Disclaimer: This story is based on "Inuyasha," copyrighted by Rumiko Takahashi. No infringement of copyright intended or implied.


Chapter 27: Conversations

The youkai healer was more charming than she had imagined a youkai could be. He listened to her explanation for their presence, and then quite graphically, but with a constant sense of sympathy for the hanyo, described the actions of the unbound youkai, the steps Bokuseno and himself had taken to subdue him, and an unstinting revelation of what the young human had told them about his captivity.

Discipline kept the tears from her eyes. "I knew he'd been badly hurt, when we met again," she said. "He told me a little bit—about the puppet made in my image, and I saw myself some of what Tsubaki did to make him act and look like a dog. But, I had no idea there was an actual seal on his blood. I thought the kotodama I spelled onto him would be enough, but from what you've said..."

"Kotodama?"

She explained briefly. "Ah, that's why it won't come off. We knew it was a human spell, but Inuyasha didn't say anything about it, and I didn't want to press him." The expression on his face was thoughtful. "You care about him? Even though he is a hanyo?"

Kikyo flushed a little, and looked away. "Yes."

"That is good," he said, to her utter shock. "So few are willing to accept hanyo as they are, as if they are responsible for their origins."

She tried not to wince at his phrase. "I did not know any youkai would accept a hanyo."

His smile was oddly wry. "If a youkai can fall in love with a ningen, then surely youkai can also accept the result of that love."

"But, most don't."

"True."

She decided to change the subject. "So, how can we work together? Do you have any idea where this pearl might be?"

"He thinks he lost it near the river, when he was trying to escape. Akeneka has agreed to try and sniff it out, though there may not be much she can find. If that fails, then we will have to search by sight. Unless, you would happen to have a spell that might help?"

"Set spells are not my strength," she replied. "Miyatsu might have something—his skills are different from my own."

The youkai nodded. "That is good. Now, how may we help with your goals? There is considerable jyaki around."

"Our intent is to dismantle any traps and spells we find, and do a thorough purification."

The youkai tilted his head, eyes narrowing in thought. "This 'Tsubaki' was entirely human?"

"Human, yes, but she was binding youkai to her, and was apparently trying to steal Inuyasha's youki for her own use."

"Binding..." he murmured. "I wonder how she attracted youki to her."

Kikyo shrugged. "I don't know. I was always more interested in repelling youkai."

"There are reiki spells for that?"

She nodded. "Not that they worked very well, with the Shikon no Tama around."

"I imagine not." Kikyo studied him as he went silent, apparently thinking, though it was hard to decipher his expression, with those opaque, pupil-less eyes. "If her spells are still active, I may be able to sense their effect on youkai kind. That should make it easier to locate the spells and determine their purpose, should it not?"

"Yes, it would. Doing that would not endanger you?"

He gave her a smile. "I am no taiyoukai, but I have some small core of strength. As long as we are all careful, your task should be doable."

There was something charming about the elk youkai, and Kikyo found herself smiling back. "Have you ever worked with humans before?"

"Eh, not really," he replied, his aura shifting subtly, but in a way she couldn't decipher. "I have some knowledge of healing that applies to your kind; however. Perhaps you would accept my offer to examine your leg, and determine if I may assist its healing?"

... ... ...

Akeneka was far prettier than the 'maidens' at the kitsune inn who had tended to 'cuteness', rather than beauty. His experience had somewhat armored him against feminine wiles that were displayed when there was a general sense of youkai aura. But, her sheer beauty, had it was without her obvious youkai traits and unhuman coloring, might well have been his downfall.

He described his experience at the kitsune inn, keeping his tone light, and skipping what he had done to the youkai when he'd realized the extent of the trickery. She sighed when he finished, her expression wistful.

"I've been training for years, to be good enough to go test myself at the exams," she said. "But Rikaru still says I'm still not good enough, to get even the lowest score."

"Rikaru?"

"My—sensei. Rikaru Two-Tails." Miyatsu caught her hesitation, but her mood changed abruptly, too quickly for him to insert a question. "That hanyo almost killed him! And then, they wouldn't let me even talk to him!"

"Ah?"

She described the woody barrier, and the river youkai, and her failure to get closer to the unconscious kitsune. Miyatsu nodded sympathetically. "Attempting magic you don't have the skill to control is dangerous to youkai and human alike, it seems," he commented. "And even normal fire is dangerous—how much more so is youki-fire?"

"But, I'm kitsune!" she protested. "Kitsune-bi doesn't harm me!"

"Even the full force of a kitsune more powerful than yourself?"

She opened her mouth to disagree, then closed it, looking away. Miyatsu decided to change the subject. "Most of the kitsune who tried their tricks on me appeared to be male, but I assume there are females who take the exam." She nodded silently, still looking away. "Once I was able to discern their auras, most of them seemed quite young, both in age and power. Indeed, I would say that your aura feels stronger and more mature than theirs."

She whipped her head back, purple eyes wide. "Really?"

"Definitely," he said with a smile. "I can't speak to your skill in disguises and other tricks, but if your skills match your strength, I suspect you would do well."

The young kitsune's expression glowed. "I haven't practiced disguises much, but I do have several shapes. Look!" She dropped into her pure fox form, yipped, sprang up and converted to her owl form. Rowing her wings, she aimed her beak at the sky and swept upwards. Gaining height, she rolled, dove, then pulled out at the last moment with a flurry of wing beats and youki. Feet less than two hands pans from the ground, she shimmered and returned to her original form, landing daintily. Miyatsu applauded.

"Very nice," he said. "But, can you mimic humans?"

Akeneka frowned a little. "I've never met humans before today. But, I can try..." Frowning, she stared hard at the monk, and slowly circled him. Returning to her original position, she stared at him a moment longer, then narrowed her eyes. With a 'pop', a smaller version of Miyatsu stood in her place. Now, it was the monk's turn to circle her. "Not bad for a first try," he said blandly. "However, the hat should come off, and always remember..."

She yelped and jumped as something tugged at her posterior. Popping back to her usual form, she spun and glared at the monk who was grinning.

"...That humans don't have tails," he finished, eyes twinkling.

"You pulled my tail!"

"So I did."

"But, you're human!"

"And you think that humans don't tease, or prank?"

"Oh." Akeneka shrank in on herself, mortified.

Miyatsu's smile was kind. "I apologize, lady fox. I'm sure you'll perfect your shapes with a bit of practice. Although..." His gaze was thoughtful, "... I'd suggest not trying to mimic Kikyo, at least within her view. She's a lovely person, and a very strong miko, but she's had precious little opportunity to develop a sense of humor."

Akeneka nodded. "Not Inuyasha-sama, either. He's—scary."

"He is that. Well, I think you would do well at the inn. And I might even have a few suggestions, if you don't mind."

"I'd love to hear them," she said, her sparkle returning. "Please?"

... ... ...

Jaken sat and glared at the beings beyond the barrier. It was disgusting, to see the youkai talking with the humans, as if they were equals. Pah! Bad enough to have to sit around waiting to see whether the half-blood was going to regain the tainted glory of his youkai half. But, to do it in the presence of these short-lived mortals, two of which were youkai-killers, on top of that!

He held tightly to his staff, ready to use it, if he saw any hint of treachery. Maybe the staff's fire could get through that barrier, and maybe it couldn't, but what mattered was making sure they knew that he wasn't going to be either their tamed pet, or dead!

"Well, look who's being sulky," said a voice from above him. "Don't trust humans, do you?"

Jaken jerked his head up, his protuberant eyes locating the tiny source of that derision. "Myoga," he replied. "So what are you doing out here, stupid flea?"

"I was flung free from Akeneka's back when Ginen decided to get rid of his passengers," said the flea, looking down from his perch on the female head of the staff. "When I recovered my wits, I thought I caught a scent of my master's blood, and went to investigate."

Jaken 'humphed.' "So what if the stinking hanyo spilled some more blood? Why you want to keep burying your snout in his hide, makes me wonder what kind of youkai you are,"

"His blood is of superlative strength and exquisite taste," retorted Myoga. The power and passion of the Inu no Taisho's blood, mingled with the tang of human mortality, is a feast you cannot begin to imagine,"

"As if I'd want to," said the toad in turn. "At least, I don't serve a dirty half-blood who's half-crazy on his best days."

"Inuyasha-sama is not crazy!" Myoga quivered with anger. "He is an honest, passionate, and fearless blend of the best of both his parents, and I am proud to call him my master!"

"Hah! You speak of blood and parentage? No one bests Sesshomaru-sama in that field! Who else will one day be known for exceeding the prowess of his great sire? Who else will have a reputation that will eclipse the Inu no Taisho himself? Who will have all the world bending and quaking at his feet? Who will dominate everything he looks upon?"

"Who will be hated as much as he is feared?" Myoga retorted. "Who will end up being dragged down from his lofty heights by treachery and stealth, because he cannot find one bit of compassion within that ice heart of his?"

"Who needs compassion, flea? Strength is all my master needs! My master will be striding through the clouds, lording over all the lands, centuries after your pathetic excuse of a master is dead, buried and forgotten!"

"Dead and forgotten? Hah! And what do you know of life and memory? Do you really think Sesshomaru-sama will remember you, when he masters his ultimate strength? Do you think he cares whether you live or die?"

Jaken quivered in rage. "I am loyal to Sesshomaru-sama! He will reward me greatly, when he builds his domain! I will be high in his council! High!"

"The lord who steps on you whenever you fail to get out of the way, will reward you?" sneered the flea. "He will raise up one he walks upon?"

"He just steps on me because I deserve it! It's my duty to serve him, to stay out of his path!"

"Say that, as if you mean it, beak-mouth."

Jaken leapt to his feet, the staff shaking under his grip. "Why you—you—"

"Um... excuse me, uh, who are you?"

The green youkai whipped around, to find himself facing a somewhat plump, furred youkai. "I am Jaken, servant of the great and powerful Sesshomaru-sama! And who are you, tanuki?"

She looked properly intimidated. "I—I'm just Yukuukuu. I used to serve the lady Tsubaki who lived here. She-she died."

"Of course, she died! She was a human, wasn't she?"

"She was going to stay young and beautiful forever, she said!" Yukuukuu retorted, tightening the grip on her basket. "And she would have, if it weren't for that horrible hanyo!"

"Hanyo?" Myoga's voice abruptly came from above Jaken's head. Jaken rolled his eyes up, trying to locate the flea. "You mean Inuyasha-sama? The hanyo she was trying to torture and kill?"

The tanuki leaned forward. Jaken leaned back, pawing at the ties of his hat.

"Why shouldn't she try to take his youki for her own?" asked the tanuki. "He destroyed the Shikon no Tama, which my mistress needed to transform herself. He was evil, and had to be punished."

Jaken froze, his mouth dropping open.

"The Shikon no Tama was a cursed, evil thing that caused nothing but torment," said Myoga.

Jaken got his mouth to work. "You—your mistress tried to-to destroy Inuyasha?" he spluttered, his hands still fastened about his hat. "Was she an utter fool? My lord Sesshomaru regards the hanyo as his rightful prey—he would destroy utterly anyone who managed to kill Inuyasha!"

"My mistress would have been powerful, if not for that hanyo!" cried Yukuukuu. "I would kill him myself, if I could!"

Jaken stared at her, utterly astounded by the ridiculous statement. Then, he giggled. Then snorted. Then began to laugh. And laugh. He laughed so hard, he fell onto his back, kicking his feet in a paroxysm of mirth. Oh, it was so funny! The funniest thing in months! No, years!

A tanuki, trying to take Sesshomaru-sama's prey?

… … ...

Yukuukuu glowered at the beak-mouthed youkai, her ears flat "It's not funny!" she shrilled.

Something barely noticeable touched down on her head-scarf. "Sshh, tanuki-chan," said the flea. "Ignore Jaken: he puts on airs because Sesshomaru-sama permits him to tag along behind him. I'm Myoga, by the way. May I ask why you are here? You realize that there are humans here, as well as youkai?"

Yukuukuu sighed, her ears sagging. "I know. I brought them here. I-I really didn't want to, but Miyatsu-sama is ... um ... well, he said I should."

"Miyatsu-sama?"

"A monk. He ... he told me about Tsubaki-sama's death, and, and brought me to where her ashes were buried, so I could pray for her. There's a miko, too, and her little sister. Her sister is nice."

"And why did they want to come here?"

She explained their concern about the spells, skirting the still giggling Jaken. "You're heading towards a barrier," said Myoga.

"Of course. Mistress needed to keep the unwanted youkai out. But, she set the barrier to pass me through."

"Um, interesting. I shall look forward to talking to you later."

Yukuukuu hesitated, looked around for the vanished flea, then shrugged and walked through the barrier.

… … …

The two humans and two youkai converged on the house. Kaede and Inuyasha stopped talking when they saw the others approach. Kikyo eyed the evidence, and raised an eyebrow at her sister. "Just how much did you two eat?"

Kaede gave an unrepentant shrug. "Why? We were hungry! We didn't eat all of it."

Kikyo sighed, and hobbled towards the porch. "Cheiriyo-san, Akeneka-san, you're welcome to share what we have."

"That is unnecessary, but thank-you," said Cheiriyo. "I will graze later."

Inuyasha kept his head down as the others gathered, not at all wanting to be sociable. Kaede scrambled up from her position next to him and went to the packs, unloading the rest of the food. He listened to Kikyo's halting, limping steps, and wished that he could help her. He hadn't liked her look earlier—pale and drawn, and having clearly lost weight. But, how could he? He didn't have any right to be with her. If he turned back; if he lost control...

A shadow cut off the sun, and then Cheiriyo was squatting next to him, looking at him intently with those opaque, blue eyes. Inuyasha met his gaze briefly, then looked away. "What do you want?" he asked, sullenly. "I'm fine."

"I will determine that, Inuyasha-sama." The youkai leaned closer, sniffing, then reached over and placed his hand against the boy's jaw and throat. Inuyasha tensed, but said nothing. After a moment, Cheiriyo moved down and started stroking Inuyasha's aching feet. "Hmm... two bones in the left foot cracked ... three—no, four cracked in the right. Inuyasha-sama, you should stay off your feet until they heal."

"I'm not an invalid!"

Cheiriyo gave Inuyasha a level look. "Inuyasha-sama, if you turn back to hanyo, you may run on as many cracked or broken bones as you desire: I know they will heal. But, if you do not want to chance the possibility of being a lame human, then stay off your feet until I or a human healer says otherwise."

Inuyasha looked away, digging his hands into his arms underneath the cover of his fire rat robe. The healer waited a moment, and then patted his leg before standing up.

"I'm going to go search for some herbs," the healer said. "Houshi, miko, could one of you allow me through the barrier? I will also need a fire, and some water heated."

"Actually, I think we should drop the barrier, but leave it so we can trigger it. What do you think, Kikyo?"

Inuyasha tried to tune them out. He remembered how warm, and contented he had felt while in that pond that morning, and wished he had never left it. He wished he could crawl into a shell and never be seen again. He was cold, cold, cold. He didn't want to be here. He was cold, and the sun couldn't warm him. Not where it mattered. He just wanted to go away. He just wanted not to be.

"Hey." Kaede was back, holding something in her hand. "Want me to comb out your hair?"

Inuyasha looked up and blinked at her. "Comb?"

She displayed the comb in her had. "I'll comb yours, and you comb mine. Usually, Kikyo and I will comb each other's hair, but she's busy eating. And I'll bet you'll feel better: I always do."

He gave her a skeptical look, but, nodded. But, before he could offer to do hers first, she slipped behind him. He tightened his arm grip as the comb touched his scalp, and immediately hit a snag. "Boy, this is really tangled. When did you last comb it?"

Not since it was cut, he thought. "Days," he responded curtly. He remembered how it had looked in the watery reflection: he had combed his fingers through his hair, he recalled, but he hadn't been about to ask for any favors from any of the youkai about him.

The tree probably didn't even know what a 'comb' was, and youkai probably didn't need combs. He hadn't noticed any snarls in Cheiriyo's hair just now, had he?

He held himself tense at first, trying not to remember the pats on the head that had been followed by claws in his neck or back. But, the sensation of the comb's teeth against his scalp, moving erratically, wriggling gently through snarls, was distinctly different from the puppet's touching. Kaede said nothing, but she was a warm, non-threatening presence behind his back. Little by little, he relaxed, even as the comb slid through more of his hair without pulling.

"There." She was next to him, smiling. "Much better." She held the comb out. He pulled his hands out of his sleeves and took it. "My turn." She plopped down against his leg, back to him.

Inuyasha eyed her for a few moments, feeling somewhat intimidated. Setting the comb in his lap, he reached hesitantly for the leather thong holding her hair back in a tail. He worked out the knot, pulling it free. Picking up the comb, he gingerly started to work the comb through her hair.

It seemed easier than he expected, even familiar. He frowned as he worked, trying to remember. The feeling wasn't bad. In fact, it felt good. Happy. Happy—

He froze, remembering. Length on shining length of black; tiny clawed hands combing, combing, using fingers, or a finely carved, filigreed comb.

"Inuyasha?"

He made himself breathe. "Just—just a memory," he whispered. "I—I just remembered, combing Mama's hair. It was so long, and soft... it was a long time ago."

"And, I bet, she combed yours."

"Yes."

"Do you remember much about your mama?"

Inuyasha started combing again. "Some."

Kaede sighed. "I don't remember hardly anything about my mama. Kikyo-ane-sama was already at the temple: father didn't want to raise me, so he sent me to her. We've been together ever since."

He felt a surge of sympathy and at the same moment, envy. "At least your sister wanted you."

"Huh?"

Inuyasha swore at himself for saying anything. "N-nothing."

There was a brief silence. "Okay."

He felt almost shamed by her ready acceptance; ashamed that he didn't want to talk about his half-brother, and the thorough going bastard that Sesshomaru was to his younger sib. Inuyasha stared at the hair under his fingers, willing himself to not think about anything other than the task at hand. Nothing else mattered. Nothing but the comb, and the hair…

… … …

Kikyo leaned a shoulder against a post as Kaede knelt behind her with the comb. She kept her eyes on Inuyasha who was sitting in the grass with his head down, and his arms wrapped around his legs. She wished she could go to him, put her arms around him, tell him that everything would be all right. But, how could she? Even if he didn't flinch away from her touch—which he surely would—how could she convince him, when she wasn't sure herself? When no one knew whether he would ever be a hanyo again? When no one knew that if he did turn back to hanyo, if there were any way to repair the broken 'seal' on his youkai blood? When no one knew when, or if, he might turn into that horrifying monster again? When no one knew, if he transformed, if they didn't have to kill him, to stop him?

A door slid aside, and steps came up behind her. She straightened. The youkai healer stepped down from the porch, then turned and offered her a cup. "Herbs for the pain, and bone-healing, miko-sama," he said. "I have used these before, on human kind."

She took it, and sniffed. Several herbs she recognized; several she didn't. Meeting the blue eyes, Kikyo considered the youkai with all of her senses. She sensed only goodwill from him.

"The other cup?" she asked, noticing the second in his other hand.

A slight smile twitched the corners of his mouth. "For Inuyasha-sama, if I can persuade him to take it."

"Give it to me," said Kaede from behind her. "He won't argue with me."

Cheiriyo nodded gravely. "I give you my thanks," he said as she jumped down, handing the cup to her with a small bow. "It is the same as I brewed for your sister."

The girl nodded. "Will you show me how to make it? Does it require youkai powers?"

"It is a simple brew of herbs," he replied. "You are interested in herbal healing?"

"'Course I am," said Kaede. "A really strong miko can heal with her spiritual power, but I'm not going to be that strong, so I have to know the other ways."

"Ah. I will show you later, then."

The girl moved off carefully. Kikyo watched her kneel by Inuyasha, then looked up at Cheiriyo. "How do you know healing for humans? And why help us? You're youkai."

He gave an odd dip and toss of his head. "Healing is what I do, my … gift, my skill, you might say. As did the Inu no Taisho, I … find humans to be—intriguing. I … indulge my curiosity."

"The Inu no Taisho?" she echoed, frowning a little.

"Inuyasha-sama's father—surely you have heard of the White Dog of the Western Lands?"

Her eyes widened. "The legendary taiyoukai, the inu youkai who lured beautiful women into his clutches, and was cursed by the gods and slain while trying to protect his last lover?"

The youkai winced. "'Last' lover? The great lord had only one human love, and that was the lady Izayoi, mother to Inuyasha-sama."

"What?" Kikyo gasped. "But, he died—generations ago! Didn't he? How—how could he be Inuyasha's father? Inuyasha doesn't look any older than—fifteen, sixteen at the most!"

"Hanyo lifespans tend to fall between their parental lifespans, as does their strength, though their pattern of physical growth is unique to each individual. Inuyasha is not yet physically mature, but he was born shortly before the Inu no Taisho died."

Which had been, according to the records at the temple, over a century ago. A century and a half? Two centuries? Kikyo shot a glance at Inuyasha. He was staring at her, obviously having overheard. When he saw her glance, he glowered, then brought up the cup he was holding, and tossed the drink back, before snapping his head away and returning to his defensive huddle.

Kikyo looked down at her own cup, and drank, the astringent taste a welcome counter to the internal shivering. Bringing it down, she stared at the empty cup, trying to grapple with this latest revelation. She'd known that Inuyasha was almost certainly older than he looked: he was hanyo, after all. She'd never really thought about it—he certainly acted like a boy much of the time. But, six, seven times her own nineteen years? And the son of the legendary White Dog himself, the inu-youkai reputedly so powerful, that he could cause earthquakes with his howl? That youkai?

A thought oozed through the shock.

No wonder Inuyasha needed a seal on his blood...


Author's Note: sigh. I truly didn't mean to go four months between updating! Real life gets in the way sometimes, especially if there's important decisions to be made that I don't really want to make. (Indecisiveness is a weakness...) I'm hopefully starting to come out of the slough of the last few months, so let's see if I can get at least one more chapter posted this month. Next time: The Search for the Black Pearl!