Authoress' Notes: Well I'm back!! And feeling fine! Thank you so much for all the encouragement! The flamer has been properly dealt with...my Taylor muse has taken care of her (In order to understand that, you'd have to read about her in my original work on fictionpress....at least until I put her up in my bio). Also a BIG thanks for being patient...this chapter wasn't easy to write. And for the job that was supposed to keep me busy, well I got canned (fired), for being too nice of all things... Sigh I so do not want to think about that... Okay so onto better things! This chapter's gotta lot stuff in it, so I hope you enjoy it!
BIG SMILES - T.A.
Family Ties: Part 12
Dawn broke over the horizon as the field workers started to arrive. They talked among themselves as they prepared for the day. Makoto had already told them that the hawk-demon had been killed and that had put their minds at ease. They walked through the backfields, as they usually did, when they came from town. One of the workers thought he smelled a dead animal near the forest and went over to investigate.
"By all the gods of heaven." He gasped stumbling backwards. "Call the elders! Ryu's been murdered!"
Most of the men rushed over to see if what the man said was true, but one took off towards the village. Makoto was among those who'd stayed behind; he was horrified at the sight of the two bodies that lay before him. The body beside Ryu's was definitely a woman. Maybe it was Nia, the servant woman from Ryu's house? Both of the bodies had been slashed to pieces. It had been a very brutal killing. Makoto was listening to the men talk as they awaited the arrival of the town's elders.
"You know, she was never happy in his home."
"He beat her all the time, how could you blame her for being unhappy."
"She should've learned her place."
"She was always melding were she didn't belong."
"But do you really think she was capable of murder?"
" Wouldn't be the first time a woman rose up against her husband."
"We can't let her get away with this."
"The elders will know how to handle her."
Makoto could not believe his ears. Lady Michi had always cared for these men and their families. She had given these men food, treated their injuries, and was always kind to them. Now they were turning on her, without any proof. Makoto took a deep breath and thought about the elders: one of Ryu's brothers was an elder. Lady Michi would be killed for sure. He snuck away from the other men and started running towards Lady Michi's house.
Michi blinked her eyes as she began to come around. "Ouch." She rubbed the back of her head and tried to sit up, but she started to fall backwards.
Sango caught Michi and helped her sit up the rest of the way. "Careful you hit the floor rather hard."
" Thank you." Michi managed to reply, before breathing out heavily. "I'm okay. I just..." She blinked again and tried to make the world around her make sense again.
" What's going on?" Inuyasha asked from the doorway.
" Michi feinted, but I think she's okay now." Sango told him.
"She feints now? She goes through all that shit just to feint now? What the hell's wrong with you?" He growled.
Michi was trying to stand to her feet. "The Bardo is a place where souls cross over into the next life. If there isn't any hope on the side that the soul resides on than the soul crosses over..." Michi wobbled on her feet, her voice sounding far away and disconnected. " If there's no life, I mean, light then..." She stumbled forward, before Sango caught her again.
" Please, Michi sit back down." Sango tried to calm the woman down.
Michi shook her head, still trying to clear it. "What did you see, when you saw him there?"
" Hello! Did I miss something?" Inuyasha folded his arms over his chest and glared at the two women. "What are you talking about? What's a Bardo?"
Sango looked at Michi, who was flexing her right wrist furiously, and decided to try to explain the situation to Inuyasha herself. " Michi explained to me that a Bardo is a spiritual place. It's where the soul prepares to move from one life to the next. I saw Miroku there in my dream, I think he was preparing to cross the river, which..."
"I got it, Sango, I ain't an idiot. The monk crosses the river in the dream he dies here." Inuyasha scratched the back of his head. " So now what?"
Michi looked at Inuyasha, then at Miroku, then finally at Sango. "Was there any light on side Miroku was standing on?" Her voice had cleared significantly from a few moments ago.
Sango hesitated before answering, "I didn't see any at all."
Michi made a pained sound and clutched her chest. "I don't know what to do." She admitted and folded her arms over her chest. "Maybe a dream-connection, but it's so dangerous. I don't know..." Michi trailed off as she thought she heard a sound.
Inuyasha's nose was all ready twitching as he caught the scent, "It's the farmer that talked to you the other night."
" Makoto. I'll be right back." Michi nodded and started towards the doorway, when a frantic voice was heard from the front room.
"Lady Michi! Lady Michi! I need to speak to you."
Michi walked out into the front room, the skirt of her work clothes didn't quite reach the ground. She turned to face the older farmer; he looked very upset. "Makoto, what is it? What's wrong?" She reached out her left hand to the man to reassure him.
Makoto dropped to his knees in front of her and grasped her hand. "My Lady Michi, I have terrible news your husband Lord Ryu was killed along with a young woman."
Michi blinked, her brain was already on overload, and this additional information was nearly overwhelming. "Where was he found?"
"Near the woods closest to the backfields, but my Lady..."
Michi cut him off distractedly, "I have to go out there, Makoto. I have to prepare a proper burial for him."
"My Lady Michi, please you do not understand. Your husband, Lord Ryu, was brutally murdered..." The poor farmer tried to explain as he rose to his feet.
"I have seen mutilated bodies, Makoto. I have to..."
"Lady Michi! You must listen to me. The other farmers have called for the town's elders, they think you murdered Lord Ryu." The man panted, suddenly out of breath.
Michi's face lost of all of its color and she wobbled on her feet.
"Lady Michi, I will fight for you." Makoto assured her.
Michi suddenly snapped back to reality as his words registered in her mind. She became much calmer. "No, Makoto, if you stay and defend me, you will be punished with me."
"But Lady Michi, you did not murder your husband. You would never do such a thing."
" Makoto, go; leave this house and go home. I will be fine, I do not fear the elders or what they can do to me."
" But..."
" Makoto, you are a true friend, but go." Michi shooed him towards the door and pushed him out.
She clenched and unclenched her right hand as she leaned against the door and tried to think of something. The elders would come here soon and they would kill her and anyone in her house that tried to defend her. 'Tanaya.' Michi's heart stopped beating at the thought of her daughter being hurt or worse. 'I can't let them stay here. I have to get my daughter and the others out.' She paced a few steps trying to come up with a place to send her guests to save them from the incoming mob. 'Not to mention spare your daughter the sight...'
"Is everything alright?" Sango asked interrupting Michi's thoughts.
"No." Michi looked at Sango seriously. "My husband is dead. He's been murdered and I am suspected of the crime."
" Michi, why would they suspect you?" Sango questioned.
"I don't know. Perhaps, they aren't very fond of me." Michi sighed angrily.
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Yes; I need you to get my daughter and cousin far away from here."
"What about you?"
"I have to face the elders or they will pursue me and my child." Michi drew a deep breath. "Please check on Miroku, make sure he's still doing well. I have to think."
Sango nodded, and complied with the woman's wishes.
Michi walked into Kagome's room. Inuyasha was helping the young woman to her feet. "I need to ask a favor of you Inuyasha."
The hanyou grunted as Kagome answered for him. "He'd be glad to help."
"Glad I'm so willing to be helpful." He glared at Kagome.
" Please, Inuyasha, I..." Michi started to plead, before being cut off by Inuyasha.
"I'll help, woman. What are you so worked up over?" He huffed.
"My husband is dead."
"I'm so sorry, Michi." Kagome sympathized.
"I'm not." Michi narrowed her eyes. "But he's reaching beyond his death to strike at me. The elders of my village are coming here to charge me with murder."
" Bring 'em on. I'll just kill 'em." Inuyasha growled.
"I appreciate the sentiment, but no. I need you to get my cousin and my daughter to safety, besides Kagome is in no condition to face an angry mob."
"And you're going to stay here and die? That's stupid."
" Inuyasha! Don't say things like that!" Kagome chided, before looking at Michi and asking. "You aren't really going to stay are you?"
"I have to." Michi bowed her head and breathed deeply. "Tanaya and Miroku are my first priority, I need to know they're safe. The elders won't do anything to me without a trial and I'm sure someone will come back and rescue me before that ends."
"And if we don't?" Inuyasha demanded.
" Karma will write my newest chapter." Michi looked at Inuyasha sadly. "Please aid me, Inuyasha."
" Fine. Whatever. Just get the brat ready to travel." Inuyasha helped Kagome sit down as Michi left the room.
"Are you really gonna leave her?" Kagome whispered.
"I can't make her leave. Besides, she's worried about the kid. I'll come back here to get her, before anything happens."
"Are you sure?"
"As sure as I can be. Jeeze, get off my back."
Michi went to her writing table and gathered some of the more important scrolls: the family history accounts, as far back as her Grandfather's 6th great Grandfather, the legends that she and Miroku had collected over the years, Miroku's letters and the small book of remedies and healing plants that she had written herself. She packed them all into a travel basket carefully putting some of her best kimonos in between to keep them safe. If nothing else they could be sold for Tanaya's benefit. The final item she placed in the basket was her herb book. She careful smoothed the cover and made a pained sound. She had been recording cures, and the uses for herbs, including very detailed drawings of them. Tanaya would be able to learn everything Michi learned, without the deadly trial and error game.
After laying a blanket over the top of the basket to protect it from any potential air-born threats, Michi reached under her desk along the paneling to the hidden compartment and the box within it. Michi held the black lacquer box in her hand and lifted the old lid carefully. The jade pendant had outlived eight boxes and three chains; no one in the family could remember where it had come from. The precious heirloom was crafted into the shape of the eternity symbol; it had no true ending or beginning. Michi held it to her heart for a moment, savoring the cool feeling of the stone against the fingers of her left hand. Finally she stood to her feet and brushed off her skirt. She held the pendant tightly in her hand and walked into her daughter's room.
Tanaya was sleeping serenely, unaware of the horrors that were mounting around her. Shippou was curled up next to Tanaya, using her stomach as a pillow. Michi knelt beside the two and watched them for another moment before sighing softly.
She gently nudged Shippou trying to wake him as quietly as possible.
He opened his eyes sleepily, but since Michi was holding her finger to her lips, he didn't speak.
Michi lifted him unto her lap and smoothed his soft fur. "Good morning little kitsune, thank you for watching over my daughter last night."
Shippou's little nose quivered, as he smelled the air around Michi. He could smell her tears, "Why are you so sad, Michi?"
" Don't worry little one. It isn't your concern." Michi tapped his nose and managed a half smirk for his benefit. "I'm sending you and the others ahead of me. I need to keep watching over her," Michi motioned to Tanaya, "for a while. Can you do that for me?"
"Why aren't you coming with us?" Shippou questioned.
"I have to arrange some things here, before I can leave and I don't want Inuyasha throwing a fit."
Shippou considered this seemly logical excuse. "Yeah, I guess so. I can try to keep Tanaya safe."
" Thank you Shippou, I am forever in your debt."
"Awe, don't worry about it."
"Just the same, I thank you for your kindness." Michi set him on the ground. "I have one more favor to ask of you."
" Okay." Shippou looked up curiously.
" There's a traveling basket in the other room, have Sango get it and put it with the things you'll be taking with you." Michi told him.
"Oh yeah, I can do that." Shippou scampered off towards the other room.
Michi sighed and brushed away the bangs of her sleeping child. "Oh my angel, I'm so sorry." She whispered sadly before looking at Kirara, "Go to your mistress, she'll be needing you to help carry Miroku and Kagome."
The little fire-cat-demon nuzzled against Michi's hand affectionately, then quietly slipped out of the room.
Michi fastened the pendant around the child's neck and rubbed the charm where it came to rest on her daughter's body. "This has been in our family so long, we've forgotten where we received it. But it is very special." Michi let the tears flow freely down her face as she spoke to her sleeping daughter. "Tanaya, I will always love you." She kissed Tanaya's forehead and cradled her daughter to her chest. After settling Tanaya on her lap, Michi tucked the blanket tightly around her. "May the four winds be kind to you; may you learn your lessons well; and may you never forget my love for you." She picked up her daughter's doll and tucked it inside the blanket.
Michi stood to her feet and walked out into the main room, with the sleeping Tanaya in her arms.
"She okay?" Inuyasha asked.
Michi sniffed as she nodded and handed the wrapped up child to Inuyasha, who took her reluctantly. "I want her to be safe."
He nodded and shifted Tanaya in his arms.
"Just get him behind me and I can hold him in place." Kagome, already sitting on Kirara, told Sango.
Michi knelt by her cousin and kissed his forehead. "Stay out of trouble, Love." She and Sango lifted Miroku onto to the kneeling Kirara and wrapped his arms around Kagome's waist.
"Are you going to be able to hold him like that?" Sango questioned.
"If he doesn't wake up." Kagome half-laughed.
Tanaya had woken up in the midst of the all the commotion and whimpered as she struggled against the blanket.
"Hey, calm down, kid, it's okay." Inuyasha tried to assure her.
" Mommy!" Tanaya called out to the only person she wanted.
Michi finished securing the traveling basket onto Sango's back and walked over to Inuyasha and Tanaya. "It's alright, Angel, I'm right here."
" Mommy, what's going on?"
" Nothing, don't worry. You're going to go with Inuyasha and the others for a while. It'll be a grand adventure." Michi smoothed the hair away from Tanaya's face.
"Why can't I go with you?"
" Because...mommy has things to finish here."
"I want to stay with you." Tanaya pouted.
"No. You need to go with Inuyasha." Michi told Tanaya firmly.
Tanaya started struggling in the blanket as she started to cry. "Mommy, something bad's gonna happen. I don't want to leave you! Mommy, don't send me away."
" Tanaya, that is enough." Michi snapped at her daughter before her own eyes filled with tears.
" Mommy." Tanaya lip quivered as she started to cry.
"Shh. Shh. No tears." Michi cupped her daughter's face in her hands. " I love you, Tanaya. You be good until I see you again."
" Okay." Tanaya sniffed and tried to put on a brave face.
"Good girl. Take care of Miroku for me."
" Okay."
"You better get going." Michi told her guests. "They'll be here soon."
" Where are we going, besides away?" Kagome asked.
"Down the hill, through the pass into town and in the poor section of town there's an inn; if you give the inn-keeper this," Michi handed a wrapped package to Sango, "he'll let you stay as long as you need. I wouldn't stay longer than a day or two, though, if I haven't met up with you."
Inuyasha grunted as he hefted Kagome's backpack over his shoulder. "I'll be back."
"I know." Michi helped him get the other strap over his other shoulder.
Tanaya let out a whimper as Inuyasha started towards the door.
"Be brave little angel. I love you. It's okay."
Kirara thumped behind Inuyasha, with Kagome hanging onto Miroku's arms and her legs clamped on Kirara's sides. They had just gotten out the door, when Tanaya started wailing.
"Not okay! Not okay! I want my mommy!"
Inuyasha flattened his ears against his head to block out the sound, but didn't scold the child for her tears. He just shifted her against his chest and rubbed her back as he started the trek towards town. 'I know kid, it's hard to be without your mother.'
Michi was biting her down on her lip, keeping her eyes closed as she tried to ignore her daughter's crying.
Shippou, who was sitting on Sango's shoulder, remained silent.
"I should stay." Sango told Michi.
"No. I want you to go, just in case." Michi argued.
"How come?" Shippou questioned.
" Don't worry about it, Shippou." Michi shook her head. "Sango, just go. I'll see you, when I can. Take care of that cousin of mine."
"Very well, but Inuyasha will return for you soon." Sango informed the woman.
"I certainly hope so."
The group had been quiet for a while as they made their way towards town. Tanaya was still upset, but limited her laments to the occasional whimper. Inuyasha was doing his best to be patient with the poor brat. Shippou was scampering ahead and checking out the roads, just in case. Sango was trying to keep her mind off the fact that she'd abandoned someone that she could have helped.
Kagome was keeping a good hold on Miroku; in fact by keeping their arms directly under her chest, he wasn't quit as awkward as before. Her side was bothering her a little, but not enough for her to lodge a complaint. She shifted again and abruptly stopped. Had he just moved? Kagome was sure she felt him shift, he'd flexed his fingers she was positive. But was he really awake or was it an involuntary...
Thud. Miroku fell off Kirara and hit the ground like a rag-doll. Kagome, red-faced and embarrassed was trying desperately to fix her bra. Shippou jumped off Sango and raced over to inspect the monk lying on the road.
" Miroku, you're awake!" Shippou exclaimed as he looked down at the dazed man, who was looking up at him.
T.A.: Well...He's awake...YIKES ducks flying objects Hope ya'll liked it
Original Reviewer Responses:
Review Responses:
Incoherence: (11) He's awake...well sorta Kagome kinda rung his bell letting him fall off, but no worries.....
Evils? Me?? I would never plan evils. Okay so I would, but they're interesting to read about at least
(12): Yes, the 'flashed' word was very much planned. I mean think about that family using the word 'flashed' in a completely innocent manner....wait until Kagome hears this story
I'm glad you liked the spiritual elements in it...I wasn't sure how it'd go over with everyone. Thanks for the encouragement as always (little sneak, changing your name and confusing me) and for the extra little note about the flamer! As I said before they have been properly dealt with. Evil Smile
Hope you liked this chapter too!!
Nuklear Firefly: (11) Thanks for the encouragement I so love hearing from you. I'm glad youliked the flashback, thanks for letting me know.
(12) LOL! Great comment. I hope you liked this chapter.
Hikari: (11) I'm glad you liked this chapter! Thanks for letting me know what you liked. I always appreciate that! I'm so glad you like the flashbacks I try to pound them to perfection
I know I abuse poor Michi to know end. She appreciates the brownies, but wants to know what they are
Thanks for the well-wishes about the job...wish I woulda been able to keep it!
(12) Thanks for rising to my defense I appreciate you willing to attack for me, but don't worry about it, I finally found my violent muse and let her loose...only problem is that I lost her and I don't know what kind of trouble she's out causing OO
Again thank you for you kind words!
Oh my goodness your whole bit about the ' "bardo or bust" sign' cheered me up like you wouldn't believe...It was so great!! Thank you, Thank you for taking the time to write it!!
I know that last scene was hurried I was talking to my cousin about it and I explained to her that the story is like a movie, it has a nice even pace, than that scene was like someone hit the fast-forward button. I think I got 'em away from it. Thanks again for taking the time! Hope you liked this chapter too!!
Jaid Skywalker: (11) Thanks for the review! I hope your question got answered! Thanks for the encouragement about the job...wish I had it...Grr.
(12) Heehee. Thanks so much for taking the time to write this; it made me smile. I'm glad you liked the chapter and don't worry about me. Hug I'm back in the game!!! Thanks for reviewing and telling me what you liked...Hope you liked this chapter too!
Blades of Ice: (11) He's awake
(12) Thank you for you kind words...Flamer has been properly dealt with...never mind, so anyways. Thanks for commenting on both chapters and I hope you enjoyed this one too. Thank you so much taking the time to review!!
Neatobeans: (11) He's awake and I've added chapters Thanks for reviewing I hope you likes this chapter as well!
WildfireDreams: (11) Thanks for the review...yeah I put Michi through a lot, but she's pretty tough.
(12) Okay that comment about my story being addictive, made my day! Thanks for much for taking time to review. I hope you liked this chapter too!
Dreamseeker: (11) Thank you so much for review, sweets! I so appreciate when people tell me what they liked about the story! I'm glad you liked the flashback! Thanks for taking the time to review.
(12) Whoa calm down there killer...I took care of the flamer! I'm so glad you liked the chapter! Hope you liked this chapter too! Thank you for your very kind words, they warmed up my heart! I love you as always, sweets!
Higurashi Kagome: (11) This is the only Inuyasha fic I've written so far...but I'm planning on writing others...but it may take some time. Thank you so much for the encouragement and the review itself!
(12) I know, I know...Kirara, but I watch the dub and it calls her Kilala, which is beyond cute, when Shippou says it Anyways I fixed that in this chapter, but I still have to fix the others. Thanks for telling me and taking the time to review...it's always appreciated! Hope you liked this chapter too!
Kaylana: (11) He's awake
(12) Tweakable Hoshma n' Fun Dinner, who tis Kaylana under a joint pen name w/ a friend btw. Thanks for taking the time to review! I hope you like this part too!!
Araki-chan: (11)He's awake! I hope you liked this chapter. Thanks for the review!
Zephor: (11) Updated! I hope you liked this part! Thanks for the review.
MetalDRAGON: (12) See not dead...though he's suffering a few more bruises now o Oops. Thanks for taking the time to review. I hope you liked this part!
Sawdust monster: (12) Thanks so much for taking the time to review! Not to mention your very kind words. Thank you. I hope you found this chapter as good as the others. I'm so glad you like my writing style.