Chapter Four: The Tempest and the Village
Kilala sped through the forest, her keen nose centered on Kagome's scent. Three of the riders who sat upon her back held on tightly, fearful that if the fire cat should slip that they would be thrown from her back. Only Sango, who was fully confident in her companion's ability, looked comfortable during the journey.
The race to find Kagome was cut short, however, when a squall blew in from the east. Rain pelted the group, threatening to tear into their flesh with its sudden ferocity. Sango leaned forward and yelled something into Kilala's ears, and the fire cat slowed for a moment. She lifted her nose into the air, struggling to find the missing miko's scent. After a moment, she growled, and a worried look crept onto Sango's face.
She shouted another command to Kilala, and the feline demon began to move once more. This time she changed directions slightly, and Inuyasha reached forward to tap the demon exterminator on the shoulder.
"What's going on?" he shouted over the downpour.
"The rain has wiped out Kagome's scent! Besides, it's dangerous to continue at this pace in this rain! I'm sorry Inuyasha, but we have to find shelter!"
Inuyasha did not look pleased, but he decided to remain quiet. He knew that the sudden storm was erasing away any trace of Kagome, but he was furious that there was nothing he could do about it right then. He turned his gaze away from Sango, angry at the whole situation.
Kilala wound her way down the muddied paths, and soon the group emerged from the woods. They were on a rise that overlooked several rice patties and a small village. Not much else was visible beyond the small town through the driving rain, and so the travelers decided that the tiny huts below would be their best hope for shelter. They dismounted, and the fire cat shrunk down to her normal size. With caution, the group made their way down the hill, slipping frequently on the wet grass. When they finally made their way to the edge of the village, they were soaked and covered in mud.
The village, at first glance, seemed deserted. Inuyasha used his keen eyes to peer through the rain in search of life, but his efforts appeared to be in vain. He was about to order the others to begin searching the small homes when he caught sight of someone heading toward what appeared to be a large building.
"Hey!" he called to the person, but the sounds of the storm kept him from being heard. Instead of calling out again, he motioned for the others to follow him. The hanyou headed for the large wooden structure, which was probably the town's temple.
When they reached the doors, the half demon could detect voices coming from inside. Miroku tapped Inuyasha on the shoulder and leaned close so that the hanyou could hear him. "Why don't I handle this? I believe that I can talk someone into giving us shelter for the night."
Inuyasha nodded, and the monk pushed the door to the temple open. The sight that greeted them was unexpected, and for a moment, the five simply stood in the doorway.
The temple was a hub of activity. People were milling about; some carrying messages, some hunched over tables covered in crude maps. It did not take long for one of the messengers to notice the new arrivals, and soon the entire room fell silent as every pair of eyes turned to the bedraggled newcomers.
One man, who had been hunched over several of the maps, straightened. He eyed the Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku, as though looking for any sign of a threat. The man was tall and well muscled, his body toned from either work in the fields or battle. It was hard for the group to tell which, for while his sun-colored face wore the laughter lines of a family man, his steel blue eyes reflected only pain and death.
"Who are you? Identify yourselves!" the commanding voiced boomed, filling the temple with sound.
"Feh. Looks like we stumbled into war, not a village," Inuyasha muttered.
Miroku put on his most diplomatic face and stepped forward, eager to keep Inuyasha from being heard. "We are simply travelers, looking for a lost friend. However, this sudden storm seems to have put our search on hold momentarily. We were hoping that maybe we could seek shelter here until nature stays her hand?"
The man, who seemed to be the leader of the village, eyed Miroku for a moment before answering. "You speak well, monk. But I am afraid that our village is preparing for battle, and cannot extend hospitality to strangers just now. Especially odd strangers such as yourself."
Miroku nodded, bowing his head slightly in respect. "Forgive us, sir. We did not mean to interrupt. Perhaps then, you could give us some information to help us find our friend?"
"That depends, monk. Which way are you headed?"
Miroku was preparing to answer, but was cut off by Inuyasha. "We were headed in the right direction; that is until this stupid rain washed away the trail! Now we have no clue where that slim-ball Yojikin has taken Kagome!"
The hanyou's words seemed to cast a spell over the room. Every villager took a collective breath; some even bowed their heads in sadness. The villager they had been speaking had a different reaction altogether. His icy eyes narrowed, and his hands clenched into angry fists. "Yojikin!" he hissed.
Now we're gettin' somewhere, Inuyasha thought as he moved to stand beside Miroku. "Yeah, what do you know of him?"
"He is as close to a demon as mortal men can come! I'm sorry, but if he has taken this friend of yours, then you might as well give up. If you ever manage to find her, she will be long dead."
Shippo grabbed onto Sango's kimono, his eyes wide. In response, the girl placed a comforting hand on his head. Inuyasha was not taking the information near as calmly, and in an instant had the man by the shirt.
"What do you mean, she'll be long dead?"
Blue eyes locked with gold as the two stared each other down. The tension in the room grew thick, and the village men began drawing their weapons.
"Hold your swords!" he called, his eyes never leaving Inuyasha. "Release me, or my men will kill you," he commanded quietly.
Inuyasha's eyes narrowed into golden slits. "Try it, and I'll kill you."
Miroku and Sango watched the showdown between man and half-demon. Shippo moved close to Kilala, and together they waited, breathless, for something to happen.
Time seemed to halt its endless progress, waiting with the occupants of the temple. The rain, which still cascaded to the earth in droves, pounded the rooftop, creating the only noise besides the nervous beating of human hearts.
The showdown ended abruptly as the leader let a small smile play on his lips. "You seem very determined. Perhaps your friend has a chance after all. Come, let us go someplace where we can talk. Your friends may come as well."
Inuyasha let the man drop back to the ground. He straightened his make-shift armor, keeping an almost regal appearance about him in the process. The man motioned for Inuyasha and the others to follow, and set off toward a curtained doorway in the back of the room.
"Whew, that was close! I thought that guy was a goner for sure!" Shippo whispered to Kilala as they followed the taller shard hunters across the temple room.
The room erupted into noise again as the townspeople returned to their tasks. In a single file line, the group made their way across the temple floor. Miroku, who had been walking ahead of Sango, stopped for a moment to move a chair. The action made Sango pause suspiciously, but when the monk motioned for her to move ahead she quickened her pace. Just when she thought that she was clear of the priest's reach, however, a hand found its way onto her passing rump. The resulting slap caused a few heads to turn, and several men laughed as the demon hunter yelled at the lecher.
Once they each had pushed the decorative blue divider aside, they found themselves in a smaller private mediation room.
Inuyasha's impatience got the better of him once more, and he demanded to know what was going on.
"I'm afraid that in order for things to make sense, then I must tell you my story. I have pulled you aside because the people of this village are simple folk, and would not understand what I am about to tell you. Please, have a seat, for I fear that this may take awhile."
As he seated himself on a purple cushion, one hand still rubbing his sore cheek, Miroku cast a curious glance at the man. "You dress as a farmer preparing for battle, yet speak like a nobleman. If you do not mind my asking, why would someone of high birth leave privilege to work the fields as a peasant?"
"I shall answer your question. First, perhaps we should begin with introductions? I would like to know who you are, and why you have come here before I tell you my secrets."
"A reasonable request. I am Miroku, a monk, as you have already guessed. My companions are Sango, a demon exterminator and her companion, Kilala. Next to her is Shippo, a fox youkia who was orphaned some time ago, and Inuyasha -"Miroku paused, deciding that Inuyasha had made his own introduction already. "We are on a quest, which was side-tracked when one of our companions was kidnapped by the lord Yojikin. Judging from your earlier response, you know of him?"
The man sighed, hestitating for a moment before answering. "Yes, I'm afraid that I do. My name is Gishohu, and Yojikin is my younger brother."