Disclaimer: Don't own Inu-yasha or Ranma
Last chapter: "Good luck!" Akane shouted after them as their figures faded into the horizon.
Ch 20: Last of the Kijo
Inu-Yasha growled in annoyance. Four days had passed and Kagome still hadn't come back yet. Even if she had, that Ranma guy would be with her. He was just thinking of insults to use when he caught Kagome's scent. He immediately ran to the Hone Kui no Ido. –[Bone Eaters Well]-
"Here," Ranma said, offering his hand to Kagome. Kagome was carrying her huge yellow backpack that was nearly twice her size, and was having difficulties getting out of the well.
"Arigatou, Ranma-kun," Kagome thanked. "Inu-Yasha, where's Shippo-chan?"
"He's with Sango," Inu-yasha replied harshly. He glared at Ranma. "What's he doing here?"
Kagome sighed in frustration. She didn't feel like explaining so she just shook her head. Kagome yanked on Ranma's arm and began pulling him along. Ranma reluctantly gave up and walked beside her.
"Oi!" Inu-Yasha shouted indignantly, jogging up to them. "We're going north in an hour. There's a rumor of a strong demon there."
"No, we're going south," Kagome protested. "Sango's getting some books from her village. Then we need to go to that temple Tenchi told us about, and then their home that Kyouran mentioned." Kagome didn't know why she was irritated with, not annoyed at, Inu-Yasha. After the meeting in the springs about five days ago, she had been annoyed with Inu-Yasha. Maybe she was just frustrated then, but now she's annoyed at him for nearly nothing. Just the presence of him annoys her.
"Gomen, Inu-Yasha," Kagome apologized. "I've been stressed lately. Let's just get ready for the journey." Kagome turned her head to see Inu-yasha's reaction, but he wasn't there.
"He left right after you said sorry," Ranma informed her. He was still walking beside her, and his head was rested against his arms. Normally, Ranma wouldn't care, but after seeing Kagome looking around like a lost child, he had to tell her. Kagome looked into Ranma's face and shrugged.
They made their way to Kaede's hut in silence.
Afternoon
The sun was high in the sky. There were no clouds in the endless blue, and the weather was great. It was the middle of spring and new flowers were blooming on the side of the road.
The group had been traveling for past an hour now. They decided to take a break on the side of the road. Though the weather was nice, there seemed to be no one traveling besides them.
Inu-Yasha was in a tree looking around restlessly. He wanted to cover more ground, but Kagome insisted for them to take a break to enjoy the weather. Sango was sitting on a large rock, polishing Hiraikotsu with a cloth. Miroku seemed to be meditating on the ground beside Sango. Ranma was sitting next to the pot that was boiling water for the ramen. He was waiting for lunch.
"Ha, Kagome look," Shippo shouted to his mother figure. He waved his short paw-like hands gesturing for her to come. Kagome smiled and walked to him.
"What is it?" she asked looking at the kitsune. Shippo eagerly pointed at a cocoon hanging from a leaf. "It's a cocoon. After it breaks, a butterfly will be born." Shippo gasped in surprise. He looked eagerly at the still cocoon.
"When is it going to hatch?" Shippo asked. He raised his hand and was about to poke at it, but Kagome stopped him. She grabbed his arm and shook her head.
"Whenever it's ready," Kagome answered, smiling at the confused fox. Shippo was about to say something when Ranma interrupted.
"Kagome, the water's ready!" he shouted over. Kagome nodded, signaling that she got the message. Quickly she picked up Shippo and jogged over to the group.
"We'll check on it before we go, alright?" Kagome told Shippo, who nodded in Kagome's arms.
They made their way to the group. Kagome prepared the ramen and everyone began to eat.
After lunch, the group decided to leave, but first Kagome had to keep a promise.
She walked to the place where the cocoon was. She bent down with Shippo in her arms. The cocoon twitched, but there was no wind.
"Mina, come here!" Kagome shouted excitedly. She waved the others over, letting go of Shippo. The rest of the group walked to the two, and glanced to what they were pointing at.
"It's going to hatch!" Shippo said, staring anxiously at the now breaking cocoon. Sango gasped in surprise. Kirara was on the ground, looking at the cocoon, and then meowed. Inu-Yasha and Ranma didn't seem to be excited at all. At least Ranma and Miroku had the decency to look curious even though they didn't care.
The cocoon finally broke. The butterfly crawled out of the wrappings, its wings folded onto its back. Slowly, the butterfly unwrapped its wings. The colors were beautiful, a mixture of creamy white with patches of light blue over the wings. It stepped on the leaf and began flapping its wings. It slowly took flight, and flew pass them.
Kagome and Sango took it as an omen of good luck. The guys didn't think much of it though.
Without any further ado, they continued their journey to Sango's village.
Sango's village
They walked through the wooden gates leading into the now deserted demon exterminator village. The graves were all there, and the houses still damaged.
Everyone was quite and they walked through the silent streets. A feeling of calamity and respect hung in the air.
Ranma didn't know the whole story, since Kagome only told him the overview. What he did know was Sango's family had been killed because of Naraku, and the only one left was her little brother, Kohaku. Kohaku was now serving Naraku as a soldier. This angered Ranma.
'Making her little brother kill her family and try to kill her is--' Ranma couldn't find the words to describe his feelings. It was pure anger. Though Naraku didn't do anything to him directly, he couldn't let Naraku-after all of his horrible deeds-live.
Ranma's anger slowly subsided. Another emotion took hold of him: pity. Everyone here was banded together for one reason: to destroy Naraku. Though Ranma didn't belong here, he still had a duty to perform for Kagome. But the sad thing is, he had the feeling Naraku would give him a reason to hate him.
"Ranma?" Kagome asked, giving her friend a concerned look. He had been staring at nothing for a while now with his eyes a bit glazed. "Daijobu ka?" –[Are you alright]-
Ranma only nodded, peering at her with weary eyes. Kagome gave him a small smile as they came to a hut.
The Inu-tachi passed into the threshold of the hut.
"You could rest here. I'll go get the books," Sango said, setting down Hiraikotsu.
"I'll come too," Kagome said, also putting down her stuff. Sango nodded and led them to where the documents were kept.
Outside the village
The forests outside of the village were dense. The trees seemed too silent for the moment. Since Naraku's power were growing, demons were nearly everywhere in Japan. It seemed odd that the demons were absent from the forest that offered some protection to them.
The absence might be due to two shadowy figures sitting on tree branches that overlooked the now occupied taiji village. They were high enough to look down at the village, but not so high that they would be easy to spot if someone looked their way.
Both of the figures were female, and seemed to radiate with a strong aura.
"So they're going to read it," one of the figures said, her back leaning against the tree trunk. She had black hair with neon purple streaks that reached up to her neck. Her eyes were mismatched and seemed to burn with raging fire. Her right eye was ice blue, while her left eye was crimson red. She wore typical ninja clothes that were black and purple in coloration. She had on her right wrist a cerulean blue wristband. On her left inner wrist was the Chinese symbol of water.
"They'll know sooner or later," the other one responded. She was standing on the branch on the other side of the tree. She had midnight blue hair that reached down to her hips. Her bangs reached up to her chin and were a rust color. Like her partner, she too had mismatched eyes. Instead of a burning, raging fire, her eyes were calm. They showed wisdom beyond her years, which might be true. Her right eye was a deep gold color, while her left eye was a dark jade green color. She was adorned in ninja clothes made up of black and silver. She wore black fingerless gloves that reached down to her wrist. On her right inner wrist was the Chinese symbol of wind. She also had a white scarf tied to her left upper arm. "You know, Tsumei," the second figure continued. "It just might help us you know."
"Ah, my sister, Fuuko, finally discovers the joys of manipulation," the figure identified as Tsumei grinned.
Fuuko rolled her gold and jade color eyes. "I'm spending to much time with you."
"What? You'd rather spend time training or reading then with your own sister. Why, I'm insulted!" Tsumei's voice oozed with sarcasm. She made an over dramatic gesture by clutching the fabric over her heart with her right hand and feigning a look of shock.
"No, I'd rather spend time trapped in a room with a drunken monkey then with you," Fuuko said, raising an eyebrow at her sister.
Tsumei stuck out her tongue, and then turned her attention back to Sango and Kagome.
"What's our next move?" she asked, not looking away. Sango and Kagome had just exited the hut and were now heading to the makeshift library.
"Depends. Did you make sure nothing changed in the room?" Fuuko asked, also turning her attention to the taiji and miko.
"Yup, hell, I even made sure there was dust on everything," Tsumei replied, sighing . She hated it when her sister/partner gave her the second degree.
No one could really tell Tsumei's reactions considering she was like a two faced coin. She was only the sarcastic and amusing sister when she was alone with Fuuko or with friends. But when they were on a mission or with strangers, she was a cold, manipulative bitch that would slaughter anything that challenged her. Only Fuuko understood the story behind her personality swings.
Fuuko gave her partner a small smile. She was always calm no matter what the situation was. People they had worked with usually called her mysterious, and, indeed, she was mysterious. She only killed if there was a reason, unlike Tsumei. Her battles methods varied drastically so no one she had ever fought before could expect the same thing twice. She didn't care much for anything that doesn't affect her, and she doesn't stick her nose in other people's business; well, not normally. But everyone had a weakness, and Fuuko's was a secret that no one knew except for her sister, but even she didn't know the details.
"When do you think would be the best time to make our appearance, Tenchi?" Fuuko asked as a spirit with silver hair materialized beside her.
"What are you planning to do exactly?" the silver haired dragon demon asked. Her crimson eyes were fixed on Fuuko.
"Depends," was the only answer she gave.
"You know they're going to read about us. That book contains the overview of the Mythic War." Tsumei's eyes hardened as she said the last sentence.
Fuuko nodded. "After they finish the pages about us, we'll take it. They'll find out the rest when the time is right."
"But when is that?" Tenchi asked quietly. "It'll be a lot easier if they knew everything in the beginning-"
"But they would be endangered," Fuuko cut in. "Not only would Naraku be after them for the information, but the ones who remained."
"It'll be easier for them if they only knew about us. Then we would be able to help them," Tsumei finished. She understood the motives. "But how are we going to take it?" There was a pause before an idea formed in her cunning mind. "We can always summon up a raging-"
"Don't go there," Fuuko said, glaring at Tsumei. "But we can start-"
"A little fight-"
"To test their strength-"
"And to see if the miko-"
"Is the right one," Fuuko finished. They had a habit of completing each other's thoughts. Then again, they do think similarly. One personality trait they both shared was paranoia, which leads to caution and so on.
Tenchi shook her head at the two. She knew Kagome was the right one. But trying to convince the duo was nearly impossible.
'But,' Tenchi thought, reasoning with herself. 'Finding out Kagome's power would help us.'
"What are you three doing here?" another spirit asked, materializing next to Tsumei. The spirit had pastel blue hair and was wearing a red and white kimono.
"Just planning, nii-sama," Tenchi said, smiling at her brother.
"Nothing serious?" Kyouran asked the mismatched eyed sisters. They gave him an oh-so innocent smile that said: Nothing "that" serious. Kyouran sighed exasperatedly.
Sango & Kagome's view
They entered the main building of the village. It was a small mansion full of dusty rooms. Everything was coated with a thin layer of dust.
The tension in the house was immense. The air was thick. Even though no one lived there anymore, the feeling was something like when you're at a somebody else's house and don't feel at home. You are cautious about everything. That was how Kagome felt.
"The book is in the back," Sango stated, opening a shoji screen that led to the garden. Kagome followed silently, keeping her eyes down. "Is something wrong?" Kagome shook her head, her gaze still on the floor. Sango shrugged. "It's right down here." Sango pointed around the corner.
Kagome smiled a little at the aspect of getting the documents.
'I wonder what it says,' Kagome thought, entering the makeshift library.
The library was a small shed. It contained large bookshelves that reached eight feet on height. Walking down the hall, Kagome saw that the documents were old. Judging by the texture and fragility , she thought the newest looking book looked about a 100 years old.
"How old are these books?" Kagome asked out of curiosity. She ran her forefinger on the spine of a book, looking at the title. It read: Demon Folklore. "Demon Folklore?" she asked, taking out the book. It was like any other book from the medieval times. The pages were bound with thread. The words were written in calligraphy and calligraphic ink. On the cover was a small ink picture of a hideous oni.
"It's like a story book telling the fairytales of demons. But they were written by humans whendemons started to take over Japan," Sango replied, gently taking the book from Kagome's hands. She flipped through the pages fondly with a sad smile on her face. "My father read us stories from this book when I was still a child. Before I was even old enough to train and become a youkai taijia, this was how I thought all demons were, evil, selfish, greedy, and had no soul. It was through this book that I truly realized what my father was fighting against." Her words were choked with tears as she said the last sentence. Sango's hands trembled slightly. Her eyes were hidden behind her bangs, but Kagome could tell she was silently crying, even without the tears spilling from her eyes.
Kagome put her hand on her grieving friend's shoulder. She comforted her silently while taking the book and putting it in its rightful place on the shelf.
"We should hurry. It'll be dark soon," Sango whispered. She turned her back to Kagome and continued down the aisle. Kagome followed silently, keeping her eyes on Sango.
'Sango's hurting and I can't heal that. We should hurry out of here, maybe that would make her feel better,' Kagome thought sadly. She had felt the pain of losing a loved one over and over again. But for Sango, it was different, because of Kohaku. She shook her head, getting rid of the thoughts.
"Here," Sango said, stretching to reach a book on a high shelf. She slowly pulled it out without much disturbance to the other books. She handed it to Kagome.
The document was a thick book. Its pages were like any other. Though it seemed this one had more ink pictures than the others. On the cover was an intricate design of waves and fire, and near the spine was the title of the book. It translated as: Powerful Creatures and Beings of China.
Kagome quirked an eyebrow after reading the title; it sounded like something a person in her era would call a book about folklore in China. She shrugged off the amused feeling and quickly flipped through the pages, only stopping when she saw the ink drawings.
On one of the pages, a beautifully drawn oriental dragon was depicted flying over snowcapped mountains. It was absolutely breathtaking. Kagome and Sango gasped.
"You didn't read this before?" Kagome asked. It seemed like Sango was discovering the book just like she was.
"Yes, there aren't so many dragon demons in Japan so it's pretty rare to meet one. I mostly studied the common demons that are found nearly everywhere," Sango said, still studying the picture. Kagome nodded, understanding the logic behind Sango's studies.
"We better hurry, it's nightfall," Sango stated, closing the book with a soft thump. She looked out the small circular window on the far left wall. It was dusk and unusually quiet, even for a deserted town.
Sango and Kagome became uneasy. Without their main weapons, they felt exposed. They quickly left the library and the main building quietly.
Few minutes later they reached the hut the group would be staying at. Miroku had already started a crackling fire when they arrived. Everyone else was deep in his or her own thoughts.
"You got it?" Ranma asked, peering at the book that Sango had clasped in her hand. She nodded and went closer to the firelight.
"We should eat before we read it," Kagome suggested, looking through her backpack for cooking supplies. She pulled out a small wak, and ingredients. "In the meantime, I'll make fried noodles."
After dinner
The group finished their dinner and gather in a circle around the only light source. Shippo was on Kagome's lap, looking eagerly at the book. Everyone else was curious too. They had already seen the cover and thought the contents would be just as interesting.
When everyone settled down, Kagome began to read.
"' Though it seems legends have more than the ones people in our age have seen, there are three types of demons that are known right now. The three types of demons are mythical, elemental, animal.
"'Mythical demons have been rare ever since a tragic event took place. The time of the event is uncertain, for none have left records of the incident. Except for the Shichi Yooso No Gokuraku -[Seven Elements of Heaven]-. The Shichi Yooso No Gokuraku are documents written by one of the two mythical demons and their ancestors, the dragons.
"'Elemental demons are demons that can manipulate the elements, such as Wind demons. Though they are not so common, they could usually be found near their elements. Elemental demons are known to look like humans but with markings among their bodies.
"'Animal demons are the most common of the three. Some animal demons are inu youkai, wolf youkai, etc. Animal demons are demons that had taken the attributes of their animal. Dog demons have strong senses just like the common dog. Though they have the animal's attributes, they also have their own form. Animal demons are rumored to have their true forms as their animals. But like elemental demons, the powerful animal demons could transform into a human-like form also,'" Kagome concluded from the page, looking up at the group. She flipped to the next page and scanned the contents.
"The next page just goes into more details about the different types of demons, but...." Kagome drifted off, looking at a picture. She began to read from the book again.
"'The most strange tale is of an unknown race of humans known as Kijo. Kijo in Japanese means witch or demoness. This race of humans is legend to have a mortal form of the elemental demons. These people are also legend to be able to control elements with their will. Some were rumored to have spiritual powers.
"'Most of these people became ninjas when they immigrated to Japan. The ones that have stayed in China were highly respected in the Chinese societies. Their powers were used for healing, farming, and sometimes soldiers that protected villages from bandits.
"'Strange enough, when the mythical demon population began to diminish and the sightings of the Phoan Woung and Loung became rare, the Kijo also vanished.
"'Phoan Woung is what the Chinese named the phoenixes. Loung in Chinese are known as the dragons-'"
Kagome was cut off by a huge gust of wind blew through the door. The wind quickly extinguished the fire, and the group was left in the dark.
"What happened?" Shippo asked, shaking in Kagome's arms. Before Kagome could answer, another gust of wind blew, this one stronger than the last.
Inu-Yasha quickly tightened his grip on his Tetsusaiga. Sango picked up Hiraikotsu, her eyes darting to every opening in the hut. Miroku was also on guard, his staff in a ready position. Kagome picked up her bow and slung her quiver filled with arrows over her shoulder. They quickly exited the hut.
Before they left Kagome put it into backpack where she knew it would be safe.
All of them knew it wasn't just the wind. The wind carried with it a strong aura that Ranma and Kagome felt. Kagome tensed her muscles, making sure she had quick access to her arrows when the battle began.
"Well, miko-chan, it's nice to finally see you," a figure said mockingly, appeared on the rooftop of a hut a good distance away. The figure had red and blue eyes. They were sharp and seemed to pierce through their souls. A look of hatred hardened the masked face.
"Got it," another figure said, appearing beside one first figure. The group assumed that they were partners. This one had gold and jade eyes.
"You're women!" Inu-yasha shouted. He had smelt their scents when they were outside. He didn't attack due to the fact he didn't know where his opponents were.
'Great! I can't fight them seriously,' Ranma thought. He was restless and wanted to fight, but not with girls.
"Shut up, you mutt!" the one with red and blue eyes shouted, glaring at Inu- Yasha. Inu-Yasha growled and was about to draw out Tetsusaiga, but Miroku stopped him.
"What are your names? It would be insulting to start a battle without knowing your opponents names," Miroku said, looking up to the figure.
"Tsumei," the figure stated her name, her eyes giving off an evil glint. She raised her hand and a ring of water surrounded it. The water concentrated into her palm, until it formed a sphere.
Inu-yasha quickly unsheathed Tetsusaiga. He held the katana over his head, ready to unleash a fearsome Kaze no Kizu. He realized that the two women had strong enough auras to use his Bakuryuuha, but he didn't risk it. He knew in order to use Bakuryuuha you need youki and these were humans, so there wasn't garunteed that it would've worked. "Kaze no Kizu!" he shouted, swinging his blade downward.
"Dismiss!" the other masked figure, shouted thrusting out her hand. Her fingers were spread like she was stopping something. Kaze no Kizu lost effect three inches from her hand. "Name's Fuuko."
Tsumei unleashed the concentrated water sphere. It reached above their heads and raindrops began to fall. A little rain wouldn't hurt: whoever said that was wrong. The rain fell from high altitudes, stinging them like needles .
'Crap!' Ranma thought as he became Ranma-chan. He dodged, and landed out of range of the water needles.
"What?" Sango asked, surprised. She shielded the water needles with Hiraikotsu.
Miroku, Sango, Shippo, and Inu-Yasha didn't know that Ranma was cursed like Kagome. Inu-Yasha would've made a snide remark about it but now was not the time.
Kagome changed into her demon form. But she was used to it, so acting quickly, she notched an arrow and fired.
Fuuko glanced at the miko, then at the arrow. A large gust of wind blew, knocking the arrow out of its intended path.
"Miko's mine," Fuuko said, jumping down from the roof. She rushed forward, throwing needle-like knives at her opponent.
Kagome quickly rolled out of the way. She notched another arrow and fired, aiming for Fuuko's chest. The arrow was, again, knocked out of the way by a gust of wind.
Fuuko came into fighting range now. She quickly threw a few simple punches at Kagome, all aiming at pressure points. Kagome quickly blocked the punches and countered with a roundhouse kick. Fuuko ducked and executed a leg sweep. Kagome quickly jumped back up as Fuuko turned around.
"Not bad for a beginner," Fuuko commented as she faded away. Kagome's eyes darted everywhere, her fists in front of her face in a basic stance.
"Behind you!" Ranma-chan shouted as she dodged flaming shurikens sent by Tsumei.
Kagome was about to turn around when Fuuko fully appeared. Fuuko grabbed Kagome's wrist and twisted it behind her back, while pressing in a pressure point located below the thumb. Fuuko already had in her hand one of her needle knives. She lightly pressed the tip to the miko's neck.
"That was a beginner's trick. You need to work harder on your martial arts," Fuuko said in a tone stating the sky was blue.
Ranma-chan tried to run and aid Kagome, but Tsumei wouldn't let her. She needed to help Kagome before she was dead! Anger erupted inside of her as she jumped into the air. She lunged forward, and before Tsumei could react Ranma-chan's fist connected to her face. Tsumei was knocked back and crashed through a wall of a hut.
Ranma-chan didn't stop to consider that she had punched a girl. She quickly ran over to Kagome her fist pulled back. Instead of punching, when she came into range she did a roundhouse kick. Kagome quickly ducked realizing what Ranma-chan was about to do. Her foot connected to the side of the head, but instead of making contact with a skull, it went through water. What should have been Fuuko dissolved into liquid.
A strong aura was emitting from her right. Quickly putting her foot down, Ranma-chan executed another roundhouse kick. Fuuko jumped back with an indifferent look adorned her face.
Before Ranma-chan could attack again, Kagome gave Fuuko a blow.
Kagome pulled back her fist as she came into attacking range. She threw Fuuko a right hook. Fuuko simply ducked. Using her left fist, Kagome did an upper cut. It seemed like the punch connected as Fuuko was thrown into a semi-arc. Fuuko did a back flip in midair and landed on her feet.
Fuuko grabbed something from her pants pocket. Ranma and Kagome got into defensive stances. Fuuko held the Powerful Creatures and Beings of China book in her hand.
While all this happens, Inu-yasha and the rest of the group
"Miko's mine," Fuuko said as she engaged Kagome in a duel.
Tsumei nodded. She just wanted to make everyone bleed. She quickly gathered back the water orb into hand and shaped it into a whip.
Sango took the opportunity to strike. She threw Hiraikotsu with all her strength toward Tsumei, hoping it would hit its mark. Tsumei lashed out the water whip at Hiraikotsu, forcing the boomerang to veer off-course.
"What do you guys want with Kagome?" Inu-Yasha yelled angrily. He was getting seriously pissed at the two girls.
"What does that matter? You're all going to die here!" Tsumei shouted. A crazed gleam illuminated her eyes. She had the eyes of an insane madman. "Now, bleed!"
Tsumei jumped from the roof and lashed out the water whip again, aiming for the weakest member of the team.
'Scream!' she thought feverishly. 'Scream your lungs out.' The crazed gleam brightened as she looked into Shippo's fearful eyes.
Without Kagome, he didn't have anyone to save him. In situations like these, Kagome would scoop him up into her arms and run. But he didn't have her, and his legs were frozen to the ground.
'Kagome!' Shippo shouted, shutting his eyes. He wished with all his might that someone would save him right now. He felt something beneath him. He looked down surprise that he was on Kirara's back. Kirara quickly dodged that attack with Shippo clinging on to her fur.
The water whip cracked through the earth. Mud exploded from the ground, showering the group.
"Behind you!" Ranma-chan shouted, watching the battle progress between Fuuko and Kagome.
Tsumei quickly took out shurikens and threw them in Ranma-chan's direction. Ranma-chan noticed it just in time that the shurikens were engulfed with red flames. She dodged them with ease. When the flaming shurikens passed, they exploded, throwing Ranma-chan a short distance away.
Tsumei lashed out her water whip in an arc. Inu-Yasha blocked with Tetsusaiga and ran towards Tsumei, raising his sword. He was surprised when Tsumei also ran toward him. She punched him in the stomach and jumped. While in the air, she threw flaming shurikens at Miroku, who was debating about fighting a girl.
Miroku knew the shurikens were heading towards him, he raised his staff in a defensive stance. Watching the shurikens carefully, he knocked them away with the golden staff. But upon impact, the shurikens exploded. Miroku was thrown into the air. Letting out a roar of pain, he landed in the mud.
"Houshi-sama!" Sango shouted distracted from the battle. Tsumei landed before her and began a frontal assault. She changed the shape of the water into a sword. Tsumei slashed diagonally, but Sango blocked the attack with Hiraikotsu.
The hidden blade under Sango's sleeve came out. She parried another blow from Tsumei.
From the corner of her eye, Tsumei spotted Ranma-chan running toward Kagome.
"Ch," Tsumei grunted, annoyed. She quickly created a water clone to replace her in the battle between Sango and herself. She quickly ran in front of Ranma-chan, in an attack stance. Ranma-chan growled in annoyance. She immediately punched Tsumei before she even had a chance to see the attack.
Tsumei was forced into the ground and hit a hut in the process.
"Don't forget about me!" Inu-Yasha shouted from the air. He swung Tetsusaiga when he was right above Tsumei.
"Ch," Tsumei hissed, annoyed. She raised her hand and a large wall made of water formed before her, shielding her from the fatal blow. Focusing her energy into her palm, she switched the water wall from its defensive position into an offensive position. Spirals of water shot out of the wall, all aiming for Inu-yasha's unguarded areas.
Her attention quickly diverted from Inu-Yasha to Fuuko. Her sister's eyes gleamed looking at her. Tsumei understood and quickly made a water clone in the form of her partner. She turned her attention back to Inu-Yasha.
She pushed her hand, the water wall forcing Inu-Yasha into the hut they first appeared on.
"What? How did you get it?" everyone heard Kagome shout. Everyone turned his or her attention to Kagome, Ranma-chan, and Fuuko.
"Ch," Tsumei hissed again. 'She revealed it now? What is she thinking?' Tsumei thought while vanishing into a cyclone of water. She reappeared in a water cyclone next to Fuuko.
"How did you get that book?" Inu-Yasha shouted, brandishing Tetsusaiga.
"You guys truly are idiots," Tsumei sneered.
"Don't you remember the beginning, when Tsumei appeared, and I showed up a little while after her?" Fuuko answered.
"Who are you?" Miroku shouted. He was injured and his hand clutched at his wounds.
Tsumei glared at him like he was scum that needed to be exterminated. She didn't even bother to answer. She was still pissed at Fuuko for interrupting the climax of the battle.
"Who do you think?" Fuuko said like it was obvious. "Humans with extraordinary elemental powers," she hinted.
'These people aren't really bright, are they?' she thought to herself, glancing around.
"You're Kijo? But they disappeared with the mythical demons," Sango said, recalling what Kagome had read out loud.
"We're the last of the Kijo," Fuuko stated.
A strong gust of wind blew from the east. Visible winds gathered surrounding an area, a strong youki appearing with them.
Ranma-chan was still on guard, eyeing the spot where the aura was coming from. Kagome was a bit uncertain, but it felt familiar.
A silver haired youkai stood before them. Her bright crimson eyes glowed in the darkness.
"This battle is over," she declared. Her gaze landed on Kagome, who just realized who she was.
"Tenchi," her voice was a little above a whisper. The silver haired youkai smiled gently.
"Don't consider them enemies; they are the ones who summoned me to this plain," Tenchi said, looking at the group.
"But why did they attack?" Ranma-chan retorted. She still didn't trust the two. Fuuko had tried to hurt Kagome.
"We don't work for Naraku," Fuuko said, eyeing Ranma-chan. It seemed like she read Ranma-chan's mind. "We just wanted to test the miko." Fuuko turned her gaze to Kagome.
"Test me, what for?" Kagome asked, looking at Tenchi for answers. She felt a mounting excitement building in her heart. Something is-or already was- happening.
"To see if you're the right one." Tenchi looked at the two Kijo as she spoke.
"Right one for what?"
"It doesn't matter right now," Tsumei snapped.
"If you knew now, then your lives would be even more endangered," Fuuko explained. "Everything will be revealed when you're ready."
"This book," Tenchi said, gesturing to the book Fuuko held. "It contains information that you do not need to know right now."
"Things are going to get a lot tougher from now on-"Fuuko stopped her sentence. "Why don't we go inside? We can be easily overheard outside." Everyone nodded and walked to the hut they were staying at.
"As you already know, the Senkyou No Kasumi -[Enchanted Land of Mist]- is located in China," Fuuko said. "And in order to find the shinden, –[sacred place]- you must obtain the Shichi Yooso No Gokuraku -[Seven Elements of Heaven]-. The first of the scriptures are located in the south, at the home of Tenchi. I'm not certain where the rest are. Kyouran obtained them to find the shinden, but there's a good chance that they are at their original places."
"How are we going to find the rest? We don't know where he-"Kagome was cut off.
A pastel haired demon appeared beside Tenchi. Kyouran's gray eyes showed contempt.
"The first scripture will lead you to the next," Kyouran answered. "That's how I found all of them. After you finish reading it, scriptures seemed to disappear the next day."
"If they all disappeared, then why is one of them still in your home?" Sango asked. It didn't seem to make sense to her.
"Our home is the shrine that replaced the ryuu shrine that was sent to the Senkyou No Kasumi."
"Is there anything else we should be aware of?" Miroku asked. His wounds had been treated as Fuuko started the conversation.
"The scriptures are written in another language," Tenchi said, remembering the book.
"Then how are we supposed to read it?" Kagome asked. It was useless retrieving documents that they wouldn't understand.
"They're written in Draconic so all dragon demons would easily understand it. It never occurred to me that humans would be interested in it..." Tenchi answered, drifting off. "But I know of a person, well, dragon who has a key to translating it."
"Where?" Ranma asked. When they finally entered the hut, Kagome got out a thermos full of hot water and poured some over herself and Ranma.
"It's not so far from our home. It's a village where some elementals and dragon demons live. It's located near the border of the east and south territories," Kyouran replied. "But it's hidden; only elementals and dragon demons would be able to sense it. Even if you find the location, there are powerful youkai that you should not trifle with."
"It's the best bet we have now. So, tomorrow we'll leave for the village, then to your home," Kagome said, settling the matter.
"Well, then, we'll be leaving now," Tenchi said, disappearing along with Kyouran.
"What about them?" Inu-yasha asked, glaring at the Kijo sisters.
"We will help in anyway we can, but from the shadows. Right now, we have other matters to attend to. Call us with this," Fuuko took something out from her inner breast pocket. She revealed that the item was a wooden whistle. "I would be able to hear it from anywhere. If you need us, use this."
Tsumei snorted at her sister.
"You should watch out for Bankotsu," Tsumei stated directly at Ranma. "He'll be interested in you the most when he finds your little group." With that, she disappeared in a water cyclone.
"I suggest you heed her warning," Fuuko said, vanishing with visible winds surrounding her.
End of ch: 20
It took me a while to write this one. Hope I get some reviews... Tell me how you think of it so far and if I'm making it sound too fancy. I also hope you don't think my characters are Mary Sues, though they sound like it. But that's the fun of character development! And I did mention some flaws for them. Either way tell me what you think!
Hey and I'm keeping my promise of updating at least one every month. My beta is taking a while with sending me back my chapters (--") so I decided to post up a raw version of this chapter. This is the edited version.
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