Chapter 17 Secret Past Life

Heidi wakes to the sound of birds chirping, wind blowing through the trees and the sound of small children's laughter. She looks around the room and sees that she is alone. She gets out of the bed and walks into the other room. The laughter from the children draws her attention outside. Taking a long look around, she sees Amaya in the fields tending to her herbs. Hana and Taura run back and forth frantically attempting to catch butterflies. She smiles at the thought of this place. It somehow brings her comfort. "Heidi!" Etsuko calls out. Heidi turns her head to see her younger sister trotting over to her.

"Good morning" she says with a lazy yawn.

"You got up late" she says.

"You know I never was a morning person" Heidi says with a chuckle. Etsuko giggles. "Where is Kiyomi?" she asks.

"I don't know. Amaya said she and Minoru went for a walk" Etsuko says.

"Should we go spy on them?" she asks playfully.

Etsuko nods enthusiastically and the two of them make their way to find them.

Deep in the woods the girls come upon Kiyomi and Minoru walking along a trail. The two hide behind a bush they peer out through the branches to see.

"What did you wanna talk about?" He asks walking slightly behind Kiyomi. She stops and turns to him.

"I'm just curious about something and I wanted to have some privacy," she explains.

"Well, we are quite far now"

"Right." She nervously says, looking down at the ground. "I just…." she begins to nervously fidget with the hem of her shirt.

"What is it? Just spit it out!" Growling in frustration.

"It's just that everything that happened between us… Did that mean anything to you?" she quickly says looking straight at him. Minoru gulps and the look of shock covers his face. Seeing this she turns away from him, her nerves getting the best of her. She fears the worst, waiting for his reply. She suddenly feels him grip her arm. He swings her body around and pulls her in to hug her.

"Of course it meant something, stupid" he says softly in her ear. She lifts her head and looks into his eyes. "Just stay with me"

"Always…." She smiles. He places a hand on her cheek and she leaned into his touch.

"Move over I can't see" Etsuko whispers.

"Adult stuff is happening, you shouldn't watch this" Heidi says pushing her sister away.

"Stop it" Etsuko retorts while pushing her sister back. The two begin to have a shoving war behind the bush. After a few good shoves, the two sisters tumble out of the bush into the open. Minoru and Kiyomi's attention is snapped to them. Kiyomi realizing the position she was in pushes Minoru away and blushes.

"What are you two doing?" she asks annoyed.

"We came to look for you" Etsuko says standing straight up.

"And we saw and heard nothing." Heidi elaborated standing up with a smirk and a wink at her sister. Kiyomi and Minoru look at each other and blush.

Etsuko shifts her eyes nervously around. She began to shuffle her feet, thinking of anything to distract from the scene in front of her. She grabs Heidi by her arm and says "I think Amaya wanted us to help her with something."

"What are you talking about?" Heidi says. Etsuko gives her a look. "Oh right. Let's go" the two girls run off. Kiyomi and Minoru look at each other with a perplexed look. Minoru shrugs his shoulders and grabs Kiyomi by the hand, Minoru pulls Kiyomi along with him back toward the house.

ooOOoo

Minoru and Kiyomi pass by the old well. Kiyomi stops and looks in. "It's strange…" she says staring into the dark depths. "How is it that we can pass through this?"

"I dunno. Maybe you were meant to" he moves over to the well and sits on the edge. One leg propped up while the other hangs off the side.

"Meant to?" She sits next to him.

"Well, my mother said the reason she was able to travel through the well was because she was meant to meet my father. They were made for each other and the well was a way for them to meet" he explains looking at the sky.

"You really believe in that stuff?" she asks doubtfully, quirking her eyebrow.

Minoru turns his head to look at her and smiles genuinely. She returns his smile with one of her own and intertwines their fingers together. Minoru drops his leg that was propped up to straddle the ledge of the well. Scooting closer, he looks deep into her eyes, bringing his other hand up to cup her cheek. She leans into his touch, softly closing her eyes. He leans in, bringing his face so close to hers she could feel his breath ghosting over her skin. The sensation sends a delightful chill down her spine. Just before his lips reach hers he stops. Kiyomi opens her eyes to stare into his golden ones.

"Don't you?" he replies, his voice barely a whisper.

She hums with delight "I've always tried to be a very logical person"

"You think being logical is the right choice?" He asks, placing a hand on her thigh. She shivers at the contact, her breath coming out short and ragged. His hand slowly travel up the length of her thigh until he reached her hip.

"Maybe not" She closes her eyes enjoying the feel of his touch. His hand travels further up and under the hem of her shirt. His hand travels around to the small of her back and he pulls her even closer to him. Their bodies only inches apart, he dips his head down and nuzzles the spot where ner shoulder and neck meet. She gasps when he begins to leave light kisses up her neck and along her jawline. She raises her arms and places her hands lightly on his shoulders. Lost in his touch she failed to notice the moment he stopped. Once the warmth of his lips left her skin she opened her eyes and blinked a few times to clear her hazy vision.

She turns her gaze to him and she sees his eyes elsewhere. "What's wrong? Why did you stop?" a voice taking a higher tone than she wanted.

"Something is coming" He releases her and hops up to his feet. Grabbing hold on the hilt of the Tetsusaiga.

"What is it?" She looks around trying to spot something.

"He is getting closer" looking to the sky annoyed.

Satoru descends from the sky and lands in front of them. "Hello big brother" he says with a devilish grin.

"What do you want?" Minoru asks with a growl.

"I just wanted to come see what all the fuss was about" he turns his attention to Kiyomi. "My lady, lovely as always" bowing to her. Minoru steps in front of her. "No need for hostility brother"

"Whenever you are around there is always hostility" Minoru snaps.

"You make it so. Always wanting to start a fight. You are as bull headed as our father" huffing in annoyance. He turns his gaze back towards Kiyomi. "Has he told you what has happened to our dear father yet?" she stares at him in silence.

"What's the point in talking about it; he's dead" with that being said Minoru lunges barely missing his brother.

"That was not very nice brother" jumping back and landing gracefully. Kiyomi seeing the agitation on Minoru's face steps in front of him. She looks at him with soft eyes .

"Stay with me" she says softly cupping his face in her hands. His face softens.

"Always" he replies, taking his hand off his sword and standing straight up.

"Humph, that woman has a hold over you. I might say you even love her" Satoru deduces . "I can see why. She smells wonderful" sniffing the air taking in her scent.

A growl is heard coming deep from within Minoru. The rumble an obvious warning for his brother to stop taunting them.

"I can smell her virginal blood. That must drive all the demons absolutely crazy" grinning Satoru takes another deep sniff. "How can you possibly stand to be near her?"

"I think you need to keep your nose to yourself." Kiyomi belts out. "I feel slightly violated" She crosses her arms over her chest.

"I could always just take her for myself" Minoru steps forwards pushing her back behind him. He draws his sword. "The Tetsusaiga! I see you have found it. Don't lose it brother; hold on to your things cause you might end up losing them" Satoru lunges in for an attack. Minoru raises Tetsusaiga ready to defend them.

"Enough!" a voice demands. Satoru stops in his tracks. Sesshomaru stands a short distance away. "Put down your claws boy that sword will cut you in half," he says calmly. Satoru drops his hands to his sides.

"Kiyomi!" Heidi yells running to her sister. "What the hell is going on?" she asks.

"Sibling rivalry" she retorts. Heidi scans the area, taking in the newcomers. Her vision passes over Satoru easily but when her eyes land on the demon lord her heart skips a beat. Heidi takes a few moments to take in his form completely. Tall, lean and toned she notes. His long silver hair glistening in the afternoon sun. The snowy tone of his skin, strong jaw and regal pose. Her breath was taken away by this man standing just a few feet away. Her eyes travel to his, golden pools burrowing into her soul. All she wanted was a moment longer to stare into those eyes staring at her...wait, staring at her. Heidi quickly ducks her head away in an attempt to hide her embarrassment.

Sesshomaru releases air through his nose with a huff and says. "We are leaving"

Satoru, angered by this, growls in disagreement.

"You defy me?" Sesshomaru says turning his glare to his nephew.

"The sword is here. Let's just take it" he explains.

"Yea, I would like to see you try" Minoru scoffs.

"Seriously don't egg him on" Kiyomi says placing a hand on his shoulder. Satoru smirks and turns to walk behind his uncle. Sesshomaru takes one more look toward Heidi and turns and walks away.

"That was a bit intense" Kiyomi states.

"Whatever" Minoru places his sword back into its sheath. Kiyomi and Minoru start their walk back toward the house.

"Who was that?" Heidi asks staring in the direction the two men went. "He looked at me as if he knew me" she shrugs her shoulders and follows her sister.

ooOOoo

"Shippo!" Hana and Taura yells as the fox demon lands with Kirara in front of the house.

"Shippo you have returned" Amaya says. "How was your training?"

"It went well," he says. "Got anything to eat? I'm starving" Rubbing his belly to sooth the growling coming from within. Kirara growls in agreement.

The commotion draws Etsuko out of the house. Shippo's ears perk up noticing the woman, with her raven black hair and deep blue eyes that could stop any man in his tracks. Of course in this case Shippo was that man or demon. Etsuko lifts her head to see Shippo looking at her, curious she begins to make her way over to him. His heart beats faster in his chest, his breathing erratic and small beads of sweat form on his brow. Once she reaches his she sends a small smile his way. Shippo straightens himself in an attempt to look unbothered. "He…he…hey" he stumbles.

She looks at him and smiles and says "Oh, a raccoon dog" Shippo falls to the ground stunned by what she said.

"I'm a fox." he states jumping up from his spot.

"Sorry" Etsuko says with a smile that melts his heart. Amaya seeing this hands Shippo a piece of fruit. He happily takes it and begins to bite into it.

"Dinner will be ready soon," she states, giving Shippo a nod and a wink she walks back toward the house.

"What's your name?" Etsuko says as she sits on the ground next to him. His body stiffens again.

"Shippo" he says shortly.

"Oh I think my sister mentioned you" she says staring off.

"Are you Kiyomi's sister?" he asks, turning his head slightly towards her.

"Yes, I'm her younger sister Etsuko or Suko for short" extending her hand to shake his with a smile. He takes her hand and shakes it lightly. Etsuko looks up to see her sisters and Minoru walking toward them. "Hey what took you so long?" she asks standing.

"We ran into a bit of trouble" Kiyomi says.

"Nothing I can't handle" Minoru says heading toward his tree.

"You didn't handle anything. Your uncle did though," Kiyomi jeers playfully.

"Sesshomaru?" Shippo asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Yea, he and Satoru showed up" Kiyomi says with a sigh.

"Well of course he did. Satoru has been looking for the Tetsusaiga for a long time. He has been wanting it but the sword was meant to be Minoru"s all along." Amaya explains.

"So what now he's gonna try and take it?" Heidi asks.

"I hope not. I would hate to see my brothers fight again" Amya says with a low head.

"That's enough Amaya" Minoru says as he jumps into the tree.

"He's in a bad mood" Suko says.

"What else is new?" Shippo states. The two share a laugh.

Kiyomi walks up to the tree Minoru is perched in, she looks up and says "Why don't you come down from there?"

"I'll pass"

"Ok, so what, you and your brother don't get along. Big deal me and my sisters fight all the time but you don't see me sulking about it for too long" she explains, while sitting at the tree base with a huff crossing her arms.

Minoru jumps down and crouches in front of her staring her in the face. "The fights you have with your sisters don't end up with deep cuts and broken bones. You could have gotten hurt" he says softly.

"Your uncle showed up though. That stopped it"

"Yea, well, he feels like he has a debt to pay. So he keeps us from fighting" he explains sitting down in front of her. His arms crossed across his chest.

"A debt?" she asks cocking her head to the side.

"Forget about it" turning his gaze from her. She looks at him with questions but decides not to push it.

"Your brother said something strange. How is it you are able to stay around me?"

"It's your scent. It's sweet like honey and sweet flowers. It's… irresistible" he says staring off into the distance. "Ow" Minoru winces as he slaps his neck. He pulls his hand away to reveal Myoga the flea. "Myoga what are you doing here?"

"Master Minoru, I came to see your sword" he says. "also" he turns to Kiyomi. "I need to ask you some questions"

"Who me?" she says pointing at herself.

"Yes, after our first meeting your face just seemed so familiar to me but I couldn't place where I had seen you before. So I did some digging and I think I understand why you look so familiar" he explains.

"Ok so why is it?" she asks.

"First things first. Let me see Tetsusaiga." he says looking to Minoru. He stands pulling the sword out of its sheath revealing the large fang. "You have already mastered the wind scar my lord?"

"Yea I guess, I mean I can summon it wherever I want" he states placing the sword back into its sheath.

"Hmmm. Good won't be long until you have mastered all the skills of the Tetsusaiga" Myoga says.

"All the skills?" Kiyomi asks.

"Yes the Tetsusaiga has many forms that come with different skills to truly master the sword you must master all of them."

"I see," she says. Myoga looks toward Heidi and Suko talking with Shippo across the yard.

"Are those your sister Kiyomi?" he asks

"Yes that's them. We had a bit of a fall and all ended up here" she says with a chuckle

"Then my suspicions are true" the old flea states.

"What suspicions?" Minoru asks.

"You should go see an old friend of your grandfathers. All of you should go" Kiyomi and Minoru look at each other then look at the flea.

"Ok who is this old friend?" Minoru asks.

"A very very old and powerful demon, Uranaishi. He can see the past, present and future"

"Ok but what does that have to do with me?" Kiyomi asks.

"I have reason to believe that you are the reincarnation of a powerful miko who lived hundreds of years ago. Around the time that Lord Minoru's grandfather, the great dog demon, ruled the western lands. We must make haste and go to him. He will have the answers for sure!" Myoga says.

Kiyomi and Minoru look at each other and both nod.