Myouga's Message: Itachiko's Secret Revealed
InuYasha sighed as he watched Kagome's chest rise and fall in rhythm to her breathing. Kaede slept nearby, and he glanced at her for about three seconds before staring at Kagome. She was sleeping intently, she had become tired as they waited for Myouga. She tried to fight it, but eventually sleep won and she was knocked out. He twitched his ears and sniffed the air for any trace of Myouga, and he noted he was coming from the left.
Western Lands? He went to see Sesshomaru? What happened to Sesshomaru anyway? He sighed and stood up. Walking outside he stretched his arms in the air and yawnedm baring his fangs. He wondered why Sesshomaru hasn't came to him with anything in a while, and wondered if Kagura betrayed and killed him. Sniffing the air and noting that Myouga was close by, he hopped on the roof before he threw one leg over his knee, letting it dangle lazily, and laid back resting his head on his arms.
Just what's going on? Why hasn't Naraku made a move yet? I'm becoming paranoid.
I see you couldn't claim her. InuYasha exhaled in annoyance as his demon blood ridiculed him again.
What of it? He said softly.
You're a weakling, and now you've tainted a pure miko with your filthy blood. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Your just as much to blame. I gave you about a minute.
Oh yeah, I should kill you for that. You should've let me stay longer.
I couldn't have you hurt Kagome.
Whatever. Just next time, I'm getting my share.
Yeah, you keep telling yourself that. He felt a familiar prick on his neck and slapped at it without thinking, holding his hand out so Myouga could float on it. He glowered at the small youkai, but Myouga showed no fear.
"Lord InuYasha, I have interesting news." He said proudly. InuYasha nodded for him to continue.
"Lord Sesshomaru says not only can I show you the cave that your father asked me to show you when you finally have a mate, but it seems your mother left something in the castle in a hidden room Rin came across yesterday. He wants you to see it tomorrow evening, and he said he would like if you bring Kagome." InuYasha nodded.
"My mother? But, how, why…" Myouga shrugged.
"I don't know, but he can't touch it. She put a barrier over it, but only you and her could pass through." InuYasha sighed as he heard someone getting up and moving the bamboo mat.
"I'm up here Kagome." He called. She smiled and hopped up, resting between his legs and laying on his chest. She said a quick hello to Myouga before he went inside.
"Why'd you leave?" She asked silently. InuYasha shrugged as he ran his fingers through her hair.
"I was waiting for Myouga, and I didn't want us talking to wake you two up." Kagome smiled and snuggled deeper into him as she shivered. He leaned up on his elbows and looked at her.
"Are you cold?" He asked her. She shook her head stubbornly, but her body said otherwise.
"Let's go inside-" No, I want to stay out here." He said. Smiling he asked her to lean up for a bit. He turned her around so that her back was to his chest, and took of his haori. They laid back down and he draped it over her, and they watched the stars silently.
"It's going to be a New Moon in about two weeks." She said sadly. She could go and visit her mother, and tell her she was InuYasha's mate, or she could just avoid her all together. But she had a feeling her mother was not going to be too happy about it. InuYasha was still thinking about what Myouga said. He didn't understand just why his mother left him something. His father, yes, but not his mother. He would have to see what it was, and whatever it was, he was going to keep close to his heart, it would take a place next to Kagome, if it even goes that deep.
8:88:888:88:8
Sesshomaru sighed as he watched Kagura float towards him. She landed in front of him and stared at him silently, wanting to say something. His expression had softened, though it was still that mask he always wore. She saw a flicker of happiness as well as nervousness and smiled.
"Sorry I didn't come sooner. Naraku is constantly on my back." Sesshomaru nodded in understanding. "Hisaki wants to use Kagome, I think. Once she is mated, her spirit will flare, making her reach her full potential. That's when she is going to sacrifice her soul for another." Sesshomaru frowned.
"Just what is she trying to do?"
"She's trying to save Onigumo, set him free. But she doesn't realize after she deos this, she will cease to exist, replacing his soul in hell. If she purifies his soul, Naraku will die, and we will be free, but she wants to use the Shikon No Tama to increase her energies, and that might destroy the world. In otherwords, she's breaking all the rules of life and death." She frowned and shook her head as Sesshomaru began talking.
"So, InuYasha and Kagome, can't mate until we find a way to kill..er..help her?" Kagura nodded.
"Tell InuYasha, not the wench. Then it will be much easier. She doesn't listen for some reason. Strange girl in my opinion…" She thought out loud. Sesshomaru nodded as she took her feather out of her hair and raised her arm.
"You have to go so soon?" She noted the hint of sandess and disappointment in his voice as she nodded. He back away and looked at her was she hopped on and flew off, leaving him there with warred emotions. He couldn't wait till Naraku was dead, then Kagura and him, could live the life they were supposed to, together.
Together, me and my beloved Kagura. He thought as the wind blew, running through his long hair and pushing it to the side. It caressed his face, adding a pink blush to it as a grin crept on the corner of his lips.
Soon Kagura, soon.
8:88:888:88:8
As morning dawned, Kagome woke up to hear Kaede singing happily. She looked at InuYasha, who was in a deep sleep. She looked at him in awe. He looked adorable, his mouth slightly open, his ears twitching, and constantly his leg would twitch too. She leaned up, turned around and kissed him on his lips as she rested on his chest. His eyes opened slowly, dull and sleepy. Blinking a few times they cleared to see big brown happy ones.
"Morning." She said happily. He smiled and mumbled a morning before snaking his arms around her hips and pulling her closer to him.
"Did you sleep well?" She giggled. He nodded and yawn, revealing pearly white fangs. She smiled and nibbled on his shoulder, enjoying the feel of his leg twitching under her. She laughed softly and ceased her teasing.
"Well, what did Myouga say? Or did he come?" She asked. He nodded and sighed.
"He said he had to show me something from my father, but also, Rin came across a hidden room in the castle, and that my mother left stuff for me. He said that Sesshomaru wants you to come too." She nodded and smiled.
"Why me? I'm not kin-"
"You are now. Your Sesshomaru's sister, and sorta Rin's aunt." Kagome smiled and hugged InuYasha as she felt something pulse within her.
What is it? She said.
Ba-bump. She grabbed her chest and put her forehead on InuYasha's chest, closing her eyes tight and bringing her back up in pain.
Ba-bump.
What's happening? Is it Hisaki? I can feel something in me becoming angry. Is it my demon blood? It something happening?
Ba-bump
"Kagome! Kagome are you ok?" She felt InuYasha speaking through his chest. The pain stopped abruptly, and she brought her back down, collapsing on him and trying to draw air.
"It happened again, didn't it?" Kagome nodded as she still held to her chest. "I don't get it. I smelt your blood changing, but nothing's happening." She looked at him in surprise.
"I, was changing?" She looked down at the shine that was coming through her and took out the Shikon No Tama. It was still pulsing, but not to her, and she felt it pulling, calling at her.
"It's trying to tell me something, but I.." InuYasha looked at the jewel. It sure was acting funny, he knew that much. But he didn't understand what it was doing now. He was in the mood to take it and hurl it to the other end of the forest, but that wouldn't be good, as it will make it that much easier for Hisaki.
"I don't know why's it's acting like this.." She said sadly as she tucked it back in her shirt. "But it's getting more and more confusing each time around." InuYasha hugged her tight again as they heard Sango's and Shippou's laughter. InuYasha rolled his eyes and gritted his teeth as he heard the fox kitsune call out to them.
"Otaa! Okaa! Come on down! I want to tell you about how much fun we had last night!" Kagome tried to stand up, but InuYasha put his hands on her hips and shook his head.
"Stay." He growled.
"But InuYasha, I have to go and say hi. He is my pup isn't he?" With a sigh if defeat, he jumped off the roof and landed in front of Shippou. Instantly Shippou jumped in Kagome's arms and hugged her tight.
"We scared Miroku so bad he passed out!" Shippou squealed. Kagome raised an eyebrow. "Oh, he's fine now, he just needs some recovery. But he asked me to get Sango here, and if anything happens, to send Kilala back to him."
"Where is the feline?" InuYasha growled. Shippou shrugged.
"She went back I guess. Once we entered the village, Sango said she wanted to walk, so once we were off her back, she walked with us until you were in ear and scent range, and took off." InuYasha nodded and noted that that was unusual, even for Kilala. She always stuck by Sango, no matter what. For her to take off so quickly, something had to be wrong. He was going to have to talk to her.
Sango walked in the hut and began talking to Kaede while she rubbed her belly. It had grown very big now, and she had about a month to go before she had her own baby. She smiled down at the mass that wouldn't allow her to see her feet if she was standing up.
"So, Miroku is fine?"
"Yes. It seems he just needs rest, no matter how I begged him to come and see you, he said he would be fine. Kilala is there with him, so I am certain he is alright." Kaede nodded as Kagome, Shippou and InuYasha walked in. She greeted Shippou and looked at the puzzled hanyou.
"What troubles ye InuYasha?"
"Kilala's actions," He admitted. Sango raised her eyebrows in question. "She is everywhere you are, no matter what you do. For her to just take off like that is just highly uncharacteristic, even for demon standards. Tell me, has Kilala been action different lately?"
Sango put her hand on her chin and looked thoughtful for a while.
"Well, I know that she usually doesn't come home until night, but that's not unusual, she always plays outside the hut. But last night she didn't come home, but this morning she did. But she looked like she was fighting something. I just bandaged her up, and told her to rest until we had to go,. By the time we left though, she was all healed up." Kagome looked at InuYasha who was deeply disturbed about this news.
"InuYasha, what is it?" She asked nicely. He looked at her and shrugged.
"It seems that everything has been happening whenever the Shikon No Tama pulses, do you think Kilala is trying to help, or just protect Sango? Whatever it is, I know Kilala can be a big help. I wished we would've knew before now, because we can use her to find Hisaki." Sango looked disturbed.
"But, why would she do this?"
"Most likely to keep you from being hurt of panic, casuing harm to the baby. I understand her logic fully. Your like a sister to her, and she loves you." Sango nodded and rubbed her belly.
"Miroku says that she stays up and alert all night like you sometimes do InuYasha. He even says sometimes she disappears until morning." Shippou hopped into her lap, pressing his ear to her stomach, making her smile as he giggled in excitement. Kagome watched and smiled warmly as Kaede crushed herbs, and InuYasha closed his eyes, trying to think. Suddenly, Miroku walked in, followed by Kilala. He looked like he usually does, just pale and tired. He took a seat next to Sango, and placed a hand right above Shippou's ears. Kilala went to Sango, but InuYasha stopped her.
"Can I have a word with you, outside?" He asked. Kilala looked confused for a moment, but followed her outside. He walked out of earshot and sat down. Kilala sat down in front of him, looking at him intently.
"I know this may seem as a surprise, but I know you can talk to me. But you don't. You are youkai, we can hold a conversation. Tell me, what have you been hiding."
Kilala sighed as she laid down, resting her chin on her paws.
"I see, and here I thought you were stupid." She said jokingly. " There is this man that comes every three days dangerously close to our hut. I put a scent up, telling youkai to back away or die, and clearly this man was no longer human. He comes to close for my liking, and I fear he may try to hurt Sango or her unborn Kitten."
"Pup."
"Baby." She corrected. InuYasha snorted. "Last night, he came so close I could hear him walking, not only did I smell him, but I could sense him too. This angered me, and I went outside to pay my friend a little visit."
"So what happened?" InuYasha but in. Kilala nodded and continued.
"I asked him what was he doing in my territory. He said he needs her. He wouldn't say who, and I just attacked him. But out of nowhere, a neko came and bit me right in my wrist, making me unable to fight without my paw. He said he was coming back to get her, and I already knew she was coming here, so when she got off my back, I scanned the area before going back to get Miroku."
"So, he said he need someone? What did he look like?"
"He wore a hood so that I couldn't see him face, but once you smell him you'll know who I am talking about, but it seems he has mated with someone, but that person has been mated hundreds of times, nasty little…"
"Could you pick out her scent?"
"Yes, on this one man. It' faint, but it's there. And you can also tell it's altered, and something trying to change it back."
Was it the Shikon? It that why it was pulsing? Trying to help her? InuYasha yawned a little, surprising Kilala.
"I see you and Kagome have become mates." She smiled.
"About time. Kagome has always told me how she felt about you. But I never said anything though, I wanted to keep my telepathy a secret, not yet anyway." InuYasha nodded.
"So, do you think that you could pick up her scent when we are traveling?"
"Yes, but you will have to bear with me, I am certain she has gone through many changes."
"Kilala, thanks, and make sure you keep Sango and Miroku safe," InuYasha smiled. "Or I will have to kill you myself." Kilala grinned.
"Right, you wouldn't hurt a harmless kitty now would you?" She engulfed her self in flames, converting to her little tiny form. She meowed affectionately, and passing villagers squealed and gasped at how 'cute' she was.
"Showoff." InuYasha said as she transformed back, taking a seat next to him.
"InuYasha, tell me, just what is it about this Hisaki, and why do I smell a bloodline?" InuYasha looked at Kilala in disgust.
"What! Is that an insult…"
"No, I mean, her scent is nothing like yours, but you can still tell she was part of your family. Do you know her?"
"Not at all. I have no idea who she is. I know that she is a maiden named Itachiko's sister…." Suddenly, InuYasha thought about something.
"Wait a minute, she came to see her son, she died mysteriously, it's, it's my mother!" Kilala looked at InuYasha like he was crazy. Surely he must be joking, I know his mother was human, but I thought she died of grief, and the fact that his father died killed her too. InuYasha stood up and ran back towards Kaede's hut, with Kilala at his heels.
"InuYasha! Please tell me what's going on!"
"I can't…yet." He went in the hut, then came back out dragging Kagome. Picking her up and jumping into Goshinboku, he snatched the necklace off of her neck and held it in her face.
"Call her." He demanded. She looked at him in confusion, but did as she was told.
"Itachiko." She said slowly. A bright light appeared and the woman showed in the mirror, looking confused at InuYasha's angry face.
"Why didn't you tell me, mother?" He said angrily. Kagome gasped and looked in the mirror at Itachiko, who looked surprised.
"How did you…"
"Let's say a little old birdie told me. Why didn't you tell me?" He sounded sad more than angry now, and he looked like he was getting ready to cry.
"I didn't want you to hold back, I knew you wouldn't fight to your fullest, so I held it from you."
"That didn't mean you had to go and use a fake name."
"I'm sorry." She focused on Kagome, who looked, shocked, confused, and grief-striken.
"My real name is Izayoai. I am truly a maiden, truly his birthmother, and truly Hisaki is my sister. I am sorry." She sounded sincerely sorry, and Kagome smiled.
"It's ok. I understand. Just, don't do it again, and why don't you come on out, so you and InuYasha could talk. You have flesh, yet your not alive, I see no problem with it." Kagome smiled cheerfully and gave InuYasha the mirror before hopping off the branch and scurrying to Kaede's hut. Itachiko appeared before InuYasha, wearing the usual red kimono she used to wear when she was alive.
"Mother…" He said, old feelings returning. She smiled at him and cupped his face with her hands.
"My dear InuYasha, you are now physically a man, but in my heart, you are my special little boy." InuYasha blushed.
"Have..have you seen father?"
"Yes, I have. Have you seen what we wanted you to see?"
"No, not until tonight. I'm going to se Sesshomaru tonight, and he wants me to bring Kagome."
"I see you have brought me a daughter." She said, smiling at the change of color in his cheeks.
"She, is strange. Yet she is the one your fated to be with. Do not let anything get in your way to her InuYasha. She's a keeper." InuYasha smiled as his mother hugged him deeply. He hugged her back and she ran her fingers through his hair, lightly using the tips to tap his head like she used to do when he was but a child. He began giggling and gasped in horror.
"What's wrong? You no longer wish to play with your mother InuYasha?"
"No, it's..just..I don't do stuff like that anymore. I'm a filthy half-breed. You and Kagome are the only people who do that." InuYasha grimaced as salt filled his senses.
"Mother, why are you crying?"
"Your not a filthy half-breed. You are a half-demon, be proud of that. You are special, you are unique, you are your own person. Never want to be like everyone else my son, or life will get boring."
"But…"
"I understand they ridicule you, because no matter what you do, your stronger than them, whether it when you turn human, or full youkai, or my favorite, the way you are now." InuYasha nodded and swallowed hard as tears threatened to fall. His mother looked down and grimaced.
"Could you help me out of this tree?" She asked. InuYasha nodded, grabbed her and hopped off, leading her to Kaede's hut.
"I want you to meet my pack." He explained. He grabbed her hand and pulled her inside, moving the bamboo mat for her.
"Everyone," He announced as they stared at the beautiful woman. "This is Izayoai, my mother. Mother, this is my pack, were missing a person though." She smiled and waved as the recognized her as Itachiko.
"She tried to keep the truth from us in fear for our abilities, but we will fight even harder now, no?" Sango asked. There were grunts of agreement, and even Shippou leaped in the air.
"Hello. I am Shippou." He said, as she bent down to meet him. "I am InuYasha and Kagome's foster pup. So, I'm your grandson no?" Izayoai smiled and nodded before standing straight as Sesshomaru entered the hut.
"It's crowded. InuYasha, Okaa-san, may I see you outside." Stunned that he just called his mother mother, InuYasha followed him with Izayoai not far behind.
"It seems Hisaki is making an army of slaves, Kagura informed me. She says that she plans to sacrifice Kagome once her power is at it's full potential. Only way for her to reach that, is if you mate with her. InuYasha, you must not mate with Kagome." InuYasha blanched a little.
"You did, didn't you…"
"Not exactly…I didn't claim her virginity, but we…" Sesshomaru exhaled deeply and sighed.
"Ok, your fine. As long as you don't claim her, then she'll be fine. I trust that Okaa is always with Kagome, no? Then she will be the little reminder if you 'forget'." He winked at InuYasha, making him blush a little. Izayoai shifted uncomfortably.
"So there's no way to save us?" She said. Sesshomaru shrugged.
"There's only one way, but we do not know how to do it, and we need Kagome, at her fullest, that's why were stuck at square one." InuYasha shoved his arms in the sleeves of his haori. This was just making him mad. How do you kill someone, you aunt, without killing your mother at the same time.
"If there is no way to do it, then I'll die with her."
"Absolutely out of the question-" InuYasha exclaimed.
"InuYasha, let her speak!" Sesshomaru snapped. Baring his fangs and growling deeply, the hanyou said nothing more.
"I do not want to be a burden, so if there isn't any way to do it, I shall die with my sister." She looked at InuYasha, her heart tearing in half as a look of utter disbelief and hurt flashed across his face. I won't let her die a second time. He said as he covered his eyes with his bangs, tears threatening to fall. He trembled a little bit, and Izayoai walked over to him and hugged him deeply as Sesshomaru and Kagome stepped to the side to talk a little bit more.
"Well, what do we do now. I already know he's not going to let her die.."
"There's no other choice." Sesshomaru whispered. Kagome gasped and stepped back, flattening her ears and her tail stopped swaying completely.
"Surely you don't mean that! It's his mother! You know how he feels about her…"
"It's his own fault. That's why she didn't want him to know, she knew it would come to this, she thought it would be easier if he never knew." Kagome looked at Sesshomaru to find he was disturbed with this as much as she was. She sighed as she liefted her ears and moved her tail again. Bending down to all fours, she used her feet to scratch the back of her ears and face.
"So…we…can't…save…her?" She panted as she scratched the annoying prick. Sesshomaru nodded and smiled at her movements, even though she had no idea she was doing it, it was kind of….cute, even for his standards. And the only thing I ever thought was cute was Rin. He smiled as he pictured the happy girl's face.
"Izayoai," Kagome called to her once she was standing upright. "Aren't me and Hisaki connected, since she used Kikyou's soul? So if I work to purify it, it will keep her soul from becoming stronger? But I can't use the jewel, because it is selfish intentions…" She sighed. "I was thinking, about training, to become a stronger miko. Then that will buy us some time, but it will be awkward, as I will probably be the only hanyou in history. To ever think about it." She twitched her ears for a moment before continuing. "Then I will be able to purify her soul, thus turning her back into a human. Then everything will be fine, and you two will be sent where you belong, in heaven?" Sesshomaru shrugged.
"Surely, you being so immature in spiritual powers, it will kill you…"
"I know that, and I'm still willing to do it." InuYasha's head snapped up, and Izayoai gasped as she let him go.
"Kagome…"
"No." InuYasha said abruptly. "Neither of you will do anything, until we find a way to kill her, and all three of us will live to tell about it." He bared his fangs. "Understand?" Kagome sighed and shook her head, and Izayoai repeated the gesture. Sesshomaru shook his head as clouds formed underneath him and sent him in the air. He raised his hand as a silent goodbye before he disappeared into the clouds. InuYasha said nothing, he just turned around and walked off. Kagome and Izayoai followed him as he walked into Kaede's hut. Setting down a mat and helping his mother to sit down, he sighed and shoved his hands into the sleeves of his haori.
"We're going now. Let nothing happen to Mother. Protect her with your life. Understand?" They nodded fearfully as he growled and bared his fangs. Shippou whimpered a bit, and Kagome became highly irritated.
"Let's go." He ordered, walking out and darting off to the right. Kagome sighed and followed him, catching up to him with ease.
"InuYasha-"
"I don't want to talk about it." He snapped rudely. She opened her mouth to retort but snapped it shut as pain and anger rised within her, making her demon blood wanting to kill something. She calmed it down a little and sighed.
About an hour later, InuYasha stopped in a clearing and looked around. Looking up at the sky, he sighed and shoved his hands back in his sleeves.
"It's getting late. We might as well camp out." He said. Kagome nodded and about a half an hour later, they were sitting in front of the fire.
"InuYasha, I understand you don't want to do it, but sometimes you have to make sacrifices." InuYasha snorted.
"I don't care wench. I'm not doing it."
"Stop calling me that!" She snapped angrily.
"What? Wench? That's what you are." He retorted. Her tail lashed angrily at something that wasn't there. Her ears were now pressing back, letting him now now was the time to shut up-but he didn't.
"InuYasha…"
"What? Leave me alone!" He yelled. She looked at him with tears of hurt and disbelief in her eyes, he opened his mouth to tell her he didn't mean it, that he was sorry, but nothing came out. She rolled up her mat and tucked it under her arm.
"Fine InuYasha, if that is what you want…" She began walking away quickly, and grimaced when she heard him getting up and running after her.
"Oi! Kagome-"
"SIT!" InuYasha plummeted to the floor as Kagome began running away from him. He looked up as the spell wore off, cursing himself for being so stupid. After dusting himself off, he stood up and began running after her.
Kagome darted from tree to tree as tears freely poured down her face. I hate him, stupid baka. She thought as she jumped high in a tree, balancing on her tippy toes. She sniffed the air before darting to somewhere she didn't know.
8:88:888:88:8
Hisaki swore as she watched the bond between the two hanyou's become weaker, and the scent of betrayal even stronger. No! I need them together, or maybe I don't…She snapped her fingers and her servant appeared before her, bowing respectfully.
"Bring me Naraku." She said, and watched as the servant faded away. Minutes later, Naraku walked in, and bowed at the foot of the chair she was sitting in.
"You called?"
"Tell me, the jewel will work even when it is tainted, will it not?"
"Yes, it will. But the blood of the miko who has it in her possession must be spilled on it." Hisaki raised her eyebrow.
"Why is that?"
"On top of It being tainted, the jewel will devour her blood and become evil, thirsting for destruction and death." Hisaki chuckled as she waved her hand to her face as she stood up. Walking over to Naraku, she ran her fingers through the soft fur of the baboon mask he wore.
"It's so hot. Let's say we cool off." She said as her kimono slipped off of her shoulders and onto the floor. Naraku stood up and pried her fingers off of him. She wrinkled his nose in disgust and walked out of the room, leavin g her very angry and betrayed.
"He learned how to suppress my dear Onigumo." She sighed as she laid on the bed, letting the cotton of the sheets caress her delicate and pale skin. She sighed and rolled over as she felt cold needy hands run over her back and buttocks, silently pleading for her being.
"Do as you wish." She granted. She cried out and smiled as her servant used his mouth to pleasure her. She shuddered and trembled under him, letting her pants and moans of pleasure be his guide. Soon Onigumo. She thought as she cupped her breasts in her hands and squeezed them lightly. She brought the nipple up to her mouth and ran her hot tongue over it, making her shudder once more as her servant pushed his tongue deep inside her womanhood. Soon this will be you making me complete once more.
