Chapter 8: His

            The valley seemed to stretch out for a couple of miles around some very step hills.   It was thick in vegetation, and trees stretched out to shade the place from the prying eyes of.  Peaceful, with not a lot of activity, it would be what I had envisioned Eden as.  There was a cave at the bottom of one of the hills that had to be his place.

            "You know it isn't too late to turn back now," said Mygoa from inside the jar.  We hadn't let him out of the jar yet, mostly because Kakoku said the flea could travel the long distance in a short amount of time, which means that he would be running back to dad.

            I growled at him, which made him back up.  There was no way I was turning back; I needed those scrolls.

            "Any ideas, genius," Tim said.

            "We are just going to sneak in and go from there," I said heading towards the cave.

            "And your uncle," Kokahu said trying to keep up with me.

            "Don't smell him," I said.  Not that this was the most elaborate plan I have ever come up with.  But hey if it works I wasn't going to complain.

            "Wow, aren't we the master planer," said Tim. 

            The cave was empty, mostly.  Who ever this uncle of mine was, he was a trusting soul.  Back home, I never left the house unlock, you didn't know what type of sicko would be waiting for you when you got back.

            The entrance of the cave was like any other cave that I have come across, nothing but a bunch of rocks stick out all over the place, dark and gloomy.  I took my flashlight out of my bag and turned it on.

            "Wow, that is amazing," said Mushin, looking down at it.  I guess it would be amazing if you were only used to two ways of getting light, the sun and fire.  But to me it was old hash, something I carried around because I could.

            "Called a flashlight, welcome to the twenty first century," I said point the beam around. Up ahead was light that shined into what looked like to be a house, with water around it and grass growing.

            "Sure nobody is home," said Mushin looking at the house.  "I would hate to meet the demon who could do that."

            I guess after living in the twenty-first century, magic has lost all it's ability to impress me.  With what the human race can now do, no wonder there wasn't any type of magic that I know of.

            "I'm sure," I said opening the door.  I respected the household, by taking off my shoes.  My uncle might hate the rest of my family, but at least he couldn't say that I had bad manners.  The others followed me into the house.

            The place was magnificent, who ever he was, was rich even by twenty-first century standers.  The art alone could have bought you a small country in Europe, not to mention all the gold that decorated the room.

            I heard Kakoku whistle behind me, not that I didn't blame him.  I was speechless too.  So how did this guy get all of this stuff and my father end up sleeping in trees?

            "If I were a bunch of scrolls, where would I be," I whispered.

            "How about here," Tim said sliding a door opened.  "Your nose is weak, human," she said.

            I didn't say anything but stepped in, to meet a very disappointed sight.  If this was the library that could rival Alexandra's then the one at home must be incomparable.  It had scrolls in it; don't get me wrong, but about as much as any university or museum might have.

            "Well wasn't this what your looking for," Tim said.

            "Not exactly, but it will do for the moment," I said putting on my glasses.  If this weren't the library then where would it be?  Or did it destroyed, when my grandfather died?

            I let Mygoa out of the jar and looked at him.  "Please tell me this isn't it."

            "Well, it has been 200 years since the last time I saw it," said Mygoa.  "I remember it to be much bigger."

            "So this journey was in vain," said Tim.

            "Maybe not, but they might have the answer to what we need."

            "So what are we looking for," said Mushin starting to take some of them down.

            "Anything to do with the jewel or the weapon," I said heading for my own pile.

            Kokaku sat down on the ground and started to go through the bottom selves.  I took one out a couple quickly scan it and then put it back.  This place might not be the famous library, but I would have loved to spend a couple of days going through the scrolls, but I didn't have the time.  Who knew when the master of the house would be back?

            Tim sat down on the floor near the entrance and turned her face away.  I studied her for a second before it dawns on me that she probably didn't know how to read.  Both Kokaku and Mushin would have learned, being the son of a monk.  On those very rich and powerful were taught, and most peasants went through life without even knowing how to write their own name.  I would think that youkai would learn, being higher then human (or at least in their own eyes), but I guess that wasn't true.

            I didn't want to say a thing to her.  I didn't know if she would find it embarrassing, so I continue with it.

            "Who are you," came a small child like voice from the side of the room.  A small girl, maybe six looked at me.  She was pale with white hair and a pair of dog like ears perched on top of her head. Her ears were dawn back in fright as she inched forward. Her eyes were the same color as dads and mine.  She was were a very beautiful komotoe and caring some sort of china doll.

            "Don't be afraid," I said knelling down. "We're not here to hurt you."

            She gave me a shy smile.  "Then why are you in papa library," she said.

            "Well, we are looking for something," I said.  How do you explain something like this without it sounding like you are stealing?

            "You're robbers, aren't you," she said bravely.

            "No, robbing means taking it forever, we are just borrowing," said Mushin.

            "Wait until I tell papa," she said.

            I felt something move into the house, something cold and fast.  Tim scramble to her feet, she felt it too.  I closed my eyes and reached out, trying to figure out who it was, but the thing was moving too fast.

            "Well, here is your chance," Mushin said.         

"No I don't think so," I said.  "Whatever it is isn't a demon."

The girl flew into my arms, I could feel her shake as I wrapped my arms her to protect her.  She barred her face into my chest and I stood up.

"And it is coming this way," Tim said.  I could smell her blood start to run and adrenaline running through her.  It would have been an arousing smell if it weren't for the fact that it was being created because of a battle.

"It's ok," I said tightening my arms around her. "I am not going to let anything happen to you." I could feel my claws extend and get sharper.

"Um… what is that smell," said Kakoku grabbing a vase.  I took a sniff of the air, taking in the detested smell of smoke and…

"A death fire," said Kakoku said covering his mouth up with his sleeves.  I started to cough as I made my way towards the wall.  I felt nauseous and wanted to puke.

I could hear the paper-thin walls rip as I dragged my claws down them.  "Let's go," I shouted, helping Kakoku to his feet.  We need to get out of her, Tim and I weren't handling this well so I can imagine how the other two were taken.

Tim quickly grabbed Mushin and made it through the room and tore the next wall.

I could smell the flames moving fast, chasing us as if it was alive.  We raced through one room to another, trying to get away from it.  Tim and Mushin in the lead followed by Kakaku and I.  We had to make it to outside before that thing caught up with us.

That thing?  This was not an ordinary fire, but something that was a live and could think.  But I have never come across something in our myths about a living fire.  We reached the outside of the house, and the first breath of oxygen almost knocked me over as it rush to my lungs. 

"Take her and run," I said handing Kakoku the girl. 

"But," she said.

"Go," I said throwing my backpack at him.

I could feel my youkai said start to take over, protecting my human side.  I didn't know if I would be indefensible to things that a human is, but there was only one way to find out.

I sprang at it, catching it off guard.  I jump back, but no quick enough for me to get a good rip with my clause.  I could feel the heat cool down as it unattached itself from the body.  It was a live! 

I smiled and charged at it again, trying to kill it.  I need to protect my friends, call it the canine in me, but all I could think about was putting me between it and them.  It stumbles back before charging through me.  I just stood there holding my grounds and waiting until I felt the body.  I could see the flames rushing around me, causing my human side to go in panic, but I ignored it.  The youkai side was in charge and all it cared about was the kill.  I reached out and grab it, forcing my hands through the body to the heart before slicing it open.  It screamed before the fire blew around me.

I turned to see everyone looking at me dumfound.  I could hear my breath harden and my human side starts to come back.

"Are you ok," said Mushin.

Was I ok?  I have never felt like this before, it was almost as good as the met, the feeling of how alive and all my senses working to the fullest.  I shook my head as my youkai blood finally settled down.

"What's wrong," I asked.  The twins must have seen my father fights many of times, and Tim was a youkai herself.

"You went youkai on us," said Mushin.

"I did what?"

"Youkai, claws, red eyes, even your family famous marking.  It was like you were full blooded."

"But that is impossible; I mean my human blood was still in control."

"Maybe, because you're only a fourth, you can tap into the youkai side without losing your human side," said Kakoku.  "But he is right, you went youkai."

"Smell in all," Tim said.  "I guess there is something more to you, human."

"Let's go," I said walking out of the cave. "What about her," Tim asked, now holding on the little girl.

Cave had smoke coming out of it, and I could smell the essences of wood and rock burning.  Whatever had attacked us was leaving no traces of what had happen.  It was a shame; I would have liked to spend a couple more hours in the library.

"We can't leave her here," I said.

"And we can't kidnap her either," Mushin said.  "Females youkai aren't a joy to be around if their cub is gone."

"Pup, and it isn't kidnapping, I am her cousin.  Just protecting family that is all."

"He right," Tim said.  "What ever came after us today, will surely kill her."  I was surprised; Tim didn't seem to be the type of girl that had motherly instincts about her.  But as I watch her comfort the girl, I could see her making a great mother, especially to our pups.

I shook my head, trying to figure out why all of a sudden I was thinking about mating and having pups.  Before chicks were chicks.  Now I barely noticed them, but I knew I wasn't in love.  Was it something more primal taking over?  I could hear Mushin words echoing in my ears as we climb onto Karara back.

The soft tears brought me back to reality.  The girl had dug her head into Tim chest and now was crying.  This had to be too much for a young girl.  I reached into my bag and took out a piece of chocolate.  I was shocked that they were still there; Tim usually goes through my bag looking for them the minute I arrive.  I have created history's first choco aloahic.

I lean around Tim and held out the piece for her inspection. "Go on," I said.  Professor Lupin was right when he said that chocolate was the cure all.

She took it and studying it before nibbling on it.  She smiled at me, as she dried her tears.

"My name is Akira," I said.  "Don't worry we will get you back to your parents."

"I am Kura," she said.

"That is a pretty name, don't worry your in the company of friends and family."

"I know," she said.  "You smell like papa."

She knew just by my smell.  Did everyone in my family smell like each other.  I wanted to ask Tim, but I figured that she would make a comment about not knowing.

"Were you holding out on me?" Tim asked as Kirara took off.

"You're the one with the superior smell," I said. 

She growled at me before taking one out my bag.  I returned it to my shoulders as Tim leaned into my.  I could see Kura closing her eyes and sleeping. 

"This still doesn't mean anything," said Tim, also closing her eyes and leaning more into me.  I wrapped my arms around her waste, and growled at Mushin not to say a thing.  I could Kakaku suppress a chuckle.

That is what she thinks.

We landed a couple of miles away from the village, and allowed Kirara to turn back into her normal self. 

"You called them death fire," I asked Kakaku.  "What were they."

"I have no idea, only heard about them through travelers from the west.  Some sort of magic that comes from land beyond the big land," he said.

He must mean China.  So what was western magic doing over here.  Europe wouldn't really take an interest in China and Asia until the beginning of the nineteenth century, maybe they were from explores traveling in search for a better route to India.  We had to be around the time that Columbus made his historical voyage, but then again I wasn't sure what the year was.  Japan went mostly on the same calendar as the rest of the world, and I didn't really understand how to convert old time to new time, so it would have been fruitless to ask anyone.

"So what are you going to do with her," asked Tim shifting her in her arms.

"I have no idea," I said.

"And where have you been."

We turned to see dear old dad sitting up in the tree looking very cross.  I don't think he knows exactly what we did, just that we did something that we weren't supposes to.

"Just doing normal stuff," I said.  If you call breaking into a very powerful youkai house to steal scrolls' kidnap his daughter, and fight something that none of us had any idea what it was, normal.

He jumped out the tree and walked over to me.  I could feel everyone, including Tim back.  He took a sniff of me.  "Don't lie pup, your blood smells like it was just in a fi…."  He stopped and looked behind.  "Who the hell is she," he said pointing to the girl in Tim's arms.

"Her?  Well …um" I said trying to find what to say.

"Please don't tell me she is who I think she is."

"Ok, I wouldn't."

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING WITH SESSHOMURA PUP!"

Kura dug more into Tim chest and Tim growled at father.  Father just looked at her before turning back to me.

"That's a long story," I said.  I didn't really want to talk about it right now.

"Something going on in the village," Mushin said.

Saved by the Mushin as I ran down to the village.  I was about to have that time question answer.