Chapter Ten The Disappearance of the Shikon no Tama

Summer struck the village and held wonderful weather. It was midsummer at last and Kikyou delivered a child first thing that morning and found that the adrenaline that was rushing through her would not let her rest. Without hesitation, she grabbed her longbow and quiver and hurried through the village, down the stone steps, across the fields, and into the forest to look for Inuyasha.

            High in a tree, basking in the morning sunlight, Inuyasha sat. The white gi that once rested beneath his red gi shone in the sun like a beacon with his silvery hair. He gazed off into the distance, a soft breeze passing by and shifting his hair. All was at peace. The jewel was secure in the shrine and the villagers were healthy and working.

            Kikyou walked to the tree and tapped on it with her bow, then looked up to see Inuyasha peering down at her from his perch. She smiled and waved her left arm and Inuyasha jumped from branch to branch and then finally onto the ground with a soft thud. Kikyou watched as he stood straight and gave her a gentle smile.

            "Kikyou, what brings you out here?" He asked kindly.

            She put the bow around her shoulder and turned her side to him.

            "I am free for the moment and I wanted to see you." Kikyou looked to him and gave a kind smile, her soft brown eyes glistening in the morning light.

            The two walked along the forest path and to a small pond that was full of bellflowers that were in full bloom. The shade from the trees made the morning light that peered in through the leaves seem like moonlight and the breeze was much cooler. Kikyou sat upon a small rock and gazed at the water, the sunlight bouncing off of the rippling water. Inuyasha watched her with a smile across his lips.

            "You wanted to see me? Is something wrong?" He asked softly, hoping his question had not upset her.

            "No. I just wanted to see you." She said shyly.

            Inuyasha walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders. She looked up at him and then stood up. He wrapped his arms around her tightly and gazed into Kikyou's eyes deeply and kissed her. Kikyou placed her hands in his silvery hair as he held her tightly in his arms.

            Back in the village, a young boy with spiky brown hair and dark tan stripes on his left cheek walked along the busy streets toward the shrine. Unnoticed by the villagers, he made his way past the last hut that sat next to the steps, then carefully walked up the stone steps to the shrine and the Shikon no Tama.

            "It's in there." He said in a whisper as a man walked to the right of the shrine and sat down, a spear held in his left hand. "I am almost there."

He edged up when a noise came from behind along the stairs. He dashed into a small bush to the right of the stairs and watched as a small girl walked by and began to talk to the man. The spear-wielding villager stood up and walked back to the village and the girl entered the shrine. The boy scowled and dashed to the shrine, clinging to the wall. He listened carefully and waited until the girl walked out of the main room, giving him plenty of time to act.

He darted into the shrine and looked around. The aroma lanterns were lit and the room was filled with a thick layer of smoke. The boy darted forward and grabbed the jewel. The pink aura that surrounded it was hypnotic. He stared into the jewel with desire in his eyes. It was at that moment that the girl from before entered the main room of the shrine to see the boy, holding the jewel.

"Hey!" She shouted, the boy turned in her direction quickly, "That jewel is not yours!"

"HA! And you think it's for you humans?" He said quickly then dashed out of the shrine.

The girl followed him, grabbing her small bow as she went.

"STOP!" She shouted, making it to the stairs to see him jumping through the village. "Sister Kikyou is going to be so upset at me when she finds out that the Shikon no Tama was," She stopped for a moment then hurried after the boy, "no, I shall get the jewel back! I shall prove that I am like my sister."

She rushed through the streets, narrowly avoiding the villagers she passed, and into the forest after him. She ran as fast as her little legs would go and her determination was the only thing powering her. The demon boy, on the other hand, had found himself a hiding place in a tree and was eyeing the jewel. The aura alone gave him power.

"Finally…power…the power of the jewel of four souls is mine." He laughed, clutching the jewel and ripping it from the necklace.

Unfortunately for him, his demon blood gave the jewel a brighter glow, exposing him to Kaede's untrained eyes. She fixed an arrow to the string and pulled the string back. Taking aim, she slid her tongue along her lips and shot. The arrow flew through the air and whizzed past the demon and the tree he was in with a whoosh. The demon looked around in confusion, scratching his head, then jumped down from the tree, dashing forward and through the bush that hid the girl.

"AH!" She screamed and leapt to the side, coming inches from being struck with the demon's charge.

The demon slid slightly on the grass and turned to the girl, the jewel clenched tightly in his small hand.

"Who are you?" He said with a grunt.

"My name is Kaede. I am the younger sister of the priestess that guards the Shikon no Tama. You stole it and I want it back! Hand it over." Kaede readied another arrow and held it back, aiming at the boy.

"Oh really? You want this back?" He opened his hand and held out the jewel between his middle and index fingers.

"It does not belong to you. Give it back!"

He gave a sly smile and cocked his head to the right.

"You want it…come and get it." He smirked, his oblique tooth sticking out from his lip as he threw the jewel up and caught it, tucking it away in his shirt.

Kaede glared at him.

"Fine!"

Kaede fired again; the demon boy ducted and ran toward her on all fours. Scared out of her mind, Kaede took the bow and slammed it down. The boy stopped and the bow hit the ground with a smack. He smiled and jumped into the air. Kaede ran forward just in time to avoid his kick but was not fast enough to dodge his ram. She was hit in the back with his elbows and was flung forward, hitting the ground with a hard thud.

"HA HA HA!! You are funny, human-girl…but it's getting boring."

Kaede pushed herself up and spit out the grass she had nearly swallowed.

"I am not finished with you yet."

She rose to her feet and drew another arrow and set it. The demon boy smirked and flexed his hands, preparing to strike.

"Come on then, girl!" He charged forward, fast as lighting. Kaede steadied her footing as the demon lunged into the air.

"AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!" Kaede screamed releasing her hold on the arrow.

Meanwhile, deep in the forest, Kikyou was growing uneasy and Inuyasha was getting the feeling it was his fault. Kikyou continued to zone out, staring up at the sky or toward the village without target.

"Kikyou…? Are…are you all right?" He asked, placing one hand on her shoulder.

"I am sorry, Inuyasha. Perhaps," She said turning to him quickly, "we can continue another time. Something does not feel right with the still air."

Kikyou bounded toward the village, leaving Inuyasha to watch her as she ran. Something was wrong, she did not know what but something, somewhere, was making her feel terrible. A demon perhaps, or maybe a plague is coming toward the village unnoticed? What was it? She scrambled her thoughts as she ran through the fields and up the stairs, along the streets toward the hut where she grabbed her bow and quiver that sat, resting against the side of the hut.

She bolted through the doors, shouting for Kaede. No answer. She ran to the other rooms, still no sign of Kaede. Her heart was pounding in fear and worry; Kaede was not in the hut. She darted out of the hut, making a sharp left, then dashed up the stairs to the hilltop shrine and the Shikon no Tama. Kaede could not have gone to the shrine but it is the only other place she would go. There was no guard, no one to keep watch. Kikyou bounded up the step into the shrine. When she entered, she gazed in horror at what she saw.

"The jewel!" She stood in the doorway, gazing at the bare altar in horror. Could Kaede have lost her will and stolen the jewel? No, she quickly thought, Kaede would never fall so easily. "Kaede…where are you?" Kikyou fell to her knees; bow still clutched in her hands.

Inuyasha walked up slowly, peering around for villagers that would surely think he were here for the jewel.

"Kikyou?" He whispered, seeing her on her hands and knees in the door of the shrine.

"Come in, Inuyasha." She said, her voice muffled and shaky.

He walked up and nervously placed one hand on her shoulder, causing her to jump slightly. She gazed up at him, her eyes filled with tears.

"What is wrong?" He asked then looked up to see the jewel was not where it should be. "Hmm." He sniffed the air for a moment, Kikyou rose to her feet, tears of anger and sorrow sliding slowly down her cheeks. "A demon."

"Demon?" Kikyou said intently, her tone less shaky.

"A demon stole the jewel…his scent is all over this place." He stated as he placed one hand on the altar.

Kikyou stood up and stormed out of the shrine. Inuyasha, taken by surprise by her fast motion, quickly followed.

"Hey!! Wait a second!" He shouted. Kikyou stopped quickly and he almost ran into her.

"What is it, Inuyasha? You state that a demon was here, that means that my sister went after him. I shall not wait for anyone."

"You'll never catch up! Who knows how long they've been gone?" He said sharply.

"Then what do you propose I do?" She said harshly, glaring at him with her tear-filled eyes.

"I'll carry you." He stated in a matter-of-fact tone. Kikyou was confused but Inuyasha took matters into his own claws. He hoisted her onto his back and, keeping a strong hold on her legs, took off into the air. He jumped down the stairs and roof to roof until hitting the solid ground of the field. He then took off after the smell of the demon and Kaede. Kikyou held her bow in her left hand and then onto Inuyasha with her right so that she would not fall backwards. She was going to save Kaede no matter the cost. If the jewel were destroyed in the process, perhaps it would be for the better.

"Hold on Kaede!! I am coming!" She shouted aloud, hoping that her voice could be heard wherever Kaede was.