Part 26 Home
Shelani was drained. The barrier was crumbling faster then she ever thought. Atria had succeeded in avoiding another mind attack for now. Every now and then she would stop and wince. Then she' move on. Shelani really wanted sleep, but she couldn't risk it. Atria was almost home. Epic had found some searcher demons to help so they had found the village sooner then Shelani could have hoped. Shortly they could all rest. Shelani had brought atria up to the rest of the group. Staying behind had proven to be a problem. SO against her better judgment she joined them.
They were in sight of the village when atria's hand tightened on Shelani's arm. Shelani waited for she knew it was just another piece coming down. But when Shelani's arm started to bruise she knew something was wrong. Atria's eyes were shut and she wasn't breathing. Shelani gently probed her mind. A particularly strong memory had her. Shelani gently pried atria free from her memory. Shelani felt atria's hand release her arm. Atria looked at the obvious bruise but said nothing.
Atria paused. This time it wasn't because of a flood of memories. She looked at the village. She suddenly didn't want to move.
"What is it," Sango asked
Atria just backed up. She backed into Baal who caught her before she had a chance to get away.
"She doesn't want to go to the village," Inuyasha said
"What did she tell you?" Kagome asked
"She's not afraid of the village, it's her memories she's afraid of," Inuyasha said
"Well that's certainly understandable," Miroku said
"Either way, she has to go into the village and the barrier has to be broken. Otherwise she'll die," Shelani said
Baal nodded and started towards the village keeping a hold of atria. Atria didn't say anything. Shelani was cringing.
"Are you okay," Kagome asked
"Her mind is screaming. I'm surprised you don't feel it," Shelani said
"I guess we're lucky," Kagome said
"Yeah you are, but it does have advantages. I'd calm her, but any contact at this point could cause major pain and that's not what I want," Shelani said
"I understand," Kagome said, "Anything I can do?"
"Use the jewel. It's power might soothe her, If not I'm afraid we'll have to knock her out," Shelani said as she stumbled
Kagome walked up to atria, who had dug in her heels making Baal's job harder. Kagome took the jewel from around her neck and showed it to atria. Atria looked in it. She got lost in it. Shelani sighed with relief. Baal felt her stop fighting so he started to gently push her towards the village.
As soon as she broke eye contact with the jewel she froze and Baal stopped late. She fell forward. She shook her head to try and clear it. She stood up. She started to go in the opposite direction of the village when Sesshomaru picked her up. She squeaked at the suddenness of it. She struggled for a moment. A sharp word from him made her freeze. Shelani realized too late what that meant.
A second later Shelani screamed and fell to her knees. She was holding her head. She couldn't think around the pain, but she knew what had happened. Sesshomaru's actions had slammed atria into a very vivid memory of her father. The barrier reacted to that and went defensive. Because of the link between atria's mind and Shelani's mind the attack was shunted over to Shelani.
Shelani couldn't breath through the pain. When the pain suddenly stopped she looked up confused. Sesshomaru had set atria down. She had broken free of the memory and saw what Shelani was going through. When Shelani looked up she understood. Atria had savagely broken the connection locking the pain within her. Atria didn't scream as Shelani had instead she whimpered then crumpled to the ground. Shelani cursed roundly.
"The village NOW!!" she said
Sesshomaru laid atria down on the bed. The villagers were only too eager to help. Especially when they saw Sesshomaru. They had quickly vacated a hut for them to use. Shelani was trying to get information. She had managed to reestablish the link between her and Atria. Unfortunately even if she wasn't in atria's mind she felt everything. Being that open with anyone else would have bothered Shelani, but this way she could monitor atria.
If anything was wrong Shelani could send a thought to the one closet to atria. The only problem with being so open was atria also received all of Shelani's feelings. So Shelani had to be careful. At the moment she was getting angry.
"Okay that's it. Miroku see if you can get any info out of them. I have to leave. I'll be back," Shelani said
'Where is it? Do you know atria?' Shelani asked
'...Forest...' was all Shelani got
"That'll help. Miroku ask if it's in the forest," Shelani said
At the moment they were searching for atria's mother's grave. Shelani figured it was part of what atria had recited. Shelani winced as a big chunk fell from the wall. Though for some reason once they had arrived the barrier had given up all defensive action and just fell. It still hurt, but the pain lessened with each chunk that fell. There were only a few chunks left. Shelani winced as they fell.
Atria's mind was slowly calming down. Shelani was starting to smile, but then a particular memory caught her. Before it pulled Shelani in too she sent a message to Inuyasha to wake atria up now. Then she was pulled in.
Flashback
Atria was two. She hadn't seen her father in forever
"Mommy?" atria called
She was running down a hallway. She stopped at every door to look inside She kept going till she found someone.
"Do you know where mommy is?" Atria asked
"No dear I don't," replied a servant
"Are you sure?" Atria asked
"Yes, I'm sure. Sorry," the servant said
Shelani felt like she was watching a play. She couldn't interact. All she could do was watch.
"Where are you?" atria called
Atria ran around a corner and bumped into a villager. He grabbed her roughly and threw her away from him. Atria fell and just sat there and stared at the man. He sneered and walked past her. Just then her mother came up to her.
"Ignore them dear. They're just scared," her mother said
"Konsetsu," a voice called
"Atria honey," Konsetsu said, "I have to go. I want you to stay in the back rooms okay. And stay away from the villagers."
"Alright. Can we play when you're done?" Atria asked
A man came up behind her
"Konsetsu we need to go," he said
Konsetsu glanced at him then turned to atria.
"Yes we'll play when I get done," She said
The man and Konsetsu walked away. Konsetsu glanced behind her.
Atria's mind
"No don't got," The older atria cried
She noticed Shelani
"That's the last time I really got to see her. All the other times she was just saying 'Hi' then she'd leave," Atria said
Present
Shelani came to on her knees crying. Sango was crouched in front of her worried.
"It was nothing. Just a really strong memory that caught me, too," Shelani said
She got up and walked to where Atria was. She walked in the hut to see Inuyasha trying unsuccessfully to waken a sleeping atria.
"Don't bother," Shelani said
"Everything's fine?" Inuyasha asked
"For now," She said
Miroku showed up sighing heavily.
"No luck. If we had a name it would be easier
"Konsetsu," Atria said
They all looked at her. She sat up. She swung her legs to the floor. Before a word could be said she stood up, She walked out of the hut. Shelani could no longer fell her.
"She's broken the link again," Shelani said
"So we'll have to watch her then," Inuyasha said
He made to follow her then something hit him.
"Is that her name?" Inuyasha asked
"Yes, I saw her memory," Shelani said
Atria looked around the village. She knew of two places that she should check first. She headed to the shrine. She'd get answers where the others had failed. She scared the villagers at two. They would really be scared now. Atria thought her plans through. She'd get answers alright. She wouldn't hurt anybody. She wouldn't have to.
Atria was starting to see that her good memories were greatly outnumbered by the ones of Naraku. That's why she had broken the link with Shelani again. Shelani didn't have to go through what she was. Atria felt fine. Her head hurt and she figured she'd have a massive headache by noon. Atria's chain of thought was broken as she entered the shrine. She looked around. Nothing had changed.
'I wonder if their attitudes had changed,' Atria thought
An old woman noticed her and shrieked. Atria's ears flattened.
'Nope not if all the children have grown up and told stories,' She thought
She knew as soon as people started cowering that that was what had happened.
'No wonder I saw no one outside,' She thought
The females all started wailing.
"Shut up," Atria yelled
She was answered with complete silence
"Now someone tell me where Konsetsu is," Atria yelled again
"She's dead," a young man up front said
"Yes, I know. I'd like to know where she was buried," Atria said
"Why would they bury a witch?" the young man said
Some of atria's anger died. She didn't know why, but this young man didn't seem to know he was insulting her,
"That witch was the priestess of this village and my mother," Atria said
The young man suddenly went pale. He thought for a few moments.
"She's-," the young man started to say
He was cut off by the person nearest to him, who put their hand over his mouth.
Atria walked up to him. She looked directly at the villager who was covering his mouth. The villager winced but did not remove the hand.
"Let him speak," Atria growled
"Leave the poor villagers alone," Shippo said from behind her
Atria turned to look at him annoyed. She ducked just as the behind her swung a broom at her. She turned and jerked the broom from his hand.
"I have done nothing to you and you attack me," Atria said
"You came in here and threatened outlives," the villager said
"I did so such thing. I simply asked where my mother was buried," Atria said
The young man slipped the older villagers grasp.
"Be fair dad. She didn't do anything," he said
Atria was not as shocked as the villagers were by this statement. She looked at him. She noticed that when she was around the villagers quickly got over their shock for she had to duck another broom handle. This time she grabbed the villager's wrist in one hand and yanked the broom out with the other.
"Fine. I can see my mere presence scares you so I'll leave. None of you are very helpful at the moment anyway," Atria said
She walked outside. She realized she still held the broom in her hand. She dropped it and walked into the forest quietly. Once there she began tearing things up. She broke a tree ad shredded it. When she was done she was tired, but in a better mood.
She turned and looked at Shippo. Shippo glanced at what was left of the tree and took his leave of her. Atria sat down and made a noise utter frustration.
"Sorry."
Atria jumped up startled and turned to see the young man standing behind her.
"Are you not afraid of me?" Atria said
"No should I be," He asked
"Your father is," Atria said
Once she had deemed him not a threat she sat back down. The young man eyed the shredded tree.
"I'm sorry for their behavior," he said
"They have no excuse. Don't apologize for fools," Atria said
"I'm Alucard," He said
"Good for you," atria replied
"Would you like me to show you where your mother is?" he said
"Do you know?" Atria asked
"Yes. Follow me," He said
Atria got up and let him lead the way. He led her to the outskirts of the town. By a small tree there was a small marker,
"This is her," Alucard said
"Why are you helping me," Atria asked
"My mother's dad is a descendent of Konsetsu's loyal friend. He told the truth. My dad, well he's just another villager," Alucard said
"I see. Thanks, now go away," Atria said
Sorry it took me so long to update it's just I have to squeeze typing this up in with school work and such when school is out for the summer it'll be faster
Shelani was drained. The barrier was crumbling faster then she ever thought. Atria had succeeded in avoiding another mind attack for now. Every now and then she would stop and wince. Then she' move on. Shelani really wanted sleep, but she couldn't risk it. Atria was almost home. Epic had found some searcher demons to help so they had found the village sooner then Shelani could have hoped. Shortly they could all rest. Shelani had brought atria up to the rest of the group. Staying behind had proven to be a problem. SO against her better judgment she joined them.
They were in sight of the village when atria's hand tightened on Shelani's arm. Shelani waited for she knew it was just another piece coming down. But when Shelani's arm started to bruise she knew something was wrong. Atria's eyes were shut and she wasn't breathing. Shelani gently probed her mind. A particularly strong memory had her. Shelani gently pried atria free from her memory. Shelani felt atria's hand release her arm. Atria looked at the obvious bruise but said nothing.
Atria paused. This time it wasn't because of a flood of memories. She looked at the village. She suddenly didn't want to move.
"What is it," Sango asked
Atria just backed up. She backed into Baal who caught her before she had a chance to get away.
"She doesn't want to go to the village," Inuyasha said
"What did she tell you?" Kagome asked
"She's not afraid of the village, it's her memories she's afraid of," Inuyasha said
"Well that's certainly understandable," Miroku said
"Either way, she has to go into the village and the barrier has to be broken. Otherwise she'll die," Shelani said
Baal nodded and started towards the village keeping a hold of atria. Atria didn't say anything. Shelani was cringing.
"Are you okay," Kagome asked
"Her mind is screaming. I'm surprised you don't feel it," Shelani said
"I guess we're lucky," Kagome said
"Yeah you are, but it does have advantages. I'd calm her, but any contact at this point could cause major pain and that's not what I want," Shelani said
"I understand," Kagome said, "Anything I can do?"
"Use the jewel. It's power might soothe her, If not I'm afraid we'll have to knock her out," Shelani said as she stumbled
Kagome walked up to atria, who had dug in her heels making Baal's job harder. Kagome took the jewel from around her neck and showed it to atria. Atria looked in it. She got lost in it. Shelani sighed with relief. Baal felt her stop fighting so he started to gently push her towards the village.
As soon as she broke eye contact with the jewel she froze and Baal stopped late. She fell forward. She shook her head to try and clear it. She stood up. She started to go in the opposite direction of the village when Sesshomaru picked her up. She squeaked at the suddenness of it. She struggled for a moment. A sharp word from him made her freeze. Shelani realized too late what that meant.
A second later Shelani screamed and fell to her knees. She was holding her head. She couldn't think around the pain, but she knew what had happened. Sesshomaru's actions had slammed atria into a very vivid memory of her father. The barrier reacted to that and went defensive. Because of the link between atria's mind and Shelani's mind the attack was shunted over to Shelani.
Shelani couldn't breath through the pain. When the pain suddenly stopped she looked up confused. Sesshomaru had set atria down. She had broken free of the memory and saw what Shelani was going through. When Shelani looked up she understood. Atria had savagely broken the connection locking the pain within her. Atria didn't scream as Shelani had instead she whimpered then crumpled to the ground. Shelani cursed roundly.
"The village NOW!!" she said
Sesshomaru laid atria down on the bed. The villagers were only too eager to help. Especially when they saw Sesshomaru. They had quickly vacated a hut for them to use. Shelani was trying to get information. She had managed to reestablish the link between her and Atria. Unfortunately even if she wasn't in atria's mind she felt everything. Being that open with anyone else would have bothered Shelani, but this way she could monitor atria.
If anything was wrong Shelani could send a thought to the one closet to atria. The only problem with being so open was atria also received all of Shelani's feelings. So Shelani had to be careful. At the moment she was getting angry.
"Okay that's it. Miroku see if you can get any info out of them. I have to leave. I'll be back," Shelani said
'Where is it? Do you know atria?' Shelani asked
'...Forest...' was all Shelani got
"That'll help. Miroku ask if it's in the forest," Shelani said
At the moment they were searching for atria's mother's grave. Shelani figured it was part of what atria had recited. Shelani winced as a big chunk fell from the wall. Though for some reason once they had arrived the barrier had given up all defensive action and just fell. It still hurt, but the pain lessened with each chunk that fell. There were only a few chunks left. Shelani winced as they fell.
Atria's mind was slowly calming down. Shelani was starting to smile, but then a particular memory caught her. Before it pulled Shelani in too she sent a message to Inuyasha to wake atria up now. Then she was pulled in.
Flashback
Atria was two. She hadn't seen her father in forever
"Mommy?" atria called
She was running down a hallway. She stopped at every door to look inside She kept going till she found someone.
"Do you know where mommy is?" Atria asked
"No dear I don't," replied a servant
"Are you sure?" Atria asked
"Yes, I'm sure. Sorry," the servant said
Shelani felt like she was watching a play. She couldn't interact. All she could do was watch.
"Where are you?" atria called
Atria ran around a corner and bumped into a villager. He grabbed her roughly and threw her away from him. Atria fell and just sat there and stared at the man. He sneered and walked past her. Just then her mother came up to her.
"Ignore them dear. They're just scared," her mother said
"Konsetsu," a voice called
"Atria honey," Konsetsu said, "I have to go. I want you to stay in the back rooms okay. And stay away from the villagers."
"Alright. Can we play when you're done?" Atria asked
A man came up behind her
"Konsetsu we need to go," he said
Konsetsu glanced at him then turned to atria.
"Yes we'll play when I get done," She said
The man and Konsetsu walked away. Konsetsu glanced behind her.
Atria's mind
"No don't got," The older atria cried
She noticed Shelani
"That's the last time I really got to see her. All the other times she was just saying 'Hi' then she'd leave," Atria said
Present
Shelani came to on her knees crying. Sango was crouched in front of her worried.
"It was nothing. Just a really strong memory that caught me, too," Shelani said
She got up and walked to where Atria was. She walked in the hut to see Inuyasha trying unsuccessfully to waken a sleeping atria.
"Don't bother," Shelani said
"Everything's fine?" Inuyasha asked
"For now," She said
Miroku showed up sighing heavily.
"No luck. If we had a name it would be easier
"Konsetsu," Atria said
They all looked at her. She sat up. She swung her legs to the floor. Before a word could be said she stood up, She walked out of the hut. Shelani could no longer fell her.
"She's broken the link again," Shelani said
"So we'll have to watch her then," Inuyasha said
He made to follow her then something hit him.
"Is that her name?" Inuyasha asked
"Yes, I saw her memory," Shelani said
Atria looked around the village. She knew of two places that she should check first. She headed to the shrine. She'd get answers where the others had failed. She scared the villagers at two. They would really be scared now. Atria thought her plans through. She'd get answers alright. She wouldn't hurt anybody. She wouldn't have to.
Atria was starting to see that her good memories were greatly outnumbered by the ones of Naraku. That's why she had broken the link with Shelani again. Shelani didn't have to go through what she was. Atria felt fine. Her head hurt and she figured she'd have a massive headache by noon. Atria's chain of thought was broken as she entered the shrine. She looked around. Nothing had changed.
'I wonder if their attitudes had changed,' Atria thought
An old woman noticed her and shrieked. Atria's ears flattened.
'Nope not if all the children have grown up and told stories,' She thought
She knew as soon as people started cowering that that was what had happened.
'No wonder I saw no one outside,' She thought
The females all started wailing.
"Shut up," Atria yelled
She was answered with complete silence
"Now someone tell me where Konsetsu is," Atria yelled again
"She's dead," a young man up front said
"Yes, I know. I'd like to know where she was buried," Atria said
"Why would they bury a witch?" the young man said
Some of atria's anger died. She didn't know why, but this young man didn't seem to know he was insulting her,
"That witch was the priestess of this village and my mother," Atria said
The young man suddenly went pale. He thought for a few moments.
"She's-," the young man started to say
He was cut off by the person nearest to him, who put their hand over his mouth.
Atria walked up to him. She looked directly at the villager who was covering his mouth. The villager winced but did not remove the hand.
"Let him speak," Atria growled
"Leave the poor villagers alone," Shippo said from behind her
Atria turned to look at him annoyed. She ducked just as the behind her swung a broom at her. She turned and jerked the broom from his hand.
"I have done nothing to you and you attack me," Atria said
"You came in here and threatened outlives," the villager said
"I did so such thing. I simply asked where my mother was buried," Atria said
The young man slipped the older villagers grasp.
"Be fair dad. She didn't do anything," he said
Atria was not as shocked as the villagers were by this statement. She looked at him. She noticed that when she was around the villagers quickly got over their shock for she had to duck another broom handle. This time she grabbed the villager's wrist in one hand and yanked the broom out with the other.
"Fine. I can see my mere presence scares you so I'll leave. None of you are very helpful at the moment anyway," Atria said
She walked outside. She realized she still held the broom in her hand. She dropped it and walked into the forest quietly. Once there she began tearing things up. She broke a tree ad shredded it. When she was done she was tired, but in a better mood.
She turned and looked at Shippo. Shippo glanced at what was left of the tree and took his leave of her. Atria sat down and made a noise utter frustration.
"Sorry."
Atria jumped up startled and turned to see the young man standing behind her.
"Are you not afraid of me?" Atria said
"No should I be," He asked
"Your father is," Atria said
Once she had deemed him not a threat she sat back down. The young man eyed the shredded tree.
"I'm sorry for their behavior," he said
"They have no excuse. Don't apologize for fools," Atria said
"I'm Alucard," He said
"Good for you," atria replied
"Would you like me to show you where your mother is?" he said
"Do you know?" Atria asked
"Yes. Follow me," He said
Atria got up and let him lead the way. He led her to the outskirts of the town. By a small tree there was a small marker,
"This is her," Alucard said
"Why are you helping me," Atria asked
"My mother's dad is a descendent of Konsetsu's loyal friend. He told the truth. My dad, well he's just another villager," Alucard said
"I see. Thanks, now go away," Atria said
Sorry it took me so long to update it's just I have to squeeze typing this up in with school work and such when school is out for the summer it'll be faster