Chapter 4

Rin dipped her pork belly into her soy sauce. The pan sizzled from the center of the table. Various dishes of food sat before her. After her bath, she came in to see Akane cooking food and Abe-san putting out the dishes. Now, the trio sat laughing and talking.

The old woman took a sip of beer and turned her attention to Rin. "So, child, what brings you to this hidden village?"

Rin finished chewing and took a sip of her tea. "Well, to be honest. I know places like this are rare nowadays. The younger generation is moving away. They don't want to stay in rural places like this. It's only a matter of time that this place will be forgotten."

Rin looked to see sadness on Akane's face. "Forgive me. I speak too harshly."

Akane sighed, waving her hand at her. "It's fine. I know it's true."

Rin felt the mood shift. She smiled at Akane, hoping to lift her spirit. "However, this is why I'm here. I'm trying to be awareness to villages like this. There is a campaign to save places like this. I visit these places and add them to my blog. If you don't mind, I would like to add this place to my website. I'll only share what you allow me to."

Rin waited for an answer, but the old woman said nothing, sipping her beer. She didn't want to press her luck, so she didn't push the subject.

"Do you have family, Rin?" Abe-san asked.

Rin shook her head no. "They died in a fire when I was a child. They were only children and so was I, So it's just me now. I stayed in foster care until I aged out at 18. Five years later and here I am, traveling around Japan."

Both elders nodded at her answer.

Rin finished eating. "Um, I thought there would be others here."

Akane smiled. "Yes, a few others, but they left for now. I stay behind, waiting. Truthfully, they may not come back. As you experienced, the hike here is quite arduous. With winter approaching, this may be my last time here. You may be the last person to visit Kadonyu."

Rin's eyebrows shot up in surprise. She could be the last non-resident to see this place?!

"Oh my…." Rin gasped. Although she wasn't surprised. The hike was tiring for her so she could only imagine how it would be a 90 year old woman.

"Aye, child. These bones don't move like they use to." Akane looked out the window. She grabbed her beer, taking another sip. "I thank the gods for blessing me each time I'm able to make it here in one piece, but I know my time is short in this village. I allowed Abe-san to bring one last visitor to regal my tales to one more time. Your presence here makes me feel…..young."

Rin reached forward, squeezing the old woman's hand. "Thank you Akane-san. Thank you for allowing me to visit."

The old woman set her beer down, patting Rin's hand with a smile.

The small trio continued talking into the night. Akane showed Rin old family photos, photos of the other villagers and photos of when the village was in its prime. She hid a yawn behind her hand, feeling her body ready to give out for the night. Akane chuckled, shutting the photo album. "Let me show you where you will sleep for the night."

Akane grabbed a gas lantern and led the young woman up a narrow flight of stairs. Rin's face broke out in a huge grin. It was basically an empty loft. Tatami mats lined the floor. The roof had a triangular shape, allowing plenty of space for walking. In the corner, she saw bedding and blankets.

"I only had to pay for the wood to build this house!" Akane said in triumph.

"Wow! It's amazing up here! Plenty of space to move and sleep. Thank you so much for allowing me to stay!" Rin bowed to the old woman. Akane nodded, setting down the lantern. She bid her goodnight and disappeared down the stairs. Rin leaned over to make sure the old woman was gone. She could hear her moving around in the kitchen, talking to Abe-san. She walked away and grabbed her backpack.

She retrieved her journal, pulling it free. She furiously wrote about how the day went and everything Akane said. As she recalled their conversation at dinner, she suddenly remember something Akane said.

"I stay behind, waiting."

"Waiting for what?" Rin mused, tapping her pen against her chin. She still found it odd that Abe-san said there would be others here. There was also that sound she heard in the woods and that flash of red. If she didn't know any better, she would swear there was someone else here. Rin shook her head, clearing away her doubts. "Get a grip, Rin. That hike took it out of you. There is no way someone else is here. This place is so hidden. Chill out."

After half an hour, she heard the door click from downstairs. She got up and looked out the window. Abe-san was walking towards another home. He mentioned he would stay in a neighbor's home. He didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable by sleeping under the same roof as her when they only knew each other through emails. A huge yawn slipped from her mouth and she knew it was time to cal it a night.

After laying out the bedding, she grabbed the lantern, turning it off. The loft fell into complete darkness, with only the light of the moon peeking through the clouds, illuminating the room. She snuggled into her blanket and was asleep within minutes of her head hitting the pillow.

Akane quietly crept up the stairs, peeking her head into the loft. She raised the lantern by a few inches to see the young woman sleeping. She tiptoed back downstairs and out the door. Abe-san met her halfway.

"Well?" The old man asked, looking towards the upstairs of her home.

Akane followed his gaze, thinking. "I think it's her, but I know he was following us. He would know for sure."

The two looked towards the dark forest and started their journey.

…..

"I think this is the place." Abi-san said, coming to a stop. He shined the lantern towards the thick tree and saw a faint X in red marker. Akane nodded, sitting down on the nearby stump. He pulled a whistle from his pocket and gave two short bursts, followed by a longer burst. They both waited, peering into the darkness.

Soon, they heard crunching and snapping. A gust of air blew past them.

"Well, aren't you two a sight for sore eyes?"

Abe-san glared at their old friend. "How my ancestor Miroku was friends with you, I'll never know."

The hanyo opened his mouth ready to retort, but stopped when he looked at Akane.

"That's enough." Akane's icy tone called out. The others looked towards the old woman. She stood, feeling her old bones pop. "Tell me, old friend, I know you saw her. Is she the one?"

The two people looked towards their old friend, hope filling their eyes. How they long for this day. To know that they could play some part in reuniting the great dog demon with his wife. Akane stepped closer, reaching out a hand to the hanyo. "Please…Inuyasha, is it her?"

Inuyasha's face softened at Akane. She was splitting image of Sango, her ancestor. He looked towards Abe, who was a mirror image of Kohaku. He grasped her gnarled hand, bringing it to his chest. A soft smile filled his face, looking at the descendants of his friends from centuries ago. "Yes…It's her. I can smell it as clear as day. She's finally come back."

Akane sobbed, falling to her knees. Inuyasha was right next to her, bracing her. "Why are you crying, you old wench?"

"Because we can….finally rest my old friend." Akane looked towards her brother Abe, who wiped his eyes, smiling. Abe knelt next to his sister. He clasped one hand on her shoulder and one on Inuyasha's. "After centuries of looking, we found her. Now you and your brother can finally have your wives back, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha abruptly stood, turning away. The siblings looked at his back, waiting. He cough and finally turned back around. "That may be true, but there is still preparation we need to make. It's gonna take me at least a day to bring Kagome here. I better leave now." Inuyasha crouched down, ready to take to the trees, when Abe stopped him.

"She wants to leave tomorrow."

Inuyasha straightened himself. "Well, she can't. Find some way to keep her from leaving. Do a rain dance, fake an illness, but she cannot leave. Sesshomaru's sanity depends on her and the ritual being completed." With that, he was gone into the darkness of the forest.

Abe helped his sister to her feet. "Come on, I'll tell the others to prepare. I also think I got an idea on making her stay."

~oOo~