Disclaimer: Sure! Rub salt in freshly healed wounds! *sniff*
Red Lantern
Chapter 12: Back to School
Author's Note:
Yes, Sango and Miroku come in this chapter! Let's all cheer for joy! This story is going to be a lot longer than I thought! Oh well! I'm having a ball writing it! The real plot is going to really start coming in, so it'll be better… I hope. And yes, Kikyo and Naraku aren't going to make a lot more disruptions, so YAY! I do have to say though; I don't hate Kikyo as much now, so I'm not going to do Kikyo bashing. It's not her fault she's Inu Yasha's ex in the series! Enough rambling, go have fun reading!
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Author's POV~
"Master Inu Yasha, you're kidding when you say you're going to Japan, right?" Kaede asked, hesitant, at the young man packing furiously.
Inu Yasha shook his head. "No, Kaede, it Kagome's last hope. She has to get better! She has so much to live for…"
Changing to subject, Kaede asked another question. "This Shikon no Tama, I have heard of it, but really, it's just a story! How do you suppose you can find a legend?"
"I don't know. There's suppose to be some shrine and the jewel is suppose to be there. And besides, Kaede, I thought that you said that miracles can happen!"
Kaede nodded at his statement. "Aye, Master Inu Yasha. I wish you the best of luck. Please, take care of Lady Kagome and be careful!"
Inu Yasha smirked. "I knew you would agree, Kaede," he said in his usual arrogant tone.
Grabbing his bags, Inu Yasha asked, "Do you have Kagome's things ready?"
Reaching behind a chair, Kaede pulled out a satchel. "Yes, Master Inu Yasha."
Inu Yasha grabbed the bag. "I'm going to get Kagome from the hospital, then stop at the university. The library there might offer some clues. From there we'll take a one-way boat trip to Niigata, Honshu. We'll go on carriage after that."
"That sounds good. Bring Lady Kagome back safely, Master Inu Yasha! She is depending on ye!"
Inu Yasha stepped outside the door. If he was going to save Kagome, he was going to have to be prepared to do anything.
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Author's POV~
Inu Yasha stared out the window of the bumpy carriage. The countryside passed in gray and tints of green. He had to remember that spring was arriving.
At his side, Kagome moaned, making him jump.
"Kagome? Kagome, are you awake?" he asked anxiously.
Kagome lifted her heavily lashed eyelids. Her once sparkling eyes had become dark and dull, like an unpolished gem.
"I-inu Yasha?" she asked, her voice slurred somewhat. "Where am I?"
"I'm taking you to my university, and from there, we're going to go on a trip." He did not want to worry Kagome with the thought that she could soon die.
"Oh…" Her eyes were dropping, as if they were weighed down with lead.
"Sleep. I'll wake you when we're there."
"Thank you…"
'I just hope I'll be able to wake her…!'
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Author's POV~
Inu Yasha stepped outside the horse-drawn carriage. He stretched, after hours in the cramped space.
"Bring our stuff into my room," he commanded a near-by servant. "I'll carry Lady Kagome in."
Once again, Inu Yasha bent to pick up Kagome. Her eyes were still closed, her breath was coming out in harsh rasps.
Inu Yasha walked into the large, university dorms. Because his father was a rich man, he had a larger suite than other students did, not that he cared.
The richly furnished room was fit for a king. Stepping into his bedroom, he carefully lay Kagome on it, covering her tenderly with blankets. He dug into his bag, where the medicine Hojo gave him was.
There were a number of small leaves there, dried. Hojo had told him to seep some into water, for a tea, then give it to Kagome twice a day. He would have to remember that.
He quickly closed the door and ran to the school's large and informal library.
"Japanese Myths…" he mumbled to himself.
Suddenly, a large, bald head popped out.
"Oy, Myoga! You know a lot about Japan! Can you tell me anything about the Shikon no Tama?" Inu Yasha asked gruffly, although he was overjoyed to see the Japanese teacher.
Myoga jumped, his mustache twitching. "Oh, it's you, Inu Yasha! Glad to see you back! Now what's this about the Shikon no Tama?"
Inu Yasha sighed. His short, bald teacher was very fidgety, and it annoyed him very much. "Listen, Myoga, I need to find out where I can find the Shikon no Tama. It's for… a friend."
"A friend, eh, Inu Yasha?" Myoga said as he raised an eyebrow. He shook his head, not wanted to risk Inu Yasha's temper and connections. "The Shikon no Tama is said to be a legend, but you know how things go. It could start out as a lucky rock, and POOF! It's the most magical gem in the world, one that can heal any illness and corrupt any soul. However, there is evidence that this little jewel is real. Like sketches in old Japanese books. However, the last time the Shikon no Tama was seen was at the fall of the Heian Era, hundreds of years ago. It's said to be taken in by a few holy men that hid it away in Fuji-san."
Inu Yasha's head spun at all the information, but he nodded, seeming to understand. Besides, he had heard all he needed to know: the Shikon no Tama was real.
"Fuji-san? Are you sure, Myoga?" Inu Yasha, wanting to make sure.
Myoga nodded. "Positive. Can you, Inu Yasha, tell me whom you're doing this for? I might be able to help, you know!"
Inu Yasha hesitated, silent for so long, Myoga thought he would not answer. "I'm doing this for Kagome, my father's fourth and most recent wife. She's sick, really sick, and if I don't do this, she could die."
Once again raising his eyebrow, Myoga nodded. "Why, Inu Yasha? You know as well as I that you hate your father's other wives. Why this Lady Kagome?"
Looking staring into Myoga's eyes, Inu Yasha deftly answered, "Because. She means a lot to everyone."
"Including you?" Myoga prompted.
"Including me."
"Good. As long as you admit it. I do have a few students that might help you, though."
"Who?"
"A young man named Miroku, and a young woman named Sango. They're both from Japan, around the mountain area."
"Oh really? And the young man? Who the hell is he?"
Myoga chuckled. "No need to be jealous, Inu Yasha! I felt Miroku would help you because he is a monk, temple-wise. Sango is from a family of samurai. However, when her father, mother, and brother were killed, she decided to come to China. She has experience up in those mountains, you know."
"Alright… I'll believe you. Where are they?"
Myoga smiled, and jumped up. "Sango! Miroku!" he yelled.
Almost instantly, two young people showed up.
Miroku had black hair, tied back in a small pony-tail, and smoky-purple eyes. Sango also had black hair, but it was longer and in a high ponytail. Her eyes flashed magenta, and with a warrior spirit.
After quickly explaining to them the situation, Miroku and Sango agreed.
"It'll be nice to go back home," Sango said quietly.
"And it'll be a pleasure to accompany you, Mr. Inu Yasha," Miroku said with a boyish grin.
Inu Yasha nodded. It might not be so hard after all.
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Done with this chapter! Review, please! Next chapter, "The Journey Starts"!
Responses to Reviews:
Crystal Sapphire: I'm stunned! So many reviews from one reader! Wonderful of you! No, Inu Yasha is Naraku's first wife's son, and yes, Kagome hooks up with him at the end. Yes, Kikyo will die… later. Kouga is a big meanie, huh? You feel sorry for Sayo? Well, I had to make her die… Thanks for all the support! It makes me want to update faster!
Sesshomaruwuzhere: Yes, Kagura had to die. Sadly, because she was growing on me. I'm so glad you still like this story! I will update for you!
Sleepy8: Funny? Sad? So confused! Oh well! Thanks for the support!
Kiawatha Amara: Why is Inu Yasha intrigued with Kagome? Well, later chapters will tell you! They will get together, though… Updating as fast as I can!
Tani-san: I didn't want to kill Kagura off, either! She was getting really cool! As for Kouga, you can read the ending note of chapter 11 and you'll see. Both really sad, though!
AnimeObsessionFantasy: Read the ending note of chapter 11 and you'll see what happened to Kouga! POOR KAGURA! Updating fast as I can for you!
DiaBLo2: I hated the movie ending! Yes, Inu Yasha is bringing Kagome to Japan!
Dark-coyote: Yes, the Shikon Jewel is making it's appearance! Yeah, it's sad that Kagura died… Oh well! Hope you liked this chapter!
Fire Phoenix: Someone raided your kitchen? WAHHH! Poor Kagura! A horrible death she didn't deserve! Updating as fast as I can without sugar! LOL!