Disclaimer: I do not own either Inuyasha or Rurouni Kenshin.
Chapter 15.
Kenshin looked around at the collection of weapons along with Sango and the other men. It wasn't that he minded getting a new weapon; it was just that none of them had a reverse blade. The old man that the demons had returned with was looking the swords over as well.
"Not bad craftsmanship, but my blades are still better." Totosai sniffed. Kenshin noticed Sango giving him a cold stare.
"Yeah, but they'll have to do for now." Inuyasha said as he looked over the small trove of weapons. "This is all we could get our hands on that would be useful to us."
There were enough for all of them to have a new sword and Kenshin even picked up one for Kaoru to protect herself with. The problem was that some of their group didn't use swords. Kenshin looked at Sano and Anji, but then he realized that Misao, and Kamatari didn't use swords either.
Apparently similar things had occurred to Aoshi who spoke up. "Do you have a scythe, Totosai?"
"No, not really. I generally specialize in swords." Totosai said with his usual spaced out expression.
At this Sango sighed and pulled out a Kasari-gama. She handed it over to Aoshi. "Here Aoshi, could you please give this to Kamatari for me? I remember her mentioning that she was skilled in this form of weapon as well."
Aoshi took the weapon from her, but looked a little puzzled. "Why haven't you already given it to her?"
"I tried, but I can't bring myself to do it. It was my brother's weapon. He died when we defeated Naraku, and I can't bring myself to give it to someone knowing they'll use it. Please, just give it to her." Sango said looking down at the ground.
None of the other men spoke, but merely nodded and kept their silence. Finally, Aoshi nodded. "I will give it to her then, thank you Sango."
Sango smiled weakly and turned to leave. No one stopped her, but Kenshin could have sworn he had heard what sounded like a snicker after she was nearly out of earshot. He was certain he must have imagined it.
"I notice you didn't ask about getting that Misao girl any new kunai." Cho said with a grin that stretched all across his face.
"Of course." Aoshi said in his usual monotone, Kenshin and Hiko were probably the only ones that could read chi well enough to detect his defensiveness. "Misao doesn't need to be fighting with these demons, once Soujiro's leg heals that's going to be his job."
None of the other men seemed very convinced. Kenshin was glad when Alanor finally spoke up. "I think I might be able to help that one along. One of the things you guys are going to need is a good healer, and I'm not talking about a doctor. I'm going to teach Kagome some simple healing spells before we leave. We'll use Soujiro as a test subject."
For once everyone got to see what Soujiro looked like without his smile as it was replaced by a look of terror-stricken silence. Cho patted the boy's shoulder as if wishing a comrade well in the after life.
"There is still the matter of how Anji and I are going to be effective against these demons though." Sano piped in.
"How do you manage to fight these demons Miroku-sama?" Anji asked. Miroku appeared to be slightly stunned. He apparently wasn't accustomed to travelling with other monks.
"I use my sutras. Some demons can be harmed with normal weapons and attacks, but generally they are the weak kind that the more powerful demons send in to get slaughtered and wear down their enemies until they begin to fight themselves. If I run across a more powerful demon I pull a sutra and slap it onto them. I can then strike it with my staff and injure them." Miroku said pulling out a small strip of paper with his spells scrolled across it.
Alanor looked at the strip of cloth and considered it. "Not a very powerful spell." He remarked conversationally.
Miroku's eye was twitching and he was flexing his right hand for some reason, but his voice remained calm. "They've worked fine up until now."
"Regardless, I'll show you a better spell to use. It'll help taking down even the most potent of demons." Alanor said apparently not noticing Miroku's irritation.
"Hey wait a minute!" Sanosuke said excitedly. "Can you make one of those things out of cloth?"
"Of course, it just has to be fine linen like silk." Miroku replied. "Why do you ask?"
"That thing looks like a bandage, and Anji and I wrap our fists whenever we fight. If you can make a long silken sutra-thingy, then Anji and could wrap our fists in it and we'd be able to punch demons." Sano said in a rush.
Kenshin smiled. Sano usually didn't get many ideas, but when he did they were generally good ones. The rest of the men looked duly impressed, except Saitoh of course.
"Moron." Saitoh said in disgust.
"Why do you say that? It'll probably work." Alanor said quizzically.
"No reason. I just don't want him to think that just because he had one good idea that he isn't a moron." Saitoh said conversationally as he struck up a cigarette.
Kenshin headed off the argument by changing the subject. "Master Totosai, can you make my own reverse blade sword powerful enough to stop a demon."
Saitoh snorted. "Don't tell me you plan on keeping that oath of yours not to kill even against demons!"
"No Saitoh, demons are pure evil and should be destroyed. I just don't want to carry a sword that can also be used to hurt people." Kenshin said as he suddenly felt a sharp pain coming from the back of his head and grass had suddenly managed to grow up in front of him.
Kenshin looked up to see Sesshomaru standing over him with a face that looked like it could match Aoshi in a staring contest and for once Inuyasha was the one looking on in approval. "Present company excluded of course." Kenshin said shakily.
"Don't kid yourself." Sesshomaru said haughtily. "If not for the miko's spell, I would have already killed you all and been gone."
"Then I'll get her to release you." Inuyasha said sneering.
Sesshomaru looked around to the rest of them. "Actually, I'm beginning to enjoy watching you get planted to the earth were you belong on a regular basis. That and I'm wondering exactly what demon is behind this myself."
Kenshin dusted himself off and studied Sesshomaru. Truth be told he probably wasn't any more evil than Saitoh, which wasn't saying much. However Kenshin had a problem believing that a man who traveled in the company of a little girl and looked after her was as evil as he claimed to be.
"Well then if the pleasantries are over with, I'll leave you men to your tasks. While I'm gone I'm leaving Hiko in charge of your little army and also in charge of teaching Kagome. He's proven himself to be quite… adept, in the ways of magic." Alanor said smirking.
Kenshin looked dubious, and Inuyasha was fit to be tied. "What makes you think we're going to follow some human into battle old man."
Alanor was about to plant Inuyasha into another tree when Hiko put a hand on his shoulder. "Because I am Kagome's new teacher and if I tell her to she'll pound you so far into the ground you'll come out on the other side. I also intend to start teaching you how to use that ridiculous looking thing you call a sword. I am also Kenshin's master, and since he's beaten just about all the rest of you men before it would stand to reason that such a thing puts me in the top rank among you. Unless someone wants to challenge me for the position." Hiko said smiling as his hand drifted down to the new sword he had at his hip that was fully capable of skewering even the two demons. Kenshin also noticed he was wearing a second sword, which was odd since the Hiten Mitsarugi style only used one.
Kenshin also noticed that none of the other men jumped at the chance to challenge him for the title so everything had been settled.
"Fine then. Anji, I'll make your sutra wrappings for your fists. You and Cho will accompany me on my way to find the demon gate. It might help to have an actual demon with us so Sesshomaru can come with us as well. Totosai, you can make kunai for Misao and work on getting Kenshin's sword enchanted. Hiko, you and Miroku start teaching Kagome what you can. See if you can find that little toad Jaken as well, he might know a thing or two. You might also want to start training Inuyasha how to use a sword properly, that seems to be what got this whole mess started anyway." Inuyasha started to argue but was suddenly thrust face first into the ground thanks to a fist to the back of the head from his brother Sesshomaru.
"Thank you, Sesshomaru." Alanor said barely glancing in their direction.
"Anytime."
"If there's anything else that's needs doing you men and Hiko can get by well enough on your own. In the mean time, let's get Soujiro over to Kagome and we can get everything going." Alanor said looping an arm around Soujiro's shoulders and practically dragging him off to Kagome.
Kenshin had other things to do, but he was really interested in the powers Kagome possessed. He noticed most of the other men tagged along as well showing some 'casual' interest.
Alanor stalked over to where some of the women were sitting around outside the hut. Kagome stood up as Alanor came closer. The rest of the women really didn't know what to make of the old man so they generally avoided him. "It's time for your first lesson Higurashi."
Kagome followed Alanor meekly to a clearing just outside the village. Kenshin watched as Alanor had Soujiro laid out in the grass. He then knelt and had Kagome to kneel on the other side of him. Soujiro somehow managed to keep his smile on his face, as he looked toward Misao with a 'Please save me' expression.
Kenshin felt for the boy, but this should make him well. Alanor took on a tone of an educator as he demonstrated. "The trick to healing is that you have to imagine what the effected area should look like instead of how it appears. You then focus and apply your will and spiritual energy into forcing what you envision into becoming reality."
"Just like at the well?" Kagome asked seriously.
"Somewhat, but in this case you actually have to focus the energy yourself instead of merely manipulating energy that already exists within the well. This will be much harder. It is much easier to simply guide a pre-existing energy where you want it to go than it is to actually expend the energy yourself. You also need to have a very clear vision of what it should look like. You should start on people you know, and you should never attempt internal healings unless you have a comprehensive knowledge of human anatomy. You should ask Megumi and Kaede to show you those things before you EVER attempt an internal healing." Alanor said seriously. "Better for you now to stick to minor cuts and bruises and work your way up from there. Now please observe."
Alanor pulled up Soujiro's clothes to expose the broken leg. It had plenty of cuts and plenty of bruises. Alanor gently placed his palm over the area of Soujiro's break. "Now you have to place your hand over the effected area and wipe over it. This makes the transition easier to envision and helps to soothe the patient as there is some pain involved."
Soujiro sat bolt upright only to have his forehead collide with Alanor's hand, which pushed him straight back down. Alanor looked at the wound, closed his eyes, and then moved his hand gently down Soujiro's leg. Soujiro flinched a little, but otherwise he seemed pleased with the result.
"There's still cuts and bruises." Hiko pointed out.
"Yes, I know. Kagome, please try to heal these minor cuts and bruises for me." Alanor said moving out of the way.
Kagome nodded and put her hand on Soujiro's leg. Soujiro had apparently leaned back and was getting over the shock of being worked on magically when Kenshin saw his face contort into a mask of extreme agony.
"No Kagome, you're imagining the wound as it should be trying to heal. That's very painful; only imagine what it should look like in its pristine state. Now try again, this time try not to scar him." Alanor scolded.
Soujiro looked ready to whimper as Kagome tried again. This time however it only stung a little as Soujiro barely flinched. His leg looked as if no damage had ever been done to it.
"You'll get plenty of practice with that trick, when I start training Inuyasha." Hiko said smiling.
"That's a relief. I know how Inuyasha's body is supposed to look pretty well." Kagome said happily. The rest of the men were laughing before she realized how she'd said it and started blushing furiously. Even Inuyasha looked embarrassed, but he hid it well.
"I'm a demon I heal plenty fast on my own remember. Besides, you're the one who's going to need a healer old man." Inuyasha said moodily.
"We'll see. Regardless, Kagome will need the practice so I want you to come watch Inuyasha and I train, and be ready to heal whatever I do to him. You can study Miroku's sutras until you're needed." Hiko said seriously.
"There is one other thing, Alanor-sama." Kagome said slowly.
"Yes?"
"I still haven't told my family what I'm doing yet. I'll need to go and let them know and I'll also need to get a few things from my time." Kagome said quietly.
"Impossible I'm afraid. The timeline has been corrupted from this time forward. If you attempt any more travel it will land you in deep water." Alanor said sternly.
Kagome was nodding, but she didn't look very happy about the matter.
"Well then we're off. You men take care of things here and I'll be back as soon as I can."
The rest of the afternoon passed as the ladies seemed to be preparing meals and discussing something amongst themselves, and the men thought about where to go from there.
"It's decided then." Hiko was saying. "We can't stay here as it might endanger the villagers and Tokyo of the future so we must find someplace else to stay."
"I suggest Sango's village." Miroku was saying. "It's well defended, abandoned, and it's remote. Most of the demons who know of its location are dead now so we should be able to set up a permanent camp there without being disturbed."
The men discussed the option to themselves and since no one had any better ideas it was decided. "Excellent, we'll start for her village in the morning. Kenshin, you go inform the women." Hiko said finally.
Kenshin nodded and went towards the women who were happily talking around Kaede's hut. The strange thing was that the conversation died as Kenshin approached. They appeared to be talking about Kamatari's new weapon. Kenshin then remembered he was carrying a weapon for Kaoru.
"I almost forgot, Kaoru-do… I mean Kaoru. Here, I got this sword from among the swords Sango brought and I thought you might be able to use it." Kenshin said as he walked over to Kaoru.
Kaoru took the blade and stared at it for a moment before turning to where Yahiko was busy helping Tsubame put rice balls on a tray. "Yahiko come here."
Yahiko padded over quietly, for once, before Kaoru handed him the sword. The boy's eyes lit up as he slipped it over onto his back. Kenshin was dumbfounded.
"I won't be needing a sword, Kenshin. As long as you're here to protect me." Kaoru said as she put her head on Kenshin's shoulder. Kenshin was stunned speechless, but Yahiko simply rolled his eyes and trotted off to finish helping Tsubame.
"Was there something you wanted to tell me Kenshin?" Kaoru said sweetly. Kenshin definitely didn't understand women. "Uh, Master Hiko sent me to tell you we decided to go to Sango's village tomorrow to keep from getting anyone here hurt when the demons come."
Tae stood up from where she was cooking. "Oh he did, did he? Did that man ever stop to think that maybe we were perfectly happy right where we are? I'm not going anywhere that arrogant, sake-swilling, blow-hard says."
Kenshin quickly looked around and saw that the rest of the women were all looking at him and frowning even Kaoru. Apparently they had different ideas. This was all very strange and to mention it they had been acting strangely all day long. They had been constantly running up to him and asking his opinion about everything. Along the same line, Sano had been trying to get some time alone with Megumi to talk, but every time he did one of the women would come running up with something else they had needed help with and dragged him away. Even now Sano was resting by the fire after a pretty rough day of work. Kenshin DEFINTELY didn't understand women.
"But, Ms. Tae, we'll be safer there. Sango's village is easier to defend." Kenshin said desperately pleading.
"Well then Sir Ken, if you think it's best I guess it'll have to be fine with us too." Tae said quickly. Kenshin looked around and all the frowns had been replaced by smiling faces and Kaoru was beaming at him. Kenshin DEFINTELY didn't understand women, especially Kaoru.
"Uh O.K., I'll just tell the other men then…"
Tae watched Kenshin head back to the men as Yahiko and Tsubame followed after to serve the food.
"Well, I guess things are going according to plan. Everybody remember,
Nobody gives Aoshi the time of day except Kamatari.
Nobody listens to Hiko.
Everybody follow Kenshin like he was some sort of leader.
Work Sano to death, and don't let him get Megumi alone.
Everybody try to let Inuyasha hear you tell Kagome how much nicer Kouga is.
Everybody try to make Miroku jealous of Saitoh.
Encourage Soujiro and Yahiko.
Is everybody straight so far?" Tae asked finally.
The women all nodded.
"Thank you for giving this to me, Sango." Kamatari said gratefully.
"Don't mention it. It's like I told you, Kohaku would have wanted it to be useful to someone. You should have seen the look on the men's faces when I gave it to Aoshi. They all made a big deal out of it as if all my emotional attachments to my brother were tied to his weapon. I had to leave before I broke out laughing."
"That's typical male thinking for you." Megumi said off-handedly.
"I'm just glad they managed to decide on going to my village." Sango said seriously.
"Yes, men can be pretty hard to steer once they get their mind on a thing." Tokio was saying. "My Saitoh is starting to get to the age when back aches are a major issue and he thinks he's going to fight a man ten years younger than he is. That man is a policeman, has fought beside Kenshin, and even gone to his house for a party, and he STILL thinks he's going to someday manage to get into a fight to the death with him."
All the women nodded at the general denseness of the male species and then prepared for the night. It was going to be a long trek tomorrow, so they had better rest.