****
Chapter 6: Memories
It was close to midnight, and Shippo and Sasuke sat on either side of the fire, watching the sleeping and recovering Miroku. Neither spoke, but each was thinking.
Shippo, about what the lady Kaede had said to him, Sasuke, about her family, her father, and Shippo.
"So," Sasuke said, glancing over at Shippo. Miroku was sleeping soundly, a recovery sleep more than anything, and drugged partially by the herb potion that Sasuke had prepared to help him. He wouldn't be awake any time soon.
"Do you wish for your payment now?" she asked. Shippo didn't even spare her a glance.
"What payment?" he muttered. Stupid girl, she couldn't ever make sense. One minute she wanted to kill him, the next she wants him to pay her?
"If you let me go with you on your journey, I will pay you in the only way I know how."
"Oh? What could you possibly have that would be worth anything to me?" Sasuke flushed.
"Money?"
"I have enough."
"Jewels, of the ordinary kind I mean,"
"Can dig up or steal any of that that I would need."
"Well then there is one other thing."
"Oh?"
Sasuke scooted around the fire until she was very close to him.
"I have a fine body," she began, slipping her hand down to his and moving it towards her breast. "I would bear your child in payment, if you wish." She said. Shippo's eyes were like saucers, his joints frozen. All thoughts of her being a traitor slipped suspiciously from his mind, and all of his attention was on the female.
"Ah, that's quite alright. I don't particularly want a kid just yet." He said, remembering.
Sasuke sighed, and sat back, relieved.
"Thank goodness." She said. Shippo stared.
"What?? Thank goodness? Are you saying that I-" Sasuke interrupted him with a laugh, really laughing, like he had made some sort of great joke.
"Its just-hahaha-just that-hahah-the way that you-hahaha (sorry) hahah-you said it like it was an insult." Her laughter died away at Shippo's serious expression.
"I'm sorry Shippo, its just that you were so adamant about hating me, then you tried not to offend me as if I really had wanted to have a kid with you." Shippo glared.
"I really thought you were that low as to offer me that." He said finally. Sasuke flashed him a fanged smile.
"When you grow up the way I did." she began, then stopped quickly at his look of pity. "Don't even look at me like that Shippo, I held my own more than any half demon could. Just because." she trailed off again, but Shippo answered her this time.
"Half demons. I knew one once, your father's half brother in fact, and he was a great person. The greatest, if possible. I admired him with all of my heart, and I still do. Don't even start about half demons, okay?"
Sasuke stared, remembering her father's words. That was the brother he wanted to face again.
"I wish I had known him." Sasuke said. Her grin was gone, and she traced the lines on her face absently. Shippo looked up, startled.
"I never thought about that, that you bear blood relation to Inu-yasha. Weird, but you do remind me of him."
"What was he like?" she asked.
"Well, being a half demon, he had little dog ears on his head, they were furry and everyone like to bug him and touch them. Golden eyes, like yours, long pale hair, and claws."
Sasuke giggled at this description, but was unsatisfied.
"But what was he like as this great role model?" she asked.
"Well," Shippo said, scratching his head, "I don't know about role model, but that was what he was to me. He always seemed grumpy and bitter, but really he was caring and kind. He always defended me and Kagome when there was danger, (I was just a little thing back then) and made sure all was well in the group. He had a sad past though."
Sasuke listened intently. All of this was news to her that her father had never revealed, but now, more than anything, she wanted to see this hero.
"I want to meet him." She told Shippo softly. He nodded. A niece of Inu- yasha couldn't be so bad a companion. He sighed.
"Fine then, you can come with us." He relented, and was awarded with a smile from Sasuke. She was surprised that it had been so easy.
"Thank you." She said.
"Humph." Shippo leaned back against the tree and closed his eyes. It had been a long day, and he was so tired.
"See you in the morning?" he asked. Sasuke replied, but it was lost in the onset of sleep.
Sasuke smiled again to herself and, after checking the monk once again for sleep and health, lay down to rest.
****
Morning came, and Miroku was all better. He proved this by marching around them in circles and singing some tune that he made up himself, not even a particularly creative tune, but he sang it while he marched, climbed up the tree, and followed Shippo around looking for more firewood. He only paused briefly to ask Sasuke what the deal was with her, welcome her, and be off again on his singing.
Of course, they didn't really have anywhere to go until they found the well, so the pressure was mostly on Shippo.
"Shippo, I thought you said you could remember!" Miroku whined, stopping his little song.
"I'm trying!" Shippo snapped. He didn't mean to be so annoyed, but he was because he knew it was his problem that had them stuck.
Remember and you would know what you will.Memories..
****
"Kagome," Shippo whined, crying. "I don't want you to leave me!" he was little, up to her knees, and she was tall and strong and beautiful, but about to leave forever, like dying!
"Oh Shippo," Kagome knelt down and hugged him. "I don't want to leave you either." She looked tired and sad, and Shippo suddenly felt like he shouldn't make her worry so much.
"I'll be okay Kagome, I am a strong demon!" he said. Just then Inu- yasha had to join the conversation.
"Ya, sure, strong as a blade of grass!" he stood nearby the well, watching them both with a frown. "Hurry it up, I want to get going."
Shippo ran over to him and clutched his leg. "I don't want you to leave either!" he said, almost crying again.
"Feh," Inu-yasha muttered, but after a stern glare from Kagome, he knelt down and faced Shippo, annoyed. "You can take care of yourself, right?"
Shippo nodded his head until he was almost dizzy. Inu-yasha grinned arrogantly, then stood up and tossed the little demon back to Kagome, who caught him in another great hug.
"Shippo, when you are a strong, big demon, promise you'll come and visit me again, okay? There is something important you need to know too, Miroku and Sango will always be there to help you, and so will I. Because that's what friends are for."
"I know Kagome, but I'm still sad." He said. "I'll miss you."
"And I'll miss you too. And so will Inu-yasha." There was a slight muttered curse from the half demon, before they both turned away together and began climbing down the well. Inu-yasha held Kagome's hand and helped her, smiling in that special way only for Kagome, and the jewel, or half of it anyway, hung from Kagome's neck. They both waved to him one last time, and then they were gone, in another world, another time. Shippo knew that he was all alone.
Soon Miroku and Sango would have their baby, and they would ignore him. Lady Kaede was dead, Kikyo banished, and Sesshomaru locked away in his castle somewhere. The village a few yards away was a burnt landscape, still blackened from the battle a few days ago. Shippo was afraid to leave the place by the well, but he was also afraid to walk across the battlefield. So he stayed there for three days, crying that he was alone, and then finally summoned the courage to leave.
Kagome had told him that he must be a strong demon, and since she wasn't here to make sure of it, he would have to do it on his own.
"I can do everything on my own!" Shippo said out loud. Then he turned and walked away from the well on the outskirts of the burnt village, and walked away to become a strong demon, just like Kagome had said. He never returned to that place again, until now.
****
"I know where it is." Shippo said slowly. It was a kind of revelation to himself, and outward sign that he had actually remembered one of the many painful memories.
There were more, but never do more than you have to in order to achieve an end. Shippo was a firm believer in that.
"Where?' Miroku asked eagerly. It was about time they got moving, the sun was already up and they were all just sitting around!
"Well, I'm not certain but.I think it's that way." He motioned towards the fields, then stood up and smiled. "Yes, I'm sure of it."
Sasuke and Miroku followed him down the hill away from the tree and across the stream, (they had to wade through the waist deep water) and through some other fields. Little yellow flowers like the ones that grew on the hill to Kikyo and Kaede's grave littered the landscape, and Miroku happily tromped through them. The sun rose and dried their clothes, and after about an hour of walking around, they reached the edge of the forest.
"There should be a huge, ancient tree in here somewhere, then a little further, a clearing with a well. That is where we need to go. It is a portal to the other world." Sasuke and Miroku nodded, following him obediently into the dark forest.
"Tell us about this tree that we are looking for," Sasuke asked.
"Well, it was the tree that Inu-yasha was spelled to for fifty years. The priestess we are looking for was the reincarnation of the one who put him there, and unwittingly released him and bound him to serve her. He was tricked into being betrayed by an evil demon Naraku, the one that burned down the village."
"Ooh!" Miroku said. "Was he a very powerful demon?"
Shippo nodded. "Likely he was the one who killed your parents. There wasn't a way to really kill him for good, so he may be out and about, causing trouble. He'll be looking for that jewel Miroku, so look out for it. He must not get it, you hear?"
Miroku nodded, eyes wide, and touched the jewel hidden in his robe. It was that powerful huh? And it was up to him to protect it, so he would.
"I will, don't worry."
"Sasuke, you must know some of this, from your father," Shippo asked her.
"No," she answered coldly. "He never told me of this Inu-yasha person. But I am interested that he is a half demon like me. I would very much like to discuss things with him." She felt that if perhaps she could find this person, she might confide in him, and maybe he would accept her for who she was. She wanted to spill all of her troubles to someone, so why not this distant relative? If he was a wonderful as Shippo told her.
"I'm sure he'd have some tips." Shippo said sarcastically. Sasuke ignored him.
"Tips on what?" Miroku asked. He truly had no idea.
"Your too young." Shippo answered, knowing full well that that insult was one of the most annoying ever, having experienced it himself many times. He just smirked.
Miroku smacked him hard on the leg in vengeance, but before they could truly begin their brawl, Sasuke was between them.
"Boys! Act your age! I feel like I'm babysitting my brothers!" Shippo scowled darkly at her, and Miroku stuck out his tongue at Shippo.
"Haha serves you right!" he said.
"Why you.!"
They were all so caught up in their little fight that they almost missed the tree altogether. But fortunately, Shippo looked up in time and recognized it instantly.
"This is it!" he said, awed. It was just as huge and great as he remembered.
****
Author: Well???? Please tell me what you think, I'm happy to answer questions (as long as I don't give away the ending!) Thanks! ^^
Chapter 6: Memories
It was close to midnight, and Shippo and Sasuke sat on either side of the fire, watching the sleeping and recovering Miroku. Neither spoke, but each was thinking.
Shippo, about what the lady Kaede had said to him, Sasuke, about her family, her father, and Shippo.
"So," Sasuke said, glancing over at Shippo. Miroku was sleeping soundly, a recovery sleep more than anything, and drugged partially by the herb potion that Sasuke had prepared to help him. He wouldn't be awake any time soon.
"Do you wish for your payment now?" she asked. Shippo didn't even spare her a glance.
"What payment?" he muttered. Stupid girl, she couldn't ever make sense. One minute she wanted to kill him, the next she wants him to pay her?
"If you let me go with you on your journey, I will pay you in the only way I know how."
"Oh? What could you possibly have that would be worth anything to me?" Sasuke flushed.
"Money?"
"I have enough."
"Jewels, of the ordinary kind I mean,"
"Can dig up or steal any of that that I would need."
"Well then there is one other thing."
"Oh?"
Sasuke scooted around the fire until she was very close to him.
"I have a fine body," she began, slipping her hand down to his and moving it towards her breast. "I would bear your child in payment, if you wish." She said. Shippo's eyes were like saucers, his joints frozen. All thoughts of her being a traitor slipped suspiciously from his mind, and all of his attention was on the female.
"Ah, that's quite alright. I don't particularly want a kid just yet." He said, remembering.
Sasuke sighed, and sat back, relieved.
"Thank goodness." She said. Shippo stared.
"What?? Thank goodness? Are you saying that I-" Sasuke interrupted him with a laugh, really laughing, like he had made some sort of great joke.
"Its just-hahaha-just that-hahah-the way that you-hahaha (sorry) hahah-you said it like it was an insult." Her laughter died away at Shippo's serious expression.
"I'm sorry Shippo, its just that you were so adamant about hating me, then you tried not to offend me as if I really had wanted to have a kid with you." Shippo glared.
"I really thought you were that low as to offer me that." He said finally. Sasuke flashed him a fanged smile.
"When you grow up the way I did." she began, then stopped quickly at his look of pity. "Don't even look at me like that Shippo, I held my own more than any half demon could. Just because." she trailed off again, but Shippo answered her this time.
"Half demons. I knew one once, your father's half brother in fact, and he was a great person. The greatest, if possible. I admired him with all of my heart, and I still do. Don't even start about half demons, okay?"
Sasuke stared, remembering her father's words. That was the brother he wanted to face again.
"I wish I had known him." Sasuke said. Her grin was gone, and she traced the lines on her face absently. Shippo looked up, startled.
"I never thought about that, that you bear blood relation to Inu-yasha. Weird, but you do remind me of him."
"What was he like?" she asked.
"Well, being a half demon, he had little dog ears on his head, they were furry and everyone like to bug him and touch them. Golden eyes, like yours, long pale hair, and claws."
Sasuke giggled at this description, but was unsatisfied.
"But what was he like as this great role model?" she asked.
"Well," Shippo said, scratching his head, "I don't know about role model, but that was what he was to me. He always seemed grumpy and bitter, but really he was caring and kind. He always defended me and Kagome when there was danger, (I was just a little thing back then) and made sure all was well in the group. He had a sad past though."
Sasuke listened intently. All of this was news to her that her father had never revealed, but now, more than anything, she wanted to see this hero.
"I want to meet him." She told Shippo softly. He nodded. A niece of Inu- yasha couldn't be so bad a companion. He sighed.
"Fine then, you can come with us." He relented, and was awarded with a smile from Sasuke. She was surprised that it had been so easy.
"Thank you." She said.
"Humph." Shippo leaned back against the tree and closed his eyes. It had been a long day, and he was so tired.
"See you in the morning?" he asked. Sasuke replied, but it was lost in the onset of sleep.
Sasuke smiled again to herself and, after checking the monk once again for sleep and health, lay down to rest.
****
Morning came, and Miroku was all better. He proved this by marching around them in circles and singing some tune that he made up himself, not even a particularly creative tune, but he sang it while he marched, climbed up the tree, and followed Shippo around looking for more firewood. He only paused briefly to ask Sasuke what the deal was with her, welcome her, and be off again on his singing.
Of course, they didn't really have anywhere to go until they found the well, so the pressure was mostly on Shippo.
"Shippo, I thought you said you could remember!" Miroku whined, stopping his little song.
"I'm trying!" Shippo snapped. He didn't mean to be so annoyed, but he was because he knew it was his problem that had them stuck.
Remember and you would know what you will.Memories..
****
"Kagome," Shippo whined, crying. "I don't want you to leave me!" he was little, up to her knees, and she was tall and strong and beautiful, but about to leave forever, like dying!
"Oh Shippo," Kagome knelt down and hugged him. "I don't want to leave you either." She looked tired and sad, and Shippo suddenly felt like he shouldn't make her worry so much.
"I'll be okay Kagome, I am a strong demon!" he said. Just then Inu- yasha had to join the conversation.
"Ya, sure, strong as a blade of grass!" he stood nearby the well, watching them both with a frown. "Hurry it up, I want to get going."
Shippo ran over to him and clutched his leg. "I don't want you to leave either!" he said, almost crying again.
"Feh," Inu-yasha muttered, but after a stern glare from Kagome, he knelt down and faced Shippo, annoyed. "You can take care of yourself, right?"
Shippo nodded his head until he was almost dizzy. Inu-yasha grinned arrogantly, then stood up and tossed the little demon back to Kagome, who caught him in another great hug.
"Shippo, when you are a strong, big demon, promise you'll come and visit me again, okay? There is something important you need to know too, Miroku and Sango will always be there to help you, and so will I. Because that's what friends are for."
"I know Kagome, but I'm still sad." He said. "I'll miss you."
"And I'll miss you too. And so will Inu-yasha." There was a slight muttered curse from the half demon, before they both turned away together and began climbing down the well. Inu-yasha held Kagome's hand and helped her, smiling in that special way only for Kagome, and the jewel, or half of it anyway, hung from Kagome's neck. They both waved to him one last time, and then they were gone, in another world, another time. Shippo knew that he was all alone.
Soon Miroku and Sango would have their baby, and they would ignore him. Lady Kaede was dead, Kikyo banished, and Sesshomaru locked away in his castle somewhere. The village a few yards away was a burnt landscape, still blackened from the battle a few days ago. Shippo was afraid to leave the place by the well, but he was also afraid to walk across the battlefield. So he stayed there for three days, crying that he was alone, and then finally summoned the courage to leave.
Kagome had told him that he must be a strong demon, and since she wasn't here to make sure of it, he would have to do it on his own.
"I can do everything on my own!" Shippo said out loud. Then he turned and walked away from the well on the outskirts of the burnt village, and walked away to become a strong demon, just like Kagome had said. He never returned to that place again, until now.
****
"I know where it is." Shippo said slowly. It was a kind of revelation to himself, and outward sign that he had actually remembered one of the many painful memories.
There were more, but never do more than you have to in order to achieve an end. Shippo was a firm believer in that.
"Where?' Miroku asked eagerly. It was about time they got moving, the sun was already up and they were all just sitting around!
"Well, I'm not certain but.I think it's that way." He motioned towards the fields, then stood up and smiled. "Yes, I'm sure of it."
Sasuke and Miroku followed him down the hill away from the tree and across the stream, (they had to wade through the waist deep water) and through some other fields. Little yellow flowers like the ones that grew on the hill to Kikyo and Kaede's grave littered the landscape, and Miroku happily tromped through them. The sun rose and dried their clothes, and after about an hour of walking around, they reached the edge of the forest.
"There should be a huge, ancient tree in here somewhere, then a little further, a clearing with a well. That is where we need to go. It is a portal to the other world." Sasuke and Miroku nodded, following him obediently into the dark forest.
"Tell us about this tree that we are looking for," Sasuke asked.
"Well, it was the tree that Inu-yasha was spelled to for fifty years. The priestess we are looking for was the reincarnation of the one who put him there, and unwittingly released him and bound him to serve her. He was tricked into being betrayed by an evil demon Naraku, the one that burned down the village."
"Ooh!" Miroku said. "Was he a very powerful demon?"
Shippo nodded. "Likely he was the one who killed your parents. There wasn't a way to really kill him for good, so he may be out and about, causing trouble. He'll be looking for that jewel Miroku, so look out for it. He must not get it, you hear?"
Miroku nodded, eyes wide, and touched the jewel hidden in his robe. It was that powerful huh? And it was up to him to protect it, so he would.
"I will, don't worry."
"Sasuke, you must know some of this, from your father," Shippo asked her.
"No," she answered coldly. "He never told me of this Inu-yasha person. But I am interested that he is a half demon like me. I would very much like to discuss things with him." She felt that if perhaps she could find this person, she might confide in him, and maybe he would accept her for who she was. She wanted to spill all of her troubles to someone, so why not this distant relative? If he was a wonderful as Shippo told her.
"I'm sure he'd have some tips." Shippo said sarcastically. Sasuke ignored him.
"Tips on what?" Miroku asked. He truly had no idea.
"Your too young." Shippo answered, knowing full well that that insult was one of the most annoying ever, having experienced it himself many times. He just smirked.
Miroku smacked him hard on the leg in vengeance, but before they could truly begin their brawl, Sasuke was between them.
"Boys! Act your age! I feel like I'm babysitting my brothers!" Shippo scowled darkly at her, and Miroku stuck out his tongue at Shippo.
"Haha serves you right!" he said.
"Why you.!"
They were all so caught up in their little fight that they almost missed the tree altogether. But fortunately, Shippo looked up in time and recognized it instantly.
"This is it!" he said, awed. It was just as huge and great as he remembered.
****
Author: Well???? Please tell me what you think, I'm happy to answer questions (as long as I don't give away the ending!) Thanks! ^^
