Another day, another chapter. I'm enjoying myself, and I came up with a great idea. I'm changing the storyline slightly so that it can be more fun. I'm adding in a ton of stuff and changing the summary, cause I don't like it. After this chapter, it'll focus mainly on the Inuyasha-tachi, I promise.
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. I do own a few characters in here, though. I'm disappointed that no one is reading this little thing right now. I also don't own the quote I took from Xenogears. Just telling you^.^
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Siria froze up and completely stopped breathing. She could do nothing but stare at the man in front of her. He was exactly the same way she remembered him. He bowed to the guests and smiled. He looked at each one of them and then his eyes landed on Siria. He lost his smile and the cheerfulness was replaced with shock and confusion, much like her own.
"Y-yoka…san," he whispered out. For a minute, it felt like they were the only two in the room. Seidou quickly shook his head and smiled again. "If you'll follow me, I'll take you all to the hot springs." He turned around and began to walk off. They all followed him, Siria bringing up the back. She was still slightly shocked and she knew that Seidou recognized her, but he hadn't really said much. He seemed almost afraid of this encounter. His voice was nervous when he had spoken to them. They had soon walked out a back door and ended up in a beautifully set backyard area. It had two hot springs, separated by a rock wall.
"Girls go that way, boys go this way," he said, pointing to the directions. Kagome and Sango smiled at the wall between the springs. This meant that Miroku and Inuyasha couldn't spy on them. Kagome picked up Shippo and headed over to the hot springs, followed by Sango and Siria, who kept her head down. Miroku sighed in defeat and went over to his and Inuyasha's side.
"Yukari will come out and collect your clothing soon," said Seidou. He then turned around and left them to bathe.
******
"Siria," said Sango, catching the girl's attention. "You're being awfully quiet. Is something wrong?" Siria simply shook her head and lowered her eyes.
"It's nothing. I'm fine," she answered quietly.
"I can tell you're lying," said Shippo, floating around aimlessly. "You don't sound okay."
"Shippo-chan is right," said Kagome. "Come on, you can tell us. What's bothering you?"
"I said I'm fine. Please, don't worry about me."
"Siria-san, you know you can tell us anything, ne?"
"Hai."
"So then you should tell us what's on your mind. I can see that you're thinking about something. What is it?"
"Don't be afraid," said Sango. "You're among friends."
"I know I am, demo…it's just too hard. I get the feeling that the more we get involved with Shiro-sama and Cycil, the more painful this will all be. That voice that spoke to them…I've heard it before, I just don't remember where. It's been so long."
"What do you remember?"
"That it sends shivers up my spine just hearing it. I hate that onna's voice. It was just so long ago and only for a brief moment. Some things are still too cloudy in my mind."
"What kind of memories do you have?" asked Shippo.
"Sad ones, painful ones, memories full of hate and loss. I've been through more than I remember. I can only remember my life as Yoka and then the most recent years, when I met Yume. Otherwise, I can't remember the rest. The other 70 some years of my life are just a blur to me. I've lived longer than most have, but a longer life was nothing but pain and torture. I would have been happy to die at the age of twenty, right along with Seidou-san." She instantly shut up, realizing her mistake. She gulped down hard when she noticed their eyes on her. "I…I…"
"Siria-san, what do you mean?"
"I…I was just…I mean…"
"Siria, do you know Miataru-san?" asked Sango.
"I…I'm…"
"Come on, Siria, tell us," encouraged Shippo. She looked at their faces and felt incredibly nervous. She hadn't planned on telling them that much. Now she'd have something else to talk to them about. She lowered her head and took in a deep breath.
"H-hai. I know him," she said quietly. "I hadn't meant to say that much to you."
"But how could you have known him then?" asked Sango.
"Seidou-san was the man who took me into his village and treated my wounds. He talked the villagers into letting me stay there after I pretended to be a mercenary. I had lived there for a while, until…" A single tear fell from her eyes, mixing with the water of the hot springs. "I remembered it all at one point, but now that part is a blur to me again. I remember holding him as he died in my arms. He was my best friend and I had let him die. First with my parents, then Shiro, then the village I had lived in, and then Seidou-san. Everyone I care about dies. Everywhere I go, people die and I can't do anything to stop it. I let everyone I care about die right in front of me."
"Siria-san…gomen ne. We didn't mean to bring back such painful memories," apologized Kagome.
"It's alright. It's in the past, anyways. I'll be fine, I promise."
******
"There has to be a way to get around this wall without being seen," said Miroku, studying the rock wall between the two hot springs. Inuyasha just glared at the houshi.
"Miroku, just give it up," said Inuyasha.
"Come help me, Inuyasha," suggested Miroku. Inuyasha growled slightly.
"Are you insane? I think you've been hit a few too many times, bouzu. I'm not helping you. If you go over there, you'll just get caught."
"The pain will be worth it," he said as he looked around a little more. Inuyasha began to drift off to his thoughts again. He had heard Seidou whisper Siria's real name. 'Why did he call her that?' questioned Inuyasha to himself. 'Does he know Siria…or is it possible that…'
"Inuyasha, come help me," pleaded Miroku. Inuyasha growled out of annoyance at the houshi.
"Will you just give it up already?! You can't get over there! Mou, you pathetic bouzu."
"Houshi desu," retorted Miroku.
"You could have fooled me!" Just then, Yukari walked back over and brought them their freshly cleaned clothing.
"Here you go," she said kindly. She set their garments down and then headed over to give the girls' their clothing. Miroku sighed deeply as he gave up his attempts. He wasn't lucky today. He hadn't gotten the chance to see them. He and Inuyasha decided to get dressed.
Meanwhile, Yukari set the girls' clothes down.
"Siria, I sewed your outfit, so it should be as good as new," explained Yukari.
"Arigatou," responded Siria. Yukari left so that they could get dressed.
******
The day went by quickly. They spent quite a bit of time playing with Yuki. Inuyasha was the only one who was really bored. He hated staying at villages. Eventually, it got late and they all had a nice dinner at Yuki's house. The sleeping arrangements were simple. They would all sleep in the largest room after moving some things out of it. The Inuyasha-tachi didn't mind much. They were used to not sleeping on actual beds. They often just used what they had. Kagome often brought them blankets to use and she had a sleeping bag that she shared with Shippo. Soon enough, they were all sleeping soundly. Inuyasha was sitting in the corner closest to Kagome. His sword rested against his shoulder, his arms crossed, and his eyes closed. Kagome and Shippo were sleeping in her sleeping bag. Sango slept on the opposite side of the room from Miroku, for certain reasons. He had tried to grope her during dinner. Miroku was sleeping against the wall, much like Inuyasha was. He could sleep either sitting up or lying down, but today, he chose to sit up. Siria was lying near the middle of the room, but she couldn't sleep. Instead, she got up silently. Inuyasha wasn't able to sense her at all. Her steps were completely silent and her scent was basically too weak for him to track. If she left the room, no one would really notice. She walked to the front door and opened it, deciding to sit outside on the steps. She stared up at the crescent moon and the bright stars, thinking. Too much was happening too fast and she couldn't keep going on like this.
"Ano…" whispered a voice behind her. Siria jumped slightly and turned around. Standing behind her was Seidou, his emerald eyes full of confusion. "Can I…sit down with you?" Siria simply nodded. Seidou walked over and sat down on the stairs next to her. It was quiet for a while, until Seidou decided to speak up.
"It's been a while, Yoka-san," he said quietly.
"It has," said Siria.
"I hear your name is different now," he said, trying to make conversation. Siria simply nodded.
"Hai, demo…please just call me…by my real name."
"Okay then, Yoka-san." It was silent once more. Neither of them knew what to say now. It had been years since they had last seen each other. There was no need for formalities between them, but it had become a force of habit. The –san that they added onto each others' name was now more like a pet name than a sign of respect. They were close friends, even if they had been apart for years.
"Seidou-san…can I ask you something personal?"
"Hai."
"How…how is it that you're…still alive?"
"I don't know. About a month ago, I woke up and found myself in a forest. I don't know how I got there or what had happened to me. I knew I had been dead, but I was suddenly brought back. I couldn't remember anything from the afterlife either. It was as if I had never died. It doesn't make any sense."
"What could possibly cause the dead to come back to life?" asked Siria, mostly to herself. "I don't get any of this. No one has that kind of power."
"Yoka-san, what have you been up to lately?"
"I'm on a journey to save a friend of mine and to deal with my past."
"How are they involved?" he asked, meaning the Inuyasha-tachi.
"It's a long story and it would take a while to explain it. In short, they want to help me, it seems. They also want to find out what's going on."
"Do you want to travel with them?"
"I don't know. I'd prefer it if they didn't come along. I don't want them getting involved in something that doesn't concern them."
"So what will you do?"
"I'll leave," she said simply. "I'll leave this town before they wake up."
"Are you sure you want to go alone? You don't have any weapons."
"I'm sure."
"Well then, why not get another sword first?" He motioned towards her empty sword sheath.
"Because I won't use any other sword other than my Toukengai. I'll find a different weapon to use."
"Maa," said Seidou, standing and stretching. "If you're going to go out on your own, I guess I'll have to follow you."
"Nani?"
"You heard me. It's no fun traveling by yourself, so I'll just go with you. I'm a pretty decent fighter."
"Seidou-san…"
"Don't tell me to stay here, Yoka-san. I'm not going to let you go on your own. Besides, we've got a lot of catching up to do," he said smiling. Siria smiled up at him and nodded.
"Okay, let's get ready then," she said, standing up.
"Right. First, we need some weapons," said Seidou. "I can take care of that. I have enough money to buy a few. Let's get going." They both stood up and began to walk away, out into the village.
******
Sango stood in the darkness again, waiting. She knew that something was going to happen.
"Kiseki…give it to me," said a female voice. It was the same voice that had spoken to her before. "I want the kiseki." Sango covered the stone with her hand, having no intentions of giving it to anyone. "I must have Yume's kiseki. I have to own all the kiseki stones."
"Why?" asked Sango, looking around. "Why do you want it so badly?"
"I…need…want…to be…"
"You're not making any sense. Tell me! Just who are you?" shouted Sango.
"I am alpha and omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."
"That doesn't make sense."
"They will get it for me. I will have the kiseki. Just wait and see. I'll get it from you, child. Mark my words." And with that, the presence of the woman disappeared, and Sango was left to her dreams.
******
"Nani?!" shouted Inuyasha. "You mean that temee Siria left without us?!"
"I'm afraid so," said Yukari. "She probably left late last night, and she's not the only one missing. Miataru-san is also gone."
"I spoke with the man at the weapons shop this morning and he said that someone snuck in last night and took a few things."
"Like what?" asked Sango.
"A sword, a few daggers, a bow and some arrows, and a staff. They did, though, leave him enough money for the stuff."
"Siria-san and Miataru-san must have gone off by themselves to find Shiro," concluded Kagome.
"Then let's get going," said Inuyasha. "That temee just ditched us after all that stuff we told her. I'm going to find her and teach her not to run off like that. She says she wants to protect us, but she's just a selfish baka."
"Inuyasha…" whispered Kagome dangerously. He really seemed to enjoy insulting people.
"Come on," said Inuyasha, walking towards the door. Kagome turned to Yuki's family and smiled.
"Thank you for letting us stay here," she said.
"Yes, thank you," said Sango, bowing slightly.
"We really appreciate the hospitality you've shown us," added Miroku.
"Think nothing of it. We were happy to help out friends of Siria and Cycil," said Yuki's father, Takeda.
"Take care," said Yukari, waving to them as they left.
"We will," they called back.
"Sayonara!" shouted Yuki, waving both of her arms.
"Sayonara!" they all called back. Outside, Inuyasha was impatiently waiting for them. Once they were all together, they walked off, heading out of the town and continuing their journey. They were walking through another meadow.
"Inuyasha, where do you think they went?" asked Kagome.
"How should I know?" he asked.
"Can't you use your nose?" asked Miroku.
"If this was anybody else we were talking about, I probably could, but this is Siria. She doesn't have much of a scent, and neither does that Seidou guy. It'd be impossible to track them."
"We'll just have to keep going and hope we find them," said Sango, stating their only option. Suddenly, Inuyasha stopped and sniffed the air.
"What is it?" asked Shippo. Inuyasha's eyes narrowed.
"It's Shiro," he growled.
"I'm surprised you knew it was me," said Shiro. They all spun around and saw him standing there, the Toukengai at his side.
"What do you want?" snarled Inuyasha.
"I've come for the kiseki."
"Well, you can't have it," said Kagome.
"Very well. If you won't give it to me, then I'll have to force you to. What a shame. It was such a nice village too," he said with false sorrow.
"You wouldn't," said Miroku, gripping his staff tightly.
"If you think I won't, then you obviously don't know me," he said harshly. "Stand back and watch as the village is destroyed." He turned around and grabbed the Toukengai, but he never pulled it out. Something swooped down right in front of him, her arms out and her eyes fierce. He narrowed his eyes.
"Move, Cycil," he said.
"Iya. I can't," she said
"What do you mean you can't?!"
"You promised that if I went with you, you'd leave this village alone. I've kept my promise, now you keep yours."
"Kuso! Once that stone was in place, you weren't supposed to remember that!"
"Keep your promise, Shiro," said Cycil sternly. He tightened his grip on his sword and growled slightly at her.
"I get it now, you temee," said Inuyasha. He seemed quite angry. "You threatened Cycil, saying you'd destroy that village, so she'd work for you and then used that stone to brainwash her!"
"So what if I did? It doesn't matter now. Cycil is nothing but a puppet that I have every right to use." Suddenly, he was knocked to the ground. Cycil's eyes were full of hate as she withdrew her fist from the punch she had dealt him.
"Urusai, Shiro. I'm no puppet, and you sure as heck aren't my master. Okami is the only one who tells me what to do. Don't forget, Shiro. You're nothing more than a ningen with a stolen sword that happens to be powerful. Without that sword, you're nothing. My powers are the powers of a true youkai. My abilities are all natural, unlike your borrowed ones. Don't forget, Shiro, I could kill you right now, so don't think you can control me. You touch that village and I'll personally send you back to the afterlife." Shiro rubbed the side of his face where he had been punched. He was glaring at Cycil. He stood up.
"Fine! I don't care! I'll just tell okami that it's your fault we don't have the kiseki. You and that pathetic village. You call yourself a youkai?"
"A promise is a promise, Shiro," reminded Cycil. They both left, disappearing into thin air. The Inuyasha-tachi stood there, shocked.
"What just happened?" asked Kagome.
"I think Cycil just saved us," said Miroku.
"I didn't think Shiro would back down," said Sango, releasing her grip on the kiseki.
"Let's get going. We have to go find that baka Siria," he said. They all nodded and began their long walk once again.
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Well, that's it for now. I don't have much to say anymore. Nothing exciting really happens.
Well, please review^.^
Bye for now^.^