Chapter 43

I took a seat at the dining room table, straddling one of the chairs backwards as she paced before me, her hands folded over her chest in a manner reminiscent of her father, only she was not so able to pull off the effect without the wide sleeves of the haori he often sported.

"After you returned with everyone from fighting the Sorrow, and was forced to return here, Kei was beyond depressed. He barely ate, he never washed," and with that memory her nose crinkled up in disgust. "and he avoided everyone. He hid out in the forest, in the trees and almost never returned to the hut to sleep. No one could bring him out of it. I tried, but he was beyond even my reach. Mother and Father moved away after a few years, partially because Maeko had since married and began her own family and Mother felt that her time as the Village Miko there was over. She and Father began traveling over Japan again, visiting old friends and familiar sites from the travels of their youth."

"It took Maeko 50 years before she could get Kei out of those trees ; 50 years before he finally came out of his mourning and began to live again. Mother and Father convinced him that he should return to Uncle's palace, and begin his training as Heir of the Western Lands. I went with him, at Uncle's insistence. I never quite understood why, but I was trained along with him. It was a comfort to be around my brother, and I think he took the same comfort from me. We understood each other's secret pain, and it helped us survive."

She paused a moment, "We began to feel the effects of time a few decades after Mother died." She must have noticed the look on my face, for she hurried to assure me. "She lived long, nee-san, longer than most women of the time, even longer than most women of this time. We were never sure how, Maeko suspected it was the miko powers in their blood, and Father said it was because the women of our family were just too stubborn to die easily. She was over 150 years old when her time came, and like everything in her life, she faced it with courage and peace."

It didn't surprise me that she would face this last adventure with the same grace. Kagome was one of the strongest women I knew, and I was glad to see that even in the end, she never faltered.

"Maeko lasted a little longer, and we credited Father's blood with that, as well as the miko power. Maeko saw the passing of 200 years, most of which she spent with Kei and me at Uncle's palace. After Mother died, she left the village in the hands of her granddaughter, who had also inherited the miko power and served the village for many years as a great and kind miko. Maeko had begun to feel that she had become more of a novelty than an actual aid in the village. Most never really knew how old she truly was, and by the time she left, her true heritage was naught but a faint whisper among the oldest of the villagers. The heroics of my mother and my father were fading into legend, and we decided that it was for the best. After all, the age of youkai was swiftly fading as well."

"Men began to gain more power against the youkai, with newer and newer inventions and methods of killing, and so the last of the remaining youkai went into hiding. Some chose to have their legacies live on through their human born children," she paused a moment, and shook her head. "the hanyou that were once such a disgusting and disgraceful part of a youkai's family had become their salvation as children were born who could pass as pure humans, and still keep the ties of blood alive."

"Just after Maeko died, Kei discovered something, something that had been set aside many years before as an unsolvable mystery." She stopped in her narrative and her pacing to meet my eyes. "The scroll that was left to you by the spirit of the witch of the mountains. The scroll that no one could read." She began pacing again as she continued. "Kei found the closest living youkai of the line that had written it. The scroll told of a way where the power of youkai could be given to a creature that was not. It was a powerful tool long forgotten to the passage of time. It was a dangerous spell, and a dangerous rite, so of course Uncle's pride would not let him forgo the chance to prove he was still the most powerful youkai alive." Kohana's eyes rolled sarcastically.

"He performed this rite on Kei, and gave him all the powers of a full inu- taiyoukai(.)" I was confused, and it must have shown, for she explained further. " Essentially it made Kei his blood heir, and made Kei a full youkai," she smiled, remembering the change in her brother. "Knocked them both out for a full moon, during which I had the annoying pleasure of handling all affairs of state, but once they both recovered, Uncle insisted on doing it again, with me." She laughed softly, "Of course his pride needed to show that he could do it twice, and probably would have done so a third time with Father, had he agreed. It was like suffering the antics of a child who had just acquired a new skill and wanted to show the whole world, over and over again."

I nodded slowly, my arms crossed over the back of the chair and my head cradled within. So Kei had become a full youkai, which meant he hadn't died from old age. That much I was certain of, so what had happened to him?

"Kohana, is it true that the mark of a youkai never fades from their mate, unless they die?"

She blinked curiously, and nodded her head, "Yes, that is true, why do you ask?"

I took a deep breath, and slid the hair from the side of my neck, showing her the mark that I still bore. "Where is my mate?"

She paused a moment, before walking to the window, "I was wondering when you would ask. I didn't know how painful it would be to speak to you about Kei, so I waited for you to speak first."

I rose and moved to her side, grabbing hold of her shoulders and letting my eyes, my voice and my Empathy reflect the desperation I felt inside, "Where is my husband Kohana? Why wasn't he at the well waiting for me?!"

She sighed, "We weren't waiting for you, because we didn't know when and where to be." I blinked and released her as she glanced out the window again.

"I don't understand," I spoke. "Kei had all my memories, how could he not know?" I whispered, watching her stare out into the night.

"After you left, those memories began to fade very quickly. As we could best figure, when you exchanged memories, it was like you were both given a copy of each others thoughts, but when you lost yours, Kei had to give you his copy to restore your memories. Because of this, what he knew was no longer there for him to access. He was smart, and had Naoko write down what he could remember in the short times that he came out of his depression in the beginning. It was a good thing he did so, for those bits of information probably saved our family from a great many disasters. Naoko died," and my eyes shot up to stare at her quickly, "after a bandit raid 50 years after you left. It was part of the reason Kei came out of his self-imposed exile. I think in some way, he always felt responsible for Nao's death, because he wasn't there to protect the village, and Nao. Maeko never blamed him, but he blamed himself."

"What about Kaemon, or Kohaku? Surely one of them would have fought with their brother! What about Miroku and Sango?" I said quickly, and then my mind did the math. They had already been close, if not over 40 when I met them. Life expectancy in that era, no matter where in the world, was rarely over 60. At 90, even if they had still been alive, they would have been far too weak.

Kohana turned to face me, and I could see the faint shimmer in her eyes as she spoke, "They both passed from this life together 10 years before their son. We found them laying peacefully on their futon, as if sleeping. Aiko said that they had always wished it, to die together, because both had watched too many loved ones die, and never wished the other to face that again. I think it was their reward from Kami-sama for all the years of hard work and fighting they had done."

"Kohaku married one of the girls from the village, and lived the simple happy life of a farmer. Everyone was surprised that he didn't follow in the path of one of his parents, but Sango always smiled when it was mentioned, and said that his namesake was a gentle boy, who wasn't truly meant for the life of an exterminator. She always felt that her son not only lived with her brother's name, but the life her brother had truly wanted."

"Kaemon did eventually marry Aki," she began and couldn't help but laugh at the thoughts, "But she certainly didn't make it easy for him. She refused to fawn over him, refused to even pay his attentions any mind. He even resorted so far as to attempt his father's old tricks, but she held her temper and didn't even rebuke him when he touched her. I think it was the intrigue that truly captured him. He had to chase her for several years before she agreed to marry him, and when that promise was made, my cousin was a completely changed man. I don't think he ever looked at another woman with the same eyes that he held for Aki. They had many children, and they both lived long enough to hold a few of their grandchildren. They had moved to a new village, closer to the manor of the lord, and were spared during the raiders attack. I am often glad for that, because I know that he was far too old to be fighting such a fierce battle, and the grief for Maeko would have been too much had she lost him as well. He was a great old man when he joined Aki in heaven."

I bowed my head a moment, for my friends. I knew deep down they had died, it was inevitable, but still to hear that they had died as they had lived their last, in peace, it was comforting.

Kohana continued, "Kei never stopped looking for you. All he could remember was that it would take 500 years to find you. That is the last thing you said to me, and it was the thing that drove both of us onward. Kei excelled in this work nee-san, you would have been so proud to watch him. He faced everything with a firm resolve to conquer it, but unlike our cousins, he was never very comfortable with the bloodthirsty nature that emerged within business."

I blinked, "Cousins?" She could only be speaking of the descendents of Sango and Miroku, right?

She laughed, "Yes, cousins. Uncle and Megahna did eventually raise a small brood of their own."

I nearly fell to the floor in a classic anime style, "What?! But I thought your aunt." I didn't finish the statement because Kohana laughed harder.

"No, no curse, no spell. It seemed that the reason my aunt never had children was, well," she blushed faintly, "My uncle wasn't holding up his end of the arrangement. Something happened, just after Mother died, that changed all that however. I was traveling around Japan at the time, and when I returned I received only the little bit that Kei would tell me. Something happened; someone had dared threaten Uncle's life and nearly succeeded, and Megahna had intervened to save him. None of us ever realized that beneath that façade of cold sharpened ice, she actually had fallen in love with Uncle, but once that broke through, their first child arrived the following spring. But she surprised us even further when she made the public announcement that her children would not replace Kei as the Heir. She told all of us that in the world to come, her children would find places of power that were even higher than ancient hereditary titles, and she was right. After all, in this century, men of power hold stocks and companies in their hands, not lands and crowns."

"So she and Sesshomaru are still alive," I ventured. There was something about the tale that seemed unfinished.

"No, Megahna died," she smiled faintly. "Always one to do things her own way, she refused to leave Japan with the rest of us when a fresh new threat arrived, the last great one that you warned us with your memories. Especially when she learned that it would strike in the lands of her birth. We never took her to be loyal to the southern lands, but she was, and when the threat arrived, she went to her homelands to try and protect them, believing that the power of a youkai could stop even the new horrible power of man."

I blinked, and glanced down at the floor in thought. Kohana fell silent and wouldn't say anymore so I puzzled through the clues. Suddenly realization flashed on me and I jerked my head up.

"Southern lands, new power, you mean-" I couldn't go on. I knew the horrible things that the power had done in Japan, the effects were still talked about in my time as well, and even after what Megahna had done or tried to do to me, I still would not have wished that kind of death on her. I had seen pictures as a child and the horrors of that act still gave me shivers to this day.

"We could only guess when you would reappear in this world again, and so Kei and I have been looking for several years now, for any sign of your return. Kei even had people waiting to notify him of your birth. In fact, we thought we had found you almost 26 years ago, but the child was not you." Kohana tilted her head, "In fact, if not for the fact that I saw you on the street a few days ago, we still would be searching for you." She paused, "How is it that you have no paperwork of any kind anywhere? There is no other Francesca Fanton born anywhere in this world."

I stared at her, as realization slowly dawned on me. One vital, very vital key that I had never told any of them, something that could have made their trials so much easier.

"Oh Kohana," I said, my hands falling to my sides, "Because I was not born with the name Francesca Fanton. It is not my name of birth, but my name of choice."

She stared at me as I began to explain, "My name is Francesca, that was true, but I was born bearing my father's last name, Webster. When my parents separated, I felt that I needed a change, a start all my own. So I took my mother's maiden name as my own, informally of course. I didn't want to hurt my father by legally changing my name. After a while, it became second nature to tell everyone that it was my name, and I never thought anything of it."

Kohana nodded, "So I see. Well that makes sense of much," she said softly, and I could feel the weight of years of searching and struggle on her face. I stepped up and wrapped my arms around her tightly, her hair tickling my nose.

"Oh my little Kohana," I whispered gently, "I have caused you so much pain, I know. I have broken too many promises to you, haven't I?" She shivered in my arms before breaking out in tears and I held her as she cried out what she must have been holding in for so many centuries.

"Nee-san," she whispered and hugged me tighter. I let her cry herself out, till all the pain flowed off her cheeks and she could finally be free. It was only Kagome's soft cry that broke our embrace, as Kohana quickly hurried to pick her up and comfort her. I smiled at the scene before me. It was good to see Kohana with a child of her own, even if it wasn't technically her child, it was still her blood and that was enough for me.

Yuki's soft mew alerted me to my forgotten dinner and I quickly hurried to the kitchen, salvaging the meal from the oven before it burned, and we sat down to eat. Kohana complimented it continuously, and even Yuki seemed to enjoy the chicken. Exhausted, and our bellies full, we all curled up together in my bed, Yuki and Kagome nestled safely between us for a peaceful and deep sleep.

I awoke late the next day, to find the bed empty, but the sounds drifting down the hallway alerted me to the fact that Kohana was up, and the smells meant she was preparing breakfast. I smiled and stretched slowly, startled suddenly by the phone ringing.

"Hello," I answered.

"Francesca-sama," I heard a friendly familiar voice greet me and I smiled.

"Sato-san," I said, yawning, "Oh, I'm sorry."

"My apologies, did I wake you?"

"No, I just woke up, what a pleasant surprise. To what do I owe the honor of a call?" I could feel his blush radiating through the phone. I had known for a little while now that he had a crush on me, and while I knew he would never act on it, it was flattering.

"Mother is planning a get together of some friends and she wanted to invite you, can you come?"

I glanced out my door towards the kitchen, "Well, an old friend dropped into town to visit," I began.

"That's fine, bring her, or him-" he paused, "Is it a him?"

"Sato," I said laughing, "No, it's a her, did I have you worried?"

"N-no," he stammered quickly, "But bring her along, any friend of yours is most certainly welcome. Please say you can come? Mother would love to see you again, and Yuki as well. She was disappointed that she didn't come along, you know she loves her ears."

I laughed, some things could never change, "Alright, alright," I glanced at my watch, "We can be there by mid-afternoon, is that alright?"

"Perfect, everyone should be arriving by 4, so take your time!" he said, "Till later!" he hung up.

I stretched again, wiggling my toes under the blanket before I slid out of bed and walked silently towards the kitchen. Kohana had made a makeshift cradle from my laundry basket and Kagome was giggling from within, entertained by Yuki's careful attentions.

"Good morning," I said softly and Kohana smiled, looking up from her cooking.

"Good morning, I hope you don't mind, I took the liberty of preparing something to eat," she said cheerfully.

"A morning I don't have to cook, what a wonderful treat," I said equally cheerful as I sat down at the dining room table.

"I heard the phone, anything important?" she asked.

"Well, actually yes." I paused, "It was Sato. He's invited us to the shrine for a gathering, he knows I'm bringing someone, but he doesn't know it's you." I paused, "Do you want to go?"

Kohana put down the spatula and sighed, her eyes drifting out towards the balcony window. "I have wanted to meet my uncle and grandmother for so long, but I have to admit I am afraid. What if they won't like me? What if seeing me is too painful for them?"

I shook my head, "Of course they'll love you, you're family. And if there's one thing I've learned, when you're a part of the family, you're always loved. They took me in and accepted me immediately; even before they found out I married your brother. They will love you, because you are Kohana."

She smiled softly and nodded, "Well, it will be good for Kagome to meet them as well."

"That's the spirit," I said, "Now, let's eat and get ready. We definitely need something special to wear," I winked at her good-humouredly. " And you know what they say," smiling, she looked up at me and shook her head slightly as she placed the napkin on her lap. I laughed. "Any excuse for shopping is a good excuse!"

Her laughter echoed in the apartment, awakening feelings in me long dormant and I joined her. This would be a good day, I thought.