A/N: See? I was serious about continuing the story. I know it's been a month. At least it hasn't been a decade, lol.

In this chapter, we finally learn about Old Taro, plus we revisit the mysterious waterfall. But first, a brief look at what our principal character is up to...

Add.: a minor edit in the last chapter, showing that the Inu crew are now privy to Taka's name.

Disclaimer: The characters of the anime InuYasha are the property of Takahashi Rumiko/Shogakukan and Yomiuri TV Sunrise 2000. I do lay claim, however, to Aine and Lon. And, Kakusamaru.


Chapter Twenty: Taro's Tale

Sesshoumaru had turned his back on the snakes' tunnels and had returned to the lower end of the Lake of Tears. Pausing in the air above the rambling ruins of the human habitation, he once again surveyed the expanse of the lake. Viewed from above, it was apparent that its waters were unnatural. His magenta-edged eyes narrowed as he considered the turquoise colour of the water, entirely incongruous for that belonging to a mountain lake.

Hnh. Hardly important, he thought, and immediately shifted his focus to the ruins.

Making a decision, the dog demon suddenly descended and landed in the centre of what had once been a nobleman's courtyard. Remaining utterly still, he allowed his acute senses to evaluate his surroundings. The spirit was somehow tied to this place; according to Lady Aine, it had been for two centuries. Therefore, the site merited reconnaissance.

He soon concluded that it was utterly unremarkable.

And... as unnatural as the lake.

The buildings were derelict and disintegrating, two centuries of neglect evident on every surface. Once, there had been an ornate gate leading to the courtyard, but now the columns leaned drunkenly, threatening collapse. What vegetation there was, was sparse. The few plants present were far from lush; only the roughest of vines and weeds had made any inroad upon the flagstones and the surrounding buildings. There was also, Sesshoumaru realised, no perceptible scents that would have given any indication that wilds animals had ever visited the premises. What birdsong could be heard was distant, coming from the woods beyond the shoreline.

Turning to his left, he regarded what had once been the grandest of the buildings, its entrance marking it as the principal residence. His yoki rose slightly as his instincts perceived from this building the sensation of being observed. It was a different sensation than that he had had when he had looked into Rin's blank stare. This observer was not distant. This observer was present – but also malevolent.

The taiyokai strode across the rough pavement; then, as he stepped into the shadowed interior of the building, Sesshoumaru was quickly aware of two things. First of all, the perception of being watched had increased exponentially. Secondly, the watcher had no intention of making itself known. Which, in turn, led to the logical conclusion that the spectre currently perceived itself to be at a disadvantage.

It seemed on this matter, Kakusamaru had spoken the truth. 'Taka' could not (or would not) manifest in daylight.

Outwardly, the powerful demon's mien was inscrutable. Inwardly, he seethed at continuing to be held to a schedule of the wraith's (and Naraku's) choosing. If his honour had not been demanding the retrieval of Rin's soul, he would have razed the building to the ground then and there.

He was about to leave – then, something caught his attention. The dog demon's eyes widened imperceptibly; he inhaled... and realised that he was not mistaken. He had detected a scent, and it was coming from the centre of the chamber.

Sesshoumaru knew this scent.

So, he mused, there is a connection to this Taka...

Turning his back on the silent watcher, the inu yokai left the chamber and stepped back into the sunlight. Upon reaching the courtyard, he again took to the air and once more surveyed his surroundings. Beyond the dense, hardwood forest sloping away from the lake lay, he knew, the human village where the healer was. He realised that Lady Aine had probably already restored the mind of the mortal by now. Which meant, he thought with some irritation, he would soon be subjected to a meeting with her 'messenger'.

It was then that he noticed another building not far from the lake, and remembered the lady mentioning a shrine in her narrative. Normally, such a structure would have held little interest for the dog demon, but Sesshoumaru had by now decided that nothing could be considered superfluous in this valley. After all, he had just found another piece of this puzzle orchestrated by Naraku. Who knew where others might be laying? Thus, the shrine and its environs also merited investigation.

He would, however, return to the ruins that night, and then...

Then, Naraku's other-worldly 'ally' would pay for her folly.


'Where is he Takeo? Where is the child of he moon?'

Hearing that nonsensical phrase, Takeo's first thought was that Taro had again slipped into madness. But then, to his considerable relief, he saw that his friend's eyes were clear – the vacuous expression which he had worn for decades had not returned.

Miroku leant forward, gaining both men's attention. 'Master Taro... I think you're asking about two of our friends, yes?'

Lying back again, Taro nodded. 'Yes... yes. There was a pretty girl... strangely dressed she was, and the young man... white hair and golden eyes and...

'Did I imagine him?' he asked, his voice suddenly becoming small and worried.

The monk smiled kindly and hastened to reassure the old man. 'No, no... you didn't. You're talking about Kagome and InuYasha. I promise you, they're very real They're not here right now, but they'll be back shortly and you'll meet them.'

Taro frowned. 'He's your companion, then? The youth?'

Miroku decided to keep the explanation short and simple. 'He is. He's also a half-demon,' he said. 'Hence, his... different... features.'

'A half-demon?' asked Taro. The elderly man looked as if this not what he had expected to hear.

'Yes, ' replied Miroku, wearing his own perplexed expression since he would have thought InuYasha's appearance was, well, self-explanatory. 'Why do you call him a child of the moon, Master Taro?' he asked.

The older man sighed, and seemed lost in thought for a moment. Then, he again addressed Miroku. 'I think... I'll have to explain other things before you would understand.' He frowned in concentration, then asked hesitantly, 'You... you're the monk who wants to exorcise the evil on the lakeshore...?'

Noticing fear returning to Taro's's expression, Miroku gave what he hoped was a comforting smile. 'Well, I've been looking into it to see if it was possible...' he began.

'No, no! It's not!' interjected Taro. Again, he raised himself up on his elbows and leant toward the young monk. 'I beg of you, don't go near that beast!'

There was a brief interlude as Takeo intervened and implored his friend not to overtax himself, wondering aloud if he should rest now and tell his story later. This seemed to induce Taro to collect himself. With a tremulous smile, he reassured the headman that he was well enough to continue, saying that the young man must be hear what he had to say.

Miroku hastened to add his own reassurances. 'Master Taro...,' he said, 'I've no intention of doing anything reckless.' In fact, upon hearing Aine's and Lon's accounts of their adventure that morning, Miroku had understood completely that any action he might have been able to take was now in abeyance if Sesshoumaru had marked the lake's haunt as prey. Still, the monk was not about to miss this chance to gain further knowledge of the spirit. Their sojourn in the secluded valley had revealed a puzzle mired in many twists and turns and, somehow, Naraku was also embroiled in it. Thus, Miroku very much wanted to hear Taro's story.

'That's good, young man,' the older man now replied, with a sigh, 'because I was reckless... and I nearly died because of it.'


Everyone in the room was silent and attentive as the elderly man began to speak, the only other noise the soft susurration of Aine's mortar and pestle as she prepared the promised tisane.

'I was very foolish...' said Taro, 'the foolishness of youth. We'd all grown up with the stories, the warnings to stay away from the ruins... to never go near the lake after dark. But... no one had seen the spirit within living memory and a few of the younger men of the village began to doubt that the ghost existed. We should've known better... the lake waters were still corrupted.' He sighed. 'Yet, we doubted.'

He then told them of how he had decided to find out once and for all if the stories were true. Taro had been adventurous as a boy, and had often chaffed at the rustic life of the valley. He had dreamt of one day finding adventure further afield. 'In my youthful arrogance, I thought I could discover the truth,' he admitted. He gave the headman a rueful smile. 'Which is I why I never told you my plan, Takeo. I knew you firmly believed the old tales... and I knew you'd manage to talk me out of it.'

He continued. 'Master Miroku, I thought I was so cautious – I thought I'd planned so well. I hid within the brush bordering the lake, barely in sight of the old mansion; I didn't even step on the shore.' The old man's fingers began to pluck nervously as his blanket; it was obvious to his listeners that he was struggling not to become agitated again. 'The night was clear... the bright moon hung in the sky – then, a mist rolled in from the water and... ' He swallowed. 'I saw a huge shadow leave the ruins, and it was then that I realised that I'd made a horrible mistake and I panicked. I.. I ran, but it was on me before I took two steps.'

'It moved so fast. A great beast towered over me, and it howled... and I felt like my chest would explode with fear.'

Here he paused and released a shuddering breath and, softly but swiftly, Aine was at his side. 'Take a moment, a stór,' the Dé Danann healer murmured. Supporting her patient's head, she held a small copper cup to his lips and urged him to sip the drink within. And, again, her touch brought with it a gentle infusion of Power, easing the panic which had started to rise within the old man. As much as Aine herself wanted to hear what Taro had to say, she would not allow harm to come to his still fragile psyche.

'Are you sure you don't want to rest?' Takeo was asking again, his concern for his old friend obvious. Taro whispered a thank you to the foreign healer, then shook his head as he gave the headman a tremulous smile. 'No... no, Takeo. I'm fine. The story must be told. I can't rest until everyone understands the danger.'

Giving the old man's arm a gentle pat, Aine withdrew to once again sit near the hearth. As she did so, she quickly looked at the rest of Taro's audience; all were paying close attention to the story, but Lon, she saw, had a look of particularly intense concentration on his face. With the acuity inherent to his clan, the púca was not just listening – he was analysing every nuance of expression and inflection. The Londubh, she knew, would know just how accurate the tale was.


'Master Taro?' Miroku asked gently. 'The records at the shrine say that the wraith was a demon in life; the same one that killed the last daimyo. But, they don't say what kind of demon it was. This beast... can you describe it?'

Taro shuddered and nodded. 'Yes... I could never forget it. A huge, black dog, it was – taller than this house.'

At this, Miroku exchanged a startled look with Sango. 'A dog demon?' he asked. The old man elaborated, and the monk could only nod in stunned comprehension. Miroku was quickly able to visualise the giant dog with its thick ruff and long plumed tail. Although, he mused, not, apparently, anything like in size compared to Sesshoumaru, remembering what InuYasha and Kagome had told them about the taiyokai's true form.

'It reared up and howled again,' whispered Taro, 'then, it struck. It had me pinned to the earth and... I couldn't see the moon anymore...' The elderly man's stare became distant, hie eyes' focus turning inward as he continued, and his listeners were taken back to the horror he had experienced sixty years ago...


The wraith was so black... He could barely see where the beast ended and the surrounding darkness began. Massive jaws parted. Fangs bared. Snarling. The fetid smell of rot. Eyes glowing red. A voice, full of rage and hate.

'Vermin! Filthy, human spawn! Your reward for your trespass is death! The netherworld will have you, body and soul!'

The lake vanished. The ground vanished. Surrounded by darkness. Blind. The weight of the huge, clawed foot, holding him down. Pressure building in his chest. Smothering. No air. Mute... but screaming inside (to the gods, to Buddha, to someone, anyone, oh help, help, help!)

Then... the darkness above him fractured; a thin crack that swiftly (but, at the same time so very, very slowly) widened into a small window in which the night sky appeared. He saw the moon and, as he watched, a figure formed within that bright circle. A glowing mist swirled toward him. The beast looked up and snarled. Then, the mist was beside him... a young maid knelt beside him. He could see her so clearly. Beautiful. Sad.

Her arms encircled him. The black claws strove to cling to him, then receded as the moonlight grew brighter.

He could breathe.

He sobbed in relief. He was free. Then, the beast howled in rage and the child of the moon released him and spoke.

'Run,' she said.

And he ran. And, it was then – as he crossed out of that Stygian darkness to flee towards home – it was then that he felt his mind tear apart...


Miroku took a deep breath. That, thought the monk, is enough for now. Taro had finished his tale, but it was apparent that the memories were still raw despite the years that had passed, The old man's speech had started to become disjointed near the end as tears began to roll from the corners of his eyes. Takeo had stepped in at that point, telling his old friend that he had been successful, that they now knew and understood exactly what had happened. Aine had added her support to the headman's intervention and was now once more plying her patient with a draught – this one, she was saying, would help him to sleep and keep nightmares at bay.

Formally bowing his head, Miroku spoke. 'Thank you, sir,' he said, softly. 'I understand how difficult this has been for you. I promise you, I'll think on all you've said.'

Taro issued a weak smile at the younger man. 'I'm glad, Master Miroku. I'm glad I could warn you.'

'Your tale was most... enlightening.' Then, meeting the elderly man's gaze, Miroku added, 'I've only one last question. This "child of the moon"... this woman who saved you... Was she...?'

Taro smiled softly. 'Yes, young man. She looked like your friend.' Then, with a soft sigh, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.


The young monk blinked, momentarily speechless on hearing this last, startling piece of information. Then, he looked around him and took stock of the room. The headman and his daughter-in-law, he saw, had been deeply affected by the story. A still very worried-looking Takeo was asking Aine if she was sure Taro had not overdone it while Izumi, who had knelt quietly by the hearth throughout the narrative, looked like she was about to weep. Miroku was about to ask the farm-wife if she was all right when she suddenly rose and headed outside, saying simply that she needed to check on the children.

Then, Miroku caught Sango's eye, nodding in response when the pretty demon-slayer gestured toward the open doorway.

'I think I'll get some air,' murmured the monk, as he excused himself to their host and got to his feet.

Sango also stood, Kirara once again perched on her shoulder. 'I'll join you,' she said. Looking down at the fox demon, who was watching Old Taro with eyes full of sadness, she gently asked, 'Are you coming, Shippo?' The fox-child started, then looked up and nodded, and the three headed out of doors.


Lon approached Aine, who was now tidying her supplies and replacing them in her satchel. She had just finished reassuring Takeo that, truly, Taro only needed to sleep. The púca had also heard her tactfully advising the headman that he, too, would benefit from some rest. This had brought a wan smile to the old man's face, and he had agreed to do so once he had checked on his daughter-in-law. Then, he had stiffly made his way to the back garden.

'The old one's settled, then?' asked Lon, using their own language.

'He is,' answered the healer in kind, her voice low and soft. She glanced once more at her patient. 'It's a deep slumber he'll be having.'

'Then, shall we also "take the air"?' the púca asked. Nodding her acquiescence, the healer placed her satchel away from the hearth and rose. The two Dé Dananns silently stepped outside, although they moved no farther than the veranda, Aine making it clear that she did not want to stray far from Taro for now.

''Tis no matter,' said Lon, as he sat on the low porch's edge. Stretching his arms and cracking his shoulder joints, he added, 'Who here would understand a word we're after saying?' He looked over to the shaded nook near the well, where their travelling companions had again retired. The young monk looks like his mind's working a mile a minute... he mused.

Closing her eyes, the healer inhaled deeply as she sat beside the púca. On the small, shaded porch the midday heat was quite pleasant. The scents of summer were heavy in the air – it was indeed a beautiful day, she reflected. So much at odds, she then thought, with the sorrow and darkness we've found in this valley. The 'beast' the grey one described – was it truly a spirit? The attack sounded so... physical. And, its nature...

Looking at the older Dé Danann, she asked, 'What did you see, my blackbird?'

Lon paused, then shrugged. 'He believes every word he said.' Huffing softly, he ran his fingers through his black hair then explained how he had detected no prevarication, no fiction in the old man's story. 'The question would be, lass, how much is obscured by decades of madness? Poor creature. It's a hell he's been through, right enough.'

Aine suddenly felt chilled. What, she wondered, would be waiting for Sesshoumaru that night?

Seeing the look on her face, Lon reached for her hand and gently squeezed it. 'I'll warn him, my lass. Never fear, I'll make sure your anamchara knows of the danger.'

Aine smiled wanly. 'He'll welcome information, mo londubh, but perhaps not a "warning"...'

At that, a cheeky grin appeared on the púca's foxy face. 'Ach, never fear, me darlin'. Haven't I always had a way with dogs, so?'


Meanwhile, a few yards away, another shape-shifter was feeling very worried. And, very confused. Like Lon, Shippo was adept at reading between the lines when it came to mortals. Naturally, the young kitsune did not have the púca's centuries of experience and insights, but he did have yokai instincts and he had believed every word of the old man's story. And, what was worrying the little demon the most was the description of the 'beast' at the lake.

'That sounded a lot like a dog demon,' he blurted out, once the little group had again settled themselves in the shade of the maple. Giving Sango and Miroku a panicked look, he added, 'I've only ever heard about InuYasha's dad and – and Sesshoumaru...' He gulped. 'D'you think there are other dog demons?' How powerful would a dog demon's ghost be...?!

Sango shook her head. The demon-slayer also had never heard of any other inu yokai although, she suddenly realised, Sesshoumaru must have had a dam... Still, dog demon or not, the creature described by Taro did not compare to InuYasha's brother, and she said as much now..

'Whatever the demon was in life, it wasn't anything like Sesshoumaru, Shippo,' Sango replied, and the little fox demon, hearing the certainty in her voice, immediately looked reassured. 'Remember, the demon that killed Lord Ryonosuke was also vulnerable to Katsumaru's spear.' Sango knew that the demonic aura retained by the spear, powerful though it was, was still but an echo of that belonging to the demon from whom the bone had been sourced. With no demonic jaki to augment it, she very much doubted it would have been able to kill a demon as powerful as a taiyokai.

She then turned an appraising look on Miroku. 'Speaking of Sesshoumaru, I suppose you've realised that he's staked a claim on that thing.'

Miroku nodded. 'Yes, Aine implied as much,' he replied calmly. Then, he saw a look of relief cross the demon-slayer's face, and a joyful warmth rose in his breast on perceiving her concern for him – as well as some contrition at the realisation that she had been truly worried. 'I never intended to charge in on a crusade, Sango,' he said softly. 'You knew that, surely?'

Sango blushed. 'Yes...' she replied. 'But, you can also be very stubborn, Miroku...'

For a moment, the two were still, their eyes meeting in a silent exchange. Then, the quiet was interrupted by a high-pitched cough. Startled, both humans' heads jerked sideways to see a widely-grinning kitsune.

The young woman's blush rapidly became a deep red while the monk rubbed the back of his head and began to grin. Sango was then very grateful when Kirara gave a contented chirp and decided to curl up on her lap. Stroking the little two-tail, she cleared her throat and, in a business-like manner, asked Miroku what he had though about Taro's tale.

Looking entirely too pleased with himself (from the demon-slayer's point of view), Miroku began to explain the conclusions he had drawn. As he continued, however, his expression rapidly became sober.

The generational curse of the Wind Tunnel had necessitated that Miroku's clerical training had commenced at a young age. Thus, his knowledge base was more extensive than most might have expected for someone in their twenties. Listening to the old man, the monk had soon come to a disturbing hypothesis which further verified just how dangerous the wraith was.

Miroku strongly suspected that Taro had been physically dragged to the brink of the spirit plain – that he had been caught, body and soul, within that borderline between the physical and the spiritual. If so, he told his friends, then it was not surprising that the experience had driven him into madness. Miroku knew that those few Buddhist monks that were able to transcend to the spiritual plain – those who could achieve an out-of-body experience though meditation – were able do so only after years of intense training and preparation. It was a feat, he explained, that required tremendous mental discipline.

'Taro was only a boy... I can't imagine an untrained mind being thrust into such a situation,' he concluded, shaking his head sadly.

Shippo looked back toward the headman's house, where the Dé Dananns sat on the shaded porch. His sharp ears could hear them talking, but he couldn't understand a word because they were using their own language. He thought that the healer sounded sad, though. And, a bit tired. Turning back to his friends, he said, 'But, the old guy's better now.' He grinned. 'I'm happy for him.'

Miroku smiled at the fox-demon. Really, he thought to himself, Shippo was a kind little soul. 'Yes, Shippo. I am too.'

'What did you think about the 'child of the moon?' asked Sango.

'What, indeed?' answered Miroku. issuing a soft 'humph', he met her questioning gaze with one of his own. 'Something saved him that night, I'm sure of it. And, whatever it was, he thinks there's a connection to InuYasha, Is that claim a distortion left over from his madness? Or, did his rescuer really look like our friend...?'

The monk then looked up at the sky, gauging the position of the sun. 'Speaking of which... I wonder how Kagome and InuYasha are faring?' he asked, sharing a concerned look with Sango.

Shippo started as he realised it had indeed been a while since their friends had left, and he wondered if they had found out anything. Kagome's description of what had happened at the shrine had been, to the kitsune's mind, shudder-worthy. He rather agreed with Lon's opinion about another ghost being in the mix, plus his fellow shape-shifter's description of having felt a 'presence' at the falls had left the little demon feeling some trepidation about just what his friends might encounter.

At least we haven't heard any explosions... he thought.


Kagome was pensive as InuYasha carried her at speed through the green woodlands, her thoughts switching between what they had learnt at the shrine and what Londubh had just revealed. The púca's description of a 'presence' had her speculating about just what sort of being occupied the secluded spot.

Takeo had said that the waterfall and its pond were seldom visited; indeed, InuYasha had already remarked that the only tracks to be seen on the path were horse's hoof prints, obviously left by Lon. The location held no sinister association for the villagers, the headman had assured the girl. It was simply off-putting to most by its isolation. He had mentioned how he himself had visited the place as a boy, but had not returned since. Though his child-self had found the location lovely, it had also been far too lonely. And, the old man had added with a pragmatic shrug, there was not much to be gained from a trek over steep deer tracks when there was little in the way of fishing in either the pool or the steam which flowed from it.

More often, however, Kagome found her thoughts returning to her encounter with Lord Ryunosuke and his plea for help. She still felt like tearing up when she remembered the profound sadness that had emanated from the daimyo's spirit. It had been so obvious that he had needed to say more.

He said, 'She will tell you all,' – so, she wondered... had he meant 'all' that was needed to break the second seal? But, the daimyo's spirit had also spoken of freeing someone precious to him.

Kagome hoped with all her heart that she and InuYahsa would learn something of value from the mysterious 'she'.

InuYasha had also lapsed into silence, other than the occasional warning for Kagome to duck her head to dodge overhanging branches. She suspected, however, that he was churning over the revelation made by Aine, that Naraku had lured Sesshoumaru to the valley with the express purpose of confronting the ghost of the lake (who now actually had a name). Just after they had entered the woodland, he had voiced his disdain for the obvious answer i.e. that Naraku hoped for Sesshoumaru's destruction by 'Taka'. As much as he loathed the dog demon, InuYasha also acknowledged (however begrudgingly) that his older brother was not stupid and would never step into a conspicuous trap. And, he had scoffed, 'Since when is Naraku obvious?'

Kagome had agreed. If Sesshoumaru did decide to confront the ghost, then he would do so with a calculated purpose. And, Kagome had no doubt about what the taiyokai's motivation would be.

Poor Rin, she thought then, truly worried about the little girl.

She and her friends had never understood why InuYasha's ruthless brother protected a human child... but protect her he did. Kagome had not forgotten what had happened when Naraku had kidnapped Rin all those months ago, and now a new incarnation had apparently stolen her soul? Whoo boy, she thought, Sesshoumaru will be furious... And, she knew, even more dangerous as a result. And, yet...

And yet, Aine and Lon had actually encountered an undoubtedly seething Sesshoumaru that very morning and had survived the experience; Aine had apparently even been allowed access to Rin, to care for her. Again, mused the teenager, remembering their first encounter with the magical healer.

Which, in turn, brought to mind the fact that Aine had returned to Japan intending to find Sesshoumaru. Kagome realised that, with everything that had happened over the past two days, the topic of why simply hadn't come up. The girl from modern Tokyo was definitely curious about this, but (she acknowledged with an inward sigh) her inherent good manners would keep her from asking Aine outright about it. InuYasha , she knew, had no such inhibitions, but he obviously found the idea of interrogating the healer about his older brother's singular tolerance for her unappealing, for he had not said a word about it since Aine had asked him about the dog demon's whereabouts.

Kagome then recalled how, some months earlier, she and the others had been reminiscing about their adventure with Eadoin and Aine, and she had wondered aloud if maybe the Dé Danann healer and the dog demon had somehow become friends. She had received such looks of incredulity from her friends that she had dropped the subject altogether.

'Hang on,' said InuYasha suddenly, as he jumped sideways to circumvent a patch of loose shale.

Kagome tightened her grip, feeling his back and shoulder muscles tense as he made the leap. Although well familiar with his stamina and agility, the teenage girl couldn't help marvelling at how easily her hanyo friend negotiated the narrow path. She smiled to herself – being carried pickaback at a dead run, she reflected, was an unorthodox method of travel, but a safe one when InuYasha was the one doing the carrying. Kagome was about to ask him what he had thought about Lon's comments... when her stomach issued a loud grumble.

She knew he had heard it from the way his head jerked up and his ears flicked back toward her. 'You're hungry,' he simply observed. He sounded gruff, but she recognised the tone as contrite.

'I'm fine,' she said, giving what she hoped was a reassuring squeeze to his shoulder. 'I'll get something to eat when we get back to the village.' Kagome was hungry, but not so much that she wanted to delay their investigation of the waterfall. However, she suspected her friend was recalling that food had actually been offered by Takeo's daughter-in-law.

InuYasha grunted and nodded. Then, he sniffed the air. 'I smell water,' he said.


Soon, they could hear the roar of the falls, still in full spate after the previous day's heavy rains. The path became more level, then the green woodland tunnel they had been traversing opened wide to reveal a grassy patch bordering a crystal-clear pool, the water's surface glittering brightly in the midday sunlight. Kagome emitted a soft gasp when she saw the water foaming down the mossy rock face on the far side of the pond. It's so lovely, she thought, and she was immediately reminded of a picture from a book of fairy stories that she had loved when she was little.

The girl slid from the half-demon's back and the two approached the edge of the pond at a walk. Both looked about and Kagome could tell that InuYasha was listening carefully... but there was no sound except that of the cascading water and the occasional birdsong InuYasha sniffed the air again, then shook his head at Kagome's enquiring look. 'Nothing,' he said, with a shrug. Nevertheless, he kept his hand on the hilt of the Tessaiga, a sure sign that he was on alert.

She nodded in response. 'Well,' said Kagome, 'the daimyo said we needed to bring the comb here to find out more.' Reaching into her pocket, she took out the pretty ornament. Its smooth, lacquered surface glistened in the sunlight as she looked down at it.

InuYasha continued to survey their surroundings, a frown on his brow. His yokai blood was telling him that this was indeed no ordinary spot. True, he had detected no demon jakis but... he fully agreed with Lon's earlier assessment; that there was the distinct feeling of being watched.

His nose twitched. What the hell...? Is that... flowers? 'Kagome,' he said, 'I think something's here now.'

Startled, Kagome looked up to meet a concerned. golden stare. So far, the girl hadn't sensed anything preternatural or otherwise, but she trusted InuYasha's instincts. She nodded; then, taking a deep breath, she held up the comb. 'Um, hello?' she said, her voice carrying clearly around the open space. 'Excuse me... is anyone here?'

At that moment, Kagome most definitely did feel something. It was the same sort of experience she had had at the shrine, her spiritual powers responding to a surge of emotions manifesting from the direction of the pool. As she had from the spear, she felt sorrow and loneliness. This time, however, she was sure she was also sensing... anger.

Suddenly, she could smell a soft, floral scent. Then, a voice cried out.

'That is not yours!'


Kagome felt InuYasha stiffen beside her as a mist swirled over the centre of the pool before coalescing into the form of a woman. This, they both immediately realised, was a spirit – another ghost.

That's three... thought Kagome. Are there any more? she wondered, the last thought coming slightly panicked. She looked at InuYasha; the half-demon noticed the enquiry in her glance and nodded that, yes, he could see the apparition, too.

The figure was translucent, the sunlight seeming to merge with her form so that it glowed softly. Nevertheless, Kagome could still see her clearly. She doesn't look any older than Sango, observed the teenager. A simple but elegant kimono graced the phantom's slim form, the voluminous folds coloured a delicate shade of pink and embroidered with a pattern of entwining white flowers. Moonflowers, Kagome distantly noted, recognising a plant that had long been one of her mother's favourites. A silky-looking, white scarf was draped over the apparition's head; from beneath it, long, black hair fell in rippling waves past her waist.

She was startlingly beautiful. She also (the girl noted with some apprehension) definitely looked angry.

'That is not yours,' the spirit said again, staring pointedly at the comb. Her eyes narrowed as she looked out from beneath the folds of the scarf. 'Did you steal it?'

'What? No!' yelped Kagome, automatically appalled at being accused of theft. 'No... Please... we mean no harm,' she said, forcing herself to speak calmly. Then, she bent at the waist in a respectful bow, her arms outstretched before her with the comb resting on her palms. 'I was told to bring this comb here.'

The spirit's posture seemed to stiffen, as if she had had a shock, then her expression became very sorrowful and she began to wring her hands. 'Who could have told you to do this?' she said, looking about distractedly. 'Please take it back! At least it was near him, even if I can't be.' Suddenly, she emitted a heart-wrenching moan and swept toward the girl, her hands reaching out for the comb. Kagome looked up and issued a surprised squeak as she saw the ghost bearing down on her.

It was at this moment that InuYasha swiftly stepped to the fore. Though uncertain just how much he could do against a spirit, the half-demon was nevertheless still determined to protect Kagome. He moved in front of the girl, hand on his sword's hilt, and issuing a growl of warning. 'Back off!' he snarled. 'You need to calm down and listen!'

This intervention had a remarkable effect. The ghostly woman actually stopped and hovered before the hanyo, her posture giving the impression that she had only now noticed him. InuYasha felt his yokai instincts fairly leap to attention as the ghost's intense stare became fixated on him. Now that she was closer, he could see her eyes – eyes of such a pale grey that they appeared silver, the irises rimmed with black. They were not, he suddenly realised, eyes one would find in a human.

The spirit woman canted her head to the side, her eyes widened and her mouth opened slightly as her expression shifted to one of wonder. Kagome immediately felt some of the tension leave her body as she gratefully realised that the anger she had been sensing had vanished as the ghost become focussed on InuYasha.

'Are you... kin?' the spectre asked the half-demon, her words now soft-spoken.

'Huh?' InuYasha blinked in confusion. The spirit woman no longer seemed hostile, he realised, which was good... but, she was making his skin crawl with her intense scrutiny.

'Which pack took in your family?' she asked then. 'Was it the wolves of the western lands?'

'Wolves?!' InuYasha almost strangled on the word. This crazy ghost thought he was a bloody wolf demon...?

The ghost then shook her head. Surprisingly, a small smile appeared on her lips. 'No, no.. not kin, I see. Your lineage is, I suspect, of higher rank then mine. But, we are similar... no?'

At that, the scarf on her head faded, then reappeared to drape over her shoulders. Kagome could not prevent a startled gasp when she saw the black, pricked dog ears which had been revealed.

The ghost suddenly bowed low to the by now dumb-struck pair. 'Forgive me,' she said gently. 'It has been so long since I've spoken with anyone.' Again, a soft, sad smile graced her beautiful face. 'You are the first in many years to be able to truly see me,' Folding her hands within her flowing sleeves, she again turned sorrowful eyes to the hair comb in Kagome's hand. 'Please, ' she continued, 'let us begin again. Tell me... who sent you here,'

Collecting herself, Kagome replied, 'Lord Ryunosuke.'

Hearing this, the spirit emitted a sigh that was almost a sob. 'Truly?' she asked. 'My Ryu... he sent you?'

Puzzle pieces clicked firmly into place in Kagome's mind. Nodding in reply, she said, 'Yes. And, I know who you are, now. You're the daimyo's betrothed, aren't you?'

The ghost smiled. 'Hai,' she said. 'I am Yugao.'


'You are not from the village, are you?' Yugao asked Kagome.

The teenage girl shook her head. 'No, we came here from far away.' Realising that introductions were only half complete, she bowed politely. 'I'm Kagome, and this is InuYasha,' she added, gesturing to the glowering hanyo, who was not bowing. However, the ghost (to Kagome's relief) did not seem to be offended.

'Kagome,' repeated the spirit. 'An unusual name, but pretty. It suits you.' Yugao then regarded the half-demon. 'As yours does you. InuYasha – a strong name.' Her complimentary tone caused the half-demon to blush. The spirit's eyes seemed to twinkle at this, and Kagome suddenly knew that here was someone who had once loved to laugh, just like Lord Ryunosuke

Lady Yugao listened attentively as Kagome related what had happened at the shrine that morning. 'So, you see,' said the girl, 'Lord Ryunosuke said that there's another seal on the lakeshore, and that you could tell us more about it,' she said.

'And, if I do, what do you plan to do with that information?' asked the ghost..

'I want to free him,' replied Kagome, her tone earnest. 'If we can do something about the second seal, I know that I can break the one on the magari yari.'

Yugao suddenly drifted closer, causing InuYasha to bristle slightly. The ghost wasn't acting hostile anymore, but the half-demon remained on alert. To his frustration, he knew there was little he could do against a spirit, but he was ready to whisk Kagome away at the first sign of danger.

Canting her head to the side again, Lady Yugao stared wonderingly at Kagome. 'You have... spiritual powers? You can do this?' Then, a sad smile graced her lovely face. 'What am I saying? Of course you do, for you could see Ryu... and you can see me.'

Again, Kagome could sense sadness and loneliness radiating from the spirit. 'No one has been able to see you since...?' Here, she halted, suddenly realising what she had almost said.

Yugao finished the sentence for her. 'Since I died?' Again, the soft, sad smile. 'Don't worry, little priestess. You've not misspoken. Only once, and that was many years ago and fleeting. But... there was a man here last night... a foreign man, with magic within him. I thought for a moment that he could hear me, but he left...' She shrugged. 'I wish he had heard me. I think he would have understood. He had wise eyes, of such a pretty blue...'

InuYasha softly huffed and shot Kagome a confused look. The girl understood his puzzlement. This ghost did seem easily distracted. Maybe she's just been alone too long, Kagome thought sadly.

'Lady Yugao?' she asked. 'The second seal... Do you know where it is? Do you know how to break it?'

She had regained the spirit's full attention. 'Most certainly,' she answered. 'It is within the mansion... but, I don't think you should go there, little priestess. It is too dangerous. She will never allow you to pass.'

Kagome swallowed. 'You mean... the ghost of the lake? Taka?' she asked.

Yugao's black dog ears flattened against her head as she gave them a puzzled look. 'You know her name... How remarkable. It's been so long since I've heard someone speak it, though I never called her that, of course. To me she has always been Takako...'

'Always?' interrupted InuYasha. 'You've always known the demon that killed you?' Kagome winced at her friend's bluntness, but Yugao merely nodded.

'Of course,' she said. 'She is my sister.'


A/N: Next: there were two sisters...