The Book
Now back in Kagome's room, the book that claimed to be written by Kiada lay in Kagome's lap. Kagome began to carefully clean the cover of the book. There was no doubt in Kagome's mind that this book's true age was close to it's stated age; however, the book was very well preserved. Inu-Yasha was searching for some plant that would preserve the pages of text if they were still intact. The book must have been in the non-fiction section for years; after all, the book had been forgotten. Of course, the story was so far-fetched that no one would believe the story no matter how well it was written.
Inu-Yasha had returned carrying a small vine that looked deadly especially in Inu-Yasha's hands. "Inu-Yasha…" Kagome started "Is that plant dangerous?" "Only if you eat it." He replied paying no attention to her concern. Inu-Yasha carefully walked across the room placing the plant in a bowl then carried that same bowl into the bathroom where he watered it. Inu-Yasha slowly returned still holding the plant. He carefully set the plant on her nightstand near the window then plopped down on the floor next to Kagome. "Welcome back" she antagonized. Inu-Yasha gave her an annoyed look.
"Well…" Inu-Yasha questioned. "Well what?" Kagome asked back. "Did you open it?" "No I was waiting for you." Inu-Yasha glared at her. If he had been in his demon form he would have had a smart remark, but right now he had none. Kagome opened the book and began to thumb through the pages reading only the major points. Inu-Yasha made Kagome read the entire section on him and Kikyo. Neither Kagome nor Inu-Yasha was convinced that Kiada was the one who had written this book; even though, it was the appropriate age. Kagome continued to thumb through the pages of the journeys. It all seemed accurate so Kagome didn't question the book. When Kagome reached the third chapter where she and Inu-Yasha finally meet, the book had a subchapter full of pictures. Actually, the pictures were diagrams showing the individual weapons, how each was used, and by whom. The information was so accurate that Kagome began to question where the rest of their friends, the friends that the book mentions. All the information she could scavenge about them was dull facts about weapons. The book showed Kagome nothing about them or their pasts. She didn't want to know the future, but she did want to know other things like who these friends were and if this book were real.
"Souta…" Kagome called from her doorway. "In a minute…" He replied. "Souta, Inu-Yasha wants to speak to you." By the time Kagome finished the sentence Souta was standing right in front of Kagome with huge curious eyes. Kagome stood a moment in shock; she had never seen Souta that excited about anything before. Kagome knelt down to Souta's height and smiled at him. Souta took a step back in fear. "Souta can you keep a secret?" "Yes. I never told anyone that you travel through the well to the past." He confidently replied wondering if this had anything to do with Inu-Yasha or if Kagome was pulling his leg. Kagome opened her door motioning for Souta to enter her room. Souta walked in. Kagome shut the door behind them once she entered. "Inu-Yasha. Come out" Souta's mouth hung open as he looked at Kagome then around her empty room. He couldn't figure out why his brave warrior ideal would be…hiding… Inu-Yasha stepped out of the shadows from near her window. Souta's mouth dropped to the floor.
"What happened to him, Kagome?" "Souta, sit down." Souta did as he was told sitting on her bed without shifting his eyes from Inu-Yasha. "Souta…Inu-Yasha is called a hanyou. He is only half demon. The other half is human. Once a month, Inu-Yasha loses his demon powers." "And that is…now?" "Yes. The one night the moon disappears from the sky each month, Inu-Yasha changes into his human form. When the sun rises, he'll be changed back into his demon form." "Why are you telling me this?" "Because, Souta, We believe you can be trusted to keep this a secret." "I understand." "Souta, I need you to do something for us." "Anything, Kagome." "I need you to make sure your cousin does not say anything about Inu-Yasha from this morning when the three of you were playing together." "Why?" "Because the grown-ups have seen Inu-Yasha as a human not a demon and if our cousin says something the grown-ups will keep me and Inu-Yasha here until tomorrow after the sun rises and then they'll know Inu-Yasha is demon and I don't even want to think about what grandpa will do to cover that up." "I understand, Kagome. Consider it taken care of." Inu-Yasha nodded at Souta just before Souta darted out of the room.
Her mom forced them come down for dinner with the family, which really wore Inu-Yasha out. First Kagome had to explain the half demon thing to her mother and grandfather. Inu-Yasha thought her friends were bad at getting hints but now he was thinking that her relatives were worse. They wanted to know all about the boy Kagome had brought home, the one that Souta looked up too so much, partly because Souta absolutely insisted on sitting near him. Kagome acted like a pro. She fibbed her entire way through dinner making up stories about how they met, what they did together, and who their friends were. Inu-Yasha was amazed at her ability to keep up with every one of her lies. He had never seen her lie like that before; she usually stumbled over one little lie. Maybe she has gotten better by lying to her friends all the time. Inu-Yasha wondered why she didn't tell them the truth like she'd done with her friends. Kagome figured that Inu-Yasha probably had enough of her 'truth' for one night.
Back in her room, Kagome skimmed through the thick book into the night sitting beside Inu-Yasha. The door creaked open. Inu-Yasha grabbed his sword and hid in the shadows. "Kagome" a little voice whispered. "UH…Come in." Kagome said unsure. Souta appeared behind the door. He entered stealthily, quickly shut the door and plopped down next to Kagome. "Where's Inu-Yasha?" Kagome looked in his general direction as Inu-Yasha stepped from the shadows once more. "What'cha reading?" He asked. "We found this in the library earlier today." "What is it about?" "Us." "Huh?" "The book is about the Jewel." "Does that mean you guys are in there?" "Yes, Souta it does." Inu-Yasha plopped down on the other side of Kagome. Kagome read from where she left off… When she met Inu-Yasha.
A few hours later, Kagome's mother peaked in her room. Kagome was still reading, Souta had fallen asleep on her lap, and Inu-Yasha was questioning why things happened the way they did. "…But if Naraku gained his powers from those demons and is using the jewel to enhance his power then even if we destroy the jewel, we won't destroy Naraku." "The jewel has one wish remember." "…But what would you wish for?" "Inu-Yasha, the wish of Shikon No Tama is not to be taken lightly. More experience, courage, wisdom, friendship, and love will make you a stronger demon. You are nearly unstoppable as it is. The jewel's wish should be to eliminate all demons from the world." "…But that would kill Shippo and Kirara, not to mention your DARLING Kouga." "…I know…" She said reluctantly staring at the book ignoring his condescending tone. Inu-Yasha thought before finishing her thought. "…And Sesshoumaru, whatever he's up to these days." "So…" she grinned. "So you do love your brother after all." "I do not." "I said love, not like. There's a difference." Kagome burst out in laughter. "I knew it. I knew you couldn't hate him forever." Kagome learned over placing her head on his shoulder. "Relax…no one else will know." Inu-Yasha leaned back against her bed allowing Kagome to rest against his chest. With that Kagome's mother backed out of the doorway without being noticed.
Kagome read aloud until she was tired. Then she closed the book and left it for Inu-Yasha. She thought the book mentioned something about a memorial temple being erected 'in honour of the friends that were lost in battle against evil,' but Kagome was too tired for her emotions to kick in about all their old enemies. Kagome fell asleep against his chest with her little brother in her lap. He scooted out from under her draping his robe over her. He headed for her roof. Inu-Yasha didn't sleep that night; he never did on his human night. Instead he sat on the roof staring at the book.
When the sun was rising the next morning, Kagome and Inu-Yasha jumped into the well, Inu-Yasha noted the sky was purple and red again with a hint of pink lining the clouds. The two jumped into the well right before Inu-Yasha's transformation because Kagome's friends had come to confirm Kagome' story; they left Kagome's friends staring blankly into the well. "They're gone." One replied. The others just silently stared in disbelief.