of them, as if they didn't already have more than enough danger surrounding them, with Naraku aiming for them.
"I think this cannot go on," she announced, face serious and determined.
"What do you mean?" Someone chimed in.
"As long as I stay with you guys, you will also be targeted by Karahito. I suggest we split off for now and we'll regroup once the time comes."
"B-But where would you go, Hikaru-kun?" Kagome asked worriedly. She was very concerned about her friend's well-being.
"I… I don't know… I have no idea how to destroy the Plume and I feel like I've made no improvement at all since 20 years ago," she sighed again, her thoughts drifting to the day she swore to herself to destroy the Plume - the very same day her father died. Now, how was she going to fulfill it? Her thoughts then strayed towards Hiroshi. Her half-brother. She wondered where he was now, wondered if he hated her for keeping the truth from her. Then, she remembered that he was also in danger from Karahito.
"Hiro-chan! I have to find him! Karahito- he- I-" she abruptly stood in a fluster, about to run out in search of Hiroshi. What stopped her was the pale hand holding her wrist.
Sesshoumaru shook his head, telling her not to act rashly. She gave him a pleading look in return, hoping that he could find Hiroshi with his amazing sense of smell.
"He's nearby."
"R-Really?! Where? Hiro-chan, please come out!" She looked around wildly before spotting a spot of gray. Hiroshi came into the campsite from his hiding spot in a bush, face a mixture of confusion and sadness.
"Thank goodness you're safe! Please don't ever leave like that again!" Hikaru ran up to grasp him in a suffocating hug, as if afraid he would run away any second. He stroked her hair in a reassuring gesture, but she could sense that he was holding back somewhat.
"Hiro-chan, I'm so sorry for not telling you the truth. I-It's just, there was so much going on and I didn't want you to be sad and I'm so sorry please don't hate me youcanhitmeifyouwa-" He stopped her panicked rambling with a firm hug.
"No, I should be the one to say sorry. I'm sorry for worrying you like that. I was… confused about everything and just needed a moment to think…" he wiped the tears at the corner of her eyes, "I don't hate you. I could never hate you. You are my precious sister. That's how I've always thought of you, regardless of who my parents were." He took a deep breath, "When I found out, I was really confused. I thought that the reason you didn't tell me was because you were ashamed that a hanyou like me was your brother. But then I remembered that you were not someone who would let my blood status get in the way, because you were the first to treat me as an equal even when everyone else looked down on me. I've heard your side of the story, about how you didn't want me to be sad once I found out. It's true that it came as a shock, but I am happy to know that you are my sister." He smiled gently at her and she flashed back a teary smile of her own.
"Thank you, Hiro-niichan." His eyes widened a little at the new name but was soon replaced with a look of happiness. He was no longer an orphan with no relative, because now his relationship with Hikaru had changed from best friends to siblings. He was now more determined than ever to protect her with his life, no matter how rocky the path they take may be.
Hikaru: Welcome to Hikaru's Trivia! It's been a while since I get to do this, so you all better hang on my every word! This time, we're featuring a guest who had never appeard before. Say hello to Some-Random-Guy-Who-Had-Nothing-To-Do-With-The-Sto ry!
Random Guy: Why is my name so long?! And what's up with Random Guy?! I have a real name you know. It's Toshimaru! Also, I'm an important character!
Hikaru: So tell us, Random Guy, why are you here?
Random Guy: Don't ignore what I said! And you're the host so you should know!
Hikaru: Yeah... I was too lazy to read your background before putting you on. So now you can tell the readers who you are.
Random Guy: Why do I even bother talking with you? Fine, like I said, my name is Toshimaru. I'm a youkai and I will appear in future chapters.
Hikaru: Really? Like in what chapter? Also, what role will you play?
Random Guy: I can't tell you that. It would ruin all the suspense. And you're not even supposed to know about me before I actually appear in the story.
Hikaru: Hmmm... I suppose you're right. Well, I look forward to your appearance! From henceforth you shall not be called Random Guy anymore. I've decided to upgrade you to Guy! Congratulations!
Guy: Geez, how generous of you. It's a pleasure to be called Guy. Not!
Hikaru: Well, Guy, it seems we've ran out of time for today, so see you whenever you appear again!
Guy: Yes. I can't wait to see you again, my Hikaru.
Hikaru: Huh? What did you say?
Guy: It's nothing. I'll be going now.
Hikaru: Sure thing! See you!