Symmi stared in shock then swallowed. "Well...that's something you
don't see everyday." She glanced at Tanichi who was staring at the
oldest woman.
He growled. "You're the old hag from the forest." He smirked. "I knew I'd see you again."
Symmi gave him a look. "You know them."
"The hag's the one who told me how to find you. I don't know the other two." Symmi looked at the women again who stood silent.
The first one was the oldest, white haired, pale, and wrinkled. The second one was a bit younger, maybe in her late 30s to 40s. Her hair was long, glorious black and hung to the middle of her back and her eyes were warm emerald. She wore a long ankle length kimono of dark blue kimono tied at the waist with a silver sash. She had a browned complexion a soft honey colored hue.
The third one was even younger. Between her late teens and early 20s. Her shimmering gold hair hung in soft waves to her willowed waist brushing against her fair complexioned cheek and neck. Eyes like two sapphire orbs gleamed with carefree mischief. She wore a sky blue kimono she wore tied at the waist with a bronze sash.
The dark haired woman turned to look at the old woman. "Is that what he calls you? A hag?"
The golden haired on giggled covering her mouth with a petite hand, "I think it's a fine description."
"Oh hush your ditzy mouth." The black haired on snapped irritable and the golden haired girl pouted.
"I can speak if you want to! You aren't the boss of me."
"Enough." They both silenced when the old woman spoke. "You have forgotten our business. Put your squabbling aside so may save what's dear."
Both woman looked down shamefully and at the same time murmured "Rheua." When they lifted their heads to look at Tanichi and Symmi their eyes were fierce and determined.
The old woman spoke. "Listen well you to. For we have much of a story to tell you."
Symmi groaned. "Great. More crack pot stories. I don't want to hear any of this. I want to go home."
"As you may. Once you have completed that which was charged with you when you took that locket." The woman spoke.
Symmi's eye twitched "Is that all it's about again!? This damnable locket!? Well fine. Take it!" She reached behind her to unclip it but it wouldn't come of. The latch just wouldn't budge. "What the.."
Tanichi growled. "Just who are you anyway. I remember you, old woman, but who are the others?"
"Ah but that is part of out story. And this young woman does not wish to hear it." The gestured towards Symmi who was rolling on the ground grappling with the clasp on her locked.
Tanichi sweat dropped. "GET UP YOU STUPID GIRL!"
Symmi popped up shooting him her death glare satisfied when her cringed then looked disgusted at himself. "Fine. Talk. I wanna know what this bloody thing is!"
The old woman spoke. "Long ago, before the Shikon Jewel was forged we existed. The Celestial Daughters. Children of the universe, ethereal beings. The Shikon Jewel was ours. We created it, forged it, powered it. A Thing of great magic and power. I am The Power. It was my strength, and magic that was poured into the jewel to make it what it is."
The black haired woman spoke then. "The human's were my love. I wanted a to create the jewel so that it would help mankind. To make them the equals of demons, and maybe stop the eternal slaughter and fighting they waged on each other. I am the Forger. It was my sweat and hands and work blood that helped bring the jewel into being."
The golden haired one spoke now. "A lovely thing. For humans are vain in their wants. I meant it to be a simple bauble. But as it grew in my mind it became lovelier and stronger. A bauble to rival all others indeed. I am the Imagination. It was my idea that the jewel be brought to life. A creation sprung from my own mind."
The old woman spoke again. "The jewel was created and we found the one woman we believed could keep the jewel safely. The priestess Kikyou. We watched as time after time she defending the jewel and we believed that all was right. Until...your father came, Tanichi."
"My father!?" Tanichi's eyes flashed, "What are you talking about witch?"
The black haired woman spoke up. "Kikyou could not slay your father when he sought to take the jewel. She foiled him time and time again but did not kill him. For the priestess, had fallen in love with the half demon Inuyasha. We saw possibilities then. Could the jewel be used to turn demons human? We planted the seed of the idea in Kikyou's head and she sought out Inuyasha to ask him. Ask if he would be human and spend his life with her. He agreed for her too had fallen in love."
Tanichi looked confused "But...Kikyou died. My mother's name was Kagome! And my father was a half demon! Not human!"
The golden haired girl sighed and placed her hand over her heart. "It is a tragic story indeed young Tanichi. For there was one, Naraku, who would not see Inuyasha and Kikyou together. When Kikyou was to bring the jewel her disguised himself as Inuyasha and fatally wounded her. Then he took on Kikyou's shape and attempted to kill Inuyasha. We had not counted on this. Enraged believing they each had betrayed each other, Inuyasha went back to steal the jewel. Kikyou shot him with an arrow and bound him to a sacred tree. And seconds after, she too died."
There was silence for a moment before the old woman began. "Kikyou ordered the jewel burned with her body and so the village did and the jewel was lost for 50 years. Until the day came a girl named Kagome came. Kagome, the reincarnation of Kikyou...and yet at the same time, so much her own self. I was there when she climbed from the well. (Note: If you'll remember in the first episode a butterfly floated past her face). The villagers found her in Inuyasha's forest and the priestess Kaede, Kikyou's younger sister recognized Kagome for who and what she was."
The black haired woman spoke again. "When the village was attacked by a centipede demon Kagome ran into the forest to lure it away from the village, for the jewel had been incarnated inside Kagome's body and the demon knew this. In her fleeing Kagome awoke Inuyasha and to combat the centipede she freed him from the tree, although the jewel had already been torn out of her body by the demon. Inuyasha killed the demon then attempted to kill Kagome, for he wanted the jewel himself."
The golden haired girl giggled "Silly puppy though. Kaede would not have it, and summoned prayer beads around Inuyasha's neck, which forced him to obey the spirit command when Kagome gave it. He hated Kagome. Not for herself, but because she reminded him of the lost priestess. Yet he followed her, hoping for a chance to steal the jewel. But in an effort to save the jewel she threw if from her and a demon crow snatched it and carried it of."
The old woman. "Inuyasha was furious and went after the crow. Kagome followed behind and watched Inuyasha tear the crow to pieces. But because it had the jewel, it replenished itself. With the last piece, the crow's foot, Kagome tied it to an arrow and shot, striking the crown yes, but also the jewel and shattering it into a hundred pieces. Thus, how Inuyasha and Kagome were charged with finding the shards."
The black haired woman. "We saw the quest that would unfold and set with them three others. The Monk, Miroku, The Demon Exterminator, Sango and the Kitsune, Shippou. All were not only bent on recovering the shards but defeating Naraku as well, for Inuyasha had discovered of Naraku's trickery. Naraku held most of the shards, so in the end. They had to battle him to claim them."
The golden haired girl smiled softly "They won, but Naraku retained just enough power to escape. All the while through their journey, Inuyasha had fallen in love with Kagome, and Kagome in love with him. They intended to marry and indeed have a child. But before this they rejoined the jewel shards to set things to rights."
The old woman again. "But there is a piece you don't know. Kagome knew that other would attempt to take the jewel and that one-day she and Inuyasha might not be able to stop a strong enough power. So she kept one shard apart from the jewel and set a weaving on the jewel so that as long as it remained un-whole its power could not be used."
The black haired woman shook her head sorrowfully. "She meant well, but it was the wrong thing to do. For you see, the jewel wishes to be whole. The main body of the jewel was stolen then but the one who killed Kagome and Inuyasha, Naraku's heir, Koteku. But he did not get the last shard so for years it did not matter, but soon...oh soon it will."
"What do you mean?" Symmi said suddenly. "I thought the jewel wouldn't work without being whole."
"Pay attention." The golden haired girl snapped sounding serious and cross for the first time. "The jewel wants to be whole. And steadily it's becoming angry, and sick, and insane. Just look!" She spreads her hands and a wide shimmering silver circle, almost like a large mirror, appeared. The surface shifted and moved and then an image of a child appeared. A small girl of 6-11 with long fiery red curls her eyes where closed but they blinked open and they saw they were dark sickly brown shot with veins of red before they closed again. Her skin was sickly pale with the lightest undertone of inky gray.
"What...what's wrong with that child." Symmi asked softly.
Tears streamed down the checks of the younger two women but the older one stood firm as she spoke. "That is our youngest sister, Rheua. She is the Heart. She is the link to the jewel. When it is pure and sweet and innocent as is she. But as it turns tainted and evil, she does she."
The black haired woman gestured angrily at the image. "Do you see how she is now!? See how she is sick and tainted. The jewel is turning evil. Its need to be whole is succumbing into madness and taint. If it is not restored soon it will turn black and evil. And then...then Kagome's spell will disappear and Koteku will be able to use it in all its perverse powers."
Symmi stood "Alright. I understand all that. But what in the world, does this have to do with me?"
The golden haired girl closed her hands and the image disappeared then fixed Symmi with an amused look. "Haven't you figured it out yet? You are the Carrier of the jewel. When Koteku came Kagome and Inuyasha sent Tanichi away to be safe. And they ordered Shippou to bring the jewel to the people the know they could trust above all others. Symanthis Faith Jones," Symmi cringed, "You are the granddaughter of Sango and Miroku."
He growled. "You're the old hag from the forest." He smirked. "I knew I'd see you again."
Symmi gave him a look. "You know them."
"The hag's the one who told me how to find you. I don't know the other two." Symmi looked at the women again who stood silent.
The first one was the oldest, white haired, pale, and wrinkled. The second one was a bit younger, maybe in her late 30s to 40s. Her hair was long, glorious black and hung to the middle of her back and her eyes were warm emerald. She wore a long ankle length kimono of dark blue kimono tied at the waist with a silver sash. She had a browned complexion a soft honey colored hue.
The third one was even younger. Between her late teens and early 20s. Her shimmering gold hair hung in soft waves to her willowed waist brushing against her fair complexioned cheek and neck. Eyes like two sapphire orbs gleamed with carefree mischief. She wore a sky blue kimono she wore tied at the waist with a bronze sash.
The dark haired woman turned to look at the old woman. "Is that what he calls you? A hag?"
The golden haired on giggled covering her mouth with a petite hand, "I think it's a fine description."
"Oh hush your ditzy mouth." The black haired on snapped irritable and the golden haired girl pouted.
"I can speak if you want to! You aren't the boss of me."
"Enough." They both silenced when the old woman spoke. "You have forgotten our business. Put your squabbling aside so may save what's dear."
Both woman looked down shamefully and at the same time murmured "Rheua." When they lifted their heads to look at Tanichi and Symmi their eyes were fierce and determined.
The old woman spoke. "Listen well you to. For we have much of a story to tell you."
Symmi groaned. "Great. More crack pot stories. I don't want to hear any of this. I want to go home."
"As you may. Once you have completed that which was charged with you when you took that locket." The woman spoke.
Symmi's eye twitched "Is that all it's about again!? This damnable locket!? Well fine. Take it!" She reached behind her to unclip it but it wouldn't come of. The latch just wouldn't budge. "What the.."
Tanichi growled. "Just who are you anyway. I remember you, old woman, but who are the others?"
"Ah but that is part of out story. And this young woman does not wish to hear it." The gestured towards Symmi who was rolling on the ground grappling with the clasp on her locked.
Tanichi sweat dropped. "GET UP YOU STUPID GIRL!"
Symmi popped up shooting him her death glare satisfied when her cringed then looked disgusted at himself. "Fine. Talk. I wanna know what this bloody thing is!"
The old woman spoke. "Long ago, before the Shikon Jewel was forged we existed. The Celestial Daughters. Children of the universe, ethereal beings. The Shikon Jewel was ours. We created it, forged it, powered it. A Thing of great magic and power. I am The Power. It was my strength, and magic that was poured into the jewel to make it what it is."
The black haired woman spoke then. "The human's were my love. I wanted a to create the jewel so that it would help mankind. To make them the equals of demons, and maybe stop the eternal slaughter and fighting they waged on each other. I am the Forger. It was my sweat and hands and work blood that helped bring the jewel into being."
The golden haired one spoke now. "A lovely thing. For humans are vain in their wants. I meant it to be a simple bauble. But as it grew in my mind it became lovelier and stronger. A bauble to rival all others indeed. I am the Imagination. It was my idea that the jewel be brought to life. A creation sprung from my own mind."
The old woman spoke again. "The jewel was created and we found the one woman we believed could keep the jewel safely. The priestess Kikyou. We watched as time after time she defending the jewel and we believed that all was right. Until...your father came, Tanichi."
"My father!?" Tanichi's eyes flashed, "What are you talking about witch?"
The black haired woman spoke up. "Kikyou could not slay your father when he sought to take the jewel. She foiled him time and time again but did not kill him. For the priestess, had fallen in love with the half demon Inuyasha. We saw possibilities then. Could the jewel be used to turn demons human? We planted the seed of the idea in Kikyou's head and she sought out Inuyasha to ask him. Ask if he would be human and spend his life with her. He agreed for her too had fallen in love."
Tanichi looked confused "But...Kikyou died. My mother's name was Kagome! And my father was a half demon! Not human!"
The golden haired girl sighed and placed her hand over her heart. "It is a tragic story indeed young Tanichi. For there was one, Naraku, who would not see Inuyasha and Kikyou together. When Kikyou was to bring the jewel her disguised himself as Inuyasha and fatally wounded her. Then he took on Kikyou's shape and attempted to kill Inuyasha. We had not counted on this. Enraged believing they each had betrayed each other, Inuyasha went back to steal the jewel. Kikyou shot him with an arrow and bound him to a sacred tree. And seconds after, she too died."
There was silence for a moment before the old woman began. "Kikyou ordered the jewel burned with her body and so the village did and the jewel was lost for 50 years. Until the day came a girl named Kagome came. Kagome, the reincarnation of Kikyou...and yet at the same time, so much her own self. I was there when she climbed from the well. (Note: If you'll remember in the first episode a butterfly floated past her face). The villagers found her in Inuyasha's forest and the priestess Kaede, Kikyou's younger sister recognized Kagome for who and what she was."
The black haired woman spoke again. "When the village was attacked by a centipede demon Kagome ran into the forest to lure it away from the village, for the jewel had been incarnated inside Kagome's body and the demon knew this. In her fleeing Kagome awoke Inuyasha and to combat the centipede she freed him from the tree, although the jewel had already been torn out of her body by the demon. Inuyasha killed the demon then attempted to kill Kagome, for he wanted the jewel himself."
The golden haired girl giggled "Silly puppy though. Kaede would not have it, and summoned prayer beads around Inuyasha's neck, which forced him to obey the spirit command when Kagome gave it. He hated Kagome. Not for herself, but because she reminded him of the lost priestess. Yet he followed her, hoping for a chance to steal the jewel. But in an effort to save the jewel she threw if from her and a demon crow snatched it and carried it of."
The old woman. "Inuyasha was furious and went after the crow. Kagome followed behind and watched Inuyasha tear the crow to pieces. But because it had the jewel, it replenished itself. With the last piece, the crow's foot, Kagome tied it to an arrow and shot, striking the crown yes, but also the jewel and shattering it into a hundred pieces. Thus, how Inuyasha and Kagome were charged with finding the shards."
The black haired woman. "We saw the quest that would unfold and set with them three others. The Monk, Miroku, The Demon Exterminator, Sango and the Kitsune, Shippou. All were not only bent on recovering the shards but defeating Naraku as well, for Inuyasha had discovered of Naraku's trickery. Naraku held most of the shards, so in the end. They had to battle him to claim them."
The golden haired girl smiled softly "They won, but Naraku retained just enough power to escape. All the while through their journey, Inuyasha had fallen in love with Kagome, and Kagome in love with him. They intended to marry and indeed have a child. But before this they rejoined the jewel shards to set things to rights."
The old woman again. "But there is a piece you don't know. Kagome knew that other would attempt to take the jewel and that one-day she and Inuyasha might not be able to stop a strong enough power. So she kept one shard apart from the jewel and set a weaving on the jewel so that as long as it remained un-whole its power could not be used."
The black haired woman shook her head sorrowfully. "She meant well, but it was the wrong thing to do. For you see, the jewel wishes to be whole. The main body of the jewel was stolen then but the one who killed Kagome and Inuyasha, Naraku's heir, Koteku. But he did not get the last shard so for years it did not matter, but soon...oh soon it will."
"What do you mean?" Symmi said suddenly. "I thought the jewel wouldn't work without being whole."
"Pay attention." The golden haired girl snapped sounding serious and cross for the first time. "The jewel wants to be whole. And steadily it's becoming angry, and sick, and insane. Just look!" She spreads her hands and a wide shimmering silver circle, almost like a large mirror, appeared. The surface shifted and moved and then an image of a child appeared. A small girl of 6-11 with long fiery red curls her eyes where closed but they blinked open and they saw they were dark sickly brown shot with veins of red before they closed again. Her skin was sickly pale with the lightest undertone of inky gray.
"What...what's wrong with that child." Symmi asked softly.
Tears streamed down the checks of the younger two women but the older one stood firm as she spoke. "That is our youngest sister, Rheua. She is the Heart. She is the link to the jewel. When it is pure and sweet and innocent as is she. But as it turns tainted and evil, she does she."
The black haired woman gestured angrily at the image. "Do you see how she is now!? See how she is sick and tainted. The jewel is turning evil. Its need to be whole is succumbing into madness and taint. If it is not restored soon it will turn black and evil. And then...then Kagome's spell will disappear and Koteku will be able to use it in all its perverse powers."
Symmi stood "Alright. I understand all that. But what in the world, does this have to do with me?"
The golden haired girl closed her hands and the image disappeared then fixed Symmi with an amused look. "Haven't you figured it out yet? You are the Carrier of the jewel. When Koteku came Kagome and Inuyasha sent Tanichi away to be safe. And they ordered Shippou to bring the jewel to the people the know they could trust above all others. Symanthis Faith Jones," Symmi cringed, "You are the granddaughter of Sango and Miroku."