Chapter 14
When Shura reentered the kitchen her previous expression of exhaustion was replaced by a dazed happiness and her cheeks were noticeably more colored. Mia who had returned moments before Shura had was the first to notice her daughter's complexion. Naturally though, her interoperation of how it came to be was far from the actual cause.
Shura? Are you feeling alright?" the innkeeper's concerned inquiry caused all eyes to fall on the still half dazed healer. Shura let her eyes trail around the room. Inuyasha and his group were still gathered near the table and Soma was sitting comfortably among them. Her gaze rested momentarily on each member present before they finally settled on Mia.
"Better then I have for a while." Shura paused when she recognized Mia's sudden anxiety. "Why?" Mia walked forward and proceeded to feel Shura's forehead.
"Well you look a little feverish, your cheeks are red." Shura backed away.
"Wha… What!" she stammered in embarrassment. Shura hadn't realized her blushing was so obvious. And the fact that Mia had pointed it out… Shura felt the color flood to her face once again as she swiftly tucked the pendent Matyeo had given her under her kimono. "I…. er…. um…. I'm fine really." Her stuttering sent Soma into a fit of giggling. Even from across the room she could see the cause of her mentor's flushed face was not a fever.
"Awwww! Shura's blushing!" Shura flattened her ears and tried to salvage what little remained of her dignity. After taking in a deep breath and recomposing herself, Shura turned her attention to her young apprentice. The child had not been home in almost a day and by now her parents were no doubt worried half to death.
"Soma," Shura's tone was soft but serious, catching the child's complete attention "you should probably head home soon. I'm sure your parents are worried." Soma flopped backwards onto the floor.
"Do I haaavvveeee to?" she moaned even though she already knew the answer. Shura didn't need to respond vocally. One of her annoyed "don't question me" looks was enough to send Soma a clear message.
"Ahh…okay," the child finally relented and got to her feet. After gathering her belongings Soma politely bid farewell to her company and started to head out. She halted suddenly just shy of the doorway, there was one final matter she needed to bring up. "Actually Shura," Soma began as she pulled a dagger out of her satchel "before I go…can I leave this with your collection…I don't think my parents would like it if I took it home." Shura glanced over the item as Soma held it out at arms length. Such a beautifully crafted dagger could only be a gift from the dragon lord Matyeo.
"Yes of course." Shura agreed, momentarily forgetting the other members in the room, Shura prepared to leave with Soma. She stopped short when Inuyasha's voice rang out.
"What collection?" hearing the half demon's inquiry suddenly reminded Shura that not all of her friends were clued in to her various secrets. Soma's harmless question had apparently perked their curiosity.
Shura turned around and faced her audience with a gentle smile.
"Would you like to see it?" she asked. Inuyasha and the others exchanged glances with one another until they reached a silent consensus. Then, one by one, each stood and followed behind Shura as she traveled back through the building to her bedroom. Once they arrived, Shura welcomed everyone in to see her collection of rare valuables; at the moment her stash was concealed under a tarp in the corner furthest from the door.
With a graceful sweep of her hand, Shura pulled the covering away exposing a hand crafted cubby unit filled to the brim with an assortment of charms, jewels, vials of glowing liquid and other artifacts. Various objects that did not fit with the others were suspended decoratively on the wall nearby. Shippo couldn't hold in his amazement as he stared at the vast array of items.
"All this stuff is yours!" he gasped. Shura smiled lightly, amused by the young demon's childish nature.
"Yes, all of it," she replied kindly.
"Cooool," the small fox demon whispered in awe as he approached the dresser. Sango was just as stunned as Shippo but for far different reasons. She had quickly realized that all of the objects in Shura's collection were of demon origin. But how had she acquired so many? Not even the most experienced exterminators in her village had ever gathered such a vast array. Sango was about to pose the question, but Shippo started to spit out questions before she had time.
"Hey Shura," the fox child began as he pointed to a vile of glowing blue liquid that had caught his eye "What's this?" Shura looked over at the vial.
"They're the tears from a river demon, said to be so powerful that they can even quench the fire's of hell. One drop can subdue a raging wildfire."
"Wow!" Shippo crooned in awe. Then he quickly turned his attention to another object; a slim, silver needle placed delicately on a plush pillow. "What about this?"
"An enchanted needle, given to me by a forest nymph. It has the power to pierce and repair any material it's used on." The fox child's eyes widened.
"Even rock?"
"Even the strongest mountain." Shura assured him. Sango took in a deep breath. For years she and her kin had slain demons and used them to make weapons, and here Shura had helped demons and received even more powerful tools in the process. The entire situation was quite ironic.
"So many artifacts!" Sango heard herself comment quietly "You must have saved hundreds of demons." Shura perked her ears forward. She was surprised Sango would take such an interest. Truthfully though, the exterminator was giving her to much credit.
"Yes its true I've helped many patients, but I've also lost more then you can imagine." Shura lowered her head for a brief moment before she continued, "With so many demons now increasing their power and being possessed by the sacred jewel shards, the amount of innocent blood spilt continues to grow. My patients give me such tokens only so that mine will not stain the ground along with the others, and I can continue my trade."
Inuyasha wasn't paying the least bit of attention. He was too interested in a large, glittering sword that hung overhead Shura's collection. The sword was roughly the same size and shape as the fully powered Tetsusaiga but it was built a little differently. The top of the blade sloped downwards for about a quarter of its length near the tip, much like the swords described in the fairy tales of pirates and outlaws. The weapon's handle was also interesting. Delicate fin like structures rested where the Tetsusaiga boasted fur, and embedded in the center of the handle just below where the blade began was a large, round, pale green jewel with a black slit down its center.
"Hey Shura?" Inuyasha finally gave in to his curiosity. "What's this?" Shura looked over in surprise to where Inuyasha was standing. The half demon seemed utterly entranced with her sword.
"That," Shura said with proud emphasis, "is my most treasured gift, the dragon's eye blade." Soon all eyes were on the glittering sword. Though she was normally not one to brag, Shura couldn't resist harping about her favorite possession. "Not only is it immensely powerful, this sword also has the ability to control the elements when wielded properly." Amidst the gasps and astonished comments that filled the room Shura was sure she heard Inuyasha's sarcastic smirk. Sure enough when she glanced at him again, there was mischief glinting in his eyes. Perhaps discussing the power of her sword had been a mistake.
"Seems strange that you'd just leave it lying around with all this other powerful stuff." The half demon commented as he casually ambled closer to the display. "I mean what's to stop someone from just walking in and taking it?" Inuyasha posed the question just as he reached out and gripped the dragons' eye blade by the handle. He of course had no intention of really stealing it, he just wanted to see how Shura would react, and maybe test the blades power to see if she was true in her claims. Unfortunately his plan backfired. No sooner had Inuyasha touched the sword then his entire body was jolted with a massive bolt of electricity
"A very powerful protection spell that only I can reverse," came Shura's obvious and slightly amused reply as she cast the aforementioned reversal spell.
"Oh…" Inuyasha managed to stammer weakly as his smoking body fell stiffly backwards to the floor. No one seemed too concerned for the half demon. He had been through worse, and he sorta had that one coming anyway.
"Where did you get it from?" Kagome asked trying to offer a question of her own. Shura flattened her ears. That was an answer she was reluctant to give. Unfortunately for Shura, she didn't have time to think of a suitable response. Mia had once again overheard the conversation and took upon herself to answer from the doorway.
"The dragon lord Matyeo created it for her using one of his own fangs." Shura tried hard not to blush, but it was difficult, especially with both Sango and Kagome staring at her mischievously.
"Yes…well," Shura cleared her throat in embarrassment "I…uh… did save his life on more then one occasion…" In the background Miroku, who had remained silent nearly the entire time, suddenly stepped forward to inspect the weapon for himself.
"So your sword can control the weather," he commented casually, "It must do wonders for the crops around here. No droughts, no floods, no early frost." Shura nodded her agreement. For being a little clumsy and flirtatious Miroku was also incredibly perceptive. Inuyasha on the other hand looked both flabbergasted and furious in the same instant. Her generosity may have captivated Miroku, but the half demon was genuinely displeased.
"You know for people who are so suspicious of demons, you sure treat them well," he grumbled sarcastically. Shura set her gaze on Inuyasha.
"Just because the dragon's eye is a sword, doesn't mean it has to be used exclusively as a weapon," came her retort "And besides, this is my home. How could I do anything less?" Inuyasha turned up his nose in disgust.
"You have so much power yet you waste it on people who don't even have the decency to respect you." the half demon tightened his hands into fists and faced Shura with a determined expression. "If I were you, I'd use some of that magic and teach them a lesson!" Shura lowered her eyes in despair. Inuyasha's attitude was painfully familiar. When she spoke again her voice was filled with sadness.
"I knew one other who thought that way," Shura commented quietly "and he abandoned me to demon trappers as a child." the group fell silent, even Inuyasha was at a loss for words. The half demon started to apologize, but stopped short when Shura lightly touched his shoulder. "Be careful Inuyasha. Your bitterness can cause more harm to the ones you love then the ones you hate."
Shura let out a deep sigh as she sat wearily on her bed. Kirara jumped onto her shoulder and purred affectionately as Shura proceeded to scratch her under the chin. Soma offered a weak smile as she placed her treasured dagger on the floor next to Shura's belongings. Then after Shura playfully ruffled her hair the young child left the room and headed for home. Shippo let out an exhausted yawn and Sango followed suit but tried to remain polite about it.
"Seems like we could all use some rest." Shura noted calmly. She herself needed it most of all. "Miroku, I'll tend to you first thing tomorrow," she promised. The monk nodded his understanding and started to follow after Soma. One by one the group of guests filed out the door. Inuyasha glanced back over his shoulder as he exited. It was his subtle way of apologizing for bringing up a painful topic. Shura acknowledged his action with a gentle, reassuring nod.
Kagome was the last to leave, but she hesitated in the doorway. She too felt obliged to apologize to Shura, but for what reason exactly she wasn't sure. Her past certainly, Inuyasha's comments definitely, but there was something else that bothered Kagome more then anything. It was the fact that Shura was born to such a horrible father; a demon so black hearted, so arrogant, and so cruel that he would even abandon his own parental duties. Kagome felt her eyes brim with tears. Shura deserved better then that, she deserved better then Sesshomaru as a parent.
"Kagome?" Shura glanced up when she saw the girls tears "Kagome what's the matter?" Kagome quickly wiped the tears away. As upset as she was she couldn't tell Shura why.
The demon set her ears forward. Her intuition was just as keen as her mothers. The girl had been acting strangely ever since she was cured of the viper poisoning and her father… That was it. Shura was sure of it. Kagome and the others must have had unpleasant dealings with her father in the past. The girl somehow figured out she was the demon lord's decedent.
Shura leaned forward as Kagome started out the door. If it was her bloodline that was upsetting her so, it was far time she cleared up the matter.
"You are correct in your assumptions Kagome, I indeed share the same lineage as the demon lord you suspect." Shura whispered loudly enough for the girl to hear. Kagome stopped in her tracks and, after a moment of silence, timidly looked over her shoulder. The terror in her eyes was subtle, but Shura noticed it. When she spoke again her voice was warm and reassuring. "Do not fear. We may share the same blood, but not the same heart."
Kagome seemed immensely relieved as she left the room to rejoin her group and Shura watched calmly as the girl disappeared down the hall. She remained awake for several minutes despite the insistent tug of sleep on her eyelids. The weight of Miroku's appointment rested heavily in her mind, but at the moment she was thinking of other matters. The conversation with Kagome moments before revived a lost memory of her father's promise to return. Would he keep his word? Or betray her once again. Shura closed her heavy eyes and clutched the crystal pendent around her neck. Weather he came or not didn't matter; she could seek him out herself if need be. But confront him she would once her full strength was restored, and find out why he left her to die.