Chapter 28

The sun sits high in the sky above the empty village of the Demon Slayers, with only the six of us taking up any room. Miroku, Inuyasha and I, sit around a fire Miroku set up to get rid of the broken wooden beams that can no longer be used. We've been here for ten days now, waiting around and helping Sango as she heals, but the wounds on her soul may takes months, or even years to repair. It took a couple of days for her to be capable of healing on her own, and that's when we retrieved the Shikon Jewel from her back.

"Damn it, what's going on here anyway? Miroku, is that Sango girl still in bed healing her wounds or what? She can't sleep all day. Get her outta bed! She's the only one who knows where Naraku's hiding! She says she can't remember how to get to the castle where he's staying, but if we keep looking around something's bound to jog her memory sooner or later." Inuyasha whines. He is the only one whose been impatient during these long days, but I can understand why. He wants to find Naraku and the shards before he runs off and disappears again-not that he hasn't already done that.

Inuyasha carries over to long logs and places them down by Miroku and the fire. I watch and listen to them as I scrub away at some bed linens in a water basin.

"Must've been a spell. And now that it's worn off, she's forgotten everything about Naraku and his whereabouts." Miroku replies, chucking another small piece of wood into the flames. The blames burst up like it's been lit with gasoline, but dies down just as quick.

"Who cares about her spell and wounds? We've been waiting for ten days. I would have been up in three!"

"Not me. I'd be bedridden for at least a month. Besides, Sango's not just suffering physically. She's lost her entire family and village; her hearts been deeply wounded."

"A wounded heart, huh? Well, the best cure for that is vengeance! And to get our revenge we have to find Naraku's castle! I'm gonna see if she remembers anything." Inuyasha starts to walk towards the small building where Sango rests, but Miroku chucks a small log at his head, hitting the side and forcing him to stumble a little.

"Leave her alone and let her rest for a while. I guarantee that will be the best medicine." Miroku says, standing up and turning to Inuyasha with a small smile.

But like Inuyasha, I am also curious about her condition. Though I wouldn't force her to get up or tell me where the castle is right away, even though she's stated she doesn't remember. Getting up, I take the wet bed linen and hang it up on a hanging string to dry. And then I turn for the small building with a broken reed door at its entrance. Inside, Sango is nowhere to be found. She must be up and about somewhere.

Turning back from the door, I scour the outside area. Only one place comes to mind that which she may be at, so I round the small building and head for the back of the village where the graves are. The closer I get the better I can see her; sitting before the graves in her pink and white kimono, Kirara at her side, and a yellow flower in her hand. She twists the flower between her fingers, her eyes full of sadness and grief.

"Hey. How are you feeling?" I ask. Already knowing the answer.

Many of her injuries have healed, leaving tiny, faint scars on her beautiful pale skin. Her kimono covering majority of her wounds from the sights of wandering eyes.

"I am fine," she glances up at me for a brief second before looking back down at the graves. "You buried all the villagers and you marked their graves."

"Well, Inuyasha did the burying. I just put the flowers on top." I kneel next to her and try to smile. It is hard to make the gesture knowing that she is in so much pain. Both physically and emotionally. I can't imagine. She has nothing left here. No one to come home too. "Why don't you join our group? Miroku can be a pervert, but a sweetheart, and Inuyasha isn't that bad when you get used to him."

She looks back at me, her eyes falling onto the necklace that holds the Shikon Jewel. "That's a sacred jewel shard around your neck, isn't it?"

I nod, instinctively fingering the chain of the necklace. "We've still got a lot of pieces to collect."

"Naraku will come after it, I'm positive. That's why I want to join you and your friends."

It's a noble reason, and I understand why she wants to do it. "Whatever the reason, we'll be happy to have you."

"I guess," she slowly stands up, "Besides, the Shikon Jewel was born here." She mentions, out of the blue.

"That's the reason why we came here, we were hoping to learn about the Jewel's origins."

As Sango turns her back to me to leave, Kirara walks up in front of me and sits. Her large red eyes staring up at me, and her head tilting to the side curiously.

"Kirara?" I ask, wondering why she's looking at me like that.

"All right. Call your friends," Sango says, dragging my attention from the little cat demon. She says this while limping away slowly. "You helped bury the dead, so I will tell you, how the sacred jewel came to be."

The sky is full of graying clouds by the time we reach the entrance of the cavern. And like before, the closer we get to the cave the faster my heart beats against my chest. Sango leads us from on top of Inuyasha's back; we didn't want to have her limping a distance so we suggested her to be carried.

"At long last, we'll be able to enter the limestone cave, the birthplace of the jewel of the four souls." Miroku says.

"How do we get rid of this stupid cave barrier anyway?" Inuyasha asks Sango.

"We need to know what age-old incantation you villagers chant in order to break it and pass through." Myoga nods, from on top of Inuyasha's left shoulder.

"There's no incantation." Sango replies.

"But, how else would do you it!" Myoga frets.

"This place is a graveyard. It's useless just to look for a way in. At first, my villagers had thought the demons had placed a curse to keep anyone from entering. But we eventually realized that she is the one who keeps intruders out."

The very word, 'she', has my breathing quicken along with my heart. I hug Kirara closer to my chest in hopes to calm it.

"And who is 'she'?" Miroku inquires.

"The person in whom the sacred jewel was born. Her spirit is full of sadness and regret and it prevents others from entering. That's what I sense. It'll be easier to understand once we go in. Go ahead, step through the barrier." Sango suggests.

"Are you sure about this?" Inuyasha asks, and she nods. Taking a deep breath, he steps forward through the barrier, and this time, he gets through. However, Myoga is thrown off his shoulder by the barrier, and lands flat on the ground with smoke rising from his body.

"Now why did that happen!" Myoga cries.

No one but me, seems to notice his departure, and I give him a small frown as Miroku, Shippo, Kirara and I enter through the barrier.

"Countless people have been killed because of the sacred jewel's dark power, and it is the sympathy you show for the victims that leads me to believe she will allow you to enter the cave." Sango mentions.

We continue walking along the cavern. It's dark and cold, but not so dark that we can't see anything. The bodies of dead demons riddle the floors and the edges of the cave walls. Surprisingly, with all the dead, there isn't a pungent smell coming off the bodies. There aren't any side entrances, the cavern is a straight shot to a large chamber up ahead. When we make it to the opening of the chamber, we can see an enormous pile of demons at the center; some are molded together, while others are separate, but what's significant about this horde of demons are the two figures at the top. One is a woman, whose face I can barely see from the entrance of the chamber, and other looks like a gigantic demon eating or holding her in place. A light beam comes through a hole from the ceiling, revealing that they are petrified in stone.

We all look in awe at them. The closer we get the harder my heart beats, until finally it stops altogether at the base of the pile.

"Keara," Inuyasha starts, as we all stare up at the woman whose petrified in death. "She looks just like you."

She does. Her long wavy hair would have been black, her skin the same shade of pale I am, and though her eyes are closed – the same color may behind her lids. Her clothes are similar to what I wear now. A priestess garb but hers, has the adding addition of chest and shoulder armor. The obvious difference between the two of us is the four points on her forehead.

"Do you think?" Inuyasha mutters, "Do you think that this is who you were reincarnated from?"

"I don't know if that's possible," Sango says. Inuyasha kneels down so she can climb off, and she finds a close boulder to sit on. "Midoriko is still fighting her battle within the Jewel. Her soul trapped."

"But that could explain why Keara was soulless when I first met her. An empty shell from a priestess who's still stuck in time." Inuyasha states.

It is true. I have been apathetic and soulless my entire life up until the Shikon Jewel broke into pieces, and then with almost every piece, a part of me has returned and my powers grow. "I guess; it could be true. It'd make a little sense. What do you know about her, Sango?"

"Well, there was a time when ogres, dragons and other demons merged their bodies together to wage a battle. They fought against one powerful human. In her world humans, animals, trees and even stones, were all created through the 'four souls.'" Sango exclaims.

"I've come across that philosophy in my readings. The four souls are called aramitama, nigimitama, kushimitama, and sakimitama. When they're combined, they become the soul of one person, housed inside the heart. Aramitama is courage, Nigimitama is friendship, Kushimitama is wisdom, Sakimitama is love. When the four souls or spirits work together in harmony, it is called naobi, and the human heart is filled with goodness," Miroku rests his staff between the inside of his right elbow and lifts his right hand in prayer. Closing his eyes as he speaks. "Are you keeping up, Inuyasha?"

"No, not really." Inuyasha lowers his head in defeat, a soft blush on his cheeks from embarrassment.

"This is way too deep for me." Shippo admits.

"When somebody does a bad deed, the four souls energize evil and the human loses his way. In other words, a soul can turn 'good' or 'bad' and this transformation can happen within a human's soul or a demon's soul. Now you know why Midoriko was a formidable foe for the demons, because she was able to purify their souls and make them powerless." Sango says.

"So what? She fought off an army of demons by turning them into a bunch of weaklings. Her power didn't last very long, did it? I'd say she's a pretty useless 'priestess' now." Inuyasha grins.

I frown at his words. It is a little insulting that he'd say that-if I am truly the reincarnation of Midoriko, my abilities and powers have come from her. And thus far in our journey they have been a major help. Even against his brother, Sesshomaru, who has been, by far, the strongest demon we've run into.

"She hasn't lost the battle yet. After battling for seven days and seven nights, a demon got its fangs into Midoriko. With her last ounce of energy, she reached deep within her own body for strength and seized the demon's soul. But in doing so, she forced out her own soul." Sango replies.

That's when I see it, a fist sized hole in Midoriko's chest. Miroku sees it too. "Tell me, is the hole in her chest the spot where she forced out her own soul?"

"What flew out of her was in fact the Shikon jewel. She wasn't able to purify the demon's soul. All she could do was seize and imprison it along with herself. That is why the fight isn't over yet. Although the flesh is gone, the battle between Midoriko and the demons is still being waged within the jewel." Sango mutters.

The scenes run through my mind as if they are happening before my eyes. A battle between demons and a priestess, the very dream I have every night. The very thing I see when I look deep into the shards of the jewel. It was Midoriko the whole time. She was the one whispering to me, talking to me and partly guiding me. My eyes linger over her delicate looking face. She must have been incredibly strong. I wonder who this demon is, that has her trapped in a constant battle.

"I've dreamt of the battle," I admit. Earning a surprised look from Sango, Inuyasha and Miroku. "Every night since I can remember. She talks to me, and so does the jewel."

"Then maybe you really are the reincarnation of Midoriko." Sango mumbled.

"It's not like it matters. We just have to worry about Naraku hunting after the jewel shards. I'm gonna take possession of the sacred jewel and use it become a full-fledged demon and then Midoriko can rest in peace!" Inuyasha gloats, but as he's crossing his arms and grinning widely from his comment, a white aura starts to encase his body. "Huh?" He grunts, when noticing the light. He's lifted up into the air by an unseen force and then flung out through the cave and entrance. All we hear after his departure is his yelling echoing throughout the cave.

"Looks like people who talk of the Shikon Jewel and selfish gain get thrown from the cave." Miroku comments.

The sun sets behind the mountains causing an array of pinks, yellows, oranges and reds to decorate the sky. I fling the last white bedsheet over the strung up line. My fingers pinching the sheet nearest to me to test the dryness. Behind me Shippo and Myoga converse on top of a wooden barrel.

"A priestess inside of a stalagmite. Oh my! Tell me all the juicy details, Shippo!" Myoga says. "The priestess thrust the sacred Shikon jewel out of her body while the demon had her in his jaws and the image of them is set in stone!" Shippo explains.

"They were covered in a stalagmite? Then several centuries must have passed since the battle, just like Sango said." Myoga replies.

I turn on my heels to them, and walk on by, patting Shippo gently on the head while doing so. I head inside just as the sun disappears behind the mountain, covering the land in darkness. Behind me I can still hear Shippo and Myoga talk before I enter.

"And Keara may be her reincarnation!" Shippo says excitedly.

I roll my eyes.

I pause before entering the building and look up at the roof where Inuyasha sits on the edge with his legs and arms crossed, perfectly balanced.

"Hey," I give a small wave.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" He asks.

"I'm doing okay," I smile, "Finally have a little bit of a purpose and understanding of why my life turned out the way it did."

"You always had a purpose, Keara, helping us with the jewel shards. Plus, you're not that bad of a fighter either."

"Thanks," My smile widens.

I dock my head under the broken reed door and spot Sango and Miroku leaning against the opposite wall. Sango is sitting, covered in a blanket and Miroku is standing a couple of feet from her. They were obviously discussing something and don't stop when I enter.

"My villagers have worked as slayers for generation upon generation, and it likely has something to do with Midoriko's influence. Over the centuries the sacred jewel passed through the hands of several humans and demons and eventually returned here in my grandfather's time. The Shikon jewel came out of a demon that he had slain. But my grandfather's life and the lives of many others were sacrificed in the battle."

Miroku nods, "The sacred shikon jewel was removed from the demon, but it was horribly defiled. And the slayers did not possess the ability to handle it. So they put it in Kikyo's care." He says.

"Kikyo?" Sango asks, "Was she the priestess who had the ability to purify the sacred jewel."

"Yes, but Naraku found out about her and killed her." Miroku sighs.

"When demons and evil humans possess it, the jewel becomes defiled. When a pure-hearted soul possesses it, the jewel transforms and becomes pure. It's very complex." Sango replies.

"The sacred jewel possesses the power for good and evil, but I've never heard of an instance where the jewel had been used for good. And as long as Naraku is after it, there will only be more and more bloodshed. So we must put an end to the sacred jewel's bad karma. Inuyasha! You must relinquish all thoughts of using the sacred Shikon Jewel to become a great demon." Miroku declares.

We hear a single laugh coming from the roof.

My eyes rip open the moment the ground starts to shake heavily underneath me. The sound of loud booms can be heard off in the distance. Are we being attacked? Instinctively my hand reaches for the jewel on my neck, but finds nothing there. My heart skips a beat, and I leap out of the bedsheets. Where is it? I look around the ground, waking Shippo up from his groggy sleep beside me. But it's nowhere to be found. That's when I notice Kirara and Myoga missing.

"Inuyasha!" I call, rushing out of the building. He and Miroku are standing out front in the direction of the cave and are about to run for it until they heard my call. "The jewel is missing."

"Shit!" He curses.

"Something's going on in the cave!" Miroku yells, "Maybe that's where it is!"

Inuyasha nods, and they both bolt off full speed to the cave. I quickly follow, but not nearly as fast as the boys. By the time I make it to the cave, they are already inside dealing with whatever is going on. The tremors have stopped and noise has quietened. I hope they are okay. I head inside, and now that's it's night, the cavern is much darker than before.

Using my hands, I skim my fingers along the cave's wall and follow it along to the chamber, tripping occasionally on the limbs of the dead demons.

"Got it!" I hear from not too far ahead, "I shouldn't linger here with the Jewel shard. I have to leave the cave." Miroku says. But as he rushes out he spots me, slowing down till he's in front of me.

"Keara, here's the jewel."

He holds it out for me and I gingerly take it from his hand. I unclasp the lock and clasp it back around my neck. Nodding to Miroku, I continue onward into the chamber where Inuyasha, Kirara, and I can only assume Myoga are standing in front of the massive pile of demons.

"Now that's over with. I only know one creature on the face of this whole earth who would pull a stunt as stupid as this one." Inuyasha hisses at Myoga, who he found inside Kirara's thick yellow fur.

"Oh, it's you, master Inuyasha. Thank goodness nothing too serious has happened." Myoga says.

Shaking my head, my eyes dart to Midoriko, even at night I can see her face from the glow of the moonlight shining through the hole. But this time I notice something different. Within the neck of the demon that has her, is sword plunged into its rocky flesh. It too is covered in stalagmite, but it looks like there may be some wiggle room to pull the sword out from. The very thought has my heart racing in my chest.

"Come," her voice says, "retrieve."

As if guided by her voice, I begin my climb up the demon pile, leaving Miroku and Inuyasha behind.

"Where you going Keara?" Miroku asks.

"Just checking something out."

"Be careful, will you." He calls out.

"Aw, cut the crap, will ya. Why did you drag the jewel shard out to a place like this in the middle of the night!" Inuyasha yells at Myoga, not paying any attention to what I'm doing. I am fine with this. This allows me to get to my destination without much of a fight, not that he'd start one.

"I was asleep on Kirara's back, and before I knew it she had taken me here!" I hear the low rumble of Kirara's growl from behind me.

"You liar!"

"It's true! And when we got here, the demon spirits still had some evil energy in them, they reacted and revived with the light from the sacred jewel!" Myoga confesses.

Just like when I entered the cave before, my heart pounds faster in my chest the closer I come to the sword. It's only a few more feet ahead. I use my limbs to ascend the mighty horde of demons. Pulling myself up their mighty forms.

"I could have told you that would happen, ya idiot. You were nearly killed! I should never have bothered saving you."

I reach up for the last demon in my way, and tug my body weight over his limbs. Standing up, I wobble a little before catching my feet. Before me, out from the neck of the demon is a quarter of the blade and the handle. Okay, time to try this out. Maybe I can wiggle it out of the stone. Grabbing the handle reminds me of King Author and Excalibur, I wrap my right hand around the cloth of the blade and start to pull. A groan leaves my lips when the sword doesn't give in right away.

"Excuse me, master Inuyasha, but I don't recall you ever actually saving me." Myoga continues behind me, keeping Inuyasha's attention from me.

"Use your little brain, don't be so dumb!"

"I'm not being dumb, the priestess Midoriko saved me, not you!" Myoga cries out.

"Save your dreaming for sleep!"

Now using both my hands, I yank the blade with all my strength. It wiggles the slightest, and then suddenly, it rips from the stone, throwing me back off the pile of demons. A scream comes out of me. But then I land on something warm, I look up to see it's Inuyasha whose caught me.

"What do you think you're doing?"

I wave the sword in front of me, "I got it." I smile with achievement.

He carefully lands us by Kirara and Miroku, gently helping me stand back up. I hold up the blade with one hand, but start to struggle, so I use both. I twist it in my hands, getting a good look over the fine sword. The stalagmite makes it dull and unusable.

"How were you able to pull it out?" Miroku inquires.

"She told me to do it." I nod my head to Midoriko.

"So you can hear her?" Miroku's eyes widen the slightest.

I nod, bringing the blade closer to my face to get a better look, but as I do this, it starts to glow a bright purplish light. The same color as my abilities and aura when I am using them, and before my eyes, the stone breaks off the blade revealing a sharp metal sword awoken from its slumber.

"It's cracked open!" Myoga states.

We all look at it in awe. It's a long blade, but sharp like a razor. It is a little heavy to be holding in one arm but with practice it can be done.

"I think she wanted me to have it." I mutter. "I heard her calling for me to enter the cave the first day we were here. And when I got close to it, my heart started pounding fast."

"And you didn't think to tell us this?" Inuyasha questions, crossing his arms and raising one thick silver brow.

I shake my head, "not really. I hear voices from the shards all the time and I don't tell you."

"Well why the heck not!" Inuyasha yells.

I really don't have an answer for his question. I just figured I'd keep it to myself since I partly believed I was just going crazy. But now, holding this blade. I know that these voices are more than just my mind playing tricks on me. It's for real. Midoriko is calling for me from each shard we come by, when she feels in danger in the hands of an evil intended human or demon. When she wanted me to have something that belonged to her that may help us with our journey.

I look over my shoulder at her. Her eyes are closed and regardless of the war around her, she looks peaceful. She's given me a reason – a reason to fight and live, no matter how dangerous it may be. It is worth fighting for.

Thank you Midoriko.