Notes:
TRIGGER WARNING FOR DEATH!
Chapter 8
Towa stared ahead into the dark night. Her twin sat next to her in silence. Moroha really wasn't kidding when she said she had connections. Once they landed in a deserted clearing by the hair of their teeth in the small plane, they started the hard hike to Kadonyu. Inuyasha carried Kagome, who was recovering from not walking for a few centuries. Setsuna and Towa took turns giving Mei piggy back rides. Grandpa Higurashi and Mama Higurashi did well in keeping up. It was quiet as they made the journey.
"Stop." Inuyasha suddenly said. The family ceased all movement. Everyone turned to the left, where they could hear rustling trees. Inuyasha set Kagome down and unsheathed tessaiga. Moroha stood next to her father, ready as well. A torch suddenly appeared, along with a dark-hooded figure.
"I mean no harm. Shippo sent me." The figure pulled back their hood. An older fox yokai stared at the family.
Inuyasha relaxed, sheathing his sword. "You're Kai?"
The fox nodded. He then whistle and a dozen hooded figures stepped forward. "Our lord told us of your arrival. We've come to help. On the other side of the mountain, we have a base. We can take you there until the ritual is ready to be completed." The other yokai stepped forward, offering to carry the rest of the family. The humans looked at Inuyasha in question. "Go on, it's safe. By foot, it's another few hours. If they carry you, it will be quicker."
As the yokai got ready to carry the humans. Setsuna stepped forward. "Uncle, we would like to see our parents."
"Girls….I don't know if that's a good idea." Inuyasha said, rubbing the back of this neck.
"Please uncle. We've been without of parents for the past 500 years. We're grateful for everything you and your family have done for us but…we miss our parents." Towa whispered.
Inuyasha's amber eyes softened. He had done his best, watching over the girls as they grew, but he wasn't their father. He looked at Kagome, who nodded. "Alright. We can see Sesshomaru first but regarding your mother. You can see her tomorrow morning ok? But you CANNOT let yourselfs be seen, got it?"
Both girls nodded.
"Ok. Kai, get the rest of family to your base. We'll be there soon."
The older fox nodded and the rest of the yokai carrying the humans vanished into the darkness of the forest.
"Follow me." Inuyasha lifted Kagome, and they were off.
…
Towa and Setsuna stared at the enormous mountain before them. Inuyasha reached into his haori, pulling a small flashlight free. He clicked it 4 times and then waited. The girls looked at each and back at the mountain. After a few seconds, they witness a reflective barrier slowly dissolve. Jaken and A-Un suddenly appeared. His yellow eyes fell upon the twins and he smiled. "Lady Towa, Lady Setsuna. It is wonderful to see you both." He bowed to his lord's daughters.
Towa squatted down to be eye level. "Jaken, it's been forever. Thank you for staying with our father."
"As your father's most trust vassal, there is nowhere else I would be." Jaken bowed. "Although I am glad to see you, what brings you here? Is everything alright?"
"They want to see Sesshomaru." Inuyasha said, stepping forward.
Jaken's eyes widen. "Is that wise? Earlier he…almost woke."
"It's because I'm awake now. The spirit of the God Tree is keeping him asleep until we can perform the ritual. It's alright, Jaken. Let the girls see their father." Kagome added.
Jaken nodded, and the small party followed him into the mountain. After a 10 minuted walk that went deeper underground, the girls gasped. Inuyasha, Kagome, and Jaken stayed behind as the girls slowly approached the sleeping Inu form of their father.
He was just as magnificent as they remembered him. His fur coat shined a bright glossary finish. His demon markings were vibrant against the stark white of his cur coat. They watched as his chest slowly rose and fell with each breath. Setsuna gently touched his snout. He didn't stir. She dropped to her knees, pressing her face to her father's fur. Towa sat next to her, rubbing her back. "We're almost there sis….just a little longer and we'll have finally be a family again."
Setsuna pulled back, wiping her eyes. "Yes…hang on, father."
…
A sweet melody filled the clearing as gentle hands dug into the earth. A few more tugs and the vegetable pulled free. "Ah! Finally!" The small human cheered out in happiness. She placed the vegetable in her bag along with the others she picked. She stood, wiping her kimono off. Her husband would return within a few hours with their girls. They had been gone for three months and couldn't wait to see them. She placed her hand on her stomach, smiling. She wondered how they would react to the news.
She perked her head up when she heard a commotion behind her. There was a horde of yokai coming through the clearing. She gasped, running as fast as she could. Looking back, she could see another horde of yokai. This was a fight. They were getting closer to her. Looking ahead, she saw a tree. She pushed herself to get there. She could climb up and hide! Just a few more feet and she could make it. Just as she reached out her hand, something yanked her back.
A yokai snarled in her face. She screamed and kicked her legs out, trying to get free. She swiped her nails at the demon, cutting him across the face. He howled and before she realized it; she felt a deep pain in her stomach and a guttural scream ripped from her throat. He dropped her when a raged-filled howl rang out in the clearing. She could hear screaming all around her. She couldn't move and her hands went to stomach where she felt a warm sticky substance.
She blinked as a dark-haired woman fills her vision. "Mother! You're gonna be ok." She doesn't know how, but she knows the woman is lying. Her eyes show nothing but dread and…..fear. The woman presses her hands to her stomach, looking around frantically. The human woman raises a shaky blood covered hand to her daughter's face. "Save your father…..please…." She starts coughing and tries to focus on her daughter's face, but everything grows dark.
As much as she longs to stay, she knows she cannot. Her last words as she stares at her husband tearing all the yokai apart only a few feet from her slip into the wind…..
"Save him…"
…
Rin bolts up in her futon, gasping. Her hands flew to her stomach, feeling for…blood. She looks down and there is nothing. Shaky hands clutch her head. Her vision is blurry, and she wipes her eyes. She is crying. A few more sniffles and she finally calms. The moonlight reflects on her watch.
3:30AM
She lays back down, and stares at the ceiling. What was her dream about? It felt so real. Was is a past life? Nothing in the dream looked familiar. If she didn't know any better, it appeared as she was in feudal Japan. She rolled to her side, sighing. Ever since she got here, everything has seemed off. This rural village is beautiful but maybe it was better this village stay hidden. Something wasn't right here. Regardless of Akane's health, she was leaving tomorrow.
She hears movement from downstairs. Akane must be up. Deciding she needed to talk, she gets up and makes her way downstairs. She sees Akane drinking some water. The old woman looks at her. "I'm sorry Rin. Did I wake you?"
"No, Akane-san. I had an odd dream." Rin answers as she sits down at the low table.
"Oh? Would you like to talk about it?" Akane-san asked. She grabs a blanket and drapes it over RIn's shoulder. Rin smiles in thanks. "Um….do you believe in re-carination?" She asks as she wraps the blanket around her.
Akane-san smiled. "Ah, that's a tricky question."
"How so?"
The old woman rubs her chin, getting comfortable. "Well, I believe some souls are destined to be together in every life."
Rin slowly nod, thinking. "So hypothetically if one person died before they should have, leaving behind their soul mate….do you think they would find each other?" She tried to make the question as nonchalant as possible. She got the feeling from her dream that whoever these two beings were, that fate tore them apart from each other far too soon. Whoever the husband was went into a madness, seeing his wife die. She felt her heart breaking, thinking he must have lived on in agony without her.
"Ay, I believe fate would bring them back together again when the time is right." Akane softly said.
Rin only nodded. She looked down at her hands, clutching the blanket.
"Is there a reason you ask?"
Rin looked up. "No, Akane-san. It's nothing."
The old woman smiles, nodding. "Go back to bed, Rin. It's still a few hours from sunrise." She reached across the table and squeezed her hand. Her weathered body stood and retreated into her bedroom. Rin stared at the empty spot at the table and finally made her way back to bed.
She whispered into the darkness of the loft. "Whoever you are, I hope you find your soulmate again."
….
Rin checked over her belongings. She wanted to make sure she didn't forget everything. This was the third time doing her checklist. She patted over everything.
"Camera? Check. Phone? Check. Toiletry items? Check. All my clothes? Check." Rin nodded in satisfaction that she packed away everything and stepped down the stairs. She slept in a little morning. It was 8AM.
"Ah, there she is! Feeling better, my dear?" Akane-san asked.
Rin brightly smiled. "Yes, thank you." Internally, though, she couldn't wait to get back home. After this trip, she decided she would take a break from visiting rural villages.
"Abe-san made breakfast for us." The old man bowed, setting out plates.
The small trio sat down to eat. The two old people spoke of more tales from living away from modern day Japan. Rin smiled and nodded. Even though being in this village has been odd, she would miss Akane and Abe.
"So should we get ready to leave, Abe-san?" Rin asked as she patted her dish dry and put it away.
She noticed an odd look pass between Abe and Akane. "Actually, there is something we want to show you. There is a shine we don't normally allow outsiders to see, but we can see how genuine you truly are. The only exception is that you cannot bring your camera." Abe-san said.
Rin hid her weariness. She wanted to go, but she didn't want to refuse them. Looking at them both, she knew they couldn't hurt her. Chewing on her lip, she thought up of a plan. "Ok, I would like that. Is it ok if I bring my bags that way we can leave from there?" There. If they try anything, at least she would have her bags and run for it. She had an excellent memory, and she knew she could find her way back. She had a compass, too.
"Thats fine." Abe-san said.
Rin grabbed her bags, swinging them across her body. They headed out the door and Rin trailed after. She realized they were leading her towards the mountain she saw shake yesterday. She swallowed past the nervousness in her throat. "So what kind of shrine is it?"
"It's an ancient tale known throughout the village. A fable you can call it." Akane-san said.
Rin stepped over a tree root.
"It is said an Inu-yokai was sealed within this mountain." Abe-san added.
Rin stopped, looking at the two. "Sealed? Why would they do that?"
"It was for his own good." Abe-san said, turning to look at her.
Akane-san stopped then. "He went into a madness when his wife was killed." Her gaze turned intense as her eyes bore into Rin.
"Killed?" She whispered. This sounded to familiar…it couldn't be….
The two elders resumed their walk. Rin looked around. She felt like she was being watched.
"Rin?" Abe-san called, waiting. She ran to catch up. "You said his wife was killed. What happened next?"
"Yes, once she was gone, he went into a rage. Nothing could stop him. Not even their daughters. His daughters, along with his half-brother and wife, thought of a plan to bind him to his brother's wife and seal him away until they could wake him."
They continued walking. Akane-san stopped speaking. Rin's heart was wildly beating in her chest. Dread filled her stomach. If this story is true, why are they leading her to the mountain? Shaking her head, she asked. "So….in this ancient tale, is the Inu-yokai still sealed to this day?"
"Yes." Abe-san said matter-of-factly.
Rin faltered in her steps. She looked to her right when she thought the tree branches move.
"Come along, we're almost there." Akane-san said over her shoulder.
Rin could tell they were close. She chewed on her lip. This felt like a trap now. If she ran right now, she could get away. She looked behind her, getting ready.
"You cannot leave, Rin."
Rin's head snapped back to see both Akane-san and Abe-san staring at her. Her eyes drifted to Abe-san, with a gun in his hand. He had it pointed right at her. She slowly lifted her arms in the arms. "Look….I don't know what's been going on around here. I'll leave and never speak of this village to anyone. I swear to you." Rin took a step back.
"Stop." Abe-san said, stepping forward.
Akane-san walked towards Rin. "Fate brought here you for a reason, Rin. It's time you remember who you are."
RIn's eyes darted back and forth between the two old people. "Fuck it." She whispered and turned on her heels, sprinting away. She only made a few feet when she stopped dead in her tracks. Standing before was the dark-haired girl from her dream. She shook her head in disbelief. "No no no no…..that's impossible."
Someone grabbed her arm. Her head pivoted to see a woman with midnight-blue hair holding her. "Sorry, Rin." She pointed the gun at her arm and fired. Rin looked down to see a dart sticking out. "Oh god…" She whispered. She pulled away, trying to run, but her body felt the effects of the tranquilizer as her body slowed. Falling to her knees, she tried to crawl away, but collapsed. She huffed into the soft grass under her, tears spilling from her eyes. Someone rolled her over. She now stared into the eyes of the woman from her dream.
"Please…don't hurt me…." She choked out.
The dark-haired woman smiled at her. "We would never hurt you, mother. It's time to bind you to father."
Rin's eyes widened in terror as the last of the tranquilizer pulled her to sleep.
~oOo~
Notes:
Trust me, writing the scene where Rin died hurt my soul 😭😭😭
