Chapter II
Nobara, the Sad Youkai
"Honouikari!" the youkai exclaims, as she is about to pounce on top of Kagome and Shippou with her raised katana. The katana's blade is engulfed in red flames of shouki. Her mane of yellow hair flying wildly behind her.
"Kagome!" Shippou cries. They had come to a corner in the cliff wall and were trapped. Kagome hugs Shippou to her and desperately searches for a way out. She turns just as the youkai was about to descend on top of her. She winces.
Inuyasha suddenly jumps from the trees.
"Kagome!" He calls jumping between her and the youkai. The youkai suddenly loses her focus and her eyes widen at the sight of Inuyasha. She falters in her attack, slowing down.
"Kaze no Kizu!" Inuyasha yells as he swings the restored Tessaiga.
"Inuyasha."
The sad recognition spreads across the youkai's face as she watches Kaze no Kizu come towards her. She realizes too late the path of the youkai katana's attack and can't move fast enough. She tries to dodge but the edge of the attack cuts through her right shoulder and chest area revealing a deep gash through her kimono and she falls to the ground unconscious.
"Kagome," Inuyasha calls turning around, setting Tessaiga triumphantly on his shoulder. "You all right?"
She just nods in response as Shippou faints in her arms. Miroku wearily rises holding his left shoulder where he was attacked. The shouki was fading.
"Hey, Miroku, you all right?"Inuyasha asks sheathing Tessaiga and notices the monk favoring that shoulder.
"Hai," he responds and winces in pain as he slowly walks over. "She was so fast; I am surprised she didn't get out of the way of Kaze no Kizu."
"Hai, I noticed it too,"Kagome says and Shippou nods.
"Yeah, she stopped her attack when Inuyasha showed up,"Shippou chimes in.
All three turn towards the fallen youkai as Sango lands near her with Kirara.
The youkai twitches in pain and sighs.
"Inu.......yasha."
Sango jerks back and looks at the others.
"What is it Sango?" Miroku asks seeing her expression and walking towards her.
"She, she said Inuyasha's name."
All look at each other, each sharing the same wide-eyed expression. Then everyone looks at Inuyasha who stands at a loss.
"Nani!?"Inuyasha insists annoyed with everyone looking at him.
Kagome quickly runs up to her with her pack. She kneels down next to the hurt youkai and begins taking her medicine out of the pack.
"Kagome! What are you doing!?"Inuyasha exclaims, starting to approach her.
"She's hurt, Inuyasha."
"But Kagome...."
"No, Inuyasha,"she says turning towards him. Inuyasha sees Kagome's insistent face and instinctively cringes. "I will help her."
Rain begins to fall. Kagome looks up at a confused Sango.
"Sango-chan, let's take her someplace dry."
"Kagome-chan....."
Kagome looks at Sango with pleading eyes.
"I know you don't understand."
Kagome rides Inuyasha with Shippou to shelter and Kirara carries the unconscious youkai with Sango and Miroku.
"But before Inuyasha unleashed Kaze no Kizu and she saw him, her eyes changed. They looked so sad. And we need to find out why she is after Kikyou."
They find a small abandoned farm hut and set up camp as the storm moves through. Miroku, Shippou, Inuyasha and Sango conveyed stories to each other.
"She is after Kikyou!?"Inuyasha exclaims.
"Hai,"Miroku answers calmly sipping on tea as Sango attends to his wounds. The shouki was all gone, mysteriously faded away. Now all that was left was a cut from the youkai's claws. "She mentioned something about being sealed by her."
"Keh,"Inuyasha smirks then thinks to himself as he begins cracking his claws. "She won't get the chance."
Inuyasha starts walking over to where Kagome is helping the injured youkai. He looks at the youkai's face and something stops him.
"What? What is this?"he thinks to himself. "That face...it...." Inuyasha sees something in her face. An image of a dark haired woman with similar features flashes though his mind.
"Keh," he says out loud, shaking away the memory. "I'll be outside," he mumbles as he walks out and sits under the overhang.
"What was I remembering?"
Kagome watches the door where Inuyasha walked out while Sango poured more tea for Miroku.
"I guess Inuyasha is still anxious,"Kagome thinks to herself as she returns to tie off the youkai's bandage around her shoulder.
"Kagome-chan," Sango asks walking over to her with Kirara on her shoulder and offering her some tea. "Is she all right?"
"I wish I knew,"Kagome answers closing up her bag. "I've done all I can, but I think I stopped the fever." She takes the tea from Sango. "Arigatou, Sango-chan."
"For a youkai she heals slowly," Sango notices. "But I guess since she survived Tessaiga's attack at all," she adds thoughtfully. Kagome watches the unconscious youkai with worried eyes. Sango sees her friend's expression. She smiles and places an assuring hand on Kagome's shoulder. "I am sure you did all you could."
"Hai," Kagome answers smiling, then thinks to herself. "Otherwise we will never know why this youkai is after Kikyou."
Later the rain is still falling as Sango polishes Hiraikotsu while Kirara and Shippou sleep. Miroku sits quietly in meditation sitting next to the still unconscious youkai. Kagome sits outside with Inuyasha.
"Isn't the rain nice, Inuyasha?" Kagome says as she leans back raising her arms over her head and sighing.
"Keh, I can't believe we are wasting this whole day! We should be searching for Naraku!" he huffs folding his arms and sulking. Kagome just looks at him and smiles.
"Inuyasha," Kagome thinks to herself as she watches him. "I know you are as curious about that youkai as the rest of us."
Kagome sighs and stretches her arms over her head. Inuyasha's eyes move over to watch her. It wasn't cold like it was last night, but he was almost hoping for her to nuzzle up against him again. She turned over to him and he looked away sullenly. Kagome smiled then frowned wondering what was troubling him now. She remembered last night, and smiled to herself as she listened to the rain rap on the roof of the hut. She wanted to nuzzle up to him again. But knew he wouldn't let her. She blushes slightly at the thought and sighs again looking down. Both just sit quietly deep in each others thoughts.
Suddenly Inuyasha senses something then frowns smacking his neck.
"Inuyasha-sama," Myouga exclaims as his flattened body floats to the ground.
"Myouga-jiji," Kagome states looking surprised to see the small flea.
"Inuyasha-sama!"
"What do you want, old man!" Inuyasha grumbles, rubbing where Myouga just bit him.
"Inuyasha-sama, I was wondering if you still have the Shikon fragment from Housenki-domo. For I have heard that there is a strange yellowed haired youkai about searching for the Shikon no Tama," Myouga informs jumping up and down. "So I have come, as is my duty to make you aware of this."
"Yellow haired youkai?! Searching for Shikon no Tama?! Could it be?!" Kagome realizes then quickly rises. "Myouga-jiji, come with me," Kagome says as she enters the hut.
Myouga jumps after her and Inuyasha follows. Miroku awakens as they enter.
"There has been no change," he tells Kagome. "She still sleeps."
Kagome kneels down as Myouga jumps on top of the sleeping youkai and looks at her.
"Masaka!!??" he suddenly yells jumping back. His small face alarmed.
"What is it Myouga-jiji?" Kagome asks. Sango quickly rises and joins the circle around the youkai with Miroku and Inuyasha. Shippou bounces over to Kagome's shoulder to see what the commotion is all about.
"This, this is Nobara-sama!" Myouga exclaims.
"Nobara?" Kagome says looking at the peacefully sleeping youkai.
"Myouga-jiji, you know this youkai?" Miroku asks.
"Of course, don't you, Inuyasha-sama?" he answers turning towards the startled hanyou.
Everyone turns to Inuyasha who looks back stunned.
"Bakayarou, I do not know this youkai!" he demands.
Myouga folds his arms and shakes his head.
"Of course, of course," he mutters. "You were too young to know Nobara-sama. The comrade at arms of your father."
"C-Comrade?" Inuyasha stutters. Everyone looks at Nobara.
"She fought with Inuyasha's father?" Shippou comments.
"Hai," Myouga responds nodding. "Many years ago she fought all kinds of youkai along side your father, Inuyasha-sama. But she disappeared after your father's death. No one knew what had become of her."
"She knew Inuyasha's father, did she know Inuyasha?" Kagome ponders as she looks over at Inuyasha and remembers how Nobara looked at him before Kaze no Kizu struck her. When unexpectedly, Nobara stirs.
"Uhn...."She says opening her pale blue eyes. She places her left hand over her eyes and rubs her forehead. She lazily removes her hand and eyes instantly widen in panic. She sees Kagome and the others staring at her and she quickly rises the blanket falling away as she backs against the wall. The long cascade of yellow waves of hair falling behind her as she rose.
"Wh-where am I!" she demands fiercely as she raises her left hand and claws extend from her fingertips. Inuyasha grabs Kagome back to him, ready to throw her behind him if a situation arose. Nobara suddenly winces in pain and doubles over falling to one knee. "Kuso!"she curses.
"Nobara-sama!" Myouga eagerly shouts as he jumps towards her and lands on her knee.
"Myouga?" Nobara answers, her pained face looks surprised at the small flea. "Myouga, is that you?"
"Hai," he nods. "Nobara-sama, please rest you are among friends."
"No," she tries to rise but her body is still painfully bent over. "No, my enemy, that miko that sealed me, is still...still," her vengeful pale eyes find Kagome and she sneers exposing her fangs. Suddenly she sees something and her eyes soften, a mask of shock on her face. She falls forward, catching herself with her left arm on the futon. "You, you are not her!" she exclaims in frustration.
"No, I am not the miko Kikyou," Kagome answers calmly. "But I am here to help you."
"Keh!" she exclaims. "Liar!"
Nobara looks down at her shoulder, which started bleeding again and sees the bandage covering her chest and right shoulder.
"You...did this?" she remarks surprised, referring to the bandage. A look of astonishment on her face at the kindness. Her tense body was starting to settle back onto the futon. Then she sees Inuyasha as Kagome walks towards her. Inuyasha has his back to her and turns looking over his shoulder at her. Her eyes widen and she rises.
"Inu....yasha?" she asks looking hopefully at Inuyasha. Inuyasha turns to face Nobara. "Inuyasha? Is that really you?" Tears begin to fill her pale blue eyes. Inuyasha looks stunned at her, at a loss of what to do. He unfolds his arms and almost reaches out to her as she falters.
"I, I do not know you," Inuyasha says sadly in response to her tears. For a moment she looks pained then relieved.
"You, you are alive..."Nobara sighs as she faints. Miroku catches her and helps her down to the futon. Kagome quickly goes over and checks her pulse on her wrist.
"She is unconscious again," she assures as she turns her eyes to a still startled Inuyasha.
"Nani!?" he barks. "I told you! I don't know her!"
Everyone continues to watch him.
"Don't you believe me!" he yells and storms back outside. "Keh!"
"Myouga-jiji, would Inuyasha know Nobara?" Miroku asks when Inuyasha is gone.
"Not that I am aware. Nobara-sama was not around much after Inuyasha's parents met. He may not have known her.....but-"
"She knows him," Kagome interjects as her gaze goes from the doorway to the unconscious Nobara.
Inuyasha sits outside, the rain stopped and the sun sets in the distance.
"What is it with this woman? How does she know me?" In his mind he sees the flash of the dark haired woman's face again. This time the woman has tears in her eyes. "And why is it her face looks somehow..... familiar?"
Short time later Kagome aids Nobara when she wakes up.
"Are you all right?" Kagome asks, as she helps Nobara sit up. Despite her wounds she sat up easily enough and quietly surveys her surroundings. She sees Inuyasha lying by the fire and looks at him longingly. Kagome does not see her expression and let's go of her shoulders wondering what to say next.
"Hai," Nobara finally utters calmly as she then watches Kagome carefully. Miroku and Sango with Kirara sit outside getting some alone time. Inuyasha's ear twitched with the sound of Nobara's voice, showing he was staying vigilant. Myouga was with Shippou, who eagerly eats some supper.
"Do you wish to drink some tea?" Kagome offers her a cup of tea. Nobara looks at Kagome slightly startled then looks down at the cup of steaming liquid.
"Arigatou," Nobara responds gingerly taking the tea from Kagome and takes a sip. Kagome watches her, her eyes curiously inspecting this new youkai. Her ears were human looking but pointed like Sesshoumaru's. She also had claws that looked like Inuyasha's but her hands were more delicate. She looked very human, despite these slight Youkai characteristics. Nobara takes another sip and stares into her tea. "What is your name, child?"
Kagome flinches a bit, wondering if Nobara realized her staring.
"Kagome."
Nobara continues to sit thoughtfully for a moment and frowns.
"Gomennasai, for attacking you," she says quietly, turning her lonely enigmatic gaze to Kagome. "I sensed the miko Kikyou's presence in you and now I know why."
Surprised, Kagome's eyes widen.
"You are her reincarnation," Nobara explains, lowering the tea away from her face. Kagome lowers her eyes. She was used to hearing this. Nobara sees this reaction and smiles slightly. "But you are also someone Kikyou could never be."
Kagome looks over at her shocked.
"How?"
Nobara smirks. "That is my gift, to sense what is in people's hearts," she explains taking another sip of tea and looking over at the still Inuyasha.
"'Sense what is in people's hearts?'" Kagome quickly remembers Naraku's baby with Kagura and Kanna. Remembers how the baby read her heart. The memory causes her to shiver. Nobara senses this and looks over at her meeting her eyes with her pale gaze.
"Do not worry, I am not an evil youkai," Nobara assures Kagome turning her pale blue eyes away. She glances over to Inuyasha then looks down sorrowfully. "I do not have the power to control or change one's heart." She pauses for a moment and looks away handing Kagome the tea. "I will not pry anymore, I promise. I know all I need to know about you. You are not the one I seek."
Kagome watches her as she stares forlornly into the distant fire. Kagome is slightly taken aback by her sorrow.
"Why do you-" Kagome starts then Miroku and Sango enter drawing away her attention. Inuyasha yawns and stretches. Miroku and Sango notice that Nobara is awake and stare at her. She sat one knee bent upwards, her eyes escaping into the flickering flames of the cooking fire. She did not respond to their entering. But her eyes darted to them and then away, so quickly that they did not notice.
Nobara smiles to herself thoughtfully.
"I know you all have many questions for me. I can sense them. I suppose it is time for me to tell you my story," she says calmly, still staring into the fire. "To answer some of the questions that you have for me and to fill in the gaps of what Myouga told you."
"Nobara-sama!" Myouga cries bouncing over to her knee.
"You have never been forthcoming with all information, old friend," Nobara smirks quietly looking at the small flea.
"Hmm. She does know Myouga-jiji,"Sango whispers to Miroku as they sit down near the fire across from Inuyasha and Kirara curls up in her lap. Inuyasha continues to lounge by the fire as Shippou scampers over to Kagome and she holds him on her lap as she settles next to Nobara. Nobara sits on the futon and carefully slips on her blue kimono over her bandages and shoulders. Kagome sees the embroidered wild roses on the left side. Nobara elegantly rises and then sits cross-legged on the futon. Myouga jumps down as she moves then returns to her knee. Nobara watches him and remembers how he always did that. For a moment Kagome thought she saw Nobara's eyes fill with some memory of regret as she looked at the small flea. She then she raises her mysterious gaze to Kagome. Kagome gasps a little realizing she was staring and looks down at Shippou. Nobara senses something in her she smirks slightly and closes her eyes. Her pale blue still eyes then open and look at the five faces surrounding her. Kagome realizes that Nobara does not know their names.
"Nobara, this is Miroku-sama," Kagome starts. Nobara looks over to Miroku.
"Houshi, gomennasai," she says quietly meeting his somewhat surprised gaze. Miroku realizes and politely nods. She then turns to Sango. "And you, Youkai Taijiya?" she asks before Kagome can speak.
Sango was surprised that Nobara knew what she was. "How did you?"
Nobara smiles to herself and looks down. "I have dealt with your kind many a time over the years."
"Her name is Sango," Shippou spouts folding his little arms.
"Oh? And what is your name?" Nobara says, smiling a little at the small youkai.
"Shippou," he says then points to Kirara. "And she is Kirara."
Nobara looks over at the now small neko-youkai and nods respectively.
"I have heard of Kirara, the neko-youkai who fights with the Youkai Taijiya," she says thoughtfully. Kirara twitches her tail and mews in response.
Nobara smiles and closes her eyes. She then opens them and looks over at the distant Inuyasha.
"So you do not remember me, Inuyasha?" she smiles secretly to herself.
Inuyasha turns and looks at her then looks away again into the fire without saying a word.
"Hmm. You haven't changed."
She sighs closing her eyes. Nobara then slowly turns and her eyes focus on the small cooking fire. As if she was reading from the flame itself the story she was about to tell. The thought of reminiscing at first fills her heart with remorse. She then takes a deep breath and remembers.
"As you already know my name is Nobara. And you also know that I was once a comrade with Inuyasha's father, Inutaisho. But that is only the beginning of this story...."
.....End Chapter