Author's Rant: Hmm I know that it may seem hopeless but there is a light at the end of this terrible road. As I said before, this story is nearing its end, so I'll just let you see for yourselves. Please excuse grammar mistakes (^_^)

Warnings: Mild Language. OOC Inuyasha.

Chapter 26: A Mythical Hope?

Ever since the other day after hearing Master Mushin's extremely bizarre story, Kagome's wandered aimlessly around the temple grounds, thinking of the unbelievable details and strange coincidences that threaded in and out of it. It seemed almost too good to be true but even harder to follow. Her first instinct had been to tell the others of her discovery but presumed they'd see her as being overly dramatic and as cock brained as the old monk.

Like any elder who highly far-fetched their youthful years, his was that plus more. Mushin could've easily lost all of his common sense …but how could she be sure?

"Kagome?"

Startled from the soft voice behind, Kagome squeaked twisting around to see Kikyo smiling at her. "Gosh, don't sneak up on me like that."

"Your mind's been elsewhere since yesterday little cousin…"

"Umm yea." Kagome looked over toward the forest. "I've just got a lot on my mind."

"Is it concerning Inuyasha?"

"Well, yes and no"

Kikyo's eyebrow rose, silently questioning what the hell is she talking about.

Oh yea she knew that look. "I mean," She blew out her frustration, scratching the top of head. "It's kind of weird but," For goodness sake how was she going to explain this one? There was no much bull in the old man's story she could fertilize a farmer's field.

"Kagome?"

Oh what the heck. She might as well say something. She'll look like a complete nut but if she didn't get this out she was going to explode. Keeping secrets wasn't exactly her strongest talent anyway. So here it goes. "Ok listen," Kagome darted her head from side to side than grabbed Kikyo's hand, dragging them both to a secluded area of the main shrine, under a cherry blossom tree.

"Kagome what is this all about?" Kikyo snapped, snatching her hand loose.

Kagome, once again, glanced around them to be a hundred percent sure they were totally alone before cupping her mouth, whispering, "I've got something mega huge to tell you and I think it can help us save Inuyasha."

"WHAT—Mmfffp."

Kagome slapped her hand over Kikyo's mouth glancing around to be sure no one heard the outburst. After five minutes of no one showing up, she released a relieved sigh and moved her hand. "Shhh, if I'm whispering stupid obviously I don't want anyone else to hear."

"Never mind that." Kikyo waved off. "What do you mean you think it'll help Inuyasha? What can help him?"

"I know it's going to sound crazy—"

"Just spit it out Kagome!"

"Alright!" Kagome snapped back. Oh well it's now or never, by the end of this that are-stupid-look was going to become an are-you-crazy expression. "I— that is you see… lt was when I followed Master Mushin to the forest. We talked for a while about something that happened to him a long time ago."

"What happened?"

Kagome groaned knowing the worst of the story was about to come. So she took a deep breath and slowly began retelling the story exactly how Mushin manifested the past fifty years ago. She didn't leave out a single detail or word spoken between the two old friends and waited patiently for the predictable shout of 'are you nuts' to split her eardrums wide open.

But after three minutes of no sort of insulting nouns, Kagome looked at her cousin and noticed a haunted expression marred over her pretty features. "Kikyo?"

Kikyo snapped from her paralyzing stupor to grasp her cousin's shoulders. "Kagome, are you absolutely sure he said, that what happened to his friend?"

Kagome gave her a strange look and nodded slowly.

The positive response transformed Kikyo's spooked look of disbelief to one of shiny crisp joy. "Oh my gosh this is so great!" She cheered, clapping her hands. So it's true. It's so true. The stories, the myths, the rumors. She's heard this story before but it was told in a different way. "Kagome we have to hurry," She urged taking her cousin by the hand.

"Where are we going?"

"We have to tell Miroku about this. We're going to need his help with this."

"So you believe me?"

"Yes." Not only did she believe it, she knew it was true. Hearing this story only confirmed the facts of a long ago spoken legend. Indeed it was a risky long shot but if it worked then their hopes of Inuyasha's salvation would be fulfilled. But they were going to have to hurry.

It was going on the fourth day and Ms. Vikki still couldn't seem to break through to Inuyasha's mental stress. Countless attempts of bringing him from his pit of darkness failed each turn and she was nearing the end of her rope. As much as she wanted to help the youth pull through there was only so much she could take herself. Each session would last at least three hours depending on how much extra time she could spare. There were over a hundred patients in this facility, thirty of which were under her care and so far ninety six percent of them were moving on to their second or third stages of recovery.

Inuyasha was still in stage one. The only bit of worry she didn't need to be concerned with was his increasing appetite. The usual nibbles were becoming actual bites. Even when he protested he wasn't hungry, the urge to eat still claimed his stomach.

Currently she was reading over his health charts and became satisfied with some noticeable weight gain, though there was another added detail she wasn't so thrilled about. At early this morning the chart also declared he'd had three medication shots for Morphine. That was a bit much. He was only allow three every eight hours and it's showing he'd requested three every four. Better nip that in the bud before he creates an addiction.

"Good morning Ms. Vikki." Greeted one of the younger nurses helping with Inuyasha's care.

"Good morning dear. How's Inuyasha doing today?"

She sighed shaking her head. "Not so good ma'am. There hasn't been much change in his behavioral patterns."

She assumed as much. "Alright I'll take over from here."

"Yes ma'am."

Inuyasha was going to have to be stronger than this. At seventeen, yes she knew this was an incredible loss, but his youth should also act as a leverage to pull him from this mode of misery. It'll only be his downfall in the end and she'd be damned if this child became another statistical suicide because of humanity's harsh motives.

Vikki knocked three soft raps, before opening the door to Inuyasha's room. "Good morning Inuyasha." Came her warming greeting. The door closed and in she walked to the shadow faced teen sitting up in bed. "Hey," She said mumbled, taking a seat on the edge of his bed. "I've come earlier to start your session. Maybe we'll have a difference today eh?"

Nothing. Not even a tilt or nod to acknowledge her presence. His condition was worsening. At this rate he was going to withdraw into himself and then he'd be completely out of her reach. She's tried it most of her professional techniques, and still couldn't believe her methods of gentle talking and sweetened words weren't bringing him home. "Inuyasha," She whispered sternly, gripping one of his hands. "You've got to let go dear. There's so much waiting for you in life. You must move on. Inumi's life's—" She gasped when his body visibly flinched from hearing her name and the light tug of his hand.

"I can't let her go." Came his painful whisper of despair.

Vikki gripped his hand, interlacing their fingers together. "Inuyasha, all of this pain, this hurt. It's only going to consume you mind, body and soul. Don't let it be the end of you."

"Please," He clenched through his teeth. "Let it take me…"

"No Inuyasha." She put aside the clipboard and scooted closer, placing both of his hands in hers. "I can't let you bottle this up inside. It just keeps wound scratched raw. You need to let it heal—"

The elder woman started when glitter twinkled on his cheeks. She saddened at his endless rain of tears, knowing this was probably his third time today. "Inuyasha…"

"You humans don't know anything," Vapors of his gloominess circled and constrict his aura's strength, embracing its dejecting blues as savagely as a boa's coils. "This pain…it's all I have to live by…you—you killed my child and expect me to just forget it ever happened."

Suddenly Inuyasha began to cling to the offered pair of wrinkling fingers. "Sesshomaru's so far away, I can barely make him out. Our separation is making him weak…he's so weak." The last part sobbed as his fingers dug in her skin. "Stop asking me to forget her! Stop telling me to erase this pain! I can't let it go!" His body jerked from the harsh sobs raving his mind. "I allow myself to suffer this way. It's my punishment. My own way of coddling myself for being such a weak and pathetic goddamn parent. There was so…so much we could've done for her—"

"Inuyasha!" Vikki snapped feeling the back of her eyes sting. "Enough,there was nothing you could do. You tried your best—" She swallowed the large lump gathering in her throat. "There was nothing you or Sesshomaru could've done. You both did the best you could for her the few days she was here."

Inuyasha's bleak lavender eyes lifted up at the choked voice speaking to him. Was she crying?

"I can't stand seeing you give up like this. There's so much you can live for. Life is still going to go on." Vikki was so desperate to get this child to escape out of his cave of darkness, that she wrapped her arms around his neck in a motherly hug. "I'm not asking you to let go of the beautiful moments you shared, but I want you to release the pain of her death. Is that how you want Inumi to think her parents only remember? As a dead baby?"

When the same response at hearing the baby's name created a hostile reaction, Vikki bravely kept her hug secure as Inuyasha started pushing at her shoulders, crying louder.

"Fight through it Inuyasha!"

"NO!" He yelled pushing harder to get her off. "I won't let her be forgotten. Don't you get it? She's all I have left!"

"No she's a part of your past. Inuyasha let it go—"

"You humans don't care! Get the fuck off me! I'm through with all of you!" He cried, his arms falling limply to the sides. "I've tried all of this time to trust you humans and ever since I was a kid you've caused me pain…" All of those years of loneliness soon exploded in his mind tugging at his heart strings. "You've killed my father, caused my mother's sickness, capture and tortured me like I wasn't a fucking person, killed my child and took me away from my mate! What have I ever done to any of you huh? Let me the fuck go! None of you bastards care about me. You want me dead so just let me die so I can find peace!"

"No Inuyasha," Vikki broke through, rubbing his back. "Inuyasha, you can't….you can't believe all humans are bad. There are some good ones in this world. Don't lump us all into in the same of ball of merciless pigs. There are some of us who care—"

"None of you care—"

"I care Inuyasha!" She nearly shouted, he tears soaking through his scrubs. "And so do your friends, your mate and… your mother, I'm sure."

At the mention of his mother, Inuyasha's eyes fly wide open.

"Your mother cared for you didn't she? I'm sure she played with you, sung you sweet songs, tucked you in at night and even spanked you when you being bad," She chuckled continuing to rub the small circles on his back. "Do you think she'd want to hear her only child wishing his death?"

"Mother…Mother would understand…" He protested softly.

"Your mother would want you to live dear…have you kept her memory soiled with hatred like you're doing your daughter? You have to let her little spirit go, Inuyasha. Remember her for the sweet smiles, the happy giggles, and remember her for the beautiful little angel I know she was…"

His mother. No, he didn't forget her. He used to talk to her every single day. She always kept that sacred smile of hers permanently just for him. On the coldest nights, they shared the bed and she did sing him songs. They had tickle fights, watch cartoons…it was so much fun. Yet he could hardly recall the moment of her final moments as she graced him with the same brave smile and left this world with the same beautiful expression on her face. That's how he wanted to remember his mother.

But Inu…Inumi. She was different. She had been her daddy's pride and joy the few days they'd been together. Though there weren't many, the image of her chubby cheeks blushing as he blew raspberries in her tummy still clung to his mind. The many flowers he showed her that day she first arrived. And her joyous cries of being united with her family.

That had been the greatest emotional relief he'd ever felt in years. How could he disgrace her by forgetting any of her past moments?

"But, it's so hard…"

"I know dear." Vikki soothed, hugging him tighter. "But she'll never find peace if all you remember is the pain she suffered. There were better times before that happened but only if you can let her pain go…"

Inuyasha's eyes closed to the world as the sorrowful constriction in his chest began to unravel. "Is…is that alright?"

"Yes."

And like the dams of a mighty river, the floors burst permitting it all to let out. All of it flowed in clear sparkles, easing down his cheeks and on the supportive woman's shirt. Inumi's death, it'll be so hard to release that pain. But there was so much more he could hold onto in her memory. Just like he did his mother. The guilt of weakness had to be gone.

He tried that day; he'd really tried to save her. Sesshomaru tried. They both did. It just wasn't enough. But still they tried…

"Shhh, Shhh it's ok sweetie. It's ok…"

She held him for so long and stayed there for as long as he needed. Vikki knew she'd broken the rules of the Institute by getting so deeply involved with a patient but this one was different. He needed to feel the touch of a mother's embrace. The contained anguish needed a nick in order to make the first crack in his glass of lugubriosity.

Inuyasha enfolded in her bosom crying helplessly, was how Vikki's assistant found them an hour later. She didn't have the heart to interrupt this moment and quietly shut the door.

For the next couple of hours Vikki held him tightly, rocking him from side to side, whispering all of the motherly words she could conjure up. It wasn't long before exhaustion from his ongoing weeping took its toll and the burden of slumber fell on his eyes. But still Vikki held him close, stroking his long hair and patting his back as if he were her very own son.

He was going to be ok. She'd make sure of it. Inuyasha was going to pull through.

"Kikyo…"

"Miroku…"

Said monk teen, groaned dragging a hand over his eyes. "You can't be serious. That's an old fairy tale. There's no way that stupid myth is true."

"But Master Mushin says that's what happened." Kagome argued eagerly.

"You believe an old man who doesn't know how to work a toaster?"

Kikyo released the same aggravated groan. "We should at least check it out Miroku. What do we have to lose by investigating his claim?"

"A great deal of my time, which could be put to better use in finalizing my evidence search."

Kagome crawled on her knees to the computer whiz. "Please Miroku. It's only going take about fifteen minutes. Pretty please?" The size of her eyes grew to tire wheel portions until Miroku freaked out from seeing the pink of her eye sockets.

"Ok, Ok, Ok, fine." Miroku sighed pressing the save button on Ms. Miso's computer and shut the top. They'd better be lucky the woman had to check on some things at home, otherwise she'd roast all of their behinds for chasing after on what she'd consider to be utter nonsense.

"Fifteen minutes and that's it."

Kagome squealed clapping her hands and Kikyo nodded her thanks. All three put on their shoes and headed out toward the shrine steps where Kagome and Mushin had their secret discussion, only this time, Miroku lead the way since they were going to be going on an off road direction. He knew exactly where all of these paths lead in the forest. Mushin and his mother made certain that if he should ever get lost, there were several trails to follow that'd eventually take him back to home base. But one in particular path was meant to confuse anyone who tried to follow it. A total of seventeen forks split in three different ways, and even the right ways had more split ends to choose from.

All of these silly precautionary issues were taken for a mythical fairy tale all upcoming monks, priest and priestesses were told as children in a way to scare or intrigue them into doing a chore or lesson. Miroku was no different. His mother and uncle had preached this rumored folklore as a attempt to make him stop staring at his women's breasts and bottoms. Granted the story did work at the time but later as he grew older he knew it was nothing but hog wash.

Finally the travel came to a bushy ending when Miroku lifted up a branch for the girls to go under and into a grassy clearing. The winds flutter of patted the grass blades, resembled a shimmering ocean glimmering in shiny winks to its visitors. Trees as tall as the largest buildings lined around the small sized acre as if concealing its secrets from the world.

The place had a streaming flow of unfamiliar energies purring through the grounds. Kagome hugged her torso feeling the tickles of something brushing her sides. The place was so peaceful and quiet, save for the birds and squirrels conversing.

"Come on." Miroku urged taking the first step toward what Kikyo and Kagome suddenly noticed was an ancient Japanese styled temple with rusted black tiles and listless black supports circling the outer rim. Several tall orange colored Shinto shrines on all fours sides of the one-story temple seeming to act as barred barriers.

"Have you ever been inside Miroku?" Kagome questioned.

"Yes only once, but its' complicated getting inside."

"Why's that?"

"Watch." Miroku stopped about two feet in front of the front Shinto and lifted his hand to press his palm forward. Upon contact of an invisible wall, a sudden spark of protective energies sizzled off the smoked flesh of his skin. "You see, those of heightened spiritual awareness are susceptible from stepping in unless they're pure of heart or can recite a ritual chant to break down the barrier. And that's because only demons are allowed inside."

Kikyo explained further. "You see, because of those who created this shrine five hundred years old, legend has it that only those of demonic heritage were allowed to enter with no avail of injury or rejection."

This was the first time Kagome had ever heard of this. Trust grandpa to skip out on the entertaining details.

"Kikyo I'll need some help breaking this down." Alone, his chances of opening it were slim. He still didn't possess the powers of his Uncle or mother but with Kikyo's help their combined abilities should be enough for them to enter.

"Step back Kagome." Kikyo warned coming to stand beside her fellow spirit ward. A basic barrier chant was simple enough but when its strength required the combine needs for two apprentices, it could get a little dangerous. A few whiplashes could flare out and cause mental as well as physical harm for those who know the secondary worlds, if not careful. But with their skills wouldn't be a problem.

In simultaneously form, hand sighs of the needed spirits from above crossed, flattened, circled and curled with their fingers in sync of the proper title each fingered symbol created. Kikyo crooked her index and middle finger for the side of inner peace the moment Miroku circled the symbol of acknowledged devotion. Many moments past until Kagome could see the barrier walls wavering from the ritual forces. Blues and polished whites glistened and hummed defectively preparing for the breakage point.

Then when the two seniors formed the symbol of respect and commanded "Release!" The barrier rippled into evaporation but only from the front Shinto. The other three were still in position, untouched.

"Let's go."

The trio quickly ran for the large golden door where a sutra was placed over the lock and knob. Miroku whispered a quiet prayer and removed the spell before twisting the knob and pushing forward. The cracked opening caused a cloudy dust fog to kick up from its lack of usage over the years. "Watch your step." Miroku went first knocking away the dirty cob webs and few spiders nesting too low for Kagome's comfort. Kikyo went next, followed by her cousin.

Ten steps down into the sunken pit Miroku patted his foot on the stony ground to be sure it was stabilized and gestured for them to follow. About twenty paces into the trench, Miroku stopped and pointed straight ahead. "There, that's what my Uncle was so dramatic about."

Kikyo and Kagome stepped around to look at the direction the finger pointed and gasped.

There it was. The truth of its existence lay in truth before their very eyes.

The Bone Eater's Well. Also known as the gate way from this world and into the escaped sanctuary for demons who wanted a savable life from the days the world's pending doom to soon burn from its own fires. The legend explains that inhabitants of Mother Earth's landings didn't relinquish their bitter misgivings towards life, the earth will become so engulfed in its own hatred and cruelty that the fires of inner animosity would soon materialize in an eternal flame to lick away the unworthy occupants and create a fresh new beginning.

"Miroku…"

"Like I said, it's only a myth. That raggedy well's been here since my family moved on these lands generations ago."

Kagome shook her head. "No, there's something else here." Nervously she walked forward holding out her hand as if being led by some unseen force until she came to stand over the three foot tall structure.

The wood was rotten, cracked and moldy on the edges, with termites leaking from the splinted slits. But it held a sense of renewal all around it. The flows were so enchanting; it nearly brought tears to her eyes. Inside she could feel the overwhelming clutches of happiness pouring in her heart. These feelings weren't hers. They belonged to someone else. "Kikyo, Miroku." She whispered, wiping the tear from her coco eyes. "I feel something. It's so warm."

The other two approached looking from the well and to the oddly, smily face teen.

"You guys, I never felt, so happy. This feeling is just…so much fun!" She said so excitedly that she gripped the sides of the well and suddenly jumped inside.

"Kagome be careful!" Miroku jumped behind her in time to land first and break her fall. Kagome was still giggling with glee as if being tickled pink and hugged like a teddy bear.

"Oh Miroku this feels so heavenly."

"My back doesn't feel that way."

"Miroku, Kagome, are you two alright?" Kikyo called down.

Miroku sat up on his knees rubbing his sore head. "Yea we're fine." He looked at Kagome to be sure and like some weird fetish she was using her hands to dig into the ground. "Kagome what's gotten into you?"

"I don't know," She squealed. "But I just have this urge to get through. Like I must get to the other side."

Miroku sighed standing up, shoving his hands in his jean pockets. "Remind me to take you both somewhere that doesn't make you go crazy."

She couldn't stop giggling, but spoke through a serious tone. "It's not me. I'm not doing this on purpose. It's just this weird force gripping me from all around. I feel so much relief coming down here."

"Oh please." Miroku looked distastefully around at the dirty enclosure. Earth worms, slimy grubs and tree roots were jutted out of the sides of this decrypted place. How in the hell were they going to get out of this six foot hole? "Listen Kagome we need to find a way out of here." The last thing he needed was more dirt attaching to his designer clothes. Thinking in deep thought for a logical attempt out, Miroku's hand landed on the side of wall. "Hey Kikyo, do you think that—what the….oh."

Without warning, a surge of astonishing exhilaration pierced his chest like an sharpened arrow. "Unreal." The beam of emotions kept his hand pressed flatly on the walls, listening to the words and whispers of everlasting enchantment and tranquility. The powerful raptures shrieking flowing cries of pure ecstasy pulsed in his palm in warm waves until swallowing his spirit in golden and white flames of unity. So much lightheartedness and merriment was almost too similar to the descriptions of heaven's pearly gates.

"Gods…" Was his purred contentment, finally lifting his palm to see the past blemishes cleansed and healed of the barrier's burns. "I see…" He mumbled to the unseen happiness coursing through the well's formation.

So the myths…

The legends…

The enhanced details of those rumors…

All of it. Maybe—maybe they were true. An entry from this world to the next, forbidden for humans to cross but a paradise meant only to save those from this world's misguided understandings. A just reward for his friend. "Guys?"

Kagome still giggling looked up and Kikyo frowned down.

"I think we might have a plan." And he could only hope these methods of sudden calculations worked. Please, please, don't let this just be a myth. If this rejoicing feeling was actually a reality, maybe he could finally repay Inuyasha for his terrible deeds. All of the wrongs could be made right.

They could only pray that these strange sensations weren't some conjured up emotion to make this real.

TBC: Inuyasha's feeling a little better. What do you think about this little development? Please review. ^_^