A little note about the writing: I forgot the name of Sango's weapon, so for now it'll just be called "boomerang". Ah, we creatrixes and our short term memories. Anyways, it would be nice if someone told me because I know it's now called "boomerang". Unless Sango's Australia! 0 O

Sango: G'day, mate!

Errrrm...on with the fic!

Act 16:

Sango couldn't sleep. Something was troubling her. As soon as she had gotten home, Miroku hadn't spoken a single word to her about Reichou or anything. He had been in a dark mood the entire time. The purplish light of dawn was peeking through the window. Sango sighed as she turned on the bedroom light.

"Miroku," Sango said. Miroku didn't reply, but Sango knew he was awake, "Miroku, we need to talk about something," Miroku stirred only a little. "Miroku, I'm worried about Reichou,"

"He's fine, Sango," Miroku answered.

"No! Something is wrong, Miroku! You always tell me that everything is alright so that I won't get worried, but I can feel that something is wrong!" Sango yelled. She then calmed down and sighed, "Did you see that bruise on his eye, Miroku?"

"He just fell, Sango," Miroku answered, "It happens all the time,"

"No, it wasn't just a falling bruise. How did he hit his head?"

Miroku sat up and glared at Sango, "Gym class,"

"Gym class?"

"Yes. He told me that he got hit with the ball during gym,"

Sango folded her arms, "He got hit with a ball?"

"Yes,"

"During gym class?"

"Yes,"

"At school?"

"Yes. Now can we please go back to sleep,"

"No," Sango said firmly. She then got out of bed, "You're lying, Miroku,"

"Sango–" Miroku began.

"I know Reichou's school schedule. He didn't have Gym schedule yesterday and even if he did, I would have noticed the bruise when he got home," Sango huffed, "You're keeping the truth from me. I know what happened – someone is hitting him, aren't they, Miroku?"

Miroku got up from the bed, "Sango, Reichou is fine. I assure you,"

"You," Sango snarled, "You're the one that did that to him! "

"Sango–" Miroku growled.

"I knew there had been trouble as soon as I heard Reichou yell! I knew you were doing something to him!" Sango yelled, "I should have know! You were once a lecher and now you're an abusive father! I should have know scum like you never change!"

"Sango, I–" Miroku began.

"I don't want to hear it!" Sango yelled, "I want you to get out of my house!"

"Sango, listen to me–" Miroku began.

"Get out!"

"Sango, please listen–"

"Get out!"

"Sango–"

"GET OUT!"

Tsuki felt her stomach move a little. She put her fingers over her swollen stomach. She could still feel the child moving underneath the skin. She felt so many emotions as she felt it move: the fear of going into labor, the wonder of having a child, the honor of having Akumashugi by her side, the shame that she would never be able to return to school, the curiosity of what kind of child this would be…and a hundred more emotions she couldn't describe. Akumashugi had left some hours ago to go forage for food and had put up a barrier around the cabin.

A few minuets later, the door opened. Tsuki tried to sit up, but it was difficult with her stomach in the way. Akumashugi entered with several dead rabbits and some vegetables. He held up the rabbit proudly and forced a smile, "Found them nearby a ravine somewhere. There's plenty of game here," He then kicked the door closed as he settled nearby the fire and took out his knife, starting to skin the rabbits. "This would be a nice place to live,"

"It's too remote," Tsuki said, "I would feel better if we were near civilization. What if something happens? It would take days for help to come,"

"Nothing will happen," Akumashugi answered, "I still have the barrier up. We're safe," He turned to Tsuki. "How are you feeling? Is it time yet?"

"No," Tsuki sighed, "not yet,"

Akumashugi sighed. "How much longer do you think it will be?"

"It's going to happen soon," Tsuki explained, "Just…just not right now,"

Akumashugi sighed again and continued skinning the rabbit, "Alright them. Just long as it's soon,"

Tsuki looked at him, "Why soon?"

Akumashugi stiffened, "It's nothing. I just don't want us to stay isolated for long,"

Tsuki sighed and laid back down onto the bed – she could feel the life stirring inside of her and she knew deep down inside of her heart that Akumashugi was keeping the truth from her.

Reichou grunted as he moved out of bed; his hips aching in pain. He felt the claw marks on his body begin to swell and he had to hold onto the wall to support himself. Shukuen stirred only a little, but Reichou swore his heart skipped a beat. His best friend ever since they were 5 was now terrorizing him as he slept – it almost made Reichou want to vomit from the feeling, the thought…but what happened last night shook the ground Reichou stood on. It made him question everything. It made him question if Shukuen was truly as innocent as he seemed. It made him question whether Shukuen was really a wolf in sheep's clothing – using that sweet, girlish, look as a distraction so that when the time came he could pounce on and ravish boys like Reichou.

Reichou suddenly felt dizzy as he collapsed onto the floor. He was still aching all over from last night. He couldn't believe how rough Shukuen had been with him. He couldn't' believe that despite the fact he was pleading and begging, Shukuen continued. Shukuen kept on continuing until he was satisfied. Reichou curled up into a fetal position as he studied the claw marks Shukuen had made on his arm. Shukuen stirred again in bed and Reichou gulped. Shukuen finally sat up after moving around in his sleep for a little and looked around.

"…what…what happened?" Shukuen muttered as he rubbed his eyes.

Reichou was shivering as he looked up at Shukuen. He knew that this was ridiculous, that Shukuen was his friend, but he was too afraid. All he remembered now was the demonic look in Shukuen's eyes and the feeling as Shukuen forced himself.

Shukuen looked at Reichou, "What's wrong, Reichou? Are you sick or something?" Reichou couldn't reply. He was too busy shaking. Finally, he began to cry again. Shukuen didn't know what was going on. He then realized that both Reichou and him were nude and he also noticed the claw marks on Reichou's delicate body. "Reichou, what's wrong? Did something happen?"

Shukuen ran over to Reichou's side and tried to comfort him, but Reichou shrunk away from the touch. Shukuen tried to examine one of Reichou's claw marks, but Reichou moved away from him as soon as he tried to touch him. Reichou eventually backed into the corner of the room and continued to cry.

"Reichou…?" Shukuen asked.

No answer; Reichou had his head down and hidden.

"Reichou, what's wrong?" Shukuen asked again.

No answer.

"Reichou? Can't you tell me what's wrong?"

No answer.

Inu-Yasha was thankful the telephone rang – dissolving his nightmare. Ever since his life had gone to hell, he had been having nothing but nightmares. He went downstairs and to the kitchen, picking the telephone up.

"Higurashi Residence. Why the hell are you calling at eight in the morning?" Inu-Yasha said.

Inu-Yasha, it's me Kagome said. There was static in the background, so she was using her telephone.

"Kagome? What's wrong?" Inu-Yasha asked. He then paused, "Did Tsuki go into labor?"

Kagome started to cry over the phone, She's gone

"…gone?"

She's gone! I fell asleep for a little while and when I woke up Akumashugi and her were just gone! No note, no nothing! They had just disappeared! I don't know where they could be but I'm worried about them! The gynecologist said that at the rate Tsuki is going, she might have the baby within a day

Inu-Yasha clenched his fist, making marks into his palm, "Damn it,"

What should we do, Inu-Yasha? I…I just…I just don't...

Inu-Yasha sighed, "I…I'll go look for her. I can use my scent to find her. Just calm down and come home," He then remembered something. "Oh, and Kikyo and Rin are here,"

WHAT! YOU LET THAT UNDEAD TRAMP IN MY HOUSE

"Not so loud; she might hear you, Kagome. She says it's important; something about the end of the world and such,"

Kagome then muttered something, …Shippou…

"Shippou? Is he okay?"

He's fine. He's better than okay. He just flew out of the hospital on a stolen wheelchair Kagome said.

"WHAT! HE'S ALIVE!"

I'll explain later! I'll be at the house in 20 minuets

Kagome then hung up. Inu-Yasha sighed as he rubbed his temples – everything was going far too fast for him.

Hoshimori looked around. He then looked at Takeyama and he nodded in reply. Takeyama then turned to Sesshoumaru, "We have arrived,"

"This is the place?" Sesshoumaru asked.

Hoshimori nodded, "Yes, this is the house. This is where the aura is coming from. This is where we must go,"

Sesshoumaru looked up at the two level house painted sky blue with a light grey roof. It was a fairly large house. He then saw a familiar face looking at him through one of the windows of the house: Rin. Rin saw Sesshoumaru and came running out of the house and embraced him in a tight hug.

"Father!" Rin cried, "You've returned!"

"Yes, I have," Sesshoumaru said, "but not for long," Kikyo suddenly stepped out of the house and Sesshoumaru took Rin out of his arms and put Kikyo in them instead. "I have missed you for days, Kikyo. I often questioned your safety when I could not be there to protect you,"

"We are not here to socialize," Takeyama spoke.

"Or play the romantic," Hoshimori added.

Kikyo sighed as she stroked Sesshoumaru's cheek, "I'm afraid they're right. We must try to forge the Jewel of Four Souls before it's too late,"

"Sesshoumaru, what an unpleasant surprise this is,"

Sesshoumaru looked up to see his younger half-brother Inu-Yasha standing at the doorway. He held onto Kikyo even tighter. "This is no time to fight, Inu-Yasha," Sesshoumaru stated, "There is far more at stake. I no longer have the will to fight with you,"

"And neither do I," Inu-Yasha stated, "We have grown up and times are changing," He then looked at Kikyo. "What must we do to ensure that our worlds not fall apart at the seams?"

"We must prepare," Kikyo answered quietly, "I will several herbs…"

Shippou could have normally called for a taxi, but since his tongue was currently out of order, he just kept on rolling in the wheelchair. The doctor kept on pursuing him until he had made his way out of the hospital zone. Shippou continued on the wheelchair until he came to the park nearby home. Now came the decision: go home or go to the Higurashi place? This was deciding point. He could go home to annoyance, Sango's crying, and Miroku's anger, or go to the Higurashi and have friendship and a place to be away from his obnoxious parental guardians.

Suddenly, a car came rolling down the street. It parked right nearby him and the window rolled down. It was Kagome, looking frantic and heavily worried – her usual parenting face.

"Shippou! Get in!" Kagome said. Shippou did as he was told and entered the backseat of the car. His legs were still a little weak from running and he had to lay down. He was beginning to feel nauseated, "Sango will be overjoyed to see you up and again!" Kagome said as she drove the car, "How are you feeling?"

Shippou tried to force out words, but it wasn't working, "…agh…aggle…agck…aggr…"

The color drained from Kagome's face, "My God! I heard about things like this on the news! Someone goes into a coma and they forget how to do certain things – like speech and such!"

Shippou tried to trply, "….errrgh…eeerrrrhhhhh…eeeeggggrrrrrh..."

"Rest a little bit," Kagome said to Shippou, "you shouldn't try to talk. Give yourself a little time to heal. Let's hope it's not permanent,"

"…laaaarrrrgggg….laaaaagggghhhhh…..laaaaaaaggggg…." Shippou murmed.

Tsuki felt herself waking up to another kicking sensation in her stomach. Akumashugi had forced her to try and get a little rest after eating. He had to lay down in bed next to her so that she would feel more comfortable. But Tsuki didn't feel any easier about sleeping. There were too many problems going on – rolling through her head on the smooth surface of her mind.

"…Tsuki…" Akumashugi muttered as he moved a little; half awake, half dreaming, "…Tsuki, you need…to…sleep…"

Tsuki sighed, "I guess I'm having a little insomnia,"

Akumashugi sighed as he sat up, rubbing his temples. His head was pounding, "Tsuki, you need to get some rest. You haven't been getting good sleep lately and that causes stress, which is bad for the baby,"

"Everything's bad for the baby," Tsuki grumbled.

Akumashugi kissed her and patted her on the head, "Relax, love. It'll only be a little while longer, but I want you get some rest. Being stressed during pregnancy doesn't make anything better," Tsuki grumbled again and pulled the blanket over her head. Akumashugi could see how upset she was and put his arms around. "It's okay, love, it's okay. It'll only be a little while longer,"

Tsuki sighed, but as soon as the kicking stopped – she was fast asleep.

Shukuen had decided that his efforts to make Reichou feel any better were going to be futile. Eventually, Reichou got off the floor, still sniffling, and slowly put his clothes back; still not looking at Shukuen. Shukuen could sit on the bed and feel guilty – as if he was responsible for Reichou's misery. Reichou then exited the room silently.

Reichou did his best to walk, but every spent ached in his hips. Eventually, he made it downstairs: only to see the crow forming in the front. he then crept towards the back door and left, his hips still hurting him. Reichou didn't stop and sit down until he was a few feet away from his house. He whimpered in pain as he forced himself to get back up after sitting down for 20 minuets. Reichou got closer to the house and he could hear another noise: yelling.

His mother yelling at his father.

Reichou froze in his tracks as he saw his father stomping angrily out of the house, suitcases in hand. His mother was standing at the doorway, yelling at his father.

"LEAVE! DON'T YOU DARE TRY TO COME BACK HERE!" his mother yelled.

"SHUT UP!" his father yelled back, "YOU'RE SUCH A BITCH, SANGO! ALL YOU EVER DID WAS LEECH OFF OF THE MONEY I MADE!"

Reichou felt himself shake as his parents continued yelling – not even taking notice that their son was standing only a foot away from them. Eventually, a taxicab pulled up to the house and his father yanked open the door, tossing his baggage in. His father then cursed his mother a few more times and then entered the taxi, slamming the door behind him: disappearing within the dark tint windows of the taxi.

Reichou just stood and looked on.

Reichou looked on as he saw his mother burst into tears and run back into the house.

Reichou looked on as he saw the taxi containing his father drive away.

Reichou looked on as he saw his life slowly begin to unravel.

Kagome had pulled up into the driveway. Inu-Yasha stiffened as he saw the car: he knew how much Kagome hated Kikyo, but Sesshoumaru's presence would cause further problems. Kagome exited from the car, acting as a support to help Shippou walk. Shippou had a dazed look in his eyes and was muttered some sort of gibberish.

"Shippou!" Kikyo said.

"…naaaagggghhh….snnnnaaaarrrrrnnnn….luuuuuurrrrhhhh….." Shippou gurgled.

"What's wrong with him?" Inu-Yasha asked as Kagome gently handed him Shippou. Inu-Yasha carried Shippou into the living room and laid him on the couch.

"I'm afraid he's having a little trouble talking," Kagome answered, "Things like this happen to people who go into comas,"

"I'm sorry," a tiny voice said. Kagome and Inu-Yasha turned around to find that Rin was standing nearby. Tears began to form in Rin's eyes as she spoke, "I'm so sorry. His soul was leaving to the Other Side and I couldn't being it all back. Most of it had already gone. He doesn't have enough soul to work properly. He's like a broken toy. I'm sorry I couldn't bring all of his soul back. I'm so sorry,"

"It's okay, Rin," Kikyo said, stepping into the room, "bringing someone's soul back from the Other Side takes years and years of skill and you're only 13. It is a deadly thing to do,"

"Hello, Kikyo," Kagome said, icily.

"This is not the time to fight, Kagome," Kikyo stated, "we have been fighting for years and I've grown tired of our bickering. We must set aside our differences and protect this world, or we will all perish and thousands of other with us,"

Kagome folded her arms, "So what are you suggesting, Kikyo? That we somehow magically conjure up some powers like you? I've been living here far too long…I've forgotten every little spell and chant I learned in Sengoku-no-Jidai years ago, the Tetsaiga hasn't been used for years, Sango's boomerang broke on the day we fought Naraku…"

"…Kirara went back to the wild and Miroku wouldn't be a good ally at the moment," Inu-Yasha added, "We have no weapons and we haven't used our powers in years. How can we be of any sort of help?"

Kikyo sighed, "All I need is a little time to prepare the spells and the materials and the people. That is all I need,"

"We shall assist you," Hoshimori said.

"What do you need?" Takeyama said.

"Who are you two?" Kikyo asked.

"Twin demons," Sesshoumaru said, stepping into the room, "from the Yousanjikai,"

A few minuets after all of the yelling and after his mother ran into the house crying – Reichou moved towards the doorway. He saw his mother lying on the couch, crying bitter tears. Reichou didn't know what to do: he would have normally tried to figure out a way to keep her from crying, but this was different. Everything was different. He didn't know how to bring back his father or find a way to make him take back those words.

He just stood there.

He just stood there watching his mother cry.

Sango finally looked up the couch and saw Reichou. She sniffled through her tears, "…oh…oh, Reichou…"

"Mom…what's wrong?" Reichou asked, "What's going on?"

Sango sniffed and wiped away the tears, "It's nothing, Reichou. Nothing's going on,"

Reichou bit his lip, "Mom…I saw…everything. Something is going on, Mom. Are…are…Dad and you…going to get…a divorce?"

Sango sighed, "I don't know, Reichou. Your father and I are just going through a bit of a rough patch," She then stood up and embraced Reichou. "I'm so sorry he hit you, Reichou. I should have known that when I heard you yell something was wrong. I'm so sorry,"

"It's not your fault, Mom," Reichou answered as he hugged her back. He then thought to himself, 'It's all mine…for being too weak…'

Tsuki woke up again, but not to kicking at the moment – but because she was feeling uneasy. Akumashugi was still sleeping. He had seemed even more stressed than her at the moment. Tsuki got out of bed and went to the window just in time to see the sun set over the distant treetops. She thought about how long she had been away from home and wondered how worried her parents were about her.

Akumashugi stirred in his sleep and then rolled onto his side. He then sat up and looked at Tsuki, "What are you doing up?"

"I was just…thinking," Tsuki answered.

"Thinking about what?" Akumashugi asked.

Tsuki paused, "…nothing…" She felt the child begin to stir again, but even more rapidly than last time. Pains suddenly came from her stomach and Tsuki gasped and collapsed onto the ground.

"Tsuki!" Akumashugi yelled as he ran to her side.

Tsuki groaned as she held onto her stomach, "Aku…ma…shu…" Tsuki then let out a groan of pain and clutched onto her stomach even tighter.

"Tsuki, are you okay? Can you hear me?" Akumashugi asked as he helped her onto the bed.

"…baby…" Tsuki muttered between her groans of pain.

"What?" Akumashugi answered.

"…baby…coming…right…now…" Tsuki grunted.

Takeyama had taken the powder and made a magic circle all around them. Hoshimori was instructing him on the form and shape of it. The furniture in the living room had been pushed back for the process. Kikyo watched as Takeyama finished the circle.

"It is done," Takeyama said.

"The let it begin," Kikyo said, "Let us create the Jewel of Four Souls,"