Loose Ends: Tie them off or sever 'em
Author's note: The following is a fan fiction created by myself, Joshua
Franklin. I do not own any of the characters herein, as they were created by Rumiko Takahashi. Please enjoy. Any feedback is appreciated.
*Some vocabulary: Youkai-Demon, Hanyou-Half demon, Miko-Priestess, Kitsune-Fox Demon, Kitsune Bi-Fox fire, Arigato-Thank you, Gomen-Sorry, Baka- Fool/idiot, Hentai/Ecchi-Pervert/lecher, Kami-God(s), Shikon no tama-Jewel of four souls, Kazaana-Air rip/wind tunnel, Kaze No Kizu-Wound of the Wind, Sengoku Jidai-
1 Warring Era, Hai-yes, houshi-monk/priest,
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Chapter Two
Inuyasha's eyes snapped open, coming out of a deep sleep so suddenly, it took his pupils a moment to focus. Careful not to move, he then swept the surrounding area with his amber sight, his piercing orbs easily adjusting to the dim light provided by the predawn sky. Back and forth he swept the campsite with his
vision, checking first for intruders, as well as ensuring that the sleeping bundles of his friends were undisturbed. Satisfied that both were as they should be, Inuyasha pondered what had interupted his slumber.
Regardless of what his eyes informed him, he knew that something had entered the camp during the middle of the night. He could sense something, barely nipping at the edge of his consciousness, but he couldn't discern what exactly was the source.
Pausing for a few breaths longer, Inuyasha then felt a slight pricking on his neck. Scowling, the hanyou snapped his right hand to the left side of his neck, fully flattening the tiny youkai that was feasting there.
"Damn it, Myoga. Pleasant as it is to have you around, one of these days I'm just gonna squash you and be done with it."
Bringing his hand down from his neck, Inuyasha peered into his palm at the tiny (If a bit flattened) being that was cupped there. Dazed from the force of the hanyou's swat, Myoga's eyes took a little while to focus on his liege lord and reply, "My apologies, Lord Inuyasha. My journey has been along and grueling one, and ever has your family possessed the finest vitality that I've had the honor to sample. Your father was particularly succulent, though Sesshoumaru's brew was not quite as delectable."
Scowling down at the flea, Inuyasha fisted his palm into a tight grip around Myoga. He didn't crush the flea, but he certainly gave the tiny figure something to think about.
"Yeah, well, keep doing that and you'll never know if my taste will ripen with age."
"As you will, Lord Inuyasha."
Satisfied that the threat would keep the little bloodsucker at bay for at least a few days, Inuyasha unceremoniously dropped Myoga to the ground and gave a very canine-like yawn. Fingering the minute puncture on the side of his neck, the hanyou breathed a curse at Myoga for disturbing his slumber. His body didn't particularly need to rest, but he'd found that nights passed much more swiftly in sleep than keeping watch all night. His senses remained sharp enough to alert him of even the smallest disturbance in his surroundings while unconscious, hence Myoga. Inuyasha doubted that he would find sleep again, and he guessed that the others were hours away from their own awakenings.
"Damn it, bug," he cursed softly. Sighing, he then tried to reconcile himself as he stood up. "Well... I guess this means I'll just get that task over with a bit sooner than I'd expected. It's not like I got anything else to do, now that we've got the shards. I guess I'll ask Kaede about any other shikon rumors while I'm there."
Gazing up at his lord with an expression of curiosity, Myoga inquired, "Forgive me, Lord Inuyasha, but might I ask what task you are referring to?"
Fixing Myoga with a withering glare, Inuyasha said in acid tones, "Not that it concerns you, bug, but I'm headin' out for Kaede's village today. Kagome asked me to get some scrolls from the old woman. Some kinda lore about herbs or Miko training or some such. I figure I might as well ask her about any rumors concerning shard locations while I'm there."
Pausing a moment to mentally bolster his courage, Myoga dared to remark, "That seems a particularly generous act, given the distance involved."
Bending low with an exaggerated show of calmness, Inuyasha came eye-to- body with the fiea-sized youkai. "Myoga..." he began in silky tones, just before flicking Myoga away with his index finger. "I wasn't kidding when I said to keep your nose out of what doesn't concern you."
Not wanting yet another displacing blow, Myoga quickly changed the subject. "Milord, might I ask whether you have seen combat recently?"
"Just the other day. I noticed you weren't present, as usual."
Mustering as much of his dignity as possible, Myoga huffed and drew himself up another millimeter or so. "I can hardly be in two places at one time, Lord Inuyasha. You know full well that shippou insisted on taking me with him to learn whether the nearby Kitsune family might be relatives of his."
"Keh, even if he had left you here, we still wouldn't have seen your face during the fight and you know it," Inuyasha snorted. Then his face softened a bit as he asked, "And were they? Does shippo have living relatives?"
Allowing himself another indignant huff, Myoga turned aside and replied, "In all candor, Lord Inuyasha, I fail to see how such a finding would involve you."
Clenching his hands into fists, Inuyasha snarled, "Watch it, bug... Ware your step and remember you bounds." Guessing that Myoga would not have returned alone, regardless of their discovery, Inuyasha turned towards Kagome's bedding. Sure enough, the hanyou found a small bunch in the covers the size of the young kitsune that Inuyasha had missed in his first scan of the campsite. Shippou had again fallen asleep near Kagome, as was his habit.
Recalling the abruptness of the flea's question, Inuyasha returned his gaze to Myoga and inquired, "Why do you want to know about a recent battle?"
"Actually, I am more interested in Miroku. As we arrived back here, I managed to observe the houshi gazing at his right hand with rapt attention and an odd expression. Given the late hour, I was slightly puzzled as to why he was still awake."
Inuyasha tried to logically reason that Miroku had simply awoken from something like a nightmare and had checked his palm to ensure that the Kazaana was still restrained. Possible. With his brow furrowed in puzzlement, Inuyasha turned to gaze at where the monk should be sleeping.
He found the covers pulled high and motionless over Miroku's head. Eyes narrowing in suspicion, Inuyasha noted that the blankets were too still. Leaping across the camp in one bound, Inuyasha landed beside the bundle and gave an experimental prod with his foot. What he felt caused his suspicion to soar to new heights.
Ripping aside the covers, Inuyasha discovered that the houshi's spare robes were stuffed in place of the monk. Scowling in irritation, the hanyou promptly ripped the garments to shreds. Turning aside to Myoga, Inuyasha demanded, "Did you see what happened? Who took 'im?"
Realizing the hanyou's mistake, Myoga hastily corrected Inuyasha's assumptions about Miroku's disappearance.
"Lord Inuyasha, I did indeed witness what occurred. And I can assure you, Miroku was in no apparent danger when I last saw him.
"As I said, Miroku had been gazing at his hand for some time when we'd arrived. He did not take note of our presence and remained that way for some time. Eventually, Miroku stood up and simply left, packing his bedding with the robes before he went. I believe he intended to return before any of you awoke."
Staring down at the torn cloth gathered in his hand, Inuyasha asked, "Did you see which way he went? How long ago did he leave?"
Suddenly, Myoga began to act evasive. "I... I am afraid I cannot say in all certainty, milord. My attention was elsewhere at the time."
"Keh. In other words, you were too busy thinking' about your next meal, now that there weren't any onlookers to interrupt you."
Wary of another blow, Myoga quickly broadened the distance between him
and his scowling lord. Sighing, Inyasha eyed Myoga as he stood up from his crouch. "Ah well. Let the damn monk do as he pleases. I've got better things to do
than chase off after 'im right now."
Taking a hesitant step forward, Myoga meekly asked, "Milord, do you think that's wise? If Miroku is having concerns about his Kazaan--"
"Look, the houshi should be smart enough to inform Kagome or Sango of any problems he's havin' with his curse. If it's been damaged again, he can always borrow Kirara and make it to Mushin's in time. That old drunk fixed him up once, he can do so again, if needed."
Myoka seemed as though he were about to argue, but decided against it. Inuyasha had obviously made up his mind and Myoga didn't have any other evidence to sway the hanyou's stubbornness. Besides, the sooner Inuyasha left, the sooner he could drink in private.
* * * * *
A few hours later, Sango awoke to find a strangely sated Myoga issuing a
large (for his size) belch. Certain she did not even want to know, Sango went about packing her bedding and didn't talk to the flea until she found both Inuyasha and Miroku gone. The hanyou she wouldn't have been curious about; he was almost always out and about. Miroku was another matter entirely. And the two of them leaving in the same night was enough of a curiosity for Sango to break her silence.
"Myoga, have you seen where Inuyasha and Miroku have gone? Did they go on some sort of quest together?"
"Hmm? No, my dear. Inuyasha left before sunrise and Miroku informed me earlier that he would be spending the day in private training," said the flea, intentionally omitting the fact that Miroku had been absent all night. "Myoga," the houshi had said when he'd briefly (and sneakily) returned to camp, "They don't need to know about me having spent the night elsewhere... Any more than they need to know what you were doing when I came back."
The youkai fully intended to keep Sango and the others completely ignorant
of the houshi's absence.
Anxious to change the subject, Myoga hastily inquired, "Sango, am I correct in assuming that you can sew clothing?"
At her somewhat hesitant nod, the flea continued, "Then, might I suggest
that you repair his robes from the other day, during the battle?"
"What for? Miroku has more than just one set of clothing."
Directing her gaze to the shredded pile of fabric, Myoga commented, "Not anymore."
Even without an intent study, Sango was able to see that the fabric had been shorn by claws. "Kami smite that hanyou! What was he thinking?!"
"I'm sure I wouldn't know, my dear. Ever has Lord Inuyasha acted on his own impulsive logic."
Giving a resigned sigh, Sango breathed, "Oh, indeed. Truer words have never been spoken about that one." Resolutely squaring her shoulders, the exterminator agreed. "Very well. Since diving into a raging sea seems to be less punishing to clothing than that one's claws, I'll repair the robes that Miroku wore when he... When he fell."
The memory was still a raw one, despite the fact that Miroku had suffered no serious injuries, and Sango's voice quaked at the reference. Nodding to Myoga, Sango turned around without another word and retrieved the clothing in question before returning to her pack of supplies.
After eyeing Sango long after she'd turned away, Myoga offered a satisfied nod in return.
* * * * *
Sango finished the patchwork by midday, and Miroku had yet to return. Somewhat curious as to why the monk had felt he would need the entire day to
train, as well as wanting to present the repaired robe, Sango decided to find Miroku. Kagome, who had nothing better to do, chose to tag along. Using her tracking abilities, the youkai hunter quickly discerned the direction Miroku had left and the two girls caught up with the houshi in short order.
Coming to the end of the trail, Kagome and Sango suddenly emerged from
the thick press of the forest into a small clearing. Had the clearing been pristine, it would truly have been a breathtaking sight, what with the bright sun shining overhead and the solemn forest green surrounding on all sides. As it was, the scene was one of utter devastation, with the ground blasted and marked from trenches and craters scattered about. Even the outlying trees on the fringe of the clearing showed evidence of violence, as their branches were frayed and splintered, with the bark completely stripped.
Before the girls could worry about Miroku, they caught sight of the houshi directly opposite from them, sitting within a strangely serene waterfall. The fall was just large enough to completely envelope Miroku with its spray. Despite the rushing water and his lowered eyelids, the houshi somehow sensed the pair and called out a greeting.
Striding through the ruined terrain, Kagome and Sango returned his hail, confusion and wonder plainly evident in their tones. Stopping some distance in front of Miroku, the girls shared a glance before Sango asked, "Miroku, what happened here? Were you attacked?"
Standing up and emerging from the cascading water, Miroku frowned slightly as he replied, "No, Sango. As I informed Myoga, I've been spending the day with training exercises. I'd assumed that he would share the knowledge of my whereabouts with you both. I have not seen any combat this day, though there's still plenty of time for that to change."
Kagome gazed about them with an expression of distain as she returned, "He did tell us that you would be gone all day, but he didn't say it would involve so much destruction. What'd you do, Miroku, give your prayer beads the day off?"
"In a manner of speaking."
After pausing expectantly, Sango realized that Miroku did not wish to disclose any further details. Shrugging aside her curiosity, the exterminator signaled
Kagome to drop to subject. Miroku's business was his own to manage until he wished it otherwise.
Glancing from one girl to the next, Miroku gave a delicate cough and said,
"Aside from wanting to check up on me, is there a reason you both sought me out?" Reaching over her shoulder, Sango removed the stitched clothing from her
pack and handed the robe to its owner for his inspection. Carefully studying his reaction, Sango stated, "Myoga also suggested that I sew up one of your robes." Giving a small shrug, she admitted, "I'm more skilled with the boomerang than with the needle."
Giving the garment a once over, Miroku exclaimed, "Ah, my thanks! Yes, I did notice that Inuyasha seemed to take a disliking toward my wardrobe. I'm very glad that I now have two sets of clothing that will keep me from feeling every breath of wind. Again, arigato."
Looking back to Sango, Miroku held her gaze with his own as he continued, "And fear not about the craftsmanship. The sentimental value that this now commands makes it more precious to me than the finest silk."
Trying mightily not to seem overly pleased by this statement, Sango wordlessly nodded to Miroku as she took back the garment and repacked it before
turning about to set off toward the distant campsite. However, Kagome wished to remain a bit longer.
"Sango, I'd like to talk to Miroku for a little while, if it's all the same to you. I'll be returning shortly."
Without turning around, Sango merely nodded again before she walked out of the clearing and disappeared within the forest.
"Walk with me, Miroku?"
Falling in step beside Kagome, the houshi glanced sideways at her, clearly intrigued as to what she might have to say. They soon left the clearing, though they were not traveling in the same direction as Sango. Their path had once been a
forest trail, abet one long since fallen into disuse, and was fairly level and wide. The trail was fairly clear of shrubbery and underbrush, allowing for easy travel.
"Kagome, what do you wish to speak of?"
Coming to a halt, Kagome gazed absently at the grass for a while before replying, "I want to know what's going on, Miroku. First Inuyasha destroys your clothing for no apparent reason, then, for the first time since I've met you, you suddenly decide to spend a day in training. A training intense enough to destroy
that clearing, which could only mean that you're doing something which involves the Kazaana. I want to know the reason."
Sighing, Miroku again began to walk, with Kagome matching pace this time. After a little bit of hesitation, Miroku struggled to arrange his thoughts into a suitable dialog. "In all honesty, I am not entirely sure."
When Kagome silently bade him to continue, Miroku took a deep breath and elaborated.
"Kagome... I know very little regarding the Kazaana outside of the firsthand experience that I've gained from living with it. My father... My father was consumed when I was still fairly young. I believe he felt I was too young to understand the nature of the Kazaana or any insights he might have possessed. In any case, he left the matter for Mushin to attend to. Though he did his best, Mushin could only impart any advice that he had gained from observing my father. And seeing the Kazaana in use and actually possessing it are vastly different experiences.
"However, of late, my Kazaana has been functioning in ways outside of my experience. That is the purpose for my training. I must regain my equilibrium with my curse. If I do not, there is a very real danger to everyone around me."
Kagome regarded Miroku with a thoughtful expression as she heard the information. She then asked, "What do you mean? How is the Kazaana being unfamiliar?"
"It... It feels like it's changing. I don't really know how to describe it."
Pausing for a moment, Miroku tried vainly to express the sensation with words but found it was like trying to describe a new color or a new taste. After a few more moments of fruitless thought, Miroku abandoned the notion of description and decided to use example instead.
"Recall our last battle. The Kazaana is anything but a precise tool, yet I used it twice with perfect results. Such a thing is nearly impossible. Despite all of my years with this curse, it remains more of an art than a science."
"Practice makes perfect. With enough time, anything is possible," Kagome offered, trying to solve this logically. She could tell that Miroku was concerned by all this and she figured that a solution, even a supposed one, would go a long way toward calming his mind.
"Perhaps. But every fiber of my being tells me that I should not have reached that point, not yet. And not so abruptly. Remember, I did not notice anything unusual until that night. If time truly was needed for the Kazaana's mastery, then my control should have improved gradually, not instantly."
"Maybe you'd gotten to the point where all you needed was a push?"
"That is a possibility--my only concern was your rescue. My focus was
entirely upon you, and if anything could force me to grasp control of my curse, it would have been that desperation. But if I was indeed pushed, I find myself wondering where I've been shoved to. What else shall be a result of this catalyst?"
At Kagome's curious expression, Miroku held out his arms for her inspection. His left limb was marked by numerous abrasions and was almost completely covered with bruises, while his right forearm and hand were oddly bereft of any injures. Kagome noted that Miroku was not wearing his gauntlet, though the prayer beads were still bound around his right palm, but she was more intent upon the strange dissimilarities. Kagome came to the conclusion that some force other than chance had to have been responsible for sparing the cursed hand from injury.
"You'll notice my right hand hasn't been wounded. My head was also spared from injury, as were the rest of my vital areas. My torso and other particularly vulnerable spots are unmarred." With a wry grin, Miroku finished, "Including my most precious and crucial of body parts."
"So..." Kagome said, cocking her head to the side and turning her gaze to the tree leaves as she sought a logical explanation while doing her best to ignore the last few words of Miroku's comment.
"So, for the most part, I received minor injuries in what should have been a fatal fall, save any areas needed for the continued existence of the Kazaana or its host and those areas were not harmed at all."
Eyes doubling in size, Kagome snapped her visage from the leaves overhead
to the houshi before her. "You think that the Kazaana protected you both in an act of self preservation? But... That would mean... The Kazaana must have a will of its own..?"
Nodding, Miroku added, "As well as other possible abilities. If the Kazaana
did indeed protect me in some way, it must have used some unknown attribute. Until this day, I had no idea about the Kazaana being willful or possessing other powers."
After a lengthy, thoughtful pause, Kagome turned back around and began to walk back to the clearing. Again Miroku followed suite, walking beside Kagome and pondering the course of their discussion. Eventually, Kagome broke the silence.
"And that's the reason you've been training all day? In an attempt to discover the new properties of the curse?"
"In part, yes," Miroku said. When Kagome looked his way and motioned for an explanation, he continued, "As I said before, I'm trying not to use my prayer beads anymore than is necessary. In doing this, I hope not only to decipher new properties, but also to gain a greater control over the Kazaana."
When the full impact of this statement hit Kagome, she came to a stop so suddenly that Miroku feared she'd tripped and he quickly grabbed onto her.
Kagome, in full possession of her balance, noted his action and absently swatted his hand away from her backside. Ignoring the grope for the moment, Kagome turned toward Miroku with a stunned expression and said in a breathless tone, "Is such a thing possible? Do you really think you can master the curse to the point where you won't need the beads?"
Nodding, Miroku unobtrusively rubbed his stinging hand as he resumed their previous walking pace.
"For a short time at least. When Naraku first pierced my grandfather with the Kazaana, my grandfather was forced to control the curse for the time needed to
bless his prayer beads in an effort to nullify its fierce appetite. In the time that it took him to discern a temporary solution to the curse, my grandfather was able to completely restrain the curse. Before the Kazaana consumed him, my grandfather attempted to leave detailed instructions on his discoveries concerning the Kazaana. Unfortunately, he too found it difficult to properly describe the curse with words and, since the curse is only passed on to the next heir once its current host is consumed, he wasn't able to train my father. As a result, my father never learned how to
control his Kazaana to such a degree and was forced to wear the beads as his only recourse."
At this point, the pair rounded the last bend in the trail and reentered the clearing. Kagome gazed about with fresh insight as she inquired, "And you wish to rediscover this method?"
"Hai. I may not have any other option. Remember, if the Kazaana did indeed protect me somehow, it did so even after I'd resealed it with the prayer beads. If we are correct, then it seems that the prayer beads have little to no effect on this new ability. If there are other abilities that the Kazaana possesses, it's possible that they will be similarly unhindered."
"But... If your father couldn't do it, what makes you think you can succeed--in one day, no less--where he failed?"
Shrugging, Miroku returned, "I have no guarantees, though I do have two things in my favor. For one thing, like my grandfather, I am desperate. My father was content with relying on the prayer beads, but if I fail in this, all of you are in danger of falling prey to forces outside of my control or understanding. This passion may be a critical factor in handling the Kazaana.
"Secondly, I believe my talents in the mystic arts outstrip those of my father. Beyond blessing his beads, my father possessed little priestly magic. Perhaps he
was unable to dominate the Kazaana because the feat was beyond his skill. In any case, I must try."
Satisfied with this disclosure, Kagome began to walk across the clearing toward the campsite. Pausing at the tree line, Kagome turned around and asked, "Will you be eating with us later?"
Shaking his head, Miroku headed back to the waterfall as he answered, "I've decided to exercise my body, mind, and soul for the rest of the day. Part of this regime involves purifying all three by meditation and fasting before and after the periods of physical toil. At sundown, I will rejoin you and the others at camp. Until then, I shall remain here."
Nodding in confirmation, Kagome waved once before walking into the forest. Miroku resumed his previous position within the waterfall, thus beginning his resting period before he resumed his studious training.
* * * * *
By the time Sango and Kagome caught sight of Miroku's clearing, Inuyasha had covered the distance between the campsite and Kaede's village. Once there, the hanyou had briskly collected the scrolls for Kagome and had inquired about any rumors regarding other Shikon shards. Unfortunately, Kaede had possessed no new information to offer and Inuyasha had brusquely finished his business and departed.
Having little patience for delays, Inuyasha took few breaks for rest and spent most of the trip in constant motion, causing him to make good time. As the waning sun neared the horizon, the hanyou entered the lands adjacent to their camp. Just before he caught sight of the camp, Inuyasha's sharp hearing discerned a rumbling crash followed by a heavy silence. His curiosity thus intrigued, the hanyou altered his course and bypassed the camp altogether.
Figuring it tactically wise to assume a high vantage point, Inuyasha jumped to the nearest treetop and proceeded to leap within the canopy from branch to branch with a grace and agility that was breath-taking. Moving with barely a whisper of sound, the hanyou crept to the forest's edge and paused a long moment to fully absorb the scene before him.
As with the girls, Inuyasha was shocked by the large-scale destruction, and the fact that Miroku appeared to be alone only added to his amazement. Finding the
clearing's devastation evenly distributed, Inuyasha focused on the houshi. Miroku was dressed in a plain white training gi as was customary for monks in training. He wielded his staff firmly in both hands and was practicing various routines with the
weapon, its headpiece flashing repeatedly as it reflected the sun's rays. Though his entire person was thoroughly drenched, his easy motions belied any fatigue he may have felt. Despite his swiftness and precision, it seemed to Inuyasha that Miroku's focus was elsewhere, as if preoccupied with his thoughts.
Certain that the sound had come from this clearing and recalling the houshi's mysterious departure that morning, Inuyasha decided to keep his presence a secret
and observe.
Eventually, Miroku's attention returned to his surroundings and his technique became even more refined, his movements becoming incredibly subtle and fluid. At the end of his kata, Miroku raised his staff overhead and spun it about in a dazzling pattern before snapping out his lead foot in a forward kick, followed by bringing the staff crashing down. Flawlessly, Miroku suddenly and completely halted the staff's momentum about a foot above the ground, its length parallel with the earth.
Standing up straight, the houshi then swung the weapon in a vicious swipe to his
right. Unexpectedly, he released the staff in mid-backstroke, sending the flashing weapon spinning away.
Standing there with his legs straight, left arm across his crest, his right arm fully extended at shoulder level and pointing in the same direction as his left, Miroku then closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. Changing his footing into a secure base, Miroku then punched out straight ahead with his right hand, palm out and open, causing his left arm to cross over his right and neatly unclasp the prayer beads in one quick motion.
Just as his right limb extended to its fullest, Miroku gave a loud cry and visibly tensed. Blazing forth, an immense force flashed from the Kazaana and
crossed the clearing to collide with a large oak. With the sound of crashing thunder, the tree was felled and it toppled to one side.
Despite his resolution to remain hidden, Inuyasha was unable to withhold a surprised "What the hell?!", which alerted Miroku of his observer. Spinning about,
the houshi stood tensed and waited for the new person to reveal himself. Any chagrin Inuyasha might have had about being caught eavesdropping was completely and utterly smothered beneath his mounting anger.
Dropping to the ground, Inuyasha stormed out of the forest, fury coloring his features. "And just how long have you had that particular trick and when were you planning on telling us about it?!"
Appearing remarkably calm, given the snarling visage two inches away, Miroku coolly regarded the sun's progress. "I believe I've been able to do that particular feat for about… Three hours now," he remarked, then paused to reflect. "And everyone at camp is well-aware of my being here."
Turning back to Inuyasha, Miroku gave a sly grin and remarked, "Had you bothered to ask me this morning of my intentions, you wouldn't have needed to... 'interrogate' my wardrobe. Had you sought me out, I would have told you my intentions."
Suddenly realizing that his reaction to Miroku's unexpected absence might be viewed by some as an overreaction, Inuyasha attempted to cool his ire and he apologized as graciously as he could.
"Keh. Yeah, like I believe that one. Ah, to hell with it, see if I give a damn." Turning around, Inuyasha hoped to leave the clearing before Miroku could press the advantage. Alas, the houshi's tongue proved to be swifter than the hanyou's legs.
"A moment, Inuyasha. I have a favor I'd like to ask."
Whirling around, Inuyasha fixed Miroku with a perfectly incredulous expression. "Are you insane? What in the hell...? What the hell makes you think I'd ever do you a favor?"
Quirking an eyebrow, Miroku said, "I understand your reaction, especially considering your disadvantageous position--"
Inuyasha began a low growl.
"--But I don't feel that this is an unreasonable request. Actually, I believe i you might find it rather appealing," Miroku continued, ignoring Inuyasha's
threatening demeanor. Staring straight into the hanyou's narrowed eyes, Miroku said, "I want to fight you. To spar with you, to be exact."
Flashing the houshi an amused smirk, Inuyasha replied, "As appealing as that sounds,--and it does, very much so--I've better things to do than drag you back and forth across this clearing." Besides, Inuyasha silently added, It'll be much more amusing to 'spar' you when you're not on your guard, houshi.
Content with keeping this thought private, Inuyasha omitted this and continued, "I'm not about to indulge you, houshi, not today. I'm not in the mood." Turning his back to Miroku, Inuyasha inclined his head in a show of arrogance and concluded, "Besides, I don't go about fightin' with half-assed measures. I fight and I destroy. Period."
Though he was certainly disappointed with the hanyou's refusal, Miroku
strove to give the appearance that the matter was unimportant. If Inuyasha realized just how much Miroku desired to spar with him, the damnably obstinate hanyou would only take that much more pleasure in refusing. Besides, there's more than one way to skin a cat. Or hanyou, in this case. Miroku would just have to try a more round-about method. Less direct perhaps, but much more likely to succeed. Nodding at Inuyasha's back, both to affirm his decided course and to bolster
his courage (One can only safely push a hanyou so far), Miroku acted like he'd suddenly remembered something important, loudly exclaiming, "Ah! That's right, how could I've forgotten?"
When Inuyasha turned halfway around to show an inquiring eyebrow, Miroku knew he had the hanyou right where he wanted him. Turning away from Inuyasha to heighten the intrigue, Miroku gave the pretense of heading off toward camp, idly saying, "Arigato, Inuyasha. I just remembered a rather pressing matter that I've been neglecting. But, with your refusal, I now have no other business at present and I might as well attend to this."
Overly curious, as Miroku knew he would be, about what could be important enough for the houshi to so easily shrug aside his refusal, Inuyasha called out, "Oi, Miroku, what've you been put puttin' off?"
Glad that Inuyasha couldn't see his smirk, Miroku yelled over his shoulder, "Oh, just a minor question for Kagome. I should have asked this quite a while ago, but it's always slipped my mind."
Always protective where that one was concerned, doubly so with this particular houshi, Inuyasha was instantly on his guard and suspiciously barked, "And just what might this question be, Miroku..?"
"Hmm? Oh, just to ask if Kagome would do me the favor of bearing me a child," Miroku instantly replied. Immediately giving a quick three count, the houshi then desperately dived aside, barely avoiding a swiping Tetsusaiga. In three short breaths, Inuyasha had crossed the distance separating the two and had tried to cleave Miroku in two.
Rolling to his feet, Miroku swiftly raised his staff in a guard position and faced the enraged hanyou with an air of innocence. "Inuyasha? Is something amiss?"
Grasping Tetsusaiga tight enough to make his knuckles whiten with blood loss, Inuyasha roared, "Yeah, and it's a certain ecchi houshi who just said his last words!"
As he finished this grim promise, Inuyasha dashed forward and attacked with another side-long slash with the Tetsusaiga. Hoping to lessen the impact, Miroku leaped backwards as his staff blocked Inuyasha's attack, and was quite glad that he had, given how close his arms had come to buckling under the Tetsusaiga's heavy blow.
Sliding back a few strides, Miroku disengaged the weapons by twirling the staff off to his left, forcing the Tetsusaiga to the side as well. Even if Inuyasha didn't had the same objectives, Miroku had little desire to wound the hanyou and he launched a flurry of short, snapping blows to Inuyasha's exposed flank. The hanyou didn't even try to ready his sword for defense.
Completely oblivious to everything except his rage, Inuyasha didn't even feel the half-hearted blows. Never wincing once, the hanyou released Tetsusaiga with his left hand and snapped it down to its respective side, firmly grabbing onto Miroku's staff. With his left hand keeping the staff locked into place, Inuyasha then swung a slow (but still quite potent) uppercut with his right, which still held Tetsusaiga.
Faced with the unappealing choice between losing his weapon or losing his life, Miroku quickly chose the former and barely dived aside in time. As it was, Tetsusaiga still managed to bite into the houshi's trailing clothes, its keen edge cutting a slash on Miroku's right pant leg, though the flesh underneath was not harmed.
Wincing when he hit the ground, Miroku rolled to his feet and turned to face the hanyou again, keeping Inuyasha in sight as the houshi prudently backed off. As he lengthened the distance separating him from Inuyasha, Miroku began to think
that this might not be the wisest thing he'd ever done. Well, Miroku, this is what you wanted, an annoying voice reminded him.
I wanted to spar him, and sparring partners don't usually try to kill each
other, Miroku retorted before realizing that allowing himself to get distracted in the middle of a fight could hardly be considered overly intelligent, either.
Inuyasha remained in place, eyeing Miroku with an appraising glare while he tossed aside the staff. He could clearly tell that Miroku was exhausted from the
day's training and was still quite tender from his fall from the cliff. With the houshi now disarmed, Inuyasha had effectively left Miroku with just one option left--the
Kazaana. Not particularly eager to face something that could fell a tree or suck him into an endless void, Inuyasha resolved to humble the houshi with one last attack before ending this foolishness.
Still eyeing Miroku, Inuyasha began to become intently aware of Miroku's
aura, as well as his own. The houshi's, while not as intense as a youkai's, was quite impressive, he absently noted. As he became more aware of the auras, the two
seemed to expand, taking on size and girth until the auras had crossed the distance separating their owners and began to encounter each other. At the point of the conflict, a brilliant rift appeared, visible only to Inuyasha. It was this rift which allowed for the possibility of the Kaze No Kizo.
Opposite from the motionless hanyou, Miroku noted Inuyasha's concentration and knew that the defining moment had arrived. Taking a deep breath, the houshi unobtrusively tensed in anticipation.
Mentally marking where the rift was, Inuyasha looked past the conflicting auras to Miroku, making certain that the houshi hadn't moved in any way.
"Oi, Miroku! You wanted to fight me... Well, here's the best I can give you!" Inuyasha shouted. Despite his words, the hanyou had no intention of targeting Miroku with the Kaze No Kizo and when he struck the glimmering rift with
Tetsusaiga, Inuyasha subtly altered the angle of the blow. Figuring that Miroku would be rightfully amazed that he would use such a lethal attack on a friend,
Inuyasha was confident that the houshi would be motionless with shock and allow the Kaze no kizo to pass by right beside him.
Unfortunately, Inuyasha's confidence was effectively shattered when the monk dodged aside. In the wrong direction.
Eyes widening in horror, Inuyasha saw Miroku sidestep to the right, straight
into the path of the raging Kaze no kizo. Just then, the wind changed direction and. the hanyou was able to catch Miroku's scent. Inuyasha absently noted that the houshi, while strangely filled with anxiety, did not have any fear in his scent.
In fact, Miroku had seen that the attack would pass by him, and he had
intentionally leaped into its path. This was the ultimate reason he had challenged Inuyasha; to match himself against the full power of the Tetsusaiga. Holding his breath, Miroku tensed every muscle in his body and braced himself.
As the Kaze no kizo slammed into the houshi, Miroku gave a loud, courageous shout, which Inuyasha was barely able to discern. Miroku's cry was then engulfed and overwhelmed by the roar of the Kaze no kizo as debris flew in all directions.
Inuyasha shaded his eyes in hopes of gaining one last look at the friend that he had doomed.
Several moments passed and as the debris began to settle and the Kaze no kizo began to subside, Inuyasha's sharp hearing was just able to pick up Miroku's continued shout, its pitch perfectly matching the Kaze no kizo's howl.
The dust and dirt completely settled then, giving Inuyasha a clear view of
Miroku. The houshi stood rigid, completely engulfed inside swirling patterns of energy which raged all around the houshi, though never touching him. The Kaze no kizo was held at bay.
Miroku stood, his clothes billowing to an intense wind, eyes closed and his cry continued unabated. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, blazing in their intensity,
and his roar increase ten-fold. In response, the raging energy increased its ferocity and was suddenly and completely scattered, quickly becoming broken and insubstantial.
Inuyasha, torn between the compelling notions of falling over in amazement or rushing over and strangling Miroku, simply stood motionless with wide eyes. He saw that Miroku was still enveloped in a strangely tinted field which was rapidly receding into the houshi's right fist, fading as it went.
After pausing several moments, allowing his breathing to return to a normal pace, Miroku turned aside and began to leave without another word. This abrupt movement was enough to end Inuyasha's silence.
"O-Oi! Where the hell do you think you're goin', Miroku?! I want some answers!" the hanyou barked.
Turning back to face Inuyasha, Miroku wore an unreadable expression as he
replied, "Unfortunately, I cannot help you in that manner, Inuyasha. At the moment, I am filled only with questions."
With that, the houshi entered the forest and disappeared, heading back toward the campsite.
Inuyasha remained rooted to the same spot as the sun's last rays completely waned, his mind trying desperately to digest what had just happened. Suddenly, his reverie was interrupted by soft, emotionless voice.
"My, I had never thought to see the day when a mere mortal would defeat a being of youkai-descent, even if that being is a mere hanyou bastard. Upon having witnessed the sight, I find myself wishing that such an event had never come to pass."
The voice was extremely quiet, so low that Inuyasha only heard it because I the winds had carried it to his ears. Even so, he had no difficulty recognizing the i speaker, having been a constant source of bitterness for as long as he could remember.
"My patience has reached its limit for this day ," Inuyasha said in even tones, though his body trembled with suppressed rage. "I advise you to come back
tomorrow, when I might be more willing to deal with you, Sesshoumaru. I've got enough on my mind, as it is."
Author's note: The following is a fan fiction created by myself, Joshua
Franklin. I do not own any of the characters herein, as they were created by Rumiko Takahashi. Please enjoy. Any feedback is appreciated.
*Some vocabulary: Youkai-Demon, Hanyou-Half demon, Miko-Priestess, Kitsune-Fox Demon, Kitsune Bi-Fox fire, Arigato-Thank you, Gomen-Sorry, Baka- Fool/idiot, Hentai/Ecchi-Pervert/lecher, Kami-God(s), Shikon no tama-Jewel of four souls, Kazaana-Air rip/wind tunnel, Kaze No Kizu-Wound of the Wind, Sengoku Jidai-
1 Warring Era, Hai-yes, houshi-monk/priest,
---------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter Two
Inuyasha's eyes snapped open, coming out of a deep sleep so suddenly, it took his pupils a moment to focus. Careful not to move, he then swept the surrounding area with his amber sight, his piercing orbs easily adjusting to the dim light provided by the predawn sky. Back and forth he swept the campsite with his
vision, checking first for intruders, as well as ensuring that the sleeping bundles of his friends were undisturbed. Satisfied that both were as they should be, Inuyasha pondered what had interupted his slumber.
Regardless of what his eyes informed him, he knew that something had entered the camp during the middle of the night. He could sense something, barely nipping at the edge of his consciousness, but he couldn't discern what exactly was the source.
Pausing for a few breaths longer, Inuyasha then felt a slight pricking on his neck. Scowling, the hanyou snapped his right hand to the left side of his neck, fully flattening the tiny youkai that was feasting there.
"Damn it, Myoga. Pleasant as it is to have you around, one of these days I'm just gonna squash you and be done with it."
Bringing his hand down from his neck, Inuyasha peered into his palm at the tiny (If a bit flattened) being that was cupped there. Dazed from the force of the hanyou's swat, Myoga's eyes took a little while to focus on his liege lord and reply, "My apologies, Lord Inuyasha. My journey has been along and grueling one, and ever has your family possessed the finest vitality that I've had the honor to sample. Your father was particularly succulent, though Sesshoumaru's brew was not quite as delectable."
Scowling down at the flea, Inuyasha fisted his palm into a tight grip around Myoga. He didn't crush the flea, but he certainly gave the tiny figure something to think about.
"Yeah, well, keep doing that and you'll never know if my taste will ripen with age."
"As you will, Lord Inuyasha."
Satisfied that the threat would keep the little bloodsucker at bay for at least a few days, Inuyasha unceremoniously dropped Myoga to the ground and gave a very canine-like yawn. Fingering the minute puncture on the side of his neck, the hanyou breathed a curse at Myoga for disturbing his slumber. His body didn't particularly need to rest, but he'd found that nights passed much more swiftly in sleep than keeping watch all night. His senses remained sharp enough to alert him of even the smallest disturbance in his surroundings while unconscious, hence Myoga. Inuyasha doubted that he would find sleep again, and he guessed that the others were hours away from their own awakenings.
"Damn it, bug," he cursed softly. Sighing, he then tried to reconcile himself as he stood up. "Well... I guess this means I'll just get that task over with a bit sooner than I'd expected. It's not like I got anything else to do, now that we've got the shards. I guess I'll ask Kaede about any other shikon rumors while I'm there."
Gazing up at his lord with an expression of curiosity, Myoga inquired, "Forgive me, Lord Inuyasha, but might I ask what task you are referring to?"
Fixing Myoga with a withering glare, Inuyasha said in acid tones, "Not that it concerns you, bug, but I'm headin' out for Kaede's village today. Kagome asked me to get some scrolls from the old woman. Some kinda lore about herbs or Miko training or some such. I figure I might as well ask her about any rumors concerning shard locations while I'm there."
Pausing a moment to mentally bolster his courage, Myoga dared to remark, "That seems a particularly generous act, given the distance involved."
Bending low with an exaggerated show of calmness, Inuyasha came eye-to- body with the fiea-sized youkai. "Myoga..." he began in silky tones, just before flicking Myoga away with his index finger. "I wasn't kidding when I said to keep your nose out of what doesn't concern you."
Not wanting yet another displacing blow, Myoga quickly changed the subject. "Milord, might I ask whether you have seen combat recently?"
"Just the other day. I noticed you weren't present, as usual."
Mustering as much of his dignity as possible, Myoga huffed and drew himself up another millimeter or so. "I can hardly be in two places at one time, Lord Inuyasha. You know full well that shippou insisted on taking me with him to learn whether the nearby Kitsune family might be relatives of his."
"Keh, even if he had left you here, we still wouldn't have seen your face during the fight and you know it," Inuyasha snorted. Then his face softened a bit as he asked, "And were they? Does shippo have living relatives?"
Allowing himself another indignant huff, Myoga turned aside and replied, "In all candor, Lord Inuyasha, I fail to see how such a finding would involve you."
Clenching his hands into fists, Inuyasha snarled, "Watch it, bug... Ware your step and remember you bounds." Guessing that Myoga would not have returned alone, regardless of their discovery, Inuyasha turned towards Kagome's bedding. Sure enough, the hanyou found a small bunch in the covers the size of the young kitsune that Inuyasha had missed in his first scan of the campsite. Shippou had again fallen asleep near Kagome, as was his habit.
Recalling the abruptness of the flea's question, Inuyasha returned his gaze to Myoga and inquired, "Why do you want to know about a recent battle?"
"Actually, I am more interested in Miroku. As we arrived back here, I managed to observe the houshi gazing at his right hand with rapt attention and an odd expression. Given the late hour, I was slightly puzzled as to why he was still awake."
Inuyasha tried to logically reason that Miroku had simply awoken from something like a nightmare and had checked his palm to ensure that the Kazaana was still restrained. Possible. With his brow furrowed in puzzlement, Inuyasha turned to gaze at where the monk should be sleeping.
He found the covers pulled high and motionless over Miroku's head. Eyes narrowing in suspicion, Inuyasha noted that the blankets were too still. Leaping across the camp in one bound, Inuyasha landed beside the bundle and gave an experimental prod with his foot. What he felt caused his suspicion to soar to new heights.
Ripping aside the covers, Inuyasha discovered that the houshi's spare robes were stuffed in place of the monk. Scowling in irritation, the hanyou promptly ripped the garments to shreds. Turning aside to Myoga, Inuyasha demanded, "Did you see what happened? Who took 'im?"
Realizing the hanyou's mistake, Myoga hastily corrected Inuyasha's assumptions about Miroku's disappearance.
"Lord Inuyasha, I did indeed witness what occurred. And I can assure you, Miroku was in no apparent danger when I last saw him.
"As I said, Miroku had been gazing at his hand for some time when we'd arrived. He did not take note of our presence and remained that way for some time. Eventually, Miroku stood up and simply left, packing his bedding with the robes before he went. I believe he intended to return before any of you awoke."
Staring down at the torn cloth gathered in his hand, Inuyasha asked, "Did you see which way he went? How long ago did he leave?"
Suddenly, Myoga began to act evasive. "I... I am afraid I cannot say in all certainty, milord. My attention was elsewhere at the time."
"Keh. In other words, you were too busy thinking' about your next meal, now that there weren't any onlookers to interrupt you."
Wary of another blow, Myoga quickly broadened the distance between him
and his scowling lord. Sighing, Inyasha eyed Myoga as he stood up from his crouch. "Ah well. Let the damn monk do as he pleases. I've got better things to do
than chase off after 'im right now."
Taking a hesitant step forward, Myoga meekly asked, "Milord, do you think that's wise? If Miroku is having concerns about his Kazaan--"
"Look, the houshi should be smart enough to inform Kagome or Sango of any problems he's havin' with his curse. If it's been damaged again, he can always borrow Kirara and make it to Mushin's in time. That old drunk fixed him up once, he can do so again, if needed."
Myoka seemed as though he were about to argue, but decided against it. Inuyasha had obviously made up his mind and Myoga didn't have any other evidence to sway the hanyou's stubbornness. Besides, the sooner Inuyasha left, the sooner he could drink in private.
* * * * *
A few hours later, Sango awoke to find a strangely sated Myoga issuing a
large (for his size) belch. Certain she did not even want to know, Sango went about packing her bedding and didn't talk to the flea until she found both Inuyasha and Miroku gone. The hanyou she wouldn't have been curious about; he was almost always out and about. Miroku was another matter entirely. And the two of them leaving in the same night was enough of a curiosity for Sango to break her silence.
"Myoga, have you seen where Inuyasha and Miroku have gone? Did they go on some sort of quest together?"
"Hmm? No, my dear. Inuyasha left before sunrise and Miroku informed me earlier that he would be spending the day in private training," said the flea, intentionally omitting the fact that Miroku had been absent all night. "Myoga," the houshi had said when he'd briefly (and sneakily) returned to camp, "They don't need to know about me having spent the night elsewhere... Any more than they need to know what you were doing when I came back."
The youkai fully intended to keep Sango and the others completely ignorant
of the houshi's absence.
Anxious to change the subject, Myoga hastily inquired, "Sango, am I correct in assuming that you can sew clothing?"
At her somewhat hesitant nod, the flea continued, "Then, might I suggest
that you repair his robes from the other day, during the battle?"
"What for? Miroku has more than just one set of clothing."
Directing her gaze to the shredded pile of fabric, Myoga commented, "Not anymore."
Even without an intent study, Sango was able to see that the fabric had been shorn by claws. "Kami smite that hanyou! What was he thinking?!"
"I'm sure I wouldn't know, my dear. Ever has Lord Inuyasha acted on his own impulsive logic."
Giving a resigned sigh, Sango breathed, "Oh, indeed. Truer words have never been spoken about that one." Resolutely squaring her shoulders, the exterminator agreed. "Very well. Since diving into a raging sea seems to be less punishing to clothing than that one's claws, I'll repair the robes that Miroku wore when he... When he fell."
The memory was still a raw one, despite the fact that Miroku had suffered no serious injuries, and Sango's voice quaked at the reference. Nodding to Myoga, Sango turned around without another word and retrieved the clothing in question before returning to her pack of supplies.
After eyeing Sango long after she'd turned away, Myoga offered a satisfied nod in return.
* * * * *
Sango finished the patchwork by midday, and Miroku had yet to return. Somewhat curious as to why the monk had felt he would need the entire day to
train, as well as wanting to present the repaired robe, Sango decided to find Miroku. Kagome, who had nothing better to do, chose to tag along. Using her tracking abilities, the youkai hunter quickly discerned the direction Miroku had left and the two girls caught up with the houshi in short order.
Coming to the end of the trail, Kagome and Sango suddenly emerged from
the thick press of the forest into a small clearing. Had the clearing been pristine, it would truly have been a breathtaking sight, what with the bright sun shining overhead and the solemn forest green surrounding on all sides. As it was, the scene was one of utter devastation, with the ground blasted and marked from trenches and craters scattered about. Even the outlying trees on the fringe of the clearing showed evidence of violence, as their branches were frayed and splintered, with the bark completely stripped.
Before the girls could worry about Miroku, they caught sight of the houshi directly opposite from them, sitting within a strangely serene waterfall. The fall was just large enough to completely envelope Miroku with its spray. Despite the rushing water and his lowered eyelids, the houshi somehow sensed the pair and called out a greeting.
Striding through the ruined terrain, Kagome and Sango returned his hail, confusion and wonder plainly evident in their tones. Stopping some distance in front of Miroku, the girls shared a glance before Sango asked, "Miroku, what happened here? Were you attacked?"
Standing up and emerging from the cascading water, Miroku frowned slightly as he replied, "No, Sango. As I informed Myoga, I've been spending the day with training exercises. I'd assumed that he would share the knowledge of my whereabouts with you both. I have not seen any combat this day, though there's still plenty of time for that to change."
Kagome gazed about them with an expression of distain as she returned, "He did tell us that you would be gone all day, but he didn't say it would involve so much destruction. What'd you do, Miroku, give your prayer beads the day off?"
"In a manner of speaking."
After pausing expectantly, Sango realized that Miroku did not wish to disclose any further details. Shrugging aside her curiosity, the exterminator signaled
Kagome to drop to subject. Miroku's business was his own to manage until he wished it otherwise.
Glancing from one girl to the next, Miroku gave a delicate cough and said,
"Aside from wanting to check up on me, is there a reason you both sought me out?" Reaching over her shoulder, Sango removed the stitched clothing from her
pack and handed the robe to its owner for his inspection. Carefully studying his reaction, Sango stated, "Myoga also suggested that I sew up one of your robes." Giving a small shrug, she admitted, "I'm more skilled with the boomerang than with the needle."
Giving the garment a once over, Miroku exclaimed, "Ah, my thanks! Yes, I did notice that Inuyasha seemed to take a disliking toward my wardrobe. I'm very glad that I now have two sets of clothing that will keep me from feeling every breath of wind. Again, arigato."
Looking back to Sango, Miroku held her gaze with his own as he continued, "And fear not about the craftsmanship. The sentimental value that this now commands makes it more precious to me than the finest silk."
Trying mightily not to seem overly pleased by this statement, Sango wordlessly nodded to Miroku as she took back the garment and repacked it before
turning about to set off toward the distant campsite. However, Kagome wished to remain a bit longer.
"Sango, I'd like to talk to Miroku for a little while, if it's all the same to you. I'll be returning shortly."
Without turning around, Sango merely nodded again before she walked out of the clearing and disappeared within the forest.
"Walk with me, Miroku?"
Falling in step beside Kagome, the houshi glanced sideways at her, clearly intrigued as to what she might have to say. They soon left the clearing, though they were not traveling in the same direction as Sango. Their path had once been a
forest trail, abet one long since fallen into disuse, and was fairly level and wide. The trail was fairly clear of shrubbery and underbrush, allowing for easy travel.
"Kagome, what do you wish to speak of?"
Coming to a halt, Kagome gazed absently at the grass for a while before replying, "I want to know what's going on, Miroku. First Inuyasha destroys your clothing for no apparent reason, then, for the first time since I've met you, you suddenly decide to spend a day in training. A training intense enough to destroy
that clearing, which could only mean that you're doing something which involves the Kazaana. I want to know the reason."
Sighing, Miroku again began to walk, with Kagome matching pace this time. After a little bit of hesitation, Miroku struggled to arrange his thoughts into a suitable dialog. "In all honesty, I am not entirely sure."
When Kagome silently bade him to continue, Miroku took a deep breath and elaborated.
"Kagome... I know very little regarding the Kazaana outside of the firsthand experience that I've gained from living with it. My father... My father was consumed when I was still fairly young. I believe he felt I was too young to understand the nature of the Kazaana or any insights he might have possessed. In any case, he left the matter for Mushin to attend to. Though he did his best, Mushin could only impart any advice that he had gained from observing my father. And seeing the Kazaana in use and actually possessing it are vastly different experiences.
"However, of late, my Kazaana has been functioning in ways outside of my experience. That is the purpose for my training. I must regain my equilibrium with my curse. If I do not, there is a very real danger to everyone around me."
Kagome regarded Miroku with a thoughtful expression as she heard the information. She then asked, "What do you mean? How is the Kazaana being unfamiliar?"
"It... It feels like it's changing. I don't really know how to describe it."
Pausing for a moment, Miroku tried vainly to express the sensation with words but found it was like trying to describe a new color or a new taste. After a few more moments of fruitless thought, Miroku abandoned the notion of description and decided to use example instead.
"Recall our last battle. The Kazaana is anything but a precise tool, yet I used it twice with perfect results. Such a thing is nearly impossible. Despite all of my years with this curse, it remains more of an art than a science."
"Practice makes perfect. With enough time, anything is possible," Kagome offered, trying to solve this logically. She could tell that Miroku was concerned by all this and she figured that a solution, even a supposed one, would go a long way toward calming his mind.
"Perhaps. But every fiber of my being tells me that I should not have reached that point, not yet. And not so abruptly. Remember, I did not notice anything unusual until that night. If time truly was needed for the Kazaana's mastery, then my control should have improved gradually, not instantly."
"Maybe you'd gotten to the point where all you needed was a push?"
"That is a possibility--my only concern was your rescue. My focus was
entirely upon you, and if anything could force me to grasp control of my curse, it would have been that desperation. But if I was indeed pushed, I find myself wondering where I've been shoved to. What else shall be a result of this catalyst?"
At Kagome's curious expression, Miroku held out his arms for her inspection. His left limb was marked by numerous abrasions and was almost completely covered with bruises, while his right forearm and hand were oddly bereft of any injures. Kagome noted that Miroku was not wearing his gauntlet, though the prayer beads were still bound around his right palm, but she was more intent upon the strange dissimilarities. Kagome came to the conclusion that some force other than chance had to have been responsible for sparing the cursed hand from injury.
"You'll notice my right hand hasn't been wounded. My head was also spared from injury, as were the rest of my vital areas. My torso and other particularly vulnerable spots are unmarred." With a wry grin, Miroku finished, "Including my most precious and crucial of body parts."
"So..." Kagome said, cocking her head to the side and turning her gaze to the tree leaves as she sought a logical explanation while doing her best to ignore the last few words of Miroku's comment.
"So, for the most part, I received minor injuries in what should have been a fatal fall, save any areas needed for the continued existence of the Kazaana or its host and those areas were not harmed at all."
Eyes doubling in size, Kagome snapped her visage from the leaves overhead
to the houshi before her. "You think that the Kazaana protected you both in an act of self preservation? But... That would mean... The Kazaana must have a will of its own..?"
Nodding, Miroku added, "As well as other possible abilities. If the Kazaana
did indeed protect me in some way, it must have used some unknown attribute. Until this day, I had no idea about the Kazaana being willful or possessing other powers."
After a lengthy, thoughtful pause, Kagome turned back around and began to walk back to the clearing. Again Miroku followed suite, walking beside Kagome and pondering the course of their discussion. Eventually, Kagome broke the silence.
"And that's the reason you've been training all day? In an attempt to discover the new properties of the curse?"
"In part, yes," Miroku said. When Kagome looked his way and motioned for an explanation, he continued, "As I said before, I'm trying not to use my prayer beads anymore than is necessary. In doing this, I hope not only to decipher new properties, but also to gain a greater control over the Kazaana."
When the full impact of this statement hit Kagome, she came to a stop so suddenly that Miroku feared she'd tripped and he quickly grabbed onto her.
Kagome, in full possession of her balance, noted his action and absently swatted his hand away from her backside. Ignoring the grope for the moment, Kagome turned toward Miroku with a stunned expression and said in a breathless tone, "Is such a thing possible? Do you really think you can master the curse to the point where you won't need the beads?"
Nodding, Miroku unobtrusively rubbed his stinging hand as he resumed their previous walking pace.
"For a short time at least. When Naraku first pierced my grandfather with the Kazaana, my grandfather was forced to control the curse for the time needed to
bless his prayer beads in an effort to nullify its fierce appetite. In the time that it took him to discern a temporary solution to the curse, my grandfather was able to completely restrain the curse. Before the Kazaana consumed him, my grandfather attempted to leave detailed instructions on his discoveries concerning the Kazaana. Unfortunately, he too found it difficult to properly describe the curse with words and, since the curse is only passed on to the next heir once its current host is consumed, he wasn't able to train my father. As a result, my father never learned how to
control his Kazaana to such a degree and was forced to wear the beads as his only recourse."
At this point, the pair rounded the last bend in the trail and reentered the clearing. Kagome gazed about with fresh insight as she inquired, "And you wish to rediscover this method?"
"Hai. I may not have any other option. Remember, if the Kazaana did indeed protect me somehow, it did so even after I'd resealed it with the prayer beads. If we are correct, then it seems that the prayer beads have little to no effect on this new ability. If there are other abilities that the Kazaana possesses, it's possible that they will be similarly unhindered."
"But... If your father couldn't do it, what makes you think you can succeed--in one day, no less--where he failed?"
Shrugging, Miroku returned, "I have no guarantees, though I do have two things in my favor. For one thing, like my grandfather, I am desperate. My father was content with relying on the prayer beads, but if I fail in this, all of you are in danger of falling prey to forces outside of my control or understanding. This passion may be a critical factor in handling the Kazaana.
"Secondly, I believe my talents in the mystic arts outstrip those of my father. Beyond blessing his beads, my father possessed little priestly magic. Perhaps he
was unable to dominate the Kazaana because the feat was beyond his skill. In any case, I must try."
Satisfied with this disclosure, Kagome began to walk across the clearing toward the campsite. Pausing at the tree line, Kagome turned around and asked, "Will you be eating with us later?"
Shaking his head, Miroku headed back to the waterfall as he answered, "I've decided to exercise my body, mind, and soul for the rest of the day. Part of this regime involves purifying all three by meditation and fasting before and after the periods of physical toil. At sundown, I will rejoin you and the others at camp. Until then, I shall remain here."
Nodding in confirmation, Kagome waved once before walking into the forest. Miroku resumed his previous position within the waterfall, thus beginning his resting period before he resumed his studious training.
* * * * *
By the time Sango and Kagome caught sight of Miroku's clearing, Inuyasha had covered the distance between the campsite and Kaede's village. Once there, the hanyou had briskly collected the scrolls for Kagome and had inquired about any rumors regarding other Shikon shards. Unfortunately, Kaede had possessed no new information to offer and Inuyasha had brusquely finished his business and departed.
Having little patience for delays, Inuyasha took few breaks for rest and spent most of the trip in constant motion, causing him to make good time. As the waning sun neared the horizon, the hanyou entered the lands adjacent to their camp. Just before he caught sight of the camp, Inuyasha's sharp hearing discerned a rumbling crash followed by a heavy silence. His curiosity thus intrigued, the hanyou altered his course and bypassed the camp altogether.
Figuring it tactically wise to assume a high vantage point, Inuyasha jumped to the nearest treetop and proceeded to leap within the canopy from branch to branch with a grace and agility that was breath-taking. Moving with barely a whisper of sound, the hanyou crept to the forest's edge and paused a long moment to fully absorb the scene before him.
As with the girls, Inuyasha was shocked by the large-scale destruction, and the fact that Miroku appeared to be alone only added to his amazement. Finding the
clearing's devastation evenly distributed, Inuyasha focused on the houshi. Miroku was dressed in a plain white training gi as was customary for monks in training. He wielded his staff firmly in both hands and was practicing various routines with the
weapon, its headpiece flashing repeatedly as it reflected the sun's rays. Though his entire person was thoroughly drenched, his easy motions belied any fatigue he may have felt. Despite his swiftness and precision, it seemed to Inuyasha that Miroku's focus was elsewhere, as if preoccupied with his thoughts.
Certain that the sound had come from this clearing and recalling the houshi's mysterious departure that morning, Inuyasha decided to keep his presence a secret
and observe.
Eventually, Miroku's attention returned to his surroundings and his technique became even more refined, his movements becoming incredibly subtle and fluid. At the end of his kata, Miroku raised his staff overhead and spun it about in a dazzling pattern before snapping out his lead foot in a forward kick, followed by bringing the staff crashing down. Flawlessly, Miroku suddenly and completely halted the staff's momentum about a foot above the ground, its length parallel with the earth.
Standing up straight, the houshi then swung the weapon in a vicious swipe to his
right. Unexpectedly, he released the staff in mid-backstroke, sending the flashing weapon spinning away.
Standing there with his legs straight, left arm across his crest, his right arm fully extended at shoulder level and pointing in the same direction as his left, Miroku then closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. Changing his footing into a secure base, Miroku then punched out straight ahead with his right hand, palm out and open, causing his left arm to cross over his right and neatly unclasp the prayer beads in one quick motion.
Just as his right limb extended to its fullest, Miroku gave a loud cry and visibly tensed. Blazing forth, an immense force flashed from the Kazaana and
crossed the clearing to collide with a large oak. With the sound of crashing thunder, the tree was felled and it toppled to one side.
Despite his resolution to remain hidden, Inuyasha was unable to withhold a surprised "What the hell?!", which alerted Miroku of his observer. Spinning about,
the houshi stood tensed and waited for the new person to reveal himself. Any chagrin Inuyasha might have had about being caught eavesdropping was completely and utterly smothered beneath his mounting anger.
Dropping to the ground, Inuyasha stormed out of the forest, fury coloring his features. "And just how long have you had that particular trick and when were you planning on telling us about it?!"
Appearing remarkably calm, given the snarling visage two inches away, Miroku coolly regarded the sun's progress. "I believe I've been able to do that particular feat for about… Three hours now," he remarked, then paused to reflect. "And everyone at camp is well-aware of my being here."
Turning back to Inuyasha, Miroku gave a sly grin and remarked, "Had you bothered to ask me this morning of my intentions, you wouldn't have needed to... 'interrogate' my wardrobe. Had you sought me out, I would have told you my intentions."
Suddenly realizing that his reaction to Miroku's unexpected absence might be viewed by some as an overreaction, Inuyasha attempted to cool his ire and he apologized as graciously as he could.
"Keh. Yeah, like I believe that one. Ah, to hell with it, see if I give a damn." Turning around, Inuyasha hoped to leave the clearing before Miroku could press the advantage. Alas, the houshi's tongue proved to be swifter than the hanyou's legs.
"A moment, Inuyasha. I have a favor I'd like to ask."
Whirling around, Inuyasha fixed Miroku with a perfectly incredulous expression. "Are you insane? What in the hell...? What the hell makes you think I'd ever do you a favor?"
Quirking an eyebrow, Miroku said, "I understand your reaction, especially considering your disadvantageous position--"
Inuyasha began a low growl.
"--But I don't feel that this is an unreasonable request. Actually, I believe i you might find it rather appealing," Miroku continued, ignoring Inuyasha's
threatening demeanor. Staring straight into the hanyou's narrowed eyes, Miroku said, "I want to fight you. To spar with you, to be exact."
Flashing the houshi an amused smirk, Inuyasha replied, "As appealing as that sounds,--and it does, very much so--I've better things to do than drag you back and forth across this clearing." Besides, Inuyasha silently added, It'll be much more amusing to 'spar' you when you're not on your guard, houshi.
Content with keeping this thought private, Inuyasha omitted this and continued, "I'm not about to indulge you, houshi, not today. I'm not in the mood." Turning his back to Miroku, Inuyasha inclined his head in a show of arrogance and concluded, "Besides, I don't go about fightin' with half-assed measures. I fight and I destroy. Period."
Though he was certainly disappointed with the hanyou's refusal, Miroku
strove to give the appearance that the matter was unimportant. If Inuyasha realized just how much Miroku desired to spar with him, the damnably obstinate hanyou would only take that much more pleasure in refusing. Besides, there's more than one way to skin a cat. Or hanyou, in this case. Miroku would just have to try a more round-about method. Less direct perhaps, but much more likely to succeed. Nodding at Inuyasha's back, both to affirm his decided course and to bolster
his courage (One can only safely push a hanyou so far), Miroku acted like he'd suddenly remembered something important, loudly exclaiming, "Ah! That's right, how could I've forgotten?"
When Inuyasha turned halfway around to show an inquiring eyebrow, Miroku knew he had the hanyou right where he wanted him. Turning away from Inuyasha to heighten the intrigue, Miroku gave the pretense of heading off toward camp, idly saying, "Arigato, Inuyasha. I just remembered a rather pressing matter that I've been neglecting. But, with your refusal, I now have no other business at present and I might as well attend to this."
Overly curious, as Miroku knew he would be, about what could be important enough for the houshi to so easily shrug aside his refusal, Inuyasha called out, "Oi, Miroku, what've you been put puttin' off?"
Glad that Inuyasha couldn't see his smirk, Miroku yelled over his shoulder, "Oh, just a minor question for Kagome. I should have asked this quite a while ago, but it's always slipped my mind."
Always protective where that one was concerned, doubly so with this particular houshi, Inuyasha was instantly on his guard and suspiciously barked, "And just what might this question be, Miroku..?"
"Hmm? Oh, just to ask if Kagome would do me the favor of bearing me a child," Miroku instantly replied. Immediately giving a quick three count, the houshi then desperately dived aside, barely avoiding a swiping Tetsusaiga. In three short breaths, Inuyasha had crossed the distance separating the two and had tried to cleave Miroku in two.
Rolling to his feet, Miroku swiftly raised his staff in a guard position and faced the enraged hanyou with an air of innocence. "Inuyasha? Is something amiss?"
Grasping Tetsusaiga tight enough to make his knuckles whiten with blood loss, Inuyasha roared, "Yeah, and it's a certain ecchi houshi who just said his last words!"
As he finished this grim promise, Inuyasha dashed forward and attacked with another side-long slash with the Tetsusaiga. Hoping to lessen the impact, Miroku leaped backwards as his staff blocked Inuyasha's attack, and was quite glad that he had, given how close his arms had come to buckling under the Tetsusaiga's heavy blow.
Sliding back a few strides, Miroku disengaged the weapons by twirling the staff off to his left, forcing the Tetsusaiga to the side as well. Even if Inuyasha didn't had the same objectives, Miroku had little desire to wound the hanyou and he launched a flurry of short, snapping blows to Inuyasha's exposed flank. The hanyou didn't even try to ready his sword for defense.
Completely oblivious to everything except his rage, Inuyasha didn't even feel the half-hearted blows. Never wincing once, the hanyou released Tetsusaiga with his left hand and snapped it down to its respective side, firmly grabbing onto Miroku's staff. With his left hand keeping the staff locked into place, Inuyasha then swung a slow (but still quite potent) uppercut with his right, which still held Tetsusaiga.
Faced with the unappealing choice between losing his weapon or losing his life, Miroku quickly chose the former and barely dived aside in time. As it was, Tetsusaiga still managed to bite into the houshi's trailing clothes, its keen edge cutting a slash on Miroku's right pant leg, though the flesh underneath was not harmed.
Wincing when he hit the ground, Miroku rolled to his feet and turned to face the hanyou again, keeping Inuyasha in sight as the houshi prudently backed off. As he lengthened the distance separating him from Inuyasha, Miroku began to think
that this might not be the wisest thing he'd ever done. Well, Miroku, this is what you wanted, an annoying voice reminded him.
I wanted to spar him, and sparring partners don't usually try to kill each
other, Miroku retorted before realizing that allowing himself to get distracted in the middle of a fight could hardly be considered overly intelligent, either.
Inuyasha remained in place, eyeing Miroku with an appraising glare while he tossed aside the staff. He could clearly tell that Miroku was exhausted from the
day's training and was still quite tender from his fall from the cliff. With the houshi now disarmed, Inuyasha had effectively left Miroku with just one option left--the
Kazaana. Not particularly eager to face something that could fell a tree or suck him into an endless void, Inuyasha resolved to humble the houshi with one last attack before ending this foolishness.
Still eyeing Miroku, Inuyasha began to become intently aware of Miroku's
aura, as well as his own. The houshi's, while not as intense as a youkai's, was quite impressive, he absently noted. As he became more aware of the auras, the two
seemed to expand, taking on size and girth until the auras had crossed the distance separating their owners and began to encounter each other. At the point of the conflict, a brilliant rift appeared, visible only to Inuyasha. It was this rift which allowed for the possibility of the Kaze No Kizo.
Opposite from the motionless hanyou, Miroku noted Inuyasha's concentration and knew that the defining moment had arrived. Taking a deep breath, the houshi unobtrusively tensed in anticipation.
Mentally marking where the rift was, Inuyasha looked past the conflicting auras to Miroku, making certain that the houshi hadn't moved in any way.
"Oi, Miroku! You wanted to fight me... Well, here's the best I can give you!" Inuyasha shouted. Despite his words, the hanyou had no intention of targeting Miroku with the Kaze No Kizo and when he struck the glimmering rift with
Tetsusaiga, Inuyasha subtly altered the angle of the blow. Figuring that Miroku would be rightfully amazed that he would use such a lethal attack on a friend,
Inuyasha was confident that the houshi would be motionless with shock and allow the Kaze no kizo to pass by right beside him.
Unfortunately, Inuyasha's confidence was effectively shattered when the monk dodged aside. In the wrong direction.
Eyes widening in horror, Inuyasha saw Miroku sidestep to the right, straight
into the path of the raging Kaze no kizo. Just then, the wind changed direction and. the hanyou was able to catch Miroku's scent. Inuyasha absently noted that the houshi, while strangely filled with anxiety, did not have any fear in his scent.
In fact, Miroku had seen that the attack would pass by him, and he had
intentionally leaped into its path. This was the ultimate reason he had challenged Inuyasha; to match himself against the full power of the Tetsusaiga. Holding his breath, Miroku tensed every muscle in his body and braced himself.
As the Kaze no kizo slammed into the houshi, Miroku gave a loud, courageous shout, which Inuyasha was barely able to discern. Miroku's cry was then engulfed and overwhelmed by the roar of the Kaze no kizo as debris flew in all directions.
Inuyasha shaded his eyes in hopes of gaining one last look at the friend that he had doomed.
Several moments passed and as the debris began to settle and the Kaze no kizo began to subside, Inuyasha's sharp hearing was just able to pick up Miroku's continued shout, its pitch perfectly matching the Kaze no kizo's howl.
The dust and dirt completely settled then, giving Inuyasha a clear view of
Miroku. The houshi stood rigid, completely engulfed inside swirling patterns of energy which raged all around the houshi, though never touching him. The Kaze no kizo was held at bay.
Miroku stood, his clothes billowing to an intense wind, eyes closed and his cry continued unabated. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, blazing in their intensity,
and his roar increase ten-fold. In response, the raging energy increased its ferocity and was suddenly and completely scattered, quickly becoming broken and insubstantial.
Inuyasha, torn between the compelling notions of falling over in amazement or rushing over and strangling Miroku, simply stood motionless with wide eyes. He saw that Miroku was still enveloped in a strangely tinted field which was rapidly receding into the houshi's right fist, fading as it went.
After pausing several moments, allowing his breathing to return to a normal pace, Miroku turned aside and began to leave without another word. This abrupt movement was enough to end Inuyasha's silence.
"O-Oi! Where the hell do you think you're goin', Miroku?! I want some answers!" the hanyou barked.
Turning back to face Inuyasha, Miroku wore an unreadable expression as he
replied, "Unfortunately, I cannot help you in that manner, Inuyasha. At the moment, I am filled only with questions."
With that, the houshi entered the forest and disappeared, heading back toward the campsite.
Inuyasha remained rooted to the same spot as the sun's last rays completely waned, his mind trying desperately to digest what had just happened. Suddenly, his reverie was interrupted by soft, emotionless voice.
"My, I had never thought to see the day when a mere mortal would defeat a being of youkai-descent, even if that being is a mere hanyou bastard. Upon having witnessed the sight, I find myself wishing that such an event had never come to pass."
The voice was extremely quiet, so low that Inuyasha only heard it because I the winds had carried it to his ears. Even so, he had no difficulty recognizing the i speaker, having been a constant source of bitterness for as long as he could remember.
"My patience has reached its limit for this day ," Inuyasha said in even tones, though his body trembled with suppressed rage. "I advise you to come back
tomorrow, when I might be more willing to deal with you, Sesshoumaru. I've got enough on my mind, as it is."