Update (June 2020): Chapter edited and lengthened!

Chapter 23 (Special): The Adversity of the Croft Family

We return to our story just as Coraline's form vanishes into the treeline in a flurry of emotions, after unintentionally revealing a dark secret she had been carrying for years since the world came crashing down on her psyche back when she barely cracked double-digits...Inuyasha and company could only stare with shock and worry over the new and troubling information about the redhead, previously having little clues about her origins...

After a few more minutes, Shippō is the first to speak his concerns.

"Di...Did Coraline just say what I think she just said? She has a vendetta set against someone?"

Kaede frowns seriously as she comments,

"Hmm, such anger and hate...I would not have guessed the young one to be so heavily burdened. It is clear that Coraline has been keeping these feelings within her being for a long time..."

Inuyasha then snaps out of his daze, and forms a determined scowl.

"Coraline...I'm gonna go get some answers!"

...But before he could leap after her, Miroku's staff gently blocks his way.

"Huh?"

"Hold on a moment, Inuyasha...I do not think it would be wise for you to go after Coraline. I shall go and speak with her."

"What?!"

The monk calmly states his case.

"It is not because I doubt your skills in speaking calmly to her, but rather Coraline may be too afraid to talk to you...Similar to when you forced her back to her era, she wants to keep this issue quiet for the sake of protecting you...She cares a great deal for you, Inuyasha, just as you care a great deal for her."

...The half-demon stares at the other young man with surprise, realizing they were right. The monk then turns to the others and calls,

"Lady Kaede, Shippō. Shall we meet back in the village?"

"Aye."

"O-Okay, Miroku."

"(Nod, turn) Then I shall begin seeking out Coraline. I will bring her along when she is ready to come...And Inuyasha, I trust you'll be waiting for us outside the hut?"

The silverette nods firmly, and with that, Miroku begins heading off in the direction the wayward redhead had left for...The half-demon watches him go for a few minutes, before following the other two while he thinks to himself,

Miroku...If this were any other situation, I wouldn't trust 'im being alone with Coraline...

But, it looks like his head's on straight today, so I'll let it happen, this time.

...I just hope he can coax Coraline to come back...

Coraline...what's hurting you so badly, that you'd bottle it up just to protect your loved ones?

...

...

After walking for a good while, the monk dressed in Prussian blue/Japanese violet had finally located Coraline's form leaning against a lone oak rooted a few feet away from the main treeline, her arms wrapped around herself as she gazes into the distant landscape. A delicate frown forms on the young man's lips as he perceives the girl's current aura.

I can sense the dread and anger coursing through her being...

But, I know that she needs to speak with someone, and I shall be her listening ear.

As Miroku began to quietly approach her, his ears pick up on Coraline softly singing a song, known to her as the first part of Fake It by Seether.

Note: I do not own that music reference; find the lyrics on your own.

Of course, he doesn't know the modern composition; regardless, he couldn't help but cringe a little at the lyrics.

Goodness, I've never heard that song before. Must be from her era...

I do hope that not all of the music in her world is this dark.

Once the young Croft was through crooning, she sighs quietly and tightens her self-grip, trying to still the darkness of her past threatening her sanity...

"Coraline?"

"Hm?"

She turns her head to see the young monk looking at her with seriousness and concern...She sighs again and says,

"Hey...I didn't expect you'd be the one t' come 'n find me...But, I'm kind-of glad it was you, Miroku. I can't really face Inuyasha righ' now."

"I understand."

Miroku comes to stand beside Coraline, and the both of them stare out into the distance for a few minutes...before the former comments,

"...You and Inuyasha are quite alike."

"How so?"

"You both have a habit in closing off your feelings and lives away from others...But the truth in the matter is that you do so, for the sake of protecting others from your personal problems...You are afraid of risking the chance of getting hurt, and of others becoming hurt themselves. Am I right or wrong?"

"...You're not wrong."

"Listen, Coraline...I may not fully understand the weight of the danger that plagues you...but I do understand enough that keeping this all bottled up within you, will only cause you more pain."

He turns to her and places a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I know that you wish to protect the ones you care about, but by not talking about it, you're not only hurting yourself but others as well. Just look at what happened with Inuyasha not being fully honest with his feelings after the battle with Sesshōmaru."

The redhead softly gasps, realizing where the young monk was going.

"While true the physical injuries you have now are not Inuyasha's fault, he did cause you some emotional pain, correct?"

"...Yes."

Coraline feels herself shake a bit, and with tears threatening to fall, she looks up at Miroku and confesses,

"It did cause me hurt when Inuyasha wasn' fully open with me, and chose a rather, unorthodox method to protect me...And, and I know not talking abou' my problems isn't healthy...but, (sniff) I dunno how to talk about this, or who to talk to. I, I was only so lucky, in being able to talk about my Aura Power...but this, my father's murder, leaving home...I, I don't know..."

The young man gently brings the young woman to him, hugging her as she feels herself break down into tears...After a few minutes, Miroku whispers to Coraline while rubbing her back,

"Shh, it's okay, Coraline...You do not have to feel this way. I can help you; Lady Kaede, Shippō, Inuyasha...we can all help you. All you need to do is speak, and we will all listen...Whoever this individual from your past is, don't feel as if you need to remain in fearful silence because of him. Have courage, and stand tall, and we will all stand by you in this endeavor...just as you wish to stand by Inuyasha and I against Naraku."

The tears cease, and the redhead looks up to meet the monk's gentle smile, forming a small, watery smile of her own.

"(Sniff) Thank you...and, you're right. I need ta be braver about this...I can't le' fear rule my life anymore; five years is long enough."

"Indeed. I'm glad to hear you say that...So, are you willing to come with me back to Kaede's hut and tell all of us the full story?"

"...Yes."

...

...

At the same time those two spoke, Inuyasha would be standing against the side of the doorway to Kaede's hut, patiently awaiting for the monk to bring the young girl here...Shippō looks up from his seat inside as the priestess adds a vegetable into the stew she was preparing, and the little fox demon goes to hop up on the half-demon's shoulder, looking out where the latter's staring.

"...Any signs of them yet?"

"Not yet..."

Shippō nods, before hopping to the ground to stand by Inuyasha, occupying an anxious look on his face.

"...I hope Coraline is okay."

"...Yeah, me too, kid."

Coraline...hurry up and come back with Miroku, will ya?

I dunno how much more of this waiting I can take...

A few more minutes pass...and the silverette's silent plea is answered. Coraline and Miroku are seen coming down from the hill yonder, the former still looking depressed but seemed alot calmer than before...

"Coraline!"

"Hey, Shippō, Inuyasha..."

Stopping near the entrance way of the hut to gently pet the fox demon's hair, Coraline then straightens up to looks at the half-dog demon apologetically.

"I'm...I'm so sorry abou' earlier, Inuyasha. I wasn' mad at you; I was, mad at myself. I had no right t' take my rage out on you like I did. I feel awful for doin' it..."

"...Don't apologize. I've done the same thing a couple times to you already. It was only a matter of time before you would."

"Heh, right...Still...I want to make i' up to you, and everyone else for causing worry. Hhh...hauh, I...I think I'm ready to tell you all wha' happened to me five years ago, about my father's murder, my own near-death...and why I had t' leave Majora."

Inuyasha felt his eyes widen a little.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes...I need to be brave, and this is the first step in gaining my courage again."

"...Alright."

Soon, everyone would be gathered in a semi-circle around the center of Kaede's hut, all having a bowl of the stew the priestess had finished prepping. Coraline takes a sip of her portion, before looking up at the other four listening ears.

"...Okay. So as I've said already, this all began five years ago, roughly two weeks after the encounter I had with the ghost of Kagome. My father...he was an archaeologist, which loosely means tha' he researched and unearthed ancient artifacts, relics and any oth'a signs that connect to the big timeline of the human race...His specialty was researchin' topics that would fall under categories like 'Unusual' or 'Mythical'. He had a strong interest in the unexplained mysteries of the world...so strong in fact, that he'd soon be known infamously in his trade as 'The Man who could see The Extraordinary Among the Ordinary'."

She pauses to release a breath of distant sadness before continuing.

"Unfortunately, not alot of those who worked in th' same profession as he saw his talent and intellect. They were too focused on tangibility, and couldn' comprehend the idea of other methods of explainin' what is and what isn't...Fath'r lost most of his credibility, but luckily not enough that he'd lose his income; just people who could support 'im socially...The problem only got worse durin' the month before his death. He began receiving unknown letters and phone calls, that based on what his facial expressions and aura told me, were quite threatening. I think these people were offering some sort'a partnership at first...but my father sensed something wrong in-b'tween the flattery...These people had very different goals than his, goals I would learn later on to be rather sinister..."

"Sinister? How so?"

"I'll come back to tha' part...Anyway, come that night..."

(Flash)

A young ten year-old Coraline is seen sleeping in what used to be her old bedroom, as smoke begins pouring in under the door.

"H...Huh?"

"I woke up to the smell of smoke, an' fearin' the worst, I rushed outta bed to see what the matter was...only t' be greeted by a wall of fire."

"Hh!"

After staring at the frightening semi-structure of burning wood, the little girl darts her head back and forth, scrambling to remember where her father was...She's then running down the hall, calling out for him.

"Father! Father, where are y'?! Th' house in on fire! Father!"

"...I remembered that he would be in 'is study doin' some late night work...but someone had beaten me to the idea."

The little redhead finds the study door open, and looks in to see the following: the room was trashed up a good deal, and her father is standing up against his desk, looking straight at another man who had a semi-automatic pistol pointed at him. This individual is about five foot eight, has lightly tanned ivory skin, short, military-cropped blond hair, and cold, steel gray eyes. His uniform suggests mercenary origins, consisting of a thick black jacket, combat boots, gloves, tan-grey pants and a bulletproof vest...

"You should have taken the offer, Mathias. You have sealed your life by defying the wishes of Trinity!"

"...I cannot work fo' an organization whose very goals doom our world. You should know very well the road in which these actions will take you."

Mathias then smiles sadly, and adds,

"Besides, if my life taken means my daught'r can live on, then so be it."

"As soon as my father finished speakin' his, final peace...the room would be filled with one sound tha' continues to haunt me to this day."

(BANG)

A single shot from the handgun pierces through the older Croft's flesh and into his heart, killing him in an instant as his body falls back in a tumble, bouncing off the desk to land face-down with a sickening thud...

Coraline felt her entire body go numb, before screaming in agony,

"FAAATHEEEERRRR!"

The other man turns her way, and she flinches before turning to sprint out of the house as fast as she could...

"I knew I stood no chance agains' the man, so I had t' get outta the house before he or the fire could get me. I though' I cleared out...I thought I was fast enough t' escape into the forest...But, the universe decided to play one more cruel joke."

(Bang)

"Ka-hh!"

Another shot is fired, and the little girl goes down with a new wound in her left shoulder...

(Flash)

Our current Croft points out the scar occupying that area of her flesh.

"I don' know what kind'o gun it was, but it must've been pretty powerful for the bullet t' go all the way through..."

The other four could only stare at the girl with bated attention, and she sighs before continuing the recollection of that tragic night.

"Anyway..."

(Flash)

Shortly after being seemingly 'gunned down'...the little ten year-old then begins pushing herself off the ground, gritting her teeth from the pain but determined to remain alive.

"Ggh, c-...c'mon...!"

With one hand covering her wound, she then broke into another run straight for the thick tree cover behind her burning home...

"If I hadn't found th' gumption to get up and keep movin', I would'a probably died righ' there...I stayed in the undergrowth fo' a short while, until I was sure no one followed me. I then hobbled back, and saw they were gone...leaving me alone t' stare with horr'a, as my home was swallowed by th' arson, my father's body still inside..."

The once proud Croft Family house glowed a foreboding orange as the fire rose in power, destroying it and its contents...

"F...Fa-th'r...Uuuuuuhh..."

Coraline then falls forward, dropping on her knees before tipping face-down to the grassy earth, all of her stamina drained by the horrible sight before her.

(Flash)

"...Even t'day, I still don' know how I survived through the night...I would wake in the early morn, weak bu' still alive, and slowly albeit painfully walk to the skeletal remains of my home, just t' stare in disbelief...A few minutes pass, and Roth, a family friend comes runnin' up from the road, and had no words after seein' my condition and the home...I would then pass out again, and wake up in the healer's ward with two emotions running through my being: Rage against the ones responsible for my tragedy, especially the man who killed m' father...and Agony, over everything I once knew, gone up in smoke..."

The redhead sighs sadly, placing a hand over her face as she tries to suppress the feelings again...Miroku then asks,

"What is this man's name?"

"...Constantine Bishop. He belongs to an organization tha' goes by the name of Trinity. Accordin' to some documents that belonged to one of my father's old file fold'rs, their goal is to seek global domination and control over th' fate of mankind."

Everyone gasps, and Coraline adds,

"There's more. Trinity researches and seeks out ancient relics tha' hold supernatural power, before destroyin' any evidence of said culture and its people who are deemed heretics or non-believ'rs. I'm not sure how old their organization is, but fath'a did discover a copy of an old tapestry from the middle ages that had Trinity's seal on one of the knight's shields, so it's likely they've been around for centuries."

The young monk frowns and comments,

"I can see how Trinity would be deemed a dangerous group. To go as far as to eliminate any traces of the pilfered artifact's origins...I have never heard of such horrible desecration."

"Exactly. Trinity is ruthless in achieving their goals, an' will stop at nothing to achieve them, even if it means committing mass murder...My father...he wasn' the first Croft to die by their hands..."

"Y-You mean, your family has encountered Trinity before?"

The redheaded gal nods her head at Shippō,

"Yes...I often asked my father why I hadn't me' any other Crofts, but he would only tell me the half-truth, that any other members of our family were too far away or 'ave lost touch with us...But, I soon discovered after, his funeral, that Trinity has been responsible for a numb'a of mysterious murders and deaths...With my fath'a gone...I'm, actually the last Croft left alive."

...The room became silent for a spell...then Inuyasha notices the storyteller shaking a bit, and went to sit closer to her while grabbing one of her hands.

"Hm?"

"...You, don't have to continue if it's too much for you."

The other three present souls were surprised by his gentleness, while Coraline smiles faintly and replies,

"...It's okay. Talking abou' it is, actually makin' me feel a bit better. Less weight on th' shoulders, y' know?"

"Hm, alright...then if you don't mind me asking, when did you make your vow to kill this Bishop character?"

The redhead's two-tone blue irises harden, but she maintains a calm control in her voice as she answers,

"...That would'a been about three days before I left Majora..."

(Flash)

All was silent during that mournful day in Majora's woodland clearing, and the solemn young Coraline approaches the gravestone of her father, which by her request, was made beside her mother's in a secluded section of the forest behind her used-to-be home.

This area had a few common Juniper trees hidden within scores of oak and birch, and a small grove of wild flowers ranging from dog violet to self-heal and even the woody nightshade, the very air heavy with an energy only a selected number of the locals may feel...The energy, of the supernatural...The gravestones sit in front of one Juniper that curved over the markers, almost protecting them from the elements, with a few wood anemone and wood avens growing on the left and right sides...

The young redhead - dressed in a black raincoat and boots - moves to kneel in front of the graves, her eyes focused on her mother's first.

"...Moth'r...I hope you and Fath'a are happy in heaven together. (Sad smile) I'm sorry we couldn't be together for more than d'ose three short years...but, I love you, and I wish you the best."

She then turns to the resting place of her other parent.

"...Fath'r...I know everything now. About Trinity, and how they were threa'nin' you after y' refused to work with th'm. I...I understand now, why you nev'a told me about your problems...You wanted to protect me, (sniff) and...I, just, want you to know...that you did good."

Coraline caresses the smooth stone of the grave, feeling her body quake with every pent-up emotion leading to this day.

"I...I wish we could'a had more time...I love you, and, I will never stop lovin' ye. I...hope your spirit, is safe...and with mother..."

She then clenches her fist as the anger larger than her being dominates.

"...And I swear, that if I ev'a mee' eyes with the man responsible for takin' your life..."

Her head darts up, rage riddling in her eyes as she cries out,

"He won't live ta see anoth'a day!"

(Flash)

The girl we know now cracks her knuckles, clenching her fist tight as she stills these old feelings trying to fester anew.

"I won't deny my anger: I want Bishop to pay for all that he's done. Killing father, destroyin' my home, forcing me to make the ultimate decision t' turn into a renegade so young...I want to be the one, t' end him..."

Coraline then uncurls her fingers, relaxing her aggression as she lets out a deep breath.

"Tha's, pretty much it. The story of how I came t' Japan...and how I became such a roughneck compared t' oth'a teenage girls in my era."

...A familiar clawed hand comes to rest on her left shoulder, and turns to see Inuyasha looking at her with a small smirk.

"Keh, you, a roughneck? Please; if anyone's a roughneck, it's me. True, you're showin' that you're tougher than every other girl I've encountered, but there's no way you could ever be that rough. You have too kind a heart..."

Coraline was surprised by the other teen's comment, but then smirks back and retorts,

"Oh yeah? You'd be thinkin' otherwise if you saw th' way I kicked ass earlier today...But, I do appreciate you think I'm tough while havin' a kind heart."

Inuyasha nods just as Kaede cuts in while directing her gaze to the ripped arm band sitting in the middle of this discussion circle.

"So then, if this symbol represents a militant organization that has caused ye such grief, why is it then that it appeared on the arm of a young bandit, one ye clearly did not know until today?"

"That's a good question...It's possible Trinity has been trainin' young teens as scouts to inform them of activity in a given area. And if that's true...then that means Trinity has a home-base somewhere in m' era's Japan, possibly in Tokyo."

"In that case, will Trinity soon know of your whereabouts?"

"...There's a chance."

A wave of unease washes over the five, but then Coraline adds,

"Bu' that one guy has been the first among any signs of d'eir presence in five years. I can't be sure if any base in Japan is even fully aware of wha' occurred in Ireland prior. The Trinity soldiers I encountered back then, including Bishop, were stationed in Europe, which is really far away from here. Who knows how often the bases exchange updates in information..."

Everyone relaxes a bit, but there's still an understandable amount of wariness hanging in the air...

"Well, whatever happens, I won't let these bastards hurt you."

"Inuyasha-"

"I'm serious. I know you wanna get revenge on Bishop for killing your father, and I respect that...but I won't stand idle and allow any other soldiers from Trinity so much as touch you!"

Shippō chimes in determinedly,

"Yeah! Trinity won't get you, Coraline! I'll protect you too!"

Miroku adds,

"I shall like to add my aid as well. You may consider yourself safe with us, Coraline."

"...Guys...I-I dunno what to say, (...small smile) except thank y'...And I'll return in kind by lendin' my aid to all of you in the fight ahead against Naraku. Both he and Bishop will meet their endgame."

They all nod, and Kaede smiles a bit at the collective bravery between the young souls.

They all wish to help one another. Such loyalty and friendship is a good thing to have in times of burden...

I can only pray that it will be enough in the coming battle ahead.

Naraku has already proven to be a very dangerous opponent...

And based on Coraline's description...so is this Trinity.

...

...

...

At the same time this important talk was being conducted, back in the present-day Japan but in a locale yet to be named, a figure sits in the shadows overlooking the tall skyscrapers in their own building. The room itself is filled with computer screens and large motherboards, and in the middle is a large table with dozens of file folders, some open alongside maps and old documents...

"Sir."

The nameless individual turns from the window to address a young man in his late twenties and dressed in a familiar mercenary uniform.

"Yes?"

"One of our young scouts has some footage you may be interested in seeing."

"...Very well. Show me the footage."

They walk over to one of the larger computer screens as another mercenary man takes out a USB drive to plug into an adapter port...The screen lights up to display the viewpoint of the young scout spying from atop a nearby building, recording the fight Coraline was in only hours earlier...

"What is the purpose of this footage?"

"Watch what the girl does after the fight..."

They observe the part where our heroine redhead freezes, before stepping to look at the arm band on the one gangster...

"You see the way she's staring intently at the other scout's seal? Sir, I have reason to believe that this girl knows of Trinity."

They watch as she rips off the arm band before rushing off...

"Do you have footage that includes a clear shot of her face?"

"Yes, sir."

The video is rewound a bit, stopping just as Coraline goes to rush off from the area...The figure in charge runs a hand under his chin in thought.

"Hm...her face looks familiar...Pull up our profile database and cross-reference the girl's image."

"Yes, sir."

The screen shifts to a seemingly never-ending list of images with little side blurbs of information, scanning for a particular profile...

The program stops, finding a match.

Coraline Croft

Age: 10

Hair Colour: Red

Eye Colour: Blue

Status: Presumed Dead

"...Sir...what does this mean?!"

"...Contact the base in the United Kingdom, now!"

"Ah, yes, sir!"

The nameless figure moves to stand in front of another screen as the technician sends a message to speak via Video Conference...

(Ping)

"Saki. This is a surprise. It has been quite a long time since our base has received a call from yours."

"Indeed. Bishop...there's something you need to know, regarding your mission from five years ago in eliminating Mathias Croft."

"...What is it?"

"His daughter...she is alive, and has made residence in Tokyo."

"...I see...I suppose I should've expected this from the Crofts...Very well. If I may ask this of you, continue to monitor her activities. Trinity has no reason to eliminate her, yet. I shall arrive at your base in a few weeks time as soon as I finish my current mission in Mongolia."

"Understood. I shall see you soon."

(Ping)

The call is cut, and the figure - now identified as Saki - turns to another one of his subordinates.

"Inform the scouts in the area of a new mission: monitor the activities of Croft, and report anything unusual."

"Consider it done, sir."

Bishop's POV

The call between Saki and I is cut, and I turn away from my laptop to the accordion organizer containing special information, pulling out two files I never thought I would open again.

"...So, it seems your daughter is more resilient than I expected, Mathias."

I stare at the picture of the deceased man, before turning to the small amount of information we had on his daughter, including a picture from five years ago...I feel myself smirk as I thought aloud,

"But resilience can only last for so long. Heh...Coraline Croft...We shall meet face-to-face soon."