Chapter 139: Hikiji's Revenge, Part One
"So much has happened this last while...It almost feels, wrong to head back home in the modern era."
Such is the first comment made by our heroine redhead as she and her brothers approach the fabled Bone Eater's Well, with Inuyasha seeing them there while the rest of the group was hanging about at Kaede's, mostly to rest their weary bodies from the intensity that was the massive battle within Mount Hakurei, and everything that came afterward. Unfortunately for all of them, despite their tremendous efforts, their greatest enemy Naraku had once again thwarted their plans in defeating him, adding a further stinging insult to injury by assassinating Kikyō for a second time after more than fifty years...
But as it was once said, 'every dark cloud has a silver lining'. Through their shared grief over losing a good friend, the red-robed dog demon and his Aura Reader girlfriend would reach a deeper step in their romantic relationship, finally sealing their love under the commitment of matehood. Such would then be put through its first arduous test come the entrance of Naraku's newest incarnation agent, Akago. Once separated from her loved ones, Coraline would be subjected to a very invasive search of the heart, triggering the darker side of her soul to emerge and cause chaos. Thankfully, through both their mate link and an understanding of what it means to live with an inner beast, Inuyasha is able to coax his significant other back to reality. Several days of rest after would be the best medicine for the teenage girl to recover, which everyone else would gladly join in on...
Now comes the time when the three young bodies from the modern era would return to their original stomping grounds after being away for a substantially-longer period this round...Though with all that's happened, Coraline is feeling almost reluctant to go back to a world that's relatively, 'quieter' than that of the Sengoku era.
Turning to face her dog demon lover, she asks him,
"You sure it's okay for us to head back for a bit?"
"Yeah, it's, not like there's too much to do around here right now..."
"Hm. (Small smile) Well alright then."
Hoisting their legs over the lip of the ground structure before seating themselves at ready to jump first, Freeman and Besa say to Inuyasha,
"We shouldn't be any longer than three days, but feel free to crash the gate early."
"Something's telling me we might've been gone too long to save our apartment, so I guess we'll find out from Shuji when we get there...Catch you later!"
With that, the young men with matching espresso complexions push themselves off the edge and drop down the well...Coraline would be next, though not without stealing a long, tantalizing kiss from her lover first.
"...Don't keep me waiting."
"Heh, isn't that what I should be sayin' to you?"
"Maybe at one time ago...but I think the game's changed, hasn't it?"
And without another word, the redhead with two-toned blue irises jumps into the great unknown to the time period she was born to, leaving Inuyasha to watch her go while thinking to himself with a sigh of content,
Yeah...I guess it has.
...
Shifting the scene to just outside the shrine built around the Bone Eater's Well, Coraline just exits to the courtyard behind her twin brothers before all three get a greeting from her youngest adoptive sibling, whom had been playing soccer when the three teenagers had passed through the dimensional portal.
"Sis, guys! Welcome home!"
"Hey, Souta! Good to see you!"
The four young souls then wander back to the Higurashi residence, specifically, through the sliding glass door leading into the kitchen where Souta's mother and grandfather would be waiting.
"Coraline, Freeman, Besa! Welcome back, dears."
"Well well, you three were gone for such a long time. (Small smirk) Yoshi and I were discussing just the other day over tea whether or not you were trying to avoid training."
Filing into the sitting room connected to the kitchen, the adoptive member of the household asks out of curiousity,
"Oh! Has he been released from the hospital, then?"
"Yes, just a few weeks ago, actually. His injuries had somehow healed alot more quickly than average man, and not too long after you three returned his treasured item..."
The three teenagers meet eachother's eyes on that note, thinking of the name for that said item.
The Jewel of the Ancient One...
A delicate frown forms on Akari's face as she remembers what sent her father's friend to the hospital in the first place.
"Oh, just recalling that day sends a shiver up my spine, (relieved smile) and makes me all the more glad that you're all safely home again."
Coraline and Freeman just nod with their own smiles while Besa actually makes a verbal reply.
"So are we..."
Noticing a lack of enthusiasm, the elder Higurashi asks,
"What'sa matter? You kids tired or somethin'?"
"In a way...Just, had to deal with alot more intense battles this time. Oh! Right, before I forget..."
The Brownlee with cornrow-styled black hair moves to pull something out of his brother's satchel, namely, a small cloth bundle.
"We brought back some wild game meat you won't find in the grocery store. Rabbit and Boar."
Taking the bundle from the younger's hands, Grandfather Higurashi comments with an anticipating expression,
"Aah! I can't wait to try it!"
Akari asks,
"How do you keep it preserved, if you don't mind my asking?"
Freeman answers,
"Half the time, we just cure it with plenty of salt and seal it with either one of our Tupperware containers or with tight cloth wraps like this one. Once it's been cooked, it can last a while as long as we're careful...Ah-heh, that reminds me: guys, we need to refill on salt while we're here."
Rolling her eyes slightly, Coraline mutters with a sighed smile,
"O~f course we do...But right now, the ole mattress is calling m' name."
...A short few minutes pass before we find the redhead flopping back-first onto the comforter of her bed, one that hadn't felt her body for what seemed like ages.
"Haaah...So much drama has come and passed between the blood and gore..."
She glances upwards and sideways at the little orb of light that had followed her upstairs.
"But now we've got a period to decompress, eh, Lumos?"
The Will O' Wisp emits a soft moan of cautious content, and his human partner knew why. Smiling tiredly, she mutters,
"Yeah, I suppose it'll depend on whether the universe wants t' cut us a break. (Furrows eyebrows) What surprises me right now is that I can even come back to this quieter time period. I mean, my bros have their crystal shards, so they're fine, but I lost all of our Shikon-no-Tama shards to that bastard Naraku at Mount Hakurei, which may as well be known as Mount Rubble now..."
But, if what Rosiagnes told me before I awoke in Kaede's is true...
(Flash)
"Really? So, I don't need the jewel shards to travel through the well anymore?"
"Nay, ye shan't have any troubles from hereon...Ye 'ave hung about dis particular time for long enough now that yer spirit 'as created a, tether shall we say, which should remain so long as the quest for the jewel goes on...After that, well, I cannot be certain."
(Flash)
...So as long as the search goes on, I can still travel back and forth between here and there.
...But what will happen when and if we complete the quest?
Running a hand over her face with a disgruntled sigh, Coraline mutters,
"Now I'm starting to see why time-space conspiracies annoy the crap out of Freeman...But you know what? We'll cross that bridge when we get there."
And by we, I mostly mean Inuyasha and I...
Hah, Inuyasha. How far you and I have come.
A delicate blush dusts the redhead's cheeks as she sits up, a loving smile on her face as she finishes aloud in a wistful whisper,
"And I wouldn't have it any other way, never...Hoh, listen to myself: as dreamy as a tween with her first crush."
"...Hey, Cora!"
"Hm?"
She snaps out of the harmless daze to the sound of the young elementary school boy's voice, as he suddenly jogs into view through her doorway.
"Hah, hah, I just remembered something cool I wanted to tell you and the guys that Hōjō told me when he was down at the school with a friend who's the older brother of Hitomi..."
"Oh?"
...
We catch up with the conversation downstairs as the Higurashis and Brownlee boys sat around the table eating dinner, some of which was made using the meat that the three teens brought back from the Sengoku Era...
"Cultural Festival?"
"Yeah! You guys missed the one held last year, but you're back just in time for this one."
Swallowing some of his rice, Souta goes to explain with an animated smile,
"It's a tradition that Hōjō's school does annually, or so Hitomi's told me. There's gonna be choir singing, a bunch'a food, some of it from other parts of the globe, and even a play!"
Scooping up some more rabbit stew, Besa comments with a smile,
"That does sound rather exciting...and we did plan on being here for a few days."
He looks at Freeman and Coraline:
"Whaddo you guys think?"
"I'm down with checkin' out the festival. Cor?"
"(Shrug) Sure, why not? Sounds like a good way to wind down from all the action and drama."
Standing to walk over to a pot of rice and grab some more for her bowl, Akari says to the teens,
"I believe preparations will still take at least another day, but you might be able to see some familiar faces in advance if you go down tomorrow."
Coraline feels one of her brows raise with a half-smile as she thinks on the hinting tone in her adoptive parent's voice.
Hm, she knows something else. A surprise, I'm bettin'...
Eh, but why ruin it early? I'll wait on tomorrow.
Time Skip, Coraline's POV
"Oh, wow! Everything's really coming together..."
My bros and I decided to head down to Hōjō's school just a little after breakfast and see what's been built so far. Gotta say, for normal teenagers, they sure know how to put their imagination to work: so far, it's just alot of framework for booths, but they've already got a nice banner decorated with cherry blossom branches hanging over the entrance for everyone to see as they walk in, and I can see signs of what will be featured throughout, from the food to costumes to...
...Hold on.
My thoughts come to a stop when my eyes catch a familiar uniform, namely, a certain Karategi worn by some of the more regular students of a dojo my brothers and I have connections to. How do I know this? By the crest on their right (which is left to them) breasts, which I now recognize as an artwork form of what must be the Jewel of the Ancient One when it was once in full glory.
Those guys are from Master Yoshi's dojo...But, why are they-
"Heeey, Coraline, Freeman, Besa! Over here!"
Turning our heads to the call of a familiar voice, we look to see noneother than Mokoto and Shuji, also in their own Karategi!
"Uh! (Big smile) Hey!"
It wouldn't be too long before the five of us were sitting at one of the outside picnic benches near the cafeteria, catching up with eachother on what's been going on in our lives-um, within reason, of course. There's only so much I can tell about my adventures without freaking these two out...
"So you've become another student, Shuji?"
"Uh-huh. After the near-disaster with my cousin Rikona and the increased danger in the neighbourhood, I figured it's about time I get some lessons in how to properly defend myself."
He gives my brothers a sad smile as he then says,
"By the way, I'm truly sorry about your place, guys. The landlord just couldn't afford the late rent anymore. I did persuade my brothers to help me convoy your things into my garage, so, whenever you're ready to pick it up, or what's left..."
Freeman and Besa were thankfully very understanding about the situation, and just wave Shuji off with a casual,
"Hey, crap happens, man,"
"We had a feeling something like this would happen sooner or later, so we appreciate that you went to that much trouble...Besides..."
They look towards me as Besa finishes with a secretive smile,
"We practically live at the Higurashis, so we'll be fine."
Heh, and by that, bro, you mean you're feeling more at home through the well to the other side of time...
And, really, thinking about it...I'm starting to feel that way myself.
I don't go further into that odd thought when Mokoto brings us to a more current topic.
"Well that's good to know...So, I'm guessin' at least one if not all three of you are wondering why some of us from the dojo are here in our uniforms, right?"
I answer,
"That was gonna be my next question."
"Heh, then wonder no more. See, this year's cultural festival will have an extra feature: our dojo and a couple other martial art schools are gonna be throwing together a little exhibition tournament."
Now that got our attention:
"Whoa!" "No way...!"
"Awesome!"
"Yeah! Master Yoshi's the main organizer, along with one of the masters from the Lotus Dojo. There's gonna be some demonstrations, a couple contests, and then of course, the main event: the mini tournament."
Shuji adds,
"We say mini because a regular one would be alot longer. It'll likely just be a handful of the best-ranked fighters from each of the schools going head-to-head...And on that note..."
Both boys suddenly form expressions of desperate resolution.
"There's something we need to ask you guys."
"Huh?"
...
...What?!
I'm still reeling over the request as we're being lead over to where the martial arts section of the festival's gonna be set up, the central ring already created and with a few of our students as well as others from other schools practicing. My voice chokes on surprise as I double-check with Makoto,
"You guys want us to compete in the tourney?"
"That's the deal."
Hoo boy...
Freeman seemed about as floored as I was, if not more or less.
"Y-Ya sure you don't wanna give some others a chance? I mean, we only just got back from a-um, pretty heavy journey, and we're still kind-of worn down..."
Shuji replies with a half-smile,
"Maybe, but you guys have come and gone from your little secret adventures and can still keep up with the rest of us in class. Not to mention that special training you've been doing with sensei. (Mutter) Still dunno how you three swung that..."
"Ah, Mokoto, Shuji. I see you found them."
Looking up from my somewhat nervous thoughts, I meet the soft brown irises of my martial arts teacher, he also in full uniform including his black belt. For reasons born out of concern since the last time I saw him, I had this picture in my head of meeting a more crippled version of the man I know...But, grandfather was right: it's as if the attack on his life by Hikiji never happened, his beige skin having plenty of colour and bringing out the features of his kind, heart-shaped face. His black hair remains styled in the modern version of the chonmage (basically a top-knot without the shaven part), though I guess it grew a bit longer...
"Croft-san, Brownlee-sans. It's been quite some time."
My brothers and I bow in respect to our teacher.
"Sensei."
Raising ourselves straight, I was the first to greet him a bit less formally with a relived smile on my face.
"We're glad to see you up and about, considering you were still recuperating before we had to leave elsewhere."
"Ah yes. I trust things are going well with your other friends and that, task?"
"It, took a bit of a grim term, but we're slowly recovering. We're at a bittersweet point at present and just glad to breathe."
"I see...Well remember to keep your spirits up. The bad never lasts for long, and it all eventually leads back to the good."
We nod at his advice, and he forms a different, more directive smile.
"But in the meantime, perhaps a good distraction will help. I assume Makoto and Shuji have told you about the exhibition and our, situation?"
"Yes. We understand you need a few extra hands?"
"Correct, mainly for the demonstrations and the small tournament. (Small frown) Unfortunately, three of your fellow students have fallen ill to a case of food poisoning from a mishap in their school cafeteria."
Wincing, the three of us comment,
"Ooo..." "Harsh."
"That'll definitely have you bed-bound for a couple days..."
"In any case, if you hadn't shown up today, we would've been at a disadvantage...So, what say you? Will you kindly lend the dojo a hand?"
...Oooh, what the heck? Can't very well leave them hanging.
Sharing a knowing and meaningful look with Freeman and Besa, we then turn back to Master Yoshi and reply with halfhearted smiles,
"Of course."
"(Clap) Excellent! Thank you so much; you three are doing a great service this hour...So, first, we need to find you each a uniform that will fit, then we'll go over the basics of what to expect during the festival, and finally, non-stop practice."
I feel those playful nerves creep back at the excitement in my master's voice, and I sigh with an exasperated smile while thinking,
So much for rest...
The next several hours would be spent getting fitted into my own Karategi, complete with brown belts to show how far our instruction has come. I still don't know why we follow the Judo system of rank when we play with a number of different fighting styles, but I guess it's one of those things you don't question and just follow...Anyway, after uniform fittings came the run-through of the program, which was basically what we've already been told: first, the exhibition fights to demonstrate everyone's skills, then a few contests that showcase fundamentals like balance and power, and finally, the little tournament between our dojo and about seven others...
Then came the more vigorous part of the day, training and practice. Good, grief: if I wasn't worn down from all the latest Naraku activity, I was come close to sunset after all the exercise in getting all my punches and kicks right.
Uuugh, fighting demons and searching for jewel shards suddenly sounds breezy...
So would be the worn-down thought bouncing in my brain as the three of us slowly trudged up the stairs back home, panting and sweating through our casual day clothes (the uniforms in our own little bundles to take and save for the big day).
"Hah, hah, hah..."
"Sheeeesh! Maybe coming back here wasn't such a good idea..."
"How were we suppose to know we'd get thrust into a martial arts tournament?"
Eventually, we reach the front door, and wander inside while trying to get the breath back in our lungs...
"Gee, you guys look more tired now than when you came back yesterday."
Looking up from my limp, I see Souta smiling sheepishly at us.
"Did you get badgered with questions or something?"
"Heh, not exactly, little brother. We-um, actually got roped into doing something for the festival..."
"Ahaha, so Yoshi has you already hard at work for that exhibition, eh?"
Looking into the living room, I see Grandfather sipping some sake before shooting me one of those knowing smirks of his.
"I expect to see you and your brothers do your sensei proud."
Sending a tired and slightly annoyed smirk back, I reply,
"Nothing less shall be seen."
Damn geezer knew this was gonna happen...Oh well. This beats Naraku's manipulative drama any day.
Sengoku Era, Goshinboku Village, No POV
At the same time Coraline, Freeman and Besa return home to rest up for what will be some interesting and eventful days to come in their era of birth, back through the well and in the hut of the aging priestess, Kaede, she and the rest of our ragtag group were having a full discussion of what their biggest enemy had attempted to perform...
"Naraku tried to use Coraline's eyes?"
Miroku confirms:
"Yes, to help him find the Shikon-no-Tama shards."
"Hmm, tis a strange turn, considering he sent an age-old enemy of the chile's ancestor to eliminate her beforehand...Though based on what ye have all told me, he did not take into account just how skilled this Rosiagnes would be...In any case, this means Naraku doesn't know the whereabouts of the remaining Shikon-no-Tama shards."
"Yes, and the fact that he went to the trouble of kidnapping Coraline, must signify that there are shards even he cannot find."
Shippo asks the young monk from his place beside Sango,
"How come?"
"It's hard to say. Perhaps there is something about how they are hidden..."
Miroku shares a look with Inuyasha, the latter then offering a short insight to the situation.
"It means that Naraku's not infallible."
...
Night soon falls, and the scene shifts to another part of the Edo landscape, namely, a desolate swamp...Emerging from the murky mire now is a short elderly figure with beige skin, a rounded head and a long white beard, wearing moss green robes and leaning on a wooden staff. The most distinctive feature of this form of life are his rather large ears with obnoxiously-long earlobes...
"Hehehehe, so you've come, Naraku. Actually, I heard you coming several leagues away."
"...Oh? Then that will save me time explaining myself."
A swirl of miasma with a company of Saimyōshō comes streaming from the skies to land near the old man on the shoreline, and as the poison fades, the entity of evil shows himself with his body intact...
"Mimisenri. They say that you have ears that are capable of hearing anything in this world."
"Yes, you are correct, and I have heard things about you too. Do you intend to take my ears and make them a part of you so you can use them?"
"Rest assured, your filthy little body doesn't interest me at all."
Not breaking from his state of calm, Mimisenri asks,
"Well then, tell me: why have you come all the way here to visit me?"
"What have you heard about the whereabouts of the Shikon-no-Tama shards?"
"Aah. According to the rumours of demons, Naraku, you yourself have apparently obtained nearly all of the Shikon-no-Tama shards."
"Just one. One is left, and somehow it's eluded my intents to find it."
Sensing the dangers in refusing the demands of one like Naraku, Mimisenri decides to lend his wisdom.
"Aah, then let's see what my ears can find for you..."
So while one side of the great war for power waits to receive some clarity, the other side is now hanging about near the fence outside of Kaede's hut talking about their endeavors even further. Miroku grimly notes,
"All of our jewel shards are now in Naraku's possession."
Inuyasha mentions a few fragments that may not be in their hands, but are being kept safe by allies.
"Kōga still has two jewel shards in his legs..."
Sango solemnly adds,
"And there's the one which keeps Kohaku alive..."
"...Of course."
"If Naraku succeeds in making the Shikon-no-Tama whole again, Kohaku will die..."
"Don't worry, Sango."
She turns to meet Inuyasha's amber irises with her dark brown.
"We'll stop him."
"(...Smile) Thank you."
"Believe me, we're gonna find the remaining jewel shards before him."
"Yes...you're right, Inuyasha. We will."
Miroku then moves so he was standing in front of the dog demon.
"Inuyasha..."
"Hm?"
"I'm, sure I don't need to remind you, especially since, you and she have become quite involved with one another...but you must be more careful with Coraline. Make sure Naraku never captures her again."
Turning away from the monk's stare, Inuyasha grinds slightly,
"Look! I already know that, okay?...Besides...he didn't just have her taken..."
An image of Coraline infected by the power of her Last Resort festers within his imagination, and he fights back a shiver before muttering darkly,
"He provoked her to near self-destruction, something I can never allow to happen again."
My mate stays on this earth where she belongs...
His ears then pick up on the sound of a certain young fox demon munching vigorously on something, and looks down to see the visual.
"Hey. What're you eatin' over there, Shippo?"
Pausing his consumption, the little redhead looks up at his friends and explains.
"What, this? Remember those villagers and itinerant priest we saved a while ago? Well, they gave me some of their food in gratitude."
Sango suddenly lets out a groan and snatches the one piece of dry meat from Shippo's hand, before gathering the rest from the leaf bundle.
"Oh brother! No matter how many demon slayers warn them, they never listen..."
"Whaddo you mean?"
She answers after directing her twin-tailed companion from taking a bite out of the dried meat for herself.
"No, Kilala...This food is made out of demons."
"Whaaat?!"
"This is the hyphae of a fungal demon called Shironyuudou."
Kneeling down to see the said piece himself, Miroku then asks the demon slayer,
"So is it safe to eat?"
"Yes, like this it is...But if you, put it in water and heat it..."
"You mean, if you boil it."
"Yes. If you boil it, a new Shironyuudou is born."
Shippo concludes,
"So it isn't really dead then."
"It's best if all this food is disposed of."
Pouting a bit, the fox demon child mumbles,
"Hauh...but it was so darn tasty..."
"That's why it's such a nuisance."
Jumping down to his feet from the fence, Inuyasha then says,
"Forget about the food. If we can find the remaining Shikon-no-Tama shard, we can put an end to all this."
Nodding in agreement, Miroku comments,
"You're quite right. That was the start of it all."
"Wherever Naraku is hiding right now, he's sure to appear where the last jewel shard will be."
Time Skip, Modern-Day Tokyo, Hōjō's POV
Good lord, this festival's always more exhausting before it becomes any fun...
Finally getting a break from rehearsals, I decide to wander around the school to see how the rest of the setup was going...
"Ha! Ka! Ha!"
"Concentrate, Croft-san. More fluidity in your katas."
Croft-san?...Could it be...?
Looking over where the martial arts exhibition tournament the local dojos would take place, I spot a familiar face practicing a slower version of regular punches and kicks while their teacher was observing nearby.
Ah! Coraline...Heh, so she's finally returned from nowhere for a short time, eh?
"Hey! That you, Hōjō?"
"Hm?"
Turning to my left, I see Freeman and Besa - dressed in what I'm assuming is their dojo's uniform - jogging over to me.
"Oh! You guys are back too!"
They stop in front of me and reply with somewhat weary smiles,
"Yeah, for a few days, at least."
"Just until the festival's done, which, we've inadvertently become a part of..."
Noting the hesitance in the second's voice, I conclude with a sympathetic smile,
"Last-minute recruitment?"
"Pretty much. Sensei Yoshi's definitely been working us to the bone so we'll be ready for the exhibition. I myself will be going up against a few students in the beginning, then participating in a contest for best close-combat."
Freeman speaks next:
"Similar sitch for me, 'cept I'll be in a contest for execution of strength and balance."
He points to a set of bamboo poles in a pile next to the arena.
"See those poles over there? I gotta maneuver around atop those, while showing off the power in my delivery."
"Sounds tough..."
"Eh, trick is to not think about it...Heheh, meanwhile, (looks at the arena) poor sis is being pushed to the envelope as our school's star fighter for the tournament. She'll be with us when we demonstrate our katas, but after that, she only has so much time to rest before it's all hands on deck."
Oh wow...
Watching her move while noting the determined expression on her face, I smile and mutter,
"Better her than me, but I do know how she feels. I'll be doing my tour of duty as the male lead in our school's play."
"Oh yeah?"
"Mhm, and luckily for me, Yumi's playing the female lead. (Nervous smile) Also lucky for the other girls, 'cause now she won't be giving them the stare of promised death."
"I heard that!"
"Gh!"
Spinning around on my heel, I spot my girlfriend approaching with an irritated but playful smirk on her face.
"But you're not wrong. I would have to have words with any said girl if they were playing Escargot Purin instead of me."
Haah, such a bold personality, but I love her...
I then feel her hand on my upper arm, and she says to the twins,
"Sorry to cut into your conversation, but I gotta take Hōjō back to the auditorium for rehearsals."
"Again?"
"Yes again. If we don't get it right, we'll bomb the festival! Now come on, off we go."
Sighing, I allow her to drag me away, calling over my shoulder,
"It was nice seeing you guys! Let's try to catch up again during the festival!"
They call back,
"Sure!"
"Good luck!"
Small Time Skip, Inuyasha's POV
It may have only been about two days, but since they said I could come by early if I wanted to, I decided to head through the old well this afternoon to find my mate and her brothers, with Shippo seeing me off...
"I'll be back soon."
"I guess we need Coraline to start looking for the Shikon-no-Tama shards again, huh?"
"Yeah. She and her brothers like to take their sweet time in their era...See ya!"
The last thing I catch is the kid's request for more ninja food, making me roll my eyes a bit.
As if I would forget...
Hopping up onto the lip of the well come a couple centuries later, give or take, and the first scent that greets me is my mate's.
Huh. So she's actually home. (Sniff-sniff) And so's Freeman and Besa...
Hang on. There's a couple other scents in the courtyard...I definitely know one of them from somewhere...
"Ha! Ka!...Ji-ya!"
What the hell...?
Curious of the sounds, I open the door to the outside and spot the source just a few yards away, in forms of my lover, the guys, and...that Yoshi guy, practicing some katas in the middle of the courtyard along with some other students from that dojo. What also catches my attention is that my mate's actually dressed the part in her own Karategi.
What's going on...?
"Hey, Inuyasha!"
Looking my far right front, I see Souta jogging over to me.
"Yo."
"Have you come for a visit?"
"Eh, kind-of..."
"Ah, so mostly to get sis and the guys?"
"Yeah..."
He nods in understanding as we turn attention to the formation of bodies nearby us.
"Well, you might be in for a wait. See, sis and the guys are gonna be a part of the martial arts exhibition tournament in the cultural festival tomorrow."
"Huh? Cultural festival?"
"Yeah! It's a big event the local highschool throws each year, with lots of singing, dancing, food, games, that sort of stuff. The exhibition's a newer addition, though, organized by Master Yoshi himself a few other dojo senseis."
Huh...It does sound kind-of interesting...
"Cora's got the most pressure on her shoulders, though."
"Whaddo you mean?"
"She'll be the acting star champ for her dojo during the tournament, so on top of getting her katas to a science, she's gonna have her hands full going up against other school champs too. Then the guys will be in a few demonstrations and contests..."
"Really?...Hmm..."
In that case, maybe the others back in Edo can wait, (smirk) so I can watch my girl kick some major tail in this tournament.
"Oh, Inuyasha-san! I see you've returned as well!"
"Mm?"
I snap away from watching Coraline to meet the eyes of Yoshi, the rest slowing to a stop when they notice their sensei's attention was elsewhere. He says to them,
"Alright, that will be enough for now, my students. We shall practice our individual roles in half an hour."
"(Collective bow) Hai, sensei."
So while most of the boys decide to just sit down and rest, the three people I know best and their teacher wander over to me. I immediately wrap an arm around my mate as soon as she's near me.
"Oh! Heheh, missed me, I take it?"
"Maybe...So according to the squirt, you and the guys are gonna be showing off your fighting skills in some exhibition, and you're leading the tournament?"
Pulling back slightly so she could look me in the eye, she replies with a sheepish smile,
"Yeah, pretty much. It was a last-minute request from sensei, Makoto and Shuji, and as students, we couldn't very well say no...The festival will be starting tomorrow, so after that, we'll be ready to return to our mission."
"Right...Haah, guess it can't be helped. At least I get to watch you do something exciting."
"Mm, well I'll have some time between the opening demonstration and the tournament, so we can hang about the rest of the festival while we wait. Heh, Akari-sama's already promised to help me with a special outfit to wear while on break. I think you'll be pleasantly~ surprised..."
...Damn this woman, knowing just how to keep me on my heels.
Giving her a quick peck mixed with a nip on her neck, I practically purr to her,
"Hm~, now I definitely wanna check things out tomorrow..."
"Heheh, and by that, you mean check me out, you dog."
"Tch, I am what I am, and you still love me anyway."
"That I do, that I do..."
A dry cough expels from Freeman's throat as he cuts into our atmosphere.
"Uhm, do we need to give you guys some privacy or somethin'? Didn't think you guys were into getting risque publicly..."
...Aoh, what?!
That definitely killed the mood, and both our faces erupt into blushes before exclaiming in embarrassed fury,
"Bro!"
"Really man?!"
He just laughs at us while his brother rolls his eyes with an amused smile before slapping the other's shoulder. Yoshi then gets us back on topic, though there was no mistaking the humour in his voice.
"Alright, that'll be enough of that sort of joking around. Freeman-san, it's comments like that which have me wondering if you're truly focused."
"I-I am, sensei, honest!"
"Hehmhmhm, I shall take your word for it. Besa-san, your quick precision is improving greatly, but remember to fixate each drive so they meet their target."
"Hai, sensei."
My mate would be the last one the martial arts master discusses with regarding practice.
"As for you, Coraline-san, my only criticism at this point is that you're going a little too easy on your fellow students. There's no need to hold back your strength. They need to be prepared for whatever may come for them tomorrow, and you're essentially the strongest opponent they have currently."
"I know, sensei...Recent events have, just been keeping me grounded at a certain standard right now, (sheepish smile) and I'm worried about accidentally causing some personal injury."
Huh?...Ooh, I think I know what's wrong...
A frown forms on my face as I conclude,
She must still be a bit rattled by our last encounter with that bastard Naraku. Can't really blame her either...
"Maybe you just need a more suitable opponent."
She turns to me with a confused expression, and I give her one of my signature smirks before explaining what I mean.
"Let's you and me go head-to-head."
"Huh?!...You sure?"
"Mm-hm. (Looks at Yoshi) No offense to your teaching, but it sounds like the rest of these boys aren't giving my girl the challenge she needs. I can be her sparring partner for the rest of this practice session while you focus on fine-tunin' everyone else, if that's okay."
The man gives me a calculating stare for a few moments...before smiling in approval with my proposal.
"A fine idea, Inuyasha-san. I shall entrust you into preparing my dojo's champion."
Heh, she really is playing the star...And I'll make sure she shines.
We part ways,and I lead my mate near that old tree while Yoshi and the guys went back to the other students...
"Sooo, mind if I ask what brought this about...?"
We quickly position so that we're just a few yards away from eachother, and I reply honestly and simply as I turn to face her,
"Just figured this would be a good way to help you escape the binds of this last while."
"Escape?...Oh..."
She breathes out a heavy-toned breath and admits,
"Yeah, I, suppose I haven't let go of Mount Hakurei and the mansion quite yet...As much as I keep reminding myself that it's humans I'm sparring with...I still find myself forcing my fists to not deliver blows meant to knock the wind out of demons..."
"Mm, I get that...which is why we're here now. I'm gonna help you get some control over your fighting modes again."
Readying myself for the pending match, I add,
"I'm positive that after fighting me a while, that tunnel vision'll clear."
Coraline murmurs my name in awe...before smiling both gratefully and with determination.
"In that case, let's get started. Thank you, and while you may be my lover, don't think I'll be going easy on you."
"Keh, wouldn't have it any other way. Bring it on!"
Time Skip, No POV
Night soon falls, and our four unsung hero teens find themselves sitting with Souta, Akari and Grandfather Higurashi around the dinner table after a long training session with Master Yoshi and the rest of the student warriors...
"Uuugh, I can barely feel the muscles in my legs! It'll be a miracle that I can move tomorrow..."
"Psh, quit your bellyachin', Freeman; you never complain this much in Edo."
Grabbing himself some more miso soup, the elder of the table humphs after Inuyasha,
"For once, I agree with him: complaints will get you nowhere. (Wry smirk) Besides, what you feel is only the start. You'll likely be twice as sore come tomorrow evening after the exhibition and tournament."
The young male who wields the long hammer shoots the dog demon and elder Higurashi a dirty look, while Besa rolls his shoulder and yawns,
"And that's why I'm choosing not to think about anything related to muscle pain. Mind over matter, know what I mean?"
As she passes some rice over to Coraline, Akari compliments,
"Well I'm sure that all three of you will do excellent, and I'll be cheering for the dojo."
Souta chimes with half a mouthful,
"Me too; you guys'll be awesome!"
Giggling slightly, the redhead with two-tone blue irises says,
"Thanks, Akari-sama, little bro. Just seeing your supportive faces will be enough to help me do my best...By the way, were you able to find 'it', Akari-sama?"
Laughing silently behind her hand, the woman with short wavy black hair replies,
"Yes, dear, I finally tracked down that blasted accessory. It was hiding in that old storage chest in the attic..."
"Thank you...Haah, now all that's left is a goodnight's rest, (tired smile) and then I have to get up early..."
Stretching his arms over himself, Inuyasha lightly boasts,
"Yeah well, that's the price of being at the top: ya gotta be at your best no matter the hour."
"Says the 'voice of experience', I suppose?"
"No duh! Out of all of us, I'm the one who pulls most of the weight."
Besa counters with a raised brow,
"Uh yeah, 'cause you're the one who jumps in headfirst without warning the rest of us."
"Incase you haven't figured it out by now, Besa, I'm not exactly the kind who plans every little detail until my head spins. Half the time, I just wing it and it works."
"A~h, so what you're saying is that you suck at planning, is that it?"
Immediately catching the other twin's jab, the dog demon growls,
"Watch it!"
He just receives a chorus of laughter from them both in response, making him sulk in a moody manner while Souta tries to hold in his own snickers...Fast-forward a few hours later, we find our heroine redhead brushing out her hair while dressed in a simple pair of white pajama pants and matching spaghetti-strap tank top.
"Haaah, another fortunate night of rest on a soft mattress...Thank you again for, helping me get fully back to center."
She turns to Inuyasha - he sitting on the side of her bed - so she could meet his eyes...which were, somewhat distracted at present.
"Hm? Inuyasha?"
What was causing our favourite dog demon to daydream? Believe it or not, it was his mate's current appearance, the relaxed fit and simplicity of her lounge clothes alongside her freshly-groomed red locks looking very attractive to him.
Wow...
"Um, Inuyasha~..."
Finally drawing back to reality, he manages to stutter out,
"H-Huh? Oh, um, your welcome."
"...So, do you think I'm ready for tomorrow?"
Rolling his eyes with a mock sigh, he replies with a smile,
"Yeah yeah, you're ready. More than ready, really...You're gonna kick butt and take names guaranteed."
That brought a more confident upturn of mouth to the young woman's face.
"Good."
"Of course, you're not gonna be in top shape unless you get a good amount of sleep, so come on. In ya get."
Her smile transforms into a playful smirk as she approaches her waiting lover.
"Little eager, are we?"
He just chuckles in response, snatching Coraline up as soon as she was within his reach and gently pulling her in so she was laying atop his front while he laid back in the bed. The young lovers then share a few heated kisses, their hands wandering over their bodies while careful not to rile eachother up too much~...A few minutes later, we see them lazing on the cool surface of the comforter, she cuddling into his chest with her arms wrapped around him, while he had his left arm wrapped around her waist, and his right claws weaved into her hair...
"I missed these moments with you. Ya know, just the two of us without danger breathin' down our backs?"
Leaning his nose forward, Inuyasha nuzzles the top of Coraline's head before planting his lips on it and whispering back,
"Same...Being with you like this, makes me feel more at peace than I've ever felt in a long time...Wish it could last longer."
"Mm, we have another day or two before we hit Edo again. It'll get noisy tomorrow, sure, but at least we can forget about the jewel drama for a while."
"True...G'night."
The blue-eyed redhead cranes her neck up to peck the silver-haired young man's lips.
"Heh, goodnight."
With that, these two souls drift off to dreamland under the soft glow of the very active Will O' Wisp, his steady circling seen through the darkness of the night...
Time Skip
Sunlight from first morning glow streams through the glass of the teenage girl's bedroom, reaching to caress the faces of the dog demon and human like the gentle fingers of a parent to their child. Feeling the familiar warmth, Coraline's sea-storm blue irises flutter awake, squinting back once they're hit with the full brightness of the sun.
"Mm! Mm...Oh..."
Sunrise...It's time for the festival.
Shifting one of her fists to rub the sleep away from her eyes, she then uses that same hand to nudge her lover's chest.
"Inuyasha...Inuyasha, I need you to let go."
"Hrh...Mh-w-wha...?"
"I need to get up and get ready."
Groggily blinking open his own amber irises, Inuyasha mumbles,
"Mornin' already? (Glances at window) Ugh, barely. Do you really have to go down this early?"
Smiling apologetically, his mate replies,
"Afraid so. There's gonna be a few preparations to do before the festival begins. Setup, registration, last-minute run-through of the schedule. Can't be helped."
"Haah, alright, I guess I'll let you up..."
She giggles a bit from the playfulness in the mock sigh, and waits until the strong arm leaves her waist before rising to a kneel, then slipping off the bed to stand up and head over to her dresser to find some suitable clothes to change into...Staring up at the ceiling and watching the active Lumos flutter around as a way to prevent himself from looking over at a half-naked Coraline, Inuyasha asks,
"So besides the tourney, what else should I expect t' see at this festival? Souta gave me a basic description, but..."
Pulling a cream cropped tank top over her head, Coraline explains,
"Well this'll be my first time going to one of the highschool festivals too, but if it's anything like the ones that go on downtown during the seasons, there's going to be alot of stalls set up to sell things like food, trinkets, games...Uhm, something I should warn you beforehand: I think there will be at least one stall that serves curry."
"Gh!...Right. I'll just steer clear of that..."
"According to Akari-sama and Grandfather, these festivals have actually become more westernized, so we might see some stuff more common in Freeman and Besa's home country, like a haunted house, a few carnival games...Oh, and you may see some humans dressed like popular demons from folklore, so when in doubt, check their scents."
Scoffing with a half-smirk, Inuyasha argues,
"Please, when's the last time you saw a human wearing a good demon disguise?"
"Fair point...Say, this isn't by chance, the first festival you're going to, is it?"
The upturn of mouth shifts into a more or less thoughtful frown as the dog demon replies,
"...I think there was a festival of sorts held every year in my, mother's village. Never went to it for, obvious reasons, but...I sometimes watched it from a distance...It was one of those few times I used to, imagine myself actually blending in with everyone else, before I woke up to the reality of never really fitting in."
"Hm...Well, you won't have to worry about that kind of thing today."
Glancing sideways upon sensing the approach of his mate, he soaks in the image of a slender young woman dressed in the crop tank which shows off her midriff, and a pair black yoga capri pants, her toned body displayed in subtle glory after all the exercise attained from her adventures in this last year and several months. Fiddling with her hair to tie it into a braid, she continues with a gentle smile,
"As you no doubt have noticed by now, those sort of attitudes don't really exist in this era, at least not in the same prominent tone. Heh, with all the costumes that'll be worn, you'll more than likely just have a few oddball questions thrown your way, and when that happens, just use the same excuse you used with Hōjō and Yumi and say you're cosplaying as a half-demon dog. Heck, you can even say what you are without the cover and nobody will freak out."
"Really?"
"Mhm. (Sheepish smile) Gullibility for my species in this era's taken a rather, interesting shift, thanks to the decline of more noticeable abnormality. Most are rather ignorant and naïve to the extraordinary, only going as far as believing in it for the sake of a good story...I'm a part of the rarity who knows better."
Nodding in acknowledgement, Inuyasha comments,
"So in other words, most humans have become dumb to the supernatural by your time."
"Heheh, that's one way to put it, but yeah."
(Knock-knock)
"(Muffled) Yo, Cor! You up yet?"
Turning her head towards her door, Coraline softly calls back,
"Yeah, Freeman, I'm up! I'll meet you guys downstairs!"
"(Muffled) Alrigh'!"
Moving to grab her cloth bundle with her dojo uniform wrapped inside, the redhead prepares to head out of her room and downstairs to get a bite to eat before leaving the shrine/residence.
"Well, down I go. You comin' too or ya gonna try and catch some more Zs?"
"Keh, I'll see you three off."
Several minutes later, said teenagers are seen jogging away from the front entrance, the twins wearing matching outfits of loose grey shorts and white tank tops.
"Catch'ya later, everyone!"
"See you down at the school!"
The Higurashis are seen waving them off from the front door, smiles of anticipating encouragement on their faces.
"Good luck, dears!"
"See you guys later!"
"Make Yoshi proud!"
Meanwhile, Inuyasha is lounging atop the roof of the residence, watching his two friends and mate rush to the staircase with a relaxed smirk on his face.
Tch, they better do their damnedest down there later, or I might have to start questioning their skills...
...Hm?
That's when he feels a set of eyes on his person, and darts up to look over yonder his right where a few trees sit...
"Hmm..."
Thought I just felt...Hmph, paranoia.
Dismissing it as nothing to be concerned with, he lays back down to rest until Souta calls for him...
...
Little did he realize, however, was that there is someone skulking in the shadows of the leaves, someone who smart enough to disguise their scent so they blend with the environment. Humphing to themselves, the dark-clothed figure turns their sharp green irises to watch the three other teens disappear down from the top of the staircase.
So, they've returned to this era at last, have they?
Waiting until they're sure no one could see them, the figure swiftly jumps down and activates a device on their right wrist, opening up a certain portal to pass through...
(...Vwoop)
Reappearing behind a different tree in the courtyard of Hōjō and Yumi's highschool, the setting of today's youth cultural festival! Clambering up the nearest tree, the figure then speeds on their toes to hide within the branches of another slab of living wood nearby the martial arts arena. They immediately lock their vision onto the youths wearing the uniform signifying their loyalties to Master Yoshi's dojo, narrowing their eyes in a foreboding manner.
Tch, look at them down there, the amateurs...They have no idea what's coming...
Their attention diverts onto Coraline, Freeman and Besa as they chat it up with Mokoto, Shuji, Hōjō and Yumi, the smiles on their faces provoking more anger to flow into their veins.
Especially, them...The ones responsible for the deformation of my own master.
(Flash)
"Croft and her cohorts have returned to these lands...You know what your mission is: make them regret their first encounter with our clan...I am counting on you, my dear niece."
"(Bow) As you command, sensei."
(Flash)
Removing their hooded mask, their identity is revealed to be a long-forgotten female previously seen as a harmless if callous rival of our favourite redhead...Clenching her fist, the teenage girl with medium-length, straight black hair and pale skin curves her glossy pink lips into a sneer as she vows,
I, Mikuru, swear on the name of Hikiji, that you and your friends will pay for your treachery, Coraline Croft!