Once I recovered my strength, we all rushed in the direction of the demon slayer's village. Kagome and I led the way being the only two who could really sense where the vile presence was coming from. I hope that what I had seen in my mind earlier wasn't real because if it was, the sight that would meet us when we got there would not be pretty in the least bit. The screams of the villagers still haunted my ears, almost forcing me to stop and scream again. But I refused to give in to my weaknesses. We ran until the sun started to rise again in the sky and stopped on the edge of a cliff to catch our breath.
"Look over there", Shippo exclaimed.
Across the cavern of the cliff was a large gated village. Black wafts of smoke from a dimming fire inside it's walls was floating in our direction. The stench was disgusting. Charred flesh and the scent of rotting organs cooking in the towering sun flew into my nose from half a mile away. We all gagged for a moment until we could get ourselves together.
"Looks like what you saw back there may be true", Inuyasha said to me. "We've got to get across this cavern and to the other side to scope out the damage. There may even be a few discarded shards left in there. Shippo, can you get us over there?"
"Aye aye, sir", the small fox demon said.
He jolted into the air and puffed up into a large floating version of himself. He hovered over the edge of the opening and lowered himself enough for us to get on. I hesitantly placed my foot on his billowy surface before feeling a cloaked hand pushing me forward. When I looked back I saw Miroku with his hands cupping both of my butt cheeks to 'help' me get onto our ride. Still feeling a little uneasy, I didn't have the energy to hit him. All I could do was lift myself onto Shippo's head as quickly as possible.
We soared in the air over the smoking village. The closer we got, the more uncomfortable everyone's faces became. There was an overarching sense of dread in the air that couldn't be shaken off. No doubt about it, there were definitely a lot of lives lost inside of those gates. Even someone without the power of the jewel shard could feel that much.
Shippo landed softly on the gravel of the other side of the expanse and popped back into his normal form. Once safely on the ground, we all bolted towards the open front gates. The wooden blocks holding them together had been crushed by a strong force, leaving only stringy dangling remnants left over. The vision before us was just as bad as I'd expected. The discarded carcasses of both demons and humans were strung everywhere. Lying all over one another and some still burning up in the fire. Kagome and I gasped as we took in the sight of it all.
"This is horrible", she said with a hand over her mouth.
"The villagers must have battled with the demons like you envisioned", Miroku explained in anger.
"There's no mistaking it. This is for sure the same village of the demon slayers that we had been seeking. It's looks like we made it here too late. Everyone is dead and gone by now", Inuyasha said, scoping out the surroundings.
Kagome took a few steps forward and looked around as well. "What is it Kagome? Do you sense jewel fragments?"
"I don't sense anything at all. There aren't any here", she said. "I could have sworn I sensed some here earlier. I know I did. How could I have been so wrong?"
"There aren't any jewel shards here anymore you mean", Miroku interjected. "They were stolen by someone or something that isn't here. It, or they, fled before we could get here."
"Maybe if we hurry we can catch up with them", Shippo stated. He was perched up on the monks shoulder, hiding from the massacre in front of us until now. I didn't blame him, it wasn't pleasant to look at.
"We can think about looking for whoever took the shards later. First, we should lay all of these villagers to rest properly. They deserve that much", Inuyasha said soberly.
I was surprised by his act of valor. I would have assumed he would have wanted to find the shards first, but he didn't even hesitate to do the right thing. There may have been some good inside of him after all.
"I agree", I chimed in. "I think putting all of these people to rest would help cleanse the bad aura around this place. Inuyasha is right."
"I know I'm right", he huffed. "I'm always right. You didn't have to tell me something I already knew."
I shot him a harsh look and his puffed chest quickly deflated. Right after I had finally given him some credit, his ego had to ruin it. Suddenly, Kagome ran behind the half demon and screamed out, "There's something still here!"
We turned to the loud vibration of a growl coming from ahead of us. A large cat like creature was slowly stomping in our direction. It appeared to be injured and carried the decaying head of a slain demon in it's mouth. Blood and innards dripped from its teeth in thick globs. The best released another growl and crouched into pouncing stance. Miroku stepped in front of me and placed him hand out for me to stay behind him. Shippo jumped from the monks shoulders and onto mine, shaking with fear.
"Looks like there one last demon left", Inuyahsa said while extracting the dormant Tetsaiga. The blade transformed into its fuller version and he pointed it directly at the cat. It let out another growl and bent its front legs, getting ready to jump.
"Master Inuyasha", a small voice called out. It sounded like it was coming from the cat, but it looked just as surprised as we did. "Down, Kilala. These people are not our enemies. You have nothing to fear", it continued.
"Miyoga?", Kagome questioned. "Is that you?"
A large ring of fire enveloped the large cat and when it had dissipated the creature was less than half its regular size. About the height and weight of an oversized chihuahua. It was totally adorable now! I wanted to go up to it and pet it until my hand cramped, but I also couldn't forget how scary it was just a moment ago. Lifting it's hind leg, the fluffy thing scratched behind its ear. A black spec flew out from the rustled area and bounced up to Inuyasha's nose.
"Um, Inuyasha. There's a bug on your nose", I said, gawking as the insect audibly sucked at the tip of his nose.
"Oh, how I've missed your blood, Master Inuyasha. It's been far too long", the flea said. With a harsh slap Inuyahsa hit the talking bug and flattened it like a pancake. It floated to the ground with a groan.
"You're still as irritating as always, I see. Where have you been hiding all this time?", the half demon asked.
"What are you doing in a place like this, Miyoga? Did you see what happened", Kagome chimed in after him.
"Do you know this flea", Miroku and I asked at the same time. The two of us were clearly very lost on who this unknown insect was. The whole time Miyoga and Inuyahsa were talking all we could do was stare in awe at the weird comradery in front of us.
"That's Miyoga", Shippo explained. "He's Inuyasha's vassal. Well sort of… He only shows up when he feels like it or won't be put in harm's way. He's pretty much useless at everything besides drinking blood and running away like a chicken."
"That's so cool!", I exclaimed. "So, he just follows you around all the time to protect you?"
"Huh, he's supposed too, but he's pretty crappy at his job. Wouldn't you agree, Miyoga", Inuyasha snorted down at the limp vassal.
"I take offense to that, Mater Inuyasha. I consider myself very useful when my skills are applicable for the situation", Miyoga disputes.
"Hiding is not a skill, Flea. Yet, that seems to be the only thing you can do well", Inuyasha argues.
"We can catch up more when we've laid theses people to rest. There's no telling if anymore demons will come here looking for the sacred jewel or to finish off the scraps the first group left behind. We should start working now", Miroku interjected.
Inuyasha and Kilala laid all of the bodies out in rows while Miroku dug graves for us to place them in. As Kagome and Shippo walked the perimeter searching for unseen villagers, I crouched above every single one of the found individuals and closed their eyelids. I'd heard from ghost stories on TV that if you died with your eyes closed that you'd never get to fully cross over into the supernatural world. I wasn't sure if that was true or not but it was worth a try.
When I laid my fingertips across the first set of lids, I could feel the warmth of the jewel against my chest. My hands illuminated the beautiful magenta hue that it always had, as I rested them closed. A feeling of relief washed over me with every deceased villager I helped put to rest. The bubbling pit that was once in my stomach slowly faded, making me finally start to feel normal again. I felt horrible, though, as I came so many bodies of mothers and children. Some were still wearing sleeping robes, meaning they were more than likely completely unprepared for the attack.
Wiping his brow with his red sleeve after putting the last body in its grave, Inuyasha asked, "So, tell us more about this village, Miyoga, since it seems like you've made quite the home for yourself here."
"This is the village of the demon slayers as I'm sure you've already learned. For generations the people of this village have worked hard to train and dispose of demons. That would seem to be a key reason for demons having a hatred for this village, but it seems odd this specific time of attack, however. A good number of their best warriors had been summoned to a castle nearby for a job. Which left few of them behind to protect the rest of the villagers. I can not help but wonder if the warriors who traveled to the castle are indeed safe. It is very peculiar a situation", the flea explained from Inuyasha's shoulder.
"That sounds like it was a planned attack then", I said walking over to them. "It seems like too much of a coincidence that the best demon slayers in the village were gone when a hoard of them randomly decide to attack. Something isn't right about that. The whole thing gives me a strange feeling."
"I agree with Kimmy", Kagome responded. "Something fishy is going on here and I have a feeling Naraku is behind the whole thing."
"Me too", Miroku said. "Nothing about this appears to be organic. I do believe that Naraku has a hand in this whole thing as well. It reeks of his usual evil schemes."
"Let's cover up these graves as fast as we can and get out of here", Inuyahsa commanded. "Everyone grab a shovel and start digging so we can go back to searching for Naraku. I have a feeling he's at the castle nearby that Miyoga was talking about."
We nodded back to him in response. Miroku grabbed a stack of shovels and passed them out to everyone. It took us another hour to conceal them all properly, but we got it done. Before we left, Shippo found a garden of yellow flowers and asked to place one over each grave. Knowing that Miroku was a monk I asked him to bless the flowers to put of veil of protection over the deceased. He said that he could, but they I probably could too. I didn't believe him in the slightest. I assumed he was trying to be a pervert again. However, when he took my hand and placed them over the group of bright petal I felt another warm sensation wash over me. He told me to think purifying thoughts and I tried my best to follow his orders.
Closing my eyes, I imagined all of the villagers back in their homes with smiles on their faces and asked the universe to protect their remains in the afterlife. When I opened my eyes I was shocked to see my hands glowing, casting the same hue over the yellow flowers. Kagome, Shippo and I scattered the enchanted plants on each gravesite with care while the guys talked over our next destination.
"This is such a shame. I'd hoped to speak to the villagers about the Shikon jewels, but it seems we missed our only opportunity to do so", Miroku said somberly.
"Talk to me, Miyoga", Inuyasha said down to his microscopic companion. "You've gotta know something about this place and where the jewels come from."
"Do I know something? About the Shikon Jewel?", he asked in mock confusion.
Kagome and I walked over to them and leaned into the little flea radiance. I had never been this close to him before. He was actually kind of cute when you really took in all of his features. A tiny wispy white mustache stuck out on either side of his beak like nose and he had small patches of balding hair on both ends of his small head. He appeared to be very human like, just small and able to suck out blood. I should have been disgusted by him, but the weirdness of this world was starting to wear on my sense of normalcy.
"Do you know something about the jewel that we don't know", I asked him.
"Miyoga, is that why you came here. To learn more about the jewels' origins? If so, we really could use all the information you've got in order to track it down and put it back together, `` Kagome explained from my side.
"Yes", Miyoga admitted finally. "It's been troubling me quite a bit, the knowledge I have come across so far. I needed to know more about the history of the jewels because, after all, everyone who's ever come in contact with the jewels has ended up enduring great misfortune. Especially the white Shikon No Tama. It's abilities to grant unthinkable power has always been a topic of great interest, yet no one has been able to wield it for long without suffering."
"What about my jewel", I interrupted him.
The flea jumped from Inuyasha should onto my chest to examine the pendant hanging from my neck. He sat there for a moment without speaking. Only letting out a few small noises of thought every few seconds.
"If I'm being honest", Miyoga said still staring at my chest. "The Black Shikon Jewel has always been quite the mystery. It was thought that it never truly existed. Most have been taught to believe that it did not exist and was only a fairy tale told to children. The story of the two jewels molding together to form a perfect world seemed unrealistic to many. Even I didn't believe it was true until I now see it with my own eyes. This is my first time truly gazing at the Black Shikon, but legend says that only women from another dimension are granted to power to use it freely. Leading many to conquer that such a story could not ring true."
Grandma was right, then. All of her crazy explanations must have been true. Miyoga doesn't know her or our family secret, but still somehow knows only we are able to wield it. My mind began to race thinking of the responsibility I had around my neck. Most people in the Feudal era didn't even think my jewel was real. It's supposed to be a fable, but here I am dangling it around my neck. If people found out about it, what would they do to me to get it? I thought Sesshomaru trying to cut my arm off was bad enough, but he was probably being nice in comparison to what other demons would do to get there hands on it.
"A-am I safe", I stuttered out. I couldn't think of any other way to say that because my whole body was now clenched with fear. The anxiety that my new found familial responsibility had given me was overwhelming me now.
"It the legends is correct, no one but the chosen holder will be able to carry the Black Jewel. Has anyone tried to take it from you yet?", Miyoga asked me.
"Sesshomaru tried to take it from her!", Shippo yelled out.
"How would you know, Shippo", Inuyasha barked at the small fox.
"She told us before, while you and Sesshomaru were fighting over the Tetsaiga. Your brother tried to cut her arm off to take the jewel but it rejected him. That's why he strung her along with him for so long without killing her! Sesshomaru isn't the kind of guy to hang around with a human without getting something in return", Shippo continued excitedly.
When the last few words left the small fox's mouth, my shoulders slumped. My heart ached with every statement he made because I knew it was true. His childlike enthusiasm and honesty allowed him to say what I'm sure everyone was thinking, but it still hurt to hear it out loud. What made things worse, was that I could feel the rest of the group glaring at me with pity. No matter how much I tried, I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks and tears brimming around my eyes. Feeling the rumble of agony coming from my chest, Miyoga jumped ship and went back to resting on Inuyasha's shoulder.
"Shippo!", Kagome called down to the naive fox demon.
I appreciated her trying to scold him in my defense, but it wasn't his fault. What he said was true and I couldn't be upset with him for saying it. My tears weren't his fault, they were Sesshomaru's and I knew it.
"Did I say something wrong", he asked with worry souring his cheery demeanor.
"No, Shippo. You didn't say anything that wasn't the truth", I said back to him.
Bending down to pet him head in reassurance, I felt a small droplet fall down my cheek. Only Shippo and I noticed, but he seemed shocked by my vulnerability. Reaching up with a little hand he wiped the residue of the year from my face.
"Let's get back on track, Miyoga. We know that only Kimmy can be the holder of the Black Jewel, but what about the one we're searching for", Miroku interjected into the tension piling in on us.
"Oh yes, of course", Miyoga coughed out. "I followed the rumors of the jewel and found myself here at this village. However, there is still one thing that disturbs me. During my journey the vision of a white baboon slipped from my vision on and off during my stay here. He looked like a man located under the cloak of Baboon skin. His presence was purely one of evil intent and every moment I stayed in this village I could feel his wandering eyes following me."
"A white baboon?", Inuyasha blurted out. "That's Naraku, he must be close by. We were right to think all of this was his sick plan. I bet you he set up for the demon slayers to be gone so he could kill all of the remaining villagers who knew about the jewel's power."
"We should get going, then. Each moment we lay haste in our search for him and the jewel is wasting precious time. Do you know where the castle is that the demon slayer were summoned to, Miyoga", Miroku asked.
"Yes, if we start walking now we can be there by sundown tonight", the flea responded.
"What are we waiting for then? Let's get going!", Inuyasha called to us. He was already pounding in the direction of the gate and out of the village with Miyoga is tow. Kagome walked over to me and grabbed me by the hand. Giving it a small squeeze of sympathy, we walked out together.
"Hey, guys! Don't leave me", the small fox demon called after us. I turned around to look at him and he had tears pouring out of his eyes. "I-I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, Kimmy! I really am. I shouldn't have said all of that stuff about you and Sesshomaru", he sobbed into my legs. I let go of Kagome's hand and bent down to pick up the sobbing kid and rested him on his hip.
"I'm not mad Shippo. You shouldn't be crying, you did nothing wrong, okay?", I said. He laid his small head on my chest and nodded in agreement. "There's no time for crying anymore. We have more important things to do."