Author notes: So lots have happened IRL with my job and health which both have stabilized somewhat but I am learning a ton of new things at my job some of which is a promotion of sorts which has put a strain on my chapter output time and writing time.
So yet another chapter release I hope you enjoy this new chapter as we learn more about our character be it, Hero? Villain? Or Anti-hero takes your pick depending on perceptions though it is far too early to judge I would think.
(For some will note this story is back and forth with the present and past sorry if this is slightly confusing but the past parts should fill in the present portions you may wonder about.)
With that said on with the show! -Zeltronica
Quality Edit: 11/10/2021
U.F. Chapter: 8
A few weeks had passed as she was dubbed 'Saiya' by an elder couple after their daughter who had been struck down by a plague years earlier had taken her in and she currently was helping out around the village as well as taking lessons from old man Ryou as he was known a priest of the village temple shrine.
And the current activity was helping Chiro set up displays for his blacksmith shop Saiya carefully organized the weapon displays, even pulling the stand with the old cobweb-covered sword though even when she cleaned the bundle it would quickly become covered again.
The stand turned out was on wheels so despite nobody having been able to pick it up it could be rolled out and displayed by the patrons though she never once tried to pick it up having been told by Chiro that it was impossible that nobody had yet been able to pick it up and he didn't want to see her get hurt.
Though unbeknownst to the elder pair the red-head was constantly hearing whispers coming from the sword though she never told anyone about the whispers constantly bidding her take it up though she never obeyed the whispers and ignored them.
The market square was full of merchants all plying their trades, a festival had been organized as travelers from far and wide visited the village once every year.
Saiya's current attire was that of the typical miko she had taken to her studies under Ryou religiously and had surprised the elder as to just how quickly she learned and was able to create seals and even manifest ki which she could, in turn, heal the sick and injured.
Though it took a toll on her she could even cure disease which is something never heard of before by even Ryou, not even his deceased pupil ever displayed such an ability which in turn further cemented his thought she was quite possibly from beyond the veil.
Though Ryou trained her and had taken a liking for her he worried after her as the memory of the woman he had observed when he interacted with her was fresh on his mind in all her glory her horns made her have a rabbit appearance and those broken wings black as night caused fear to be a constant in the back of his mind.
As a small child, his grandfather had told him a tale of such an individual who once roamed the land and was sealed away by an ancient priest wielding a sword of great power called Jun Kokoro one of three weapons that could defeat such an entity the woman was but for the life of him, he couldn't recall the name his grandfather had told him.
However, the sword had been lost to time and nobody knew what became of it but collectors everywhere had been searching for it hoping one day to make it their own.
Ryou was convinced this girl was that woman's incarnation but for some reason, he continued to train her and he did his best to look past his fear that one day this girl might bring ruin to the village.
Though Ryou had to admit despite that forlorn worry she was a prized student and she brought joy to many of the villagers and was quick to help out where she was needed never turning down a request no matter how mundane a task seemed.
Course another thing he did have to admit was he enjoyed watching her practice what she called martial arts since it looked like an elaborate dance just by the pressure of her punches alone he could tell before she lost her memory she was probably a very powerful warrior.
Saiya currently was pulling a small cart which was the weapon stand with the purple silk bundle that was now cleaned up and into place within Chiro's vendor stall ensuring it was the centerpiece to the display all the while she was ignoring the whispers coming from the sword within the silk bundle.
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The evening fast approached the festival almost in full swing as people came far and wide some of the men lined up taking turns attempting to pick up the bundle to no avail as none of them seemed to possess the strength to pick it up.
Some of these men looked all over the stand trying to figure out the trick thinking the bundle was somehow connected to the stand that may have been built of weights of some kind or somehow anchored to the very ground itself.
"Old man what is the secret to this weapon?" one of the festival-goers inquired as he intently studied the stand his left hand just under his chin touching it with his thumb and index finger.
Chiro looked on in observation as he spoke plainly, "There is a secret to it that not even I know it. One day it was brought to me by a monk and here it sits waiting for a worthy owner and you sir I guess are unworthy of it. Next!"
Meanwhile, at the shrine, Ryou organized a festive display as several miko performed a ritual song and dance for the many people who looked on Saiya being one of the Miko as she lead the group although reluctantly since Ryou had to beg and bribe her with her favorite snack items.
Though Saiya would rather be helping Chiro with his stall she was resigned to helping her fellow miko especially since she got to eat her favorite snacks and was going to get some Jiaozi (potstickers) after the performance.
Meanwhile, at Chiro's stall, more men attempted and failed to lift the silk bundle from its stand when a fairly large built man with finely chiseled features and chiseled muscles all over his body and full head of raven-black hair matching a long beard that was neatly trimmed.
He had the trappings of a soldier a typical Katana in his belt who had been passing through when this event to take the bundle up came to his attention he looked intently at the stand and its prize should he be able to take it up he exuded confidence with his every movement each step finely disciplined.
Eventually, he stepped up to the stand saying in a great boast, "You all must be weak there isn't a weapon that I cannot pick up no matter how unwieldy it may be!"
He continued to boast for a few longer until the crowd unanimously told him to put his money where his mouth was and do what hadn't been done by anyone thus far.
But to the man, he figured it was a trick either the sword was too heavy or was stuck to the stand by some means if his theory was correct he knew exactly how to fix that and he would take his prize or so he had thought to himself as he prepared himself taking hold of the bundle with both hands as if preparing to lift a sturdy log.
He then proceeded to attempt to lift the bundle only for it to not budge but neither did the stand it was perched on as he would have expected it too he already surmised the sword was connected to the stand and both with lift together yet no matter how much strength he exerted he couldn't budge the bundle.
Continuing to give it his all while getting heckled by the crowd of onlookers surrounding the blacksmith's stall eventually the man growled as he ceased his lifting a furious expression to his features as he then proceeded to lift both his arms creating fists with his hands.
"I won't be made a fool by this farce!" he exclaimed as he brought both hands down hard atop the silk bundle causing the wood stand to shatter to pieces as the bundle fell awkwardly and towards his feet landing on them causing them to be crushed and pushed into the ground as he let out an ear-shattering scream from the pain he was feeling from his now throbbing his feet as if an anvil had been dropped on them.
Nearby Saiya as she had been dubbed was mid-performance as she paused as she heard the scream of a male in the direction of her current guardian's shop stall, even the onlookers who had been watching the performance had ceased watching turning their attention in the direction of the screams.
The onlookers of the performance started heading off towards Chiro's stall, even Saiya's fellow Miko all headed in that direction along with Ol' man Ryou Saiya eventually followed suit curiosity peaked along with a look of concern since it was obvious something happened at her guardian's stall.
Eventually, Chiro's stall had nearly half the village all overlooking the scene as the large man was screaming and several onlookers had all converged attempting to lift the bundled weapon off his feet some of which felt they may have to cut the large man's feet off at the ankles.
Saiya looked on now standing by her fellow Miko raising her right hand touching her fingers to her lips as she looked on in curiosity though she felt relieved seeing Chiro was fine but was attempting to use a bar and a block attempting to lift the bundle but nothing he and the many helpers he had with him could do would lift it.
Saiya continued to look on all the while ignoring faint whispers coming from the direction of the bundle the same whispers from earlier beckoning her to come and take it she seemed to blankly stare at the bundle her inner stubborn will the only thing keeping her from moving forward.
However, the part of her that preferred to be helpful ushered her forward now standing before the large man looking down all the while the whispers kept coming as her stubborn will still stayed her hand as a foreboding feeling of apprehension washed over her.
'Take me up surely you don't wish for this man's torment to continue? Take me. Pick me up!' an unknown feminine voice called within her mind.
Slowly she stepped forward further kneeling down on one knee Saiya did her best to ignore the voice but the man then started to scream even louder as the unbelievable happened as it seemed the bundle sank further onto his feet pushing them down into the earth.
Feeling sorry for the man and tired of fighting the whispers she finally reached down taking the bundle in hand proceeding to lift the bundle from the man's feet much to the shock of the onlookers, and even the man whose pain was a dull ache as the weight on his feet was lifted from them.
She then stood still clutching the bundle now at her chest and leaning against her right shoulder as she stepped back as an eerie calm washed over her person and the hairs on the back of her neck raised and a shiver ran up and down her spine.
Then the calm was broken as she let out a blood-curdling shriek falling to her knees as she raised her right hand holding her head her eyes closed as a powerful headache wracked her brain, her eyes feeling as if they were on fire and the top of her head as she felt two sharp pains atop her head.
Even her back felt as if it was on fire though the onlookers were looking on they couldn't understand what was happening as the Raven-haired Miko continued to scream eventually dropping the bundle as she hunched over her forehead now against the ground as she moaned and groaned in pain.
Yuka came running saying, "Saiya are you okay what is the matter child?" as she knelt down in an attempt to comfort the girl while Chiro also joined her in his features one of concern.
Meanwhile what they and the onlookers could not see Ryou could as he observed two black broken wings appear upon Saiya's back, even the miko wardrobe she currently wore undergone a transformation looking more like those she and her doppelganger were wearing within the sanctuary.
Among her crimson hair, two rabbit-like horns also appeared, and when the girl finally sat up her pain had started to subside she opened her sapphire eyes revealing cat-like pupils like the woman he had seen from his vision.
His fears now realized however for whatever reason he chose not to speak on it not to the onlookers since he had observed all of them were looking to her with concern and not fear almost as if they couldn't see what he was seeing.
Chiro and Yuka to him also didn't seem to notice these changes even as they continued to care for her as they had since she had come into their lives.
Glancing around briefly Saiya after the pain had subsided picked up the bundle as she stood up murmuring under her breath, "denique in domum suam." which left the onlookers puzzled since none of them could understand the language she just had spoken.
She slowly walked away in the direction of Chiro and Yuka's home she had been staying in for some time while everyone looked at one another with curious but also expressions of confusion to their features.
"Ryou did you understand any of that?" Chiro inquired since he knew the old man was more versed in other languages than himself.
Ryou watched Saiya as she got further away explaining, "She was speaking in Latin saying Finally home."
He and the rest of the onlookers continued to watch her for several minutes as she finally rounded a corner vanishing from sight.
The large man after he was finally able to stand his feet looking fine as he checked over them observing it was almost like any injury he had incurred during his ordeal healed up before his eyes.
He felt shocked so much so he had to ask, "Who was that woman?"
"That is Saiya she came here with little memory of who she formerly was and has been staying in our village as a devoted miko and helper of those in need she has strange abilities that are otherworldly but she has been so helpful to us we looked past it for a while now and she never ceases to amaze us," Chiro explained the larger man who stood up still looking in the direction the woman had gone.
The large man going on to think to himself, 'Is she a Yokai this was definitely unnatural not that I am complaining but should someone like her exist in this world?'
He then lamented on the fact he couldn't pick the weapon up the tiny red-head just walked away with which he looked to Chiro inquiring, "Tell me Ol' man what is the deal with that weapon nothing I could do nor all these people together could lift it so why was she able to pick it up?"
"Not much is known of the sword except that it is a weapon once belonging to a revered priest who once roamed these lands of course the sword was imbued with great power and itself supposedly a yokai that would choose who wields it and who doesn't wield it," Chiro explained.
Ryou then added in, "The sword is Jun Kokoro which is one of three weapons said to be able to destroy a powerful entity that once roamed this world though I myself do not remember the name of that being other than it was a yokai woman and unfortunately my grandfather is no longer around so he cannot tell you who this woman was or the story of the sword itself."
Yuka then inquired of her husband, "What about the Lord who brought her here would he have knowledge since he said let it rot?"
"Absolutely he just may have known and just maybe perhaps he knew she was the owner all along... Either way, it's best not to mention anymore here." Chiro replies in a hushed tone.
He then went on to wonder just who the girl was that had been brought to their home as he realized SesshÅmaru
never did anything without thought or pure selflessness and seemed to always have a plan.
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Forbidden-
Fruit & Garden
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Lil's Sanctuary...
Once again finding herself standing within a place of familiarity that she felt she belonged in she observed Jun sitting at a nearby table sipping tea and on the opposite side of the table, she observed a cup she assumed must be for her as she crossed the distance sitting on the opposite side of the celestial being.
Glancing up Jun gave a slight smile as she jumped slightly as something nearby fell and shattered to pieces which Saiya turned observing the jar with its countless seals had fallen and shattered upon the wood floor of the cabin.
"Well she finally got the jar and now has control of your body in the waking world though don't fret this was always meant to happen from the start," Jun said in an assuring voice that only caused the red-head across from her to gain a look of concern.
Saiya feeling confused and worried asking, "What do you mean she now has control of my body? Who is controlling me in the waking world?"
"Your former incarnation has control of your body and is taking you to a safe place she should be joining us shortly," Jun reassured the girl across from her.
She then spoke once more, "Please drink your tea before it gets cold it's best hot."
Saiya picked up the cup looking at its contents then looked up making eye contact with the woman as she brought the cup to her lips taking a generous drink of the tea the flavor of which she never in her wildest dreams could have tasted hit her tongue it was heavenly sweet and not bitter.
This also seemed to calm her worries as she gained a content expression even the look of concern to her features had vanished as she felt as if everything would work out for the best.
Though a sliver of doubt remained within her mind for now it had been suppressed to a point she now could safely wait for her counterpart to simply arrive without barraging Jun with more questions.
Some time had passed as eventually the door to the cabin slid open and enters her horned doppelganger this time holding the purple silk bundle leaning just over her right shoulder, sliding the door closed she crossed the distance sitting to Jun's right placing the bundle on the floor to her right.
Then upon the table, another cup with tea appeared which she quickly picked up sipping from its contents, also upon the table appeared an apple to the right of where her cup she drank from appeared.
Once finished drinking the doppelganger sat the cup down which refilled on its own as she looked to the red-head speaking up, "I have to admit Saiya is a nice name I kinda like it, and the bed our body sleeps in is nice but I didn't have much time to linger you know since I really need you to remember who you and we are."
"Oh, of course, I honestly had almost lost hope that you would pick up Jun here I mean I would have preferred a direct approach but she likes drawing things out doesn't she with the whispering of course what can a Goddess do once her body has been forged into a weapon maliciously by an overbearing father whom she disobeyed.
"Lucky for you I suffered such a lot otherwise I would have wiped you from the cosmos already and depending on our deal I may still do so and regain my freedom," Jun stated with an air of certainty.
The doppelganger laughed at her companion's words, "Not in a million years could you but then maybe I am being overconfident in my abilities since that priest nearly used you to obliterate me I just barely survived thanks to those cursed springs and my counterpart here escaping."
"So I take it you remember who you are?" Saiya inquired as she took another generous drink before setting her cup down as it refilled.
Nodding her head the doppelganger said, "Yes I do and I know who you are as well but I am going to let you figure that out on your own after showing you the incident that left us sundered shortly. In the meantime I shall introduce myself I am Lilith and I was the first of my kind being womankind I came before that bitch Eve whom my ex married."
"Wait you mean Eve from the Garden of Eden? I mean I read some biblical stuff a friend showed me but since I don't believe in it I just thought it was fantasy." Saiya explained.
Both Jun and Lillith nodded their heads. The earlier saying with a slight chuckle, "Look at this your second incarnation the atheist."
Lilith let a sigh escape her lips replying, "Well can't blame her for that." she then paused a moment.
She then continued. "Yes well I was the first created next to Adam my former husband but I wanted to be treated as an equal but that I guess was too much to ask for and by not submitting or being subservient to my former husband I turned my back on my father Kami-sama."
She then seemed to gain a saddened expression, "Upon fleeing the Garden Kami-sama well father he destroyed the gate the entrance between this world and the garden and well he sent Goddess's to talk me into coming back but I refused their beckoning knowing the garden would be my prison with the gate destroyed I loved that garden but I won't be confined to it I just won't."
"So basically Lilith here has been hunting gate fragments her father said if she can rebuild the gate she can go in and out freely but these fragments are strewn all over the world and she can't just take them," Jun explained pausing briefly before continuing.
"She already has three in her possession... Of course, she is already demonized since the forbidden fruit that Adam and Eve partook from was given to them by a serpent which our father claimed she had taken form and given it to them-" she said finding herself interrupted.
Saiya having interrupted Jun inquiring, "But how could Lilith had done that when the gate was destroyed and she couldn't return if in fact its true she would be imprisoned should she have taken those Goddess's up on their offer?"
"So you see she was framed... Father never makes mistakes but yet he was covering up a mistake that he had made when creating her and giving her free will and knowledge that not even Adam had possessed at the time during their brief marriage." Jun explained letting a sigh escape her lips before picking up her cup sipping some more tea.
Lilith then reached down picking up the apple off the table holding it up in the palm of her hand seeming to peer intently at it saying, "It is funny how history is muddled and no greater history than the divine fruit the forbidden fruit Adam and Eve partook." she ruefully stated pausing briefly.
"No you see the forbidden fruit many when they talk about it always think of it as being an apple-like the one I am currently holding in my hand... This is a lie per which man likes to favorite however the fruit was much more beautiful than this and nothing on Earth can ever hold its appearance especially not an apple." She explained before taking a bite of the apple proceeding to hold it out for her counterpart to take.
Taking the proffered apple Saiya looked between it and Lilith before taking a tiny bite chewing then swallowing while both her counterpart and Jun looked on.
"The taste is similar but the pallet of the fruit was of divine quality the likes of which can never be found on Midgard and humans will never know its divine flavor," Lilith explained somberly.
Observing something from the corner of her eye she noted a reflection turning her attention she noticed right away Lilith and Jun but also where she was sitting looked just like Lilith which she raised her hands touching what she had hoped wasn't there but yes she too had horns, she also could faintly feel and realize she also had the broken wings of her doppelganger.
"So I am your second incarnation and your the first," Saiya said biting the corner of her left bottom lip.
Lilith nodded her head saying in Latin, "Recte." (Correct)
"I must remind you child now that you know your first incarnations name you must never speak it to mortals since this name holds great power and could be turned against you," Jun warned before taking another sip from her tea.
Lilith then said, "Don't say anything I know the question you have and its not needed you must know who we are and we are one and the same and have the same goals and it has never wavered and even in the back of your mind even if you could not understand it you have seen the gate and have wanted to reach it and to do so you must collect the pieces." she paused briefly.
She then continued saying, "As surely as you are wanting to find this." With a snap of her left-hand thumb and index finger, a translucent image of a kettle appeared on the table with steam wafting from it.
"Wait I have seen this kettle before but I can't remember where was I really looking for this before I lost my memory?" Saiya inquired curiously.
Lilith and Jun both nodded their heads the latter speaking, "Yes child you came to this time period to find the kettle but before you can journey you must also remember just who you were and why it was important to you."
"Of course once you do remember and once you find this kettle you are after you will have a choice facing you and once made it can never again be changed cause it can have untold ramifications for your past self and others you are acquainted with," Lilith explained as she tapped her right index finger against the cup before her.
Saiya considered all she had heard so far, "I see well I rather cut to the chase you seem to already know who I am so simply remind me?" she inquired.
"No, you must find that for yourself," Lilith called, and with the snap of her right-hand index and thumb the scene changed and they found themselves located at the heart of Jusenkyo.
Saiya glanced around observing familiarity with the terrain they now occupied saying, "Wait I know this place... but the name I just can't seem to recall Jus' 'Er did it start with Jus' maybe Jusendo?"
"It is a location near here to be sure but not quite please try again," Lilith called as she hopped up onto one of the bamboo poles occupying an unknown spring.
Saiya considered a moment as she tried to recall observing in the distance two figured who appeared to be fighting in the distance. Lilith then inquired, "Okay let us try again what is your answer?"
Saiya without speaking started walking towards the battling duo all the while Jun walked behind her while Lilith bounded from one bamboo pole to the next.
The closer the group got the easier it was to hear what was being said by one of the two combatants who shouted, "Foul Demon I will vanquish you for your evil ways and what you have done to corrupt this holy ground!"
"Fowl demon you know not what you speak of and I didn't corrupt this ground I was simply curious and came to investigate it!" came a feminine shout as Saiya got closer she could make out a male with the look of a priest and a woman of her and Lilith's image but the wings were not disheveled and broken.
In the priest's right hand was a sword Saiya had observed at some point but she couldn't quite remember it, "I have seen that weapon once before." she commented.
"Yes, of course, you have it is currently in our possession of course it was bundled in silk at that time this is Jun Kokoro," Lilith explained as she watched the battle take place.
Jun then commented, "Of course you had the chance to flee but no you had to have a pissing match with that poor mortal."
"I honestly didn't want to leave until my curiosity was sated. I wanted to know if it was a mistake father had made. Or if some unknown entity had created the springs after all I was drawn by its great power." She paused momentarily, then spoke once more.
"Needless to say, the Priest wouldn't hear me out and insisted on the idea that I created them." Lilith lamented as she watched on already knowing how the battle would play out to her own detriment.
The battle wore on as the priest did his best to bind Lilith but to no avail thus far Lilith currently wielded a decorative scimitar both blades clashing with each hit the scimitar became chipped and cracked.
As time drew on eventually Lilith had made a mistake and as the priest threw some beads at her she became trapped within a sealing barrier though this was quite strained as the beads slowly burst to pieces one by one.
"Don't think you can seal me or kill me like some trifle demon or Goddess of low decent priest I am a pureblood and I will not be undone by the likes of you!" Lilith exclaimed in a great roar as she summoned as much strength as she could breaking the barrier a great wake of wind blowing in every direction causing the priest to be blown upward and backward about ten feet.
Managing to land back on his feet he then proceeded to speak a prayer to the divine a great blinding light came down from the heavens causing Lilith to shield her eyes stunning her once the light had dimmed she opened her eyes observing the priest then had closed the distance impaling her with Jun Kokoro causing her to shriek an ear-piercing scream that echoed out for miles as he proceeded to murmur a sealing prayer despite his ears ringing from her screams.
Then a flash and the priest was all that was left kneeling upon one knee while Jun Kokoro was still held upward eventually dropping from his grasp tumbling to the ground as he himself turned to ash that collapsed to the ground in a gray cloud of powdered ash.
"Thus a misunderstanding came to an end in tragedy," Jun muttered aloud feeling quite sorry for the priest since she knew he had given it his all only to be obliterated by both her power and Lilith's combined.
Just then another priest ran upon the scene reaching down retrieving Jun Kokoro from the ground, this man looked like a younger version of Chiro in his early twenties wearing the white robes of a Shinto priest.
The newcomer then said a prayer for his deceased master before sheathing Jun Kokoro within a scabbard he carried in his left hand he then reverently wrapped it in silk bundling it up before walking away towards the path leading out of Jusenkyo valley all while Saiya and her group watched on.
The priest continued on further eventually vanishing from view.
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The waking world...
The dream came to an end suddenly Saiya slowly sat up in bed as she reached up wiping the sleep from her eyes feeling quite tired as if she hadn't had a full night of sleep or had slept entirely too much, she felt something that was laying in her lap observing the silk-wrapped bundle from the stand usually kept in the hall leading to the main room.
"Ah, your awake," Yuka called from her spot sitting by her bedside to the right.
Saiya nodded her head, "Yea 'm how did I get here?"
"Well you must have wandered home and put yourself in bed since this is where I found you after you took the bundle in your lap," Yuka explained, as she was busy knitting a garment.
Reaching up with both hands Saiya started to run her fingers through her hair only to pause feeling two unknown objects seemingly attached to the top of her head. 'Huh, what?' she inwardly wondered proceeding to spare a glance to a nearby mirror observing the rabbit-like horns among her crimson hair and her cat-like sapphire eyes.
Also, she observed black broken wings like that of an angel as Lilith came to mind from her dream, her attention was then taken by a voice from within her own mind, "Don't speak they don't have the ability to see through my passive magics to them you appear quite human."
"Of course the only thing you cannot hide is our eye's appearance Jun this Old lady though doesn't seem bothered by them at all it seems," Lilith called from within her mind.
Jun then spoke up in admittance, "Indeed but the woman has taken after Saiya as if her own child and doesn't have a shred of fear in her she is a truly great mortal."
Saiya proceeded to move off the bed into a standing position the bundle still held in her right hand she walked over leaning it against the wall.
"Yuka-san I think I am going to go wash up I feel sticky from last night's festival." Saiya softly stated, proceeding to gather a bundle of clothes that were neatly folded together and held via twine along with a pail with some bathing supplies within it.
A few minutes later Saiya leaned against the edge of a natural hot spring within its contents seeming to look skyward briefly she then glanced to her reflection in the pool observing her reflections features.
'A Miko I certainly can perform the function of one but I have the looks of a yokai at least from my perspective and anyone with the ability to see through Jun's passive magics.' she inwardly pondered as her thoughts turned to the battle her soul was sundered when Lilith underestimated her opponent.
As she thought on Jusenkyo the kettle came to mind as a vision of a balding man with a gray patterned bandanna came to mind wearing a white gi with a black belt tied at the waist.
"Boy, you are the heir to the Saotome family legacy and heir to the Saotome school of martial arts. Now Ranma are you a man or a mouse?" he inquired looking her way.
It was then it all seemed to come back to her as she looked skyward, "Saotome Ranma... but now I am the former heir to the school I remember now thanks to Nab's I became Higurashi Megumi." she dully spoke aloud as everything flooded back to her as she now remembered her purpose for coming to this time period.
"Once you remember both your former incarnation's name and your former second incarnation's name you must never speak them to mortals." came a voice from within her mind she knew belonged to Jun.
The longer she thought on it she remembered her look-alike from the present as she observed the visage that crossed her vision she realized she looked different now in her mind's eye sporting the rabbit-like horns and mid-night black wings that were no longer broken and disheveled.
"If she is me then that means..." She trailed in thought realizing the answers she sought will only come to her in time as she had yet to make the journey herself.
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"What do you mean you must go on a journey why don't you stay here?" Yuka inquired of Saiya who was busy packing supplies into her bag.
Continuing to pack she called over her shoulder, "I remembered who I am and I was on a journey searching for an artifact for personal reasons I rather not discuss I am sorry Yuka-san I appreciate the fact you and your Husband took me in and have been taking care of me but I honestly cannot stay here any longer."
"You will at least come back here won't you dear?" Yuka inquired as she was fretting over the woman that she felt as if was her own child.
Saiya after gathering everything she felt she would need, walked overtaking the silk bundle in hand turned to look at the woman with her sapphire cat's eye gaze, "I won't make a promise I can't keep. No this may be the last time we meet. However, if I can I may come back through."
'Not to mention I will become a burden if I stay.' she thought to herself realizing she would be a magnet for great ill not only from other yokai but also the villagers themselves if any can see through Jun's passive magics.
With that, she proceeded to exit the room and then leave the house for what might be the final time as Yuka ran out of the house watching as Saiya eventually disappeared in the crowd of villagers going about their daily routines.
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Present era Japan...
It was nightfall at the Higurashi estate most of the staff had gone home for the night all the lights were currently off with the exception of the kitchen which looked like your typical kitchen though the appliances had all been updated to more modern models.
This kitchen featured an island countertop which Saiya currently stood at as she was prepping some vegetables all the while her daughter Lilt stood across from her preparing six rice balls both wearing white frilly aprons that matched and matching black kimono's.
Also on the countertop were two red bento box's, Lilt once she finished her rice balls added some details making them look like rabbits before placing two of them in one box before placing two more in the other.
With this done she took one of the last two popping it into her mouth chewing, Saiya reached overtaking the other proceeding to take a bite savoring it swallowing saying, "Both beautiful and Delicious dearest."
"Thank you, Mom!" Lilt exclaimed as she proceeded to take up a knife proceeding to help her mother in processing the vegetables.
As the two worked they fell into conversation Lilt while tilting her head inquired, "So we are making two bento's are we both going somewhere tomorrow?"
"Yes, I figure maybe you would like to try going to school I already took the liberty of enrolling you as a transfer student but I must digress you are not to call me Mom or refer to me as your parent while there," Saiya explained as she finished up her batch proceeding to dish her batch into one of the bento's.
Lilt doing the same as her mother then stated, "Mom I don't understand why you must go to a mortal school you-" she then found herself interrupted, "Yes you are partially correct though due to the times we either hide out of sight out of mind or we blend in dear." she explained.
She then gained a thoughtful expression, 'I always hated school yet here I come full circle to finish something once started for me what seems centuries ago.'
She then gave some thought as she proceeded to walk over gathering some other items placing them in both bento's saying, "Dear remember those tombs I told you to study I need you to crack the books any time you have free time I will be testing you at the end of the week."
"I know Mom I am going to study them before I sleep if anything they will help me sleep cause learning is so boring." Lilt dully stated as she like her mother hated learning but knew it must be done.
Saiya listening to her daughter gained a pleased expression, "You are a chip off the ol' block for sure."
She was quite please with her daughter even though the girl was half-human due to whom her father was though he died in battle against a pureblood demon so Lilt never had the opportunity to meet him though Saiya knew he would have been quite proud of his little girl.
Lilt was growing up to be a strong young woman and was the last time Saiya had seen her a very capable martial artist and by what she observed didn't let her training lapse and had improved since their last training spar.
"Mom, would you train me after school?" Lilt inquired of her mother as she watched on as Saiya wrapped the bento's up giving them a final touch.
Saiya nodded her head offering, "Absolutely Dear we can go as long as you like."
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The following early morning Saiya dressed in the school uniform of Furinkan her hair now crimson and not raven tied back in duel ponytails her daughter Lilt also dressed similarly and her hair worn straight adorned by a red headband her horns perfectly fitting through slits making them appear attached to the band, and her tail hung down from under her skirt wrapping around her right thigh.
Doing a twirl Lilt inquired, "Say Mom what ya think?"
Saiya glanced to her daughter observing her daughter's typical jewelry that served as limiters tilting her head giving an approving look, "You look great dearest lets get our bento's and bags and get going."
She went on to think as they both gathered their things to leave, 'Little Goth looking but sure it will be fine but then both of us have that kind of look I sup'os.'
Holding up her left hand observing her skin which was quite pale, 'We really should get out in the sun more often we both look like vampires.' she inwardly observed.
Which reminded her of a time in her ancient past though she knew for a certain girl the event had occurred fairly recently some months back.
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Nabiki walked in the direction of her school nearing the canal fence upon it were two figures in single file walking its length with perfect balance both standing at four-foot-eight both wearing the familiar uniform of her school though she observed the raven-haired one appeared to have a horned headband on.
'Ranma? But who is the other one ahead of her a friend?' She inwardly wondered to herself picking up her pace to catch up since she was very curious.
"Megumi wait up!" Nabiki called after the duo though neither paid her mind and soon vanished in a blur as they leaped to a nearby roof hopping from one to the next and before she knew it she couldn't view either of the girls.
'Did she not hear me?' She inwardly wondered biting the left edge of her bottom lip as she hated to think she had been purposely ignored.
As she leaped Lilt spared a glance back observing a brown-haired girl that had been calling out to them though she didn't quite make out what was said inquired, "Mom anyone you know?"
"Yes but let us try to avoid her for the time being I am not quite ready to chat with her just yet," Saiya called as she and her daughter leaped down from a roof proceeding into a walk within ten feet of the entrance to the schoolyard.
It wasn't long as Saiya lead her daughter to a classroom she remembered from long ago and to her observation everything was as she had remembered. 'Of course, nothing would have changed since then.' she inwardly thought to herself.
Eventually, she took her seat at the back corner of the classroom next to the window her daughter sitting at the desk to her immediate right-leaning back in her chair her hands clasped just behind her head waiting patiently for the bell that would sound the beginning of school.
Eventually, more students entered one of which being Akane and her two friends who were chatting among one another, however, she spared a glance to the back of the class observing her former fiancee sitting by the window next to a girl that could be his/her twin but with raven-hair and crimson highlights with a headband with rabbit ear looking horns.
'Who is she a cousin of Ranma's?' she inwardly wondered as she then crossed the distance standing before the duo.
"Yo Akane what's up?" Saiya inquired turning her attention to the blue-haired teen.
"U'm uh." Akane stammered as she was having trouble saying her former fiance's name as it was in her mind and on the tip of her tongue but she couldn't seem to speak the name.
Saiya tilted her head her sapphire cat's eye gaze glimmering a bright neon blue that only those spiritually inclined would be able to see briefly before the light dissipated from them saying, "What is the matter Aka-chan cat got your tongue?"
"Sorry, Saiya I was wondering who she is." Akane started turning her attention to Lilt who spared her cats eyed gaze of her own saying with a cute lilt, "Higurashi Lilt I am Saiya's cousin I just transferred in pleased to meet you Tendo-san my cousin has told me much about you!"
Akane then with her curiosity sated said, "Oh I see nice to meet you Lilt." she then turned looking at the red-head saying, "Well I have to get my notes taken please excuse me Saiya."
"No worries catch you later Aka-chan." Saiya simply stated with very little emotion.
As Akane walked back to the front towards her desk she gained a troubled expression but she herself couldn't understand it herself.
Time wore on and more students poured into the classroom taking their seats, eventually, their first teacher arrived stopping at the chalkboard to write the lesson notes down for the day.
As he wrote them the students diligently wrote them, Saiya and Lilt sat still not so much as picking up a pen as the notes just seemed to appear upon their papers in black ink.
A boy to Lilt's immediate right looked over to Lilt's paper as he was still writing down notes observing her notes were already complete and he could have sworn he didn't even see her or her cousin pick up a pen.
'Done writing all that so soon?' he inwardly thought to himself, proceeding to gulp as he continued writing.
The teacher then spoke to his students, "Class I would like to introduce you to a new transfer student she has been studying in Rome and just recently returned here to Japan. Please step up here Higurashi Lilt."
Lilt promptly stood from her seat walking to the head of the class to the left of the teacher's podium she then gave a respectful bow of her head, "As Teach says I am Higurashi Lilt and I have been away from Japan living abroad in Rome and just recently returned I also like martial-arts and have interests in the violin and as you can see I also enjoy cosplay with that being said I am looking forward to getting to know all of you!" she cheerfully stated.
The teacher then spoke once more, "Thank you Higurashi-san you may return to your seat."
With that Lilt gave a respectful bow before walking back to her desk sitting down while smoothing her skirt out as she did so.
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Eventually, the lunch hour had come both Saiya and Lilt sat together atop the school's water tower overlooking the roof quietly eating their bento's neither saying a word to one another both mother and daughter had a thousand-yard stare off into the distance.
Eventually, Lilt decided to pose a question to pass the time, "Say Mom you been ducking that what's her name... Oh that Tendo girl... 'er Nabiki all day why won't you talk to her?"
"Eventually we will have a chat with her but on our terms and it will be easier to deal with her outside of the school, for now, she will not approach us while here at school so let us not rush things." Saiya dully stated as she went back to blankly staring out into the distance.
"You know Lilt I hardly feel anything anymore when I look upon Akane I honestly don't feel as I did when I first beheld her gaze." she dully stated aloud.
Lilt bit her lower lip, "That is the problem with longevity we start to gain a sort of elf-like syndrome of sorts."
"Elf-ism you say?" Saiya mused as she proceeded to take a sip of her tea.
Lilt nodded at her mother's words, "Yea boredom due to lack of stimuli. Though I won't have it as bad since we both know you will outlive me in the grand scheme of things since I despite longevity will eventually grow old and wither away to dust."
"Maybe depends on if I can find an enemy that can finally put an end to my suffering." Saiya dully replied as she gained a thoughtful gaze.
Lilt tilted her head saying, "Don't talk that way Mother your not exactly suffering you got me your daughter, and friends. You just need to find another form of entertainment that goes outside the mundane. Or if you truly do want your life to end why don't you just plunge Jun Kokoro into yourself?"
"Fat chance she won't allow it." Saiya dully stated to which her daughter scoffed at her mother's words slowly shaking her head negatively saying, "No she will follow your will if it is your wish but you still have a want to live and so long as that is there you will never die."
Saiya tilted her head right, then tilted it left rolling her daughter's words around in her head briefly before saying to her daughter, "Well no matter how weak and or strong the will to live is eventually it is inevitable you will always find someone stronger than yourself and the same applies for me even the Daimakaicho and the Daitenkaicho eventually will meet their perspective ends to a greater power."
"Until then Mother you are eternal." Lilt simply said before picking up her perspective cup sipping from its contents.
Author note: Well hope you enjoy this chapter I will try to have more very soon but in the meantime feel free to leave a review or don't it is entirely up to you the reader I am just happy if you took the time to read my works thank you so very much!