Fate's Course Forbidden Love

Chapter 14 (Revised)

Oblivious Nostalgia

Part Three

Note From Your Boy: Sorry, folks. I had to do this chapter once again because apparently, somebody out there keeps on fucking with it. When I come back to go over this chapter all I see is one damn word. Damn haters, probably one reason I'm not geeting enough feedback... Whoever they are, they better save all that hating in their pockets or something bad may happen to them.

"Wow!" Kagome simply gasped in awe at the scenery before her. Now, clear out of the forest she can bear witness to the huge expanse of the cultivated area beyond it. There was an abundance of fare that could last even two lifetimes. The tall vines of corn towers and almost concealed the path of stairs that led to Souta's home and the ponds of the rice patties produced a flowing reflection of the dusky skies overhead. "This is so beautiful. I never would have guess that you're a cultivator."

"Thanks miss." Souta replied. "Me and Grandpa been keeping this place up for years now."

"You and your grandfather? Really?" Kagome asked in slight astonishment. "Just the two of you?"

"Yep. Most of the people that used to lived around here moved on out to the bigger cities and seeks jobs in the industries." He explained before sighing. "With cities such as Edo and Kyoto growing so fast, the demands of industrial needs have heightened. Plus with many visitors arriving in this country lately, trade has become a glaring interest for our government."

"So your family is the owner of the plantation?" Kagome inquired. "Interesting."

"Yeah. I guess with all the new stuff developing and such, people are no longer interested in farming."

"Keh. There's always meat to eat besides all those damn vegetables." Inuyasha scoffed rather rudely. "And the foreigners really do have some interesting trade if you ask me. I remember my mother used to talk about it all the time."

Surprised, Kagome locked a gaze at the hanyou. "Your mother was in the trading business?"

"Well, not really." He replied. "It was a sort of habit that she had picked up from my old man. Dad used to own a lot of European weapons and accessories. Mom used to swear that he was straight out of Camelot or somewhere like that."

"Interesting topic. But we may have to put that aside." Miroku said as though he was alarmed. He raised his staff up in the air in order to sense any sort of presence. "Just as a I thought. I'm sorry to alarm you Souta-san, but there's a presence lurking about this area."

"I suspected it as well." Kikyou added, trying to keep the wind from blowing away her hat. "It is a clever sort of evil. Whatever it is, it's deliberately letting us know that it's around."

"Yes. It is best that we all be on our guard."

"This sounds serious." Souta wondered. "Well I'm kind of lucky that I met you guys today. Maybe you guys can let my family know about it and help us a bit while staying. My grandpa's a priest as well and with his help we can lure this evil out in no time."

"Good idea." Miroku agreed. "Let your mother and grandfather know all of the details and then we can figure this mystery out."

"All right. I'll go on ahead and tell them." Said Souta. "You guys can stay at the shrine while I talk with my folks."

(Scenario)

"Aw man. We wasted much more time at the village than expected." Yuka griped. "Yoriko is going to be suspicious of our absence and she's going to trip when she finds out that we went shopping outside the valley without her permission."

Eri sighed, she was a few paces ahead of the complainer. "I guess we can thank Ayumi for that." She states ruefully. "It wouldn't of have took us so long if it weren't for those boys trying to get acquainted with her back there."

The aforementioned girl at fault caught on to what her peers was saying about her. "Why are you guys talking about me like that?" She demanded with her lilting and unimposing voice. "It wasn't my fault. Those boys really wanted to get to know me."

Yuka's pace slowed down considerably, not only from the weight of the rucksack she was carrying but from Ayumi's excuse. "You should have ignored them." She shot back. "It wouldn't have done you any good anyway. You know you cannot tell them where we live at."

"That's right." Eri conceded while discreetly crossing the stream by walking on the stepping stones upon it. "If you would have done so then there will be all sorts of confusion back at the valley."

Ayumi pouted cutely. "I have a feeling that you two are jealous because they haven't even looked your way."

"WE ARE NOT JEALOUS!" Yuka and Eri bellowed at her simultaneously. Their burlesque expressions were the tell-tell giveaway.

"I knew it." Ayumi chuckled. "It is written all over your faces- even in fifteen different languages."

Yuka was just about to retort but Eri told her not to do so. A heated argument was not needed and she knew she should let Ayumi have the little victory. "Come on." She said. "We're almost home." The girls made their way across the stream and reached a hidden passageway underneath a waterfall. Ayumi was humming happily to herself (much to Yuka's annoyance) and was suddenly talking about a kimono she purchased from the market. And the next thing you know...

She screamed.

Eri and Yuka was immediately at her assistance. "What's wrong, Ayumi?" They chorused.

The said girl was stricken by horror and her mouth was agape. She only managed to point at something floating on the rivulet while whimpering. "Duh-the-that..."

"What the hell are you saying, girl?" Yuka demanded.

"Speak clearly Ayumi." Eri followed.

She screamed again. Still pointing at the stream.

"What is she talking about? I don't see anything." Yuka wondered irritably.

Finally, Eri seemed to notice what Ayumi was talking about as she spotted something in the water as well. "Yuka! Look! There is something in the river!"

Poor Ayumi was still shaking like she's having a seizure. "Body... body... dead... carcass... cadaver... AAAHHH!"

If that wasn't bad enough, a group of demons emerged from the forest all of a sudden. The weird creatures looked like freakish dragonflies, harpies, and there was a sole centaur-like creature on the rampage. "Yuka, go on ahead and get that person from the river." Eri commanded as she brought out her bow and arrows. It's a good thing she took it along with her for such emergency. "I and Ayumi will handle the demons."

"I'm on it." Yuka confirmed. She slipped off her sandals and dived in the river.

Eri regarded her frightened companion. "Ayumi! You have to calm down and help me get rid of these monsters! Yuka's going to retrieve the body so stop worrying so much! Don't be so scared of a few demons!"

"But I forgot my weapons!" Ayumi whined. "There was no need for them since we were only shopping at the village!"

"Darn it!" Eri swore. "Well get out of the way while I'm taking care of the monsters!" She shot an arrow and successfully downed one of the dragonflies.She may not be as good as an archer as Kagome, but when it comes to a sudden conflict, she's certainly a better aim than usual."What happened to your buddy will definitely happen to you if you creeps keep advancing." She challenged, drawing another arrow in the process. "Here comes another one, you cretins!"

Ayumi was sitting at the opening of the hidden passageway, cowering and feeling guilty for not being able to assist Eri. 'I feel so inadequate right now.' She mentally sulked. 'I should be out there trying to help her- weapon or not!' She pounded the ground with her fist in exasperation. "Oww! That smarts!"

She kisses her knuckles in order to soothe the throbbing pain.

'Everyone always perceive me as the all too innocent and harmless type of person. The kind of person with no sense of masculinity.' Ayumi thought further. 'Even if that is true I won't stand by and let my friends get hurt.' Determination dawned on her features. 'Enough whimpering! I have to get myself together and help them out!'

"Ayumi!" Yuka's voice interfered. "I need a little help here!" She faced her friend who had just returned from the steam. The body in her tow was a male around their age or perhaps younger. Yuka checked him for any signs of vitality.

"Is he still alive?" Ayumi queried idly. "His complexion is awfully pale."

"Yes. Just barely." Yuka confirmed. "Listen Ayumi, I've managed to get the water out of his lungs. It may be up to you to give him some breath of fresh air."

Ayumi blushed at Yuka's suggestion. "What? Do you mean mouth-to-mouth resuscitation?" She wondered with an (excited) edge to her voice. "But, but, why me, Yuka?"

Yuka gave her a not so reasonable answer. "Because I believe your lungs are bigger than mine." She said offhandedly. "Say, for instance, you are kind of on the chesty side and the fact that you one of the loudest snores in the entire village."

"Yuka, that is the silliest reasons I have ever heard in a long time." Ayumi replied. "And what do you mean that I'm a little on the chesty side?"

"Back when I was fourteen, I at least thought you was a few years older than I am." Yuka answered simply. "And so did Kagome, Chi, and Eri."

"You guys all thought I was the oldest because I developed the fastest?" Ayumi asked in a tone of disbelief. "Silliness. Eri's the oldest amongst all of us, second is Kagome, then it's me, next comes you and Chi's the youngest. That explains nothing." True, it was a silly logic.

Consternation formed on Yuka's face. "Just come over here and help this guy out!" She demanded. "I'll go on ahead and help Eri deal with the monsters." She brandishes her staff in which she carried with her just in case of emergency.

"Please be careful." Ayumi regarded. "If something bad were to happen... I...I-"

"We will." Yuka reassured. "We didn't went through a lifetime of training for nothing, you know." She waved off as she exited the passageway. "See you in a few, okay?"

Ayumi regarded the boy in her arms critically. She admit it, though, that he was attractive to her. But she can't waste time wondering about his appearances because she has to save his life. She studies the boys lips and his gradually paling face. "Oh my. I wonder if this will be a lot like kissing?" She wondered.

And the funny thing was, she has never kissed anyone in her life.

(Scenario)

Kagome emerged from the door. "This shrine has a well. But I can't help but have a sense of deja vu when I'm around it." She said skeptically. "Call me weird if you want to, but I think that well call lead you to another dimension or something like that."

"Perhaps it may lead to another time." Kikyou stated thoughtfully. "Or maybe a few centuries in the past." She lightly chuckled because of her imagination.

"Maybe it takes you to ancient Europe or something like that?" Said Sango. "That will be a lot of fun seeing knights in action."

"Keh." Inuyasha scoffed while jutting out his hand from underneath the shade to feel the pouring rain. "You girls have some wild imaginations."

"Personally, I don't see anything wrong with that, Inuyasha." Miroku pointed out. "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."

"Knowing Inuyasha, it's already too late for him." Kikyou joked. Which earned a frown from the said half demon. In mock innocence, the young priestess said, "I love you too."

"You deluded Amazon witch." Inuyasha growled.

"Hmph..."

"There, there, Inuyasha." Kagome assured while patting his shoulder. "Don't be such a sour apple. We were just kidding around anyway. So please stop being so cynical."

"Then again..." Hikari stated, her quiet voice surprising the gang because she rarely speaks. "It couldn't be help. Inuyasha is not at fault here and it is easy to understand why he's the way he is."

"You're damn right about that." Inuyasha replied. "It ain't easy being a half demon. So I'm sort of glad that you are understanding where I am coming from."

"Yeah. What are friends for?" Kagome cheered. "What's a big strong half demon have to fear about a human anyway? I bet you're so strong that you're even the envy of the strongest humans."

He blushed. "Uh... You can say that."

Kagome was quite proud of her hanyou friend. In her honest opinion, he would have made a perfect beau for her and she really didn't worry about any suitors trying to challenge him for her affections. From the way he grew up, she could comprehend that he was a natural and highly talented fighter. Curious crossed her mind. Even though she's not an expert in hand to hand combat, she is familiar with the ways of the fist due to her home. But she is certainly tough enough to thwart off any nuisances that may try to attack her (like the pirates) out of the blue.

Testing his possible warrior instincts, Kagome shouts out, "THINK FAST!"

"Huh?"

THUMP!

And landed an ultra quick, and highly unexpected punch to his chest. That was followed by a distinctive sound of a certain priestess chuckling.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha wheezed. "What the hell are you doing! That hurts!" He fell and writhed on the ground, clutching his chest in pain. Expressions of shock dawned on the gang minus Kikyou whom was still chuckling about the tirade.

"Oh my goodness!" Kagome gasped in a panic. "I'm so sorry about that! Are you alright?"

"...Fine... just... fine." He grunted out. "I just think that my heart fell in my rib cage..."

Kagome heard him but she was skeptical. "Are you sure?' She asked worriedly. "It looks like you are about to cry." She pointed out, noticing the extra moisture in his eyes.

"I SAID I'M FINE!"

Miroku nodded his head. "Man, to see a grown hanyou cry." He muttered.

As for experiment, Sangou suddenly jabbed Miroku in his chest. "THINK FAST!"

THUMP!

"GREAT MERCIFUL CRAP! THAT STINGS!"

"Aw, you're no fun." Sangou chuckled. "I can't stand to see a grown man cry."

A brown haired woman rounded the corner of the shrine, her torso covered by a mass of hay. "Huh? Why is Miroku-sirrah crying?" Chi inquired. "He must had tried to fondle one of you girls?"

Sangou smirked. "No. He just took a test to prove his masculinity and he failed. Miserably."

"Umm." Chizaki shrugged. "It's sad to see a grown man cry."

Inuyasha and Miroku retorted in indignation. "WE ARE NOT CRYING!"

"Damn it." Inuyasha growled. "Kagome, how would you feel if I landed a sudden punch to your titty?"

Kagome glared back at the boy. "You do it and see what happens." She warned, placing her hands on her hips. "And you thought that blow to the chest is killing you now..."

"The... pain..." Grunted Miroku.

"You should have let me know that you were going to try and punch me, Kagome!" The half demon griped.

Kagome sighed at his childish behavior. "Aw, c'mon, Inuyasha stop whining. The damage has been done now. So take it like a man and shrug it off." She crosses her arms over her chest, just in case he did want to retaliate at the said area of her body. Knowing him, her breasts probably were in danger.

"Cruel, isn't it?' Hikari questioned. A tiny smirk playing on her thin lips.

"You can say that again." Chi responded to the swordswoman that favored her.

"You just wait, girl!" Inuyasha declared. "I'm gonna bust you in the titty when you least expect it! Then you're going to see how that shit feels!"

"Oh yeah?" Kagome snapped back. "You better guard your twig and berries around me mister!"

"Hello...?" A elegant middle aged woman greeted the gang uncertainly, due to the half demon and eighteen year old girl arguing. She was an endearing brunette, in her mid to late thirties with youthful brown eyes and long thin eyelashes. Strangely, she held an air of tradition about her according to the way she was dressed. Dressed in a pink kimono with elaborate designs on it and holding a parasol high above her head. Once she finally had their attentions, she continued. "How do you do? I am the lady of this estate, Kaoru Higurashi." She bowed reverently. "I am honored to provide adventurous children such as yourselves shelter."

"Psst. Introduce yourselves you two." Kikyou admonished quietly to Kagome and Inuyasha.

"This isn't over, Kagome!" Inuyasha snarled.

"Some other time, dog-boy." Kagome retorted before regarding Higurashi-san. "Please forgive me for my rudeness, Higurashi-san. I am the leader of this journey we are partaking." That earned snorts from a certain half demon and a brunette of a little 'sister', but she ignored the said two. "My name is Kagome." She founf it a little funny that the lady before her bears the same last name as her. Coincidence...

"I am Kikyou."

"My dear, I go by the name Miroku, but you can call me-"

BOP!

"AHH! Forgive him, Higurashi-san. By the way, I'm Sangou."

"First the chest, and now it's the back of my head that's throbbing." Miroku muttered.

"Chizaki."

"I'm Hikari. It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am."

"..."

Glares were torn at the hanyou's direction. "INUYASHA!"

"Keh... there you have it."

"Quite the bashful one." Higurashi-san noticed. "You probably have heard this before, but you are a rather unique young man." She stated carefully without somehow offending him.

"Yeah, tell me about it." He said rather rudely. "It took me all my life to figure that out."

"INUYASHA!"

"It's alright." Kaoru reassured. "I am sorry if I offended you. Would you please forgive me, Inuyasha..." A warm smile lit up on her face. "...kun?"

The hanyou blushed. Not only that, he noticed how much this woman makes him think of Kagome- right down to the very smell of her blood cells. "Accepted."

Kaoru regarded the rest of the gang. "According to my son, you all have informed him that there is a presence looming about? Correct?"

"Yes. The qui is faint but it is indeed around." Kikyou confirmed. "And there is no doubt that it is evil."

"I see." Kaoru considered. "It seems that my father was right all along about the presence around here. I was thinking that he was getting delusional at his old age but it seems like I was wrong about him."

"It's about time that you said so." Said an elder. A old priest which was slowly ascending the mount towards the shrine. "Perhaps it is you that is becoming delusional around here." He joked. He was so stern in manner that he seemed unaffected by the pouring rain because he didn't have anything to cover his head.

"Dad." Kaoru blushed like a schoolgirl. "This isn't a time for jokes."

"Hmmph." Granpa looked thoughtful. "Do not worry yourselves over this nuisance, all of you. This place is well protected and soon I will decipher and expend this hanging evil."

"Ah... as you can see, father is quite proud of his prowess." Kaoru chuckled. "To a point that he's a little conceited."

"It's quite an honor Mr. Higurashi." Miroku shook his hand. "Perhaps I can learn something from you. Even years beyond you prime I can suspect that you are still a skillful priest."

"What's that suppose to mean, boy?" Grandpa inquired critically. "Don't let my age fool you young man. My talent is unrivaled. I am just as revered now as I was back in the days."

"Dad..." Kaoru sighed. "Let's not start this again."

"Very well..." He took a view towards Inuyasha. "But what in the twelve hells is this beast accompanying you kids for?"

"WHAT?" He spat.

"FATHER?"

"He is our long time companion, Mr. Higurashi." Miroku defended. "Despite his rugged exterior, Inuyasha is a noble being. He was raised alongside me."

"I'll take your word for it." Grandpa acquiesced, secretly slipping the ofudas he was about to employ back into his robes. "You are welcomed to stay."

"That's much better. There's no need to be so cynical, father." Kaoru reassured.

"However..." Grandpa started off mysteriously. "Upon taking in your features, I really need to talk to you." He pointed directly towards Kagome, alerting her. There's an old saying that whenever a elder points to or scorns a person, the said person is forever cursed.

"Me?" The said eighteen year old gasped in surprise.

The old man nodded. "Say, girl, what is your name?"

"But... but why?" She asked timidly.

"You question your elders in such a manner, girl?' Grandpa pressed. "What is your name?"

"K-k-Kagome." She replied hesitantly.

'I thought I heard right, earlier.' Kaoru thought. 'She bears the same name as my daughter.' A nostalgic look marked her face and she look towards the skies. 'Kagome... my dear baby. This young lady makes me think of you...'

Grandpa now seems more intrigued. "Kagome, you say? Girl, you must be some sort of apparition."

"Huh?" Kagome tilted her head to one side rather cutely. "What do you mean?"

"Father, it's just your imagination." Kaoru chided. "There's no way that she could be- it's been years since-"

Inuyasha zipped passed the elder priest and Kaoru. He seemed to be highly alert about something. "Inuyasha, what's wrong?" Kagome shouted after him.

"It's him!" The hanyou shouted back in his quick sprint. "And it's time I'll teach that bastard a lesson."

"Inuyasha! Wait!" Kagome yelled again.

"Come on!" Chi commanded. "Let's follow him!"

'Influenza, here we come.' Sangou thought dryly as they took off into the precipitation.

The group followed suit after the half demon in the pouring rain into the field. Inuyasha employed his claws on a seemingly invisible adversary. The opponent's identity was revealed; Iga, the man-cat ninja.

He did an overhead block to defend from Inuyasha's claws. "Nice shot." He commented.

"Iga..." Inuyasha hissed. "That qui had to be you all along. So what are you doing hanging around and haunting this innocent family? You were waiting on me for a rematch or something?"

The ninja nodded. "No." He replied calmly. "I am not haunting anyone nor do I wish to challenge you again." His cape/scarf wavered in the wind... like a ghost in the middle of wandering the world.

"You liar! Then you must be spying on us! You're waiting for the right time to take us out!" He unsheathes his Tetsusaiga and attacked Iga with it. Iga merely sidestepped the sword and made space between himself and Inuyasha.

"It's him!" Chizaki recognized as she and the rest caught up with Inuyasha to see the confrontation.

"Iga... I have a feeling that we will see him again." Noted Miroku.

"So, this is Iga?" Hikari wondered. "As in the fighting system of ninjitzu. Interesting..."

"And he is just as creepy as ever." Kagome followed.

"But why does he have to show up at a time like this?" Sangou said.

"So you all met him before?" Kaoru inquired. "Is he as friendly as Inuyasha?"

"We don't know, Higurashi-san." Kagome nodded in ambiguity. "We don't know..."

"This is misleading." Iga stated, gracefully avoiding numerous attacks from Inuyasha's blade. He eventually took out a pair a nunchaku to defend himself. "I am not the presence that you all are sensing." He told the hanyou.

"Shitting me! And I'm the king of Thailand!" Inuyasha mocked while pressing his onslaught.

"Always the aggressive one aren't we?" Iga asked. He somersaulted backwards and went into a fighting stance. "I guess that I going to have to resort to subduing you, Inuyasha. It wasn't my intentions to confront you." He timed his defense in sync with Inuyasha's sword attacks and used his flail to grip onto the Tetsusaiga and managed to throw it off a distance away from them.

"My sword! Keh. Well it looks like I'm gonna have to tear you apart with my claws then. Heh heh heh..."

"This is a waste of time..." Iga sighed.

"SHUT UP! SANKON TETSUSOU!"

For the next few moments, Inuyasha was clashing his claw attacks against Iga's lightning fists. It seemed to be a stalemate though, as Inuyasha was on the complete offensive and Iga on the defensive. Kikyou studied the two combatants. "This could get very serious. Someone needs to go and get his sword."

"I'll get it!" Kagome declared. But just as she was about to reach the sword, a sudden blast of amber nearly scorched her. This action surprised everyone and now it was clear that Iga wasn't the culprit. "What the! Who did that?"

"It was I." A new voice informed at a most unconvenient time.A cloaked figure with significant evil about it loomed unto the field. "I apologize for the interruption but this is a pressing matter to me that I must rectify as soon as possible." Undoubtedly, they voice was female.

"Huh? What the fuck is happening here?" Inuyasha beseeched.

"I told you that I'm not the main concern here." Iga defended. "The presence that you are sensing is coming from that being."

"This is all so sudden." Kikyou admitted, hers and the others' observing the scenario intently.

"Very clever of you, ninja." The cloak spoke, which was undoubtedly female. "Typical of a warrior such as yourself." She stretched her arm out in Kagome's direction. "Now, do not interfere with me. I have unfinished business to take care of with that girl."

"But I don't even-AAAIIIEEE!" A blast of flames was shot her way again. But at the very last minute, Kagome was saved by Kaoru. The woman held Kagome in her arms like a child and that was quite strange. "Umm... Thank you, Higurashi-san."

Kaoru didn't exactly knew how she did it- but she did. Feeling slightly embarrassed, she said, "Don't mention it." She replied and placed Kagome back on her feet.

Of course, that was motherly instincts that Kaoru had just displayed. And now Grandpa was absolutely certain about their connections. It was unmistakable, the girl, Kagome, looks exactly like his daughter during her late teens. Only Kaoru wasn't as tall and she was noticeably thinner and the fact she's a brunette. But the way how Kaoru cradled that girl, he knew right then and there.

"What's up with you suddenly appearing out of the blue? How the hell you gonna cancel our fight all of a sudden and don't expect any one of us to intervene you from messin' with Kagome?" Inuyasha demanded of the cloaked entity. "And why are you targeting Kagome in the first place? You do know that I will not allow you to hurt her, do you?"

"Insolent hanyou." She scoffed. "Do not even think of challenging me. I am Maki of The Forest. And it's best that you steer clear from me."

"Maki?" Kaoru questioned. "You're Maki of The Forest? But I never would have guessed that you're a malicious spirit. Every since the days of my youth, I thought that you were a friendly sprite as told in many stories."

"I'm happy to know that there's someone still alive that knows that I a more than a mere myth." Maki cackled. "I've been living in the forest for decades and now I have resurfaced because of this woman you call Kagome."

"But why Kagome?" Inuyasha beseeched. "What beef you got with her?"

"I have my reasons. And one of them is to exterminate her!" Maki declared and prepared another attack on Kagome. However, an unexpected swipe from Iga diverted her focus. Her hood was torn off and her face was revealed. Maki was a very beautiful elfin woman. She sports long, bright red tresses that reaches to the center of her back and her eyes were lavender with catlike irises. "No! You're distracting me! You insolent feline!"

This gave Inuyasha the time to retrieve his sword. "Kaze no Kizu!" The wind scar caught the demoness completely off guard while she was still admonishing Iga. But, unnoticed to the party, a small smirk graced her face and her eyes promised murder right before the Wind Scar superimposed her. Apparently, this wasn't the last that they'll see of her. In a way she was just like Naraku: cunning and ominous.

And the raging wound of the wind technique vanquished her. Everyone was relieved to see that there wasn't anymore trace of her. But still, what concerned them was what did she want with Kagome? Kagome didn't even know who she was.

"The qui's gone." Kikyou confirmed. "That devil has been destroyed." She glances towards Inuyasha and Iga in wonder. " I think you two would make a good team in my opinion."

"Keh. To think that I will team up with this guy?" Inuyasha scoffed.

"Well, that was a trifling moment. She had us all on edge and she gets defeated so easily." Iga commented. "She had interesting potential but she failed to provide a real challenge. Disappointing indeed, like a mosquito on a cold day."

Kikyou took out the dagger he left behind. The weapon that helped them overcame Shou back at the demon slayer's village. "I do believe that this belongs to you."

Iga eyed the dagger like it was unfamiliar to him. "No thanks. Blades aren't really my forte." He stated. "I'm more of a hand to hand kind of guy. That weapon I had that night when I first met all of you was sort of a decoration."

At this, Kikyou face faulted. "Now he tells me."

"That was alarming..." Sangou said sarcastically. "If anyone needs me, I'll be at the shrine." She headed back towards the said location with Miroku and Hikari trailing behind.

"I bet your heart was about to jump out of your chest." Chizaki humored.

"Girl, you have never lied about that." Kagome responded. "But I'm glad that she was a minor nuisance."

"Excuse me, young lady." Said Grandpa. "Me and my daughter would like to have a word with you back at our house. Why not come over in a few and enjoy my special blend tea while we are having a conversation, hmm?"

"There is something that I must speak to you about." Kaoru spoke solemnly. Her lilting voice sounding somewhat serious. "It is almost as though I know you..."

"Yes. I'll be delighted to share some time with you, Higurashi-san." Kagome replied cheerfully.

"Take your time. I shall see you until then." Kaoru bowed and headed back to her house with her father.

"Inuyasha." Iga whispered. "My sense of smell may not be as keen as yours but haven't you noticed how similar you friend and that woman are?"

"Yeah." The hanyou responded. "The similarities are so strong that they could be mother and child." Then he gritted his teeth. "Hey! What am I doing talking to you like I'm a buddy of yours? We still have a fight to finish."

"It's like that, huh?" Iga sighed. "You are probably right about one thing. To all of you, I'm not considered an... companion. I guess I take my leave." He looks towards Kikyou. "And you, I'm sure we shall meet again. I have matters to discuss with you."

Kikyou became alarmed of his proposal. "What do you mean? What 'matters' did you have to discuss with me?" Deep down, she was actually intrigued.

"The matters are pieces to our puzzle, Miss Kikyou." He answers as he disappears in a puff of smoke. "Soon enough..."

(Scenario)

Kaoru opened the door for her father. "Don't be ridiculous. That woman is not my daughter." She claimed slight sadly. "It can't be... My baby girl perished nearly nineteen years ago. And I don't understand why you insist that she is my child because she looks like me."

"Kaoru, I may be old, but I am not stupid." Grandpa rejoined. "At my age I know about these things and that girl is your daughter."

"Dad..." Kaoru sighed. "You may be completely certain about all of this but you're wrong. My Kagome departed this world on that tragic day.A few years after I gave birth to Souta my husband passed as well... maybefrom grief over her.What's next, you're going to claim that you've seen a man that resembles him as well?"

Grandpa walked over to a steaming pot to brew some tea. "I'm serious about this. That girl somehow survived that tempest back then."

"How?" Kaoru snapped. "How could a infant survive such a terrible storm in the open seas? You tell me. It's all just a coincidence. Face it, as much as I wish that she is still alive I know that she's gone... I accepted that years ago... it... it was hard..."

"God has blessed you and spared the child's life. That child is our Kagome and I will prove it today." Grandpa ranted.

At that moment, Souta entered the house. "Hey, what are you two talking about."

"Kagome." Kaoru and her father answered at the same time.

"She's cute to me." Souta blushed.

"And she's your sister as well." Grandpa pointed out.

"Huh? Eww!" Souta regretted.

"Souta', Grandpa's been drinking a little too much sake again." Kaoru told her son. "So don't mind him. It's deluding him." She heard the door slid open and in came the aforementioned girl. "Kagome, good timing, we were just talking about you."

"Really? What did you wanted to talk to me about?' Kagome inquired.

Kaoru eyed her supposed daughter critically. After all the riff-raff she admit that she is starting to see a little of her late husband in Kagome. With a forceful glare from her father, she reluctantly complied. "Kagome-san, it may come to you sort of silly, but according to Dad... you are my daughter."

"What...? Higurashi-san are you serious?"

"Yes. I'm afraid to say this... but I'm beginning to see my younger self in you. It may be a bad case of deja vu. And that what's scaring me because... you see... my daughter died eighteen years ago..."

It was time for them to face the music.

Elsewhere...

"The fools." Maki laughed to herself. "They think they can destroy me so easily? Ha!" She recalled the events which just occurred moments earlier. "Hmm, half demon Inuyasha? It's apparent that the young priestess is in love with him and he, her."

She stares towards the plains from atop her castle. 'How ironic that she is still alive. Even as a infant she defied me... But there will not be a repeat this time. I will guarantee her demise.' Her thoughts landed on Kikyou. 'That other woman? She's just as powerful as Kagome. I wonder...'

Maki conjured up a spell. 'Very well. I shall construct a final confrontation. Face-to-face without the assistance of her companions.'

"You shall not defy me again, girl." She cackled. "Tonight, hear the symphony of your demise."

Her evil mirth filled the forest. The confrontation with her is soon to arrive.

TO BE CONTINUED

Kagome

All my life, Yoriko-sama had told me that I will encounter many difficulties and countless uncertainties. And it will be up to me to deal with them. My friends and I rest up at the Higurashi shrine but evil, as always, is afoot. My friends are victim to a mysterious spell and it is up to me to solve the mystery.

To my surprise, Maki is still alive and I confront her alone in her forest temple. And here's another shocker...

I am Higurashi Kaoru's daughter!

To find out, tune in next time!

Chapter 15

Haunting Omen

REVIEW RESPONSES:

Zonza: Hey, thanks for the critique. I really needed it. Yeah, I tried to be original with the IY cast and came up with this story. Mainly because I grew tired of all the high school stories and 'Inuyasha's a rich snob AU's'. You're cool with me!

Yogi Bear321: Yeah. True! You said a mouthful! To tell you the truth, one time, I almost gave up on writing this story but then I realize that reviews don't make the stories, the authors do. Since last November, fanfiction writing had became part of my life now. And I'm not stopping no matter how often my life may interfere. Thanks a bunch and keep it tight up in Canada.