Disclaimer: I do not own any of the copyrighted/licensed/trademarked materials mentioned in this fanfiction (from InuYasha to my references to Nine Inch Nails or Harry Potter). They are the properties of their respective copyright holders and I in no way am insinuating that I own them. (Consider it free advertising.) I only own the storyline and any new characters that may crop up.


Chapter Twenty-One: The Land of Eternal Rains

Senkotsuke and Sesshomaru came bolting into the living room where everyone sat silently mourning, and they were behaving like excited ten year olds. Every head in the room swung around to see them. It seemed that they finally tracked down Myoga for he sat upon Jinkaru's shoulder weeping and blowing his nose into a handkerchief. "Father!" Senkotsuke shouted, "Father, come quick! We've found something!"

Jinkaru sat upright and quirked a brow at them. "What in blazes are you talking about?"

Senkotsuke started rambling and making gestures with his hands, "I'm really not sure. We had finished digging Grandfather's grave and we put the shovels back in the forge. I leaned against the wall because I was feeling overcome with sorrow, but part of the wall collapsed under my shoulder! It was a hidden compartment! There are weapons in it! Come on, everyone! Let's go!" With that said Senkotsuke turned from the living room and walked back to the forge. Despite the avid confusion, everyone got to their feet and followed the energized Senkotsuke down to the remnants of the forge. Upon arrival, Senkotsuke and Sesshomaru quickly cleared a makeshift path for everyone.

Jinkaru and Sango carefully helped Yamashita through the rubble and into the forge. The elderly demoness looked to the compartment that her grandson spoke of. Inside were three intricately crafted weapons that appeared to have been well cared for. She gasped, "Oh, Kami. I had almost forgotten."

Jinkaru stopped and looked to his mother in awe, "What do you mean you 'had almost forgotten'? You knew of this hidden niche, Mother?"

"Of course she knew," Myoga croaked. "These are three of Totosai's finest works."

Yamashita patted her son's hand gently, "My son, your father forged these weapons before you were even born. In fact, they were made before he was allowed to take me as his mate."

Myoga continued to reminisce. "Ah, yes. Totosai and I were both young and impetuous when the great Tensuke challenged him to forge these beauties."

Megami approached the cache of weapons and gazed upon them with wonder. Hanging on the wall of this secret partition was a claymore so large that it made Senkotsuke's look like a toy, a great sword whose blade was shaped in the likeness of flames, and a whip that appeared to be fashioned out of demon bones. "What on earth …?" Megami whispered.

Yamashita slowly came to stand beside her granddaughter and ran her hands lovingly over the weapons. "You see, my father had a test for every one of my suitors. He knew that the one who could pass the test had the heart and patience to make me happy. Each test was unique to each suitor. My father told Totosai to forge three great weapons from a fang, a claw, and a dragon's tail. More importantly they were his fang and his claw. The claymore is fashioned from the claw, and the flame sword is forged from his fang. These were the results of Totosai's test, and they pleased my father beyond all hopes."

Senkotsuke's jaw dropped. "You mean these weapons are forged from Great-Grandfather's fang and claw?"

"Yes," she said, "All except the whip. My father was so pleased with Totosai's work that he allowed Totosai to court me if I would have him. After all, he worked on these pieces for over two years."

"Mother," Jinkaru spoke in a hushed voice, "You never told me about this."

Yamashita shrugged. "We put the weapons away and, like I just said, I almost forgot about them."

Senkotsuke reached for the claymore and looked to his grandmother, "May I, Grandma?"

Yamashita nodded and said, "Go ahead, dear."

Senkotsuke lifted the claymore from its wall mounts with care. He held the weapon lovingly and admired its craftsmanship. "I feel almost unworthy," Senkotsuke whispered. "Great-Grandfather Tensuke's claw …"

Yamashita nudged Megami, "Go on, child. Take yours, too."

"Mine?" she asked incredulously.

"What am I going to do with them? I was not trained to fight. Your brother Tensuke trained for the battle axe. By all rights Megami, it is yours."

Megami pulled the sword down from its perch and felt its weight in her hands. She put her left index and middle finger out and placed the junction of blade and hilt on her fingers. The balance was perfect. Megami wrapped her right hand around the hilt and carefully swung the blade around. She grinned and turned to Sesshomaru. "Get me some leather. I'll need a new sheath for this." Senkotsuke stepped beside his sister with the new claymore propped on his shoulder. Megami turned the tip of the blade to the ground, propping it upright, and both siblings took a knee before their grandmother.

Senkotsuke spoke in an awed tone, "Grandmother, we are honored beyond our wildest dreams to be allowed to bear these weapons. We will do our grandfather and great-grandfather proud." Both siblings bowed their heads then arose with their new weapons.

Sango looked to the shelf. "What about the whip?"

Yamashita walked to the cabinet slowly. She carefully pulled the whip from its fixtures and turned to face the onlookers. The wise demoness approached Kagome and extended the whip to the priestess as a gift. "I know you are trained with the bow, my dear, but perhaps this would give you a closer ranged weapon to protect your loved ones."

Kagome put her hands up, "Oh I couldn't! That's a family heirloom."

Yamashita smiled, "And what do you think you are, my child? A stranger? Your mate's brother has taken my granddaughter as his mate. My mate served yours. You are my granddaughter's friend. All these ties are perfect reasons to call you family. In these times we cannot worry overmuch about blood ties and such." She put the dragon tail whip into Kagome's hands, "I insist, child."

Kagome accepted the whip with a deep bow. "Thank you," she said humbly.

Yamashita returned her bow and then put her arm around the young priestess. Yamashita seemed to regain her usual elegant and caring posture as she looked around to her family. She smiled at Kagome and said, "Come, dear, let's go upstairs and make a late lunch. Everyone must be famished."

Jinkaru smiled softly from relief as he saw his mother recover slightly from her grief. Kagome helped Yamashita prepare a simple lunch of canned soup and cold sandwiches. After everyone had eaten Jinkaru gave Megami, Kagome, and Sango a handful of bills and instructed them to drive to Pendleton and pick up some extremely quick, easy, and filling groceries to be used over the next few days. He slipped the notes into Megami's hand while whispering, "I don't want her to worry about cooking for the next few days. Your grandmother is always cooking up a storm. I want her to relax and have some time to grieve."

Megami nodded, "Yes, father. I understand."

"While you three are gone, Senkotsuke and Sesshomaru will help me finish the funeral preparations. Tensuke should be here soon."

Tensuke arrived shortly after the girls left (he had been called after they broke the news to Yamashita). He squeezed his father and brother. Tensuke turned to Sesshomaru and embraced him as well. He softly spoke through his sorrow, "At least I still have two brothers."

Sesshomaru nodded to Tensuke. "It was my honor, little brother."

Jinkaru looked upon the scene with a contented sigh before saying, "Come on, boys. There is much to do."


That evening the family gathered for Totosai's solemn funeral ceremony. The sun was slowly descending into the west as ten people progressed across the grass towards an empty grave. Jinkaru donned his full array of armor as he bore his father's ashes in a great urn while everyone marched behind him. Yamashita wore a fine black kimono tied with a great silver obi while she wept for her beloved. Tensuke, Senkotsuke, Sesshomaru, Megami, and Sango also adorned themselves in their armor and weapons in honor of Totosai. It was only fitting since he crafted all but Sango's armor and sword. Shippo, in his own loving way, spent most of his day drawing a picture of Totosai. As the young kitsune walked beside Kagome to the gravesite he held the picture protectively. Kagome borrowed a formal kimono from Megami's closet for the occasion. The faint sobbing of Myoga could be heard resonating from Jinkaru's shoulder. The ten mourners soon stood beside the open grave. Jinkaru spoke briefly about his father before placing the urn in the earth with great care. He wept while he lifted a handful of dirt and spread it over the urn. Jinkaru's voice wavered as he spoke to his father's remains, "When Naraku is destroyed I will return you to your homeland, Father."

Yamashita came to the edge of the grave and cupped some soil in her withered hands. She sprinkled the earth over her mate's remains while weeping. Once finished, she turned to her son and he held her while she cried.

Tensuke, Senkotsuke, and Megami stepped forward and also scattered soil over their grandfather's remains. The trio stepped aside to allow the other four to do the same. Shippo walked forward and gently tugged at Yamashita's sleeve. She looked down at the little one through blurred eyes. Shippo offered Totosai's portrait to her. "I thought of leaving it here, but I thought you would like to keep it."

Yamashita took the portrait from him gratefully and smiled through her tears. "I will cherish it always, Shippo-kun."

Kagome and Sango paid their respects. Sango turned to Senkotsuke, and they leaned on each other in their sadness. Tensuke and Kagome stood near each other, together in their own solitude. When Sesshomaru let the last grains of earth slip through his clawed fingers, he approached Megami. She leaned into him as she cried. Sesshomaru put his arm around her waist and kissed the crown of her head. "It's all right, my love. Go ahead and cry. I am sad to see him go, too."

Megami looked into her mate's eyes and her voice did not quake as she spoke. "I swear, my lord, not only will Naraku pay for his crimes against all who stand here … but Kagura's head is mine!"


The sun was skimming the horizon as Megami stood on the roof of the large house looking over the trees and fields below. She paced across the spine of the roof while still wearing her armor. The flame-like sword slapped her leg as she walked. Megami smoothed her hair back nervously as she thought. My life has been turned upside down all in the span of a month. The secrecy I have been taught to adhere to so completely has been utterly blown away. Two mortals are so used to me in my demon form that I am like a sister to them. There are two more demons among our ranks … and one of them is my mate. My mate! To think of it … such a blessing amidst so much sorrow. My grandfather is dead; betrayed by his own blood. I must remain strong. Now is not the time to dwell in my pain, not when we are so close to completing what has taken Father and his comrades five hundred years and countless lives to accomplish! Naraku's destruction … The sound of steps behind her brought Megami from her thoughts. She turned swiftly to see Jinkaru approaching her. "Is something wrong, Father?" she asked.

Jinkaru's eyes misted over as he saw his daughter standing proud and tall in her battle gear. She always carried herself like a proud warrior and a great demoness. Megami had fought countless battles at her father and brothers' side, even defeated numerous foes with her own strength, but for Jinkaru to see his daughter grow so much in the span of a day was almost too much for him. She has faced the last test of passage. She has become a true warrior, and a woman. My little girl has grown up … and found her mate … Jinkaru cleared his throat before finally answering her question. "Everything is fine, little one." He ran his hands through his hair with the same nervous tendency that his daughter inherited. Jinkaru took a shaky breath and said, "It's not easy for any father to see his daughter so grown up. But it's joyous at the same time. I dreamed of the day that I would see one of my children find their mate … I just never thought I would have to let go of my little girl first."

Megami's expression softened at his words. She closed the gap between them and hugged her father. "Don't worry about me, Daddy."

Jinkaru returned his daughter's embrace, "But I do, Megami. It's a father's right."

"Dad, Sesshomaru loves me."

"Oh, I don't worry about that. I know he will make you happy, and will take good care of you long after I am gone from this world. I just worry that you will leave this world before I do."

"Dad …"

A tear slid down Jinkaru's face as he whispered, "I would fight in your place if I could, but fate did not choose me for this task. I was chosen to prepare you and Senkotsuke for this." He sighed deeply, "I have called Moriko. He and the boys are already on their way. Tomorrow Tensuke, Senkotsuke, and Sesshomaru are going to the Fox Demons to enlist their help."

Megami looked up to her father. Worry marred his face heavily and she smiled softly to alleviate some of his concern. "Don't worry, Father." She touched the crescent on her brow and said, "Destiny is on my side."

"Jinkaru," a voice interrupted them. Father and daughter turned and saw Sesshomaru standing on the rooftop about twenty feet away. He held up a cordless phone, "Moriko is on the line. He said he's just landed in Portland." Jinkaru turned to face him with his hands out and Sesshomaru tossed him the phone. Jinkaru caught the phone. He kissed his daughter's brow and turned to take his phone call. Jinkaru lightly leaped off the roof and walked around to the sliding glass door. Sesshomaru walked towards Megami slowly. He smiled at her lovingly, "Moriko is anxious to see us."

Megami blushed slightly. "Who told him?"

Sesshomaru chuckled as he recalled the literal "dog fight" between him, Tensuke, and Senkotsuke over the phone. "I managed to wrestle the phone from your brothers and I was able to tell him myself."

"He should be here in a few hours then," Megami said.

"Yes. We will have some time to relax before getting elbow deep into battle plans and travel arrangements." Sesshomaru took her hand, "Come on, Megami. Let's get out of our armor and enjoy some comforts while we can." He began to lead her across the roof.

"It will be a sleepless night for us all," Megami spoke critically as she walked beside her mate.


Moriko and his three sons, Yukiko, Koji, and Haruko, arrived late that night. Discussions ran into the early morning hours as they plotted strategies. Sesshomaru and Megami had to repeatedly stress to those present that only the six of them were to enter the inner sanctum of Naraku's lair. Moriko was beside himself. "You are talking suicide!" he sputtered. "I will not send you in to be slaughtered!"

"Uncle Moriko!" Megami cried out as she slammed her fist on the table and maps, "Try to understand that this prophecy expressly specifies that only the six of us are to complete this task!"

"But, my child, Kagome is pregnant. You are the last …"

"I know that I am, Uncle! You have to trust us!" She took a deep breath and lowered her tone, "If all of you are outside fending off his minions, it gives us a better chance to deal with Naraku. If you cut off his reinforcements it will make us focus purely on Naraku."

Jinkaru put his hand on his best friend's shoulder, "Listen to her, Moriko. We have to trust their judgment on this."

The sun broke over the mountaintops and Tensuke, Senkotsuke, and Sesshomaru left to speak to the Oregon Fox tribe. Hoshi's clan did not require much persuasion to lend their assistance to their operation. By noon the three inu youkai returned with Hoshi, Ryuji, and Akimitsu.

When they re-entered the sitting room, Megami and Yukiko were discussing which vehicles to take and routes to drive. Megami pointed to a map while saying, "Two vehicles should go the long way; cutting across Oregon on I-84 and then up Washington on I-5. The other two vehicles can take the direct route through Washington on I-82 and I-90 until they reach the I-5 in Seattle. We well reconvene at the casino in Tukwila."

Yukiko nodded, "Good plan, sis. Now, what will you drive since your truck is damaged and will draw attention?"

Megami smirked, "Don't worry about that. My truck is my everyday rig. I still have my baby in the garage." She turned to see the new arrivals. "Ah, I'm glad to see that everything has gone well. Lunch should be ready soon. Shippo is helping Sango and Father to bake some frozen pizzas." She folded up the maps. "After lunch, I'll be doing a little maintenance on my car and we'll be leaving this evening."

"What car?" Sesshomaru asked.

A fire gleamed in Megami's eyes. "I'll show you." She turned from the table and exited the room with Sesshomaru on her heels.

She led him to the large garage beyond the yard. The garage looked as if it could house ten vehicles with ease. Megami opened the small side entrance and flipped a light switch. Fluorescent lights flickered on in rows down the length of the garage, shining light upon numerous glistening vehicles. All the vehicles were of older models but all twinkled as if they were fresh from the showroom floor. A few of the cars donned canvas covers to protect them from the dust. Megami walked down the garage, lovingly tweaking an antenna here and there, until she stopped before one of the cars sheathed in a canvas cover. She stopped and caressed the car as she spoke, "This car has been mine since it rolled off the dealer's lot. I have made every alteration myself except the paint job. It is one of the fastest cars we own." Megami grasped the canvas wrapping and tugged it from the vehicle. Sesshomaru gazed in awe as she revealed a jet black 1970 Chevelle SS. Megami smiled softly at the sight of her car. She talked in a reverential tone, "Holley carburetor, Edelbrock intakes, and a three-fifty Chevrolet small block engine." Megami turned to Sesshomaru, "I know it means nothing to you, but it means that she is fast. And speed is a factor now. Our time here has almost run out. If we don't leave by daybreak I suspect this place will be crawling with Naraku's foot soldiers."

Sesshomaru nodded in accord. "Our strike must be swift and precise. If we all stick to the plan then we should all be home for a celebration of the likes we have never seen."

"Indeed." Megami turned from the car and rifled through a cabinet. She pulled out five quarts of oil, an oil filter, an air filter, and a can of WD-40.

"What's that for?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Routine maintenance before I take my car out again," she sighed as she closed the cabinet doors. "We should get back inside now. Lunch should be ready." Megami pivoted on her heels and strode for the door.

Sesshomaru reached out and gently took hold of her wrist. "One last thing before we go."

"What's the matter?" Megami asked.

"Something has been pestering me for the past few days. I have to know before we leave."

"What's that?"

Sesshomaru looked at her and said, "Just how did you keep that crescent hidden from me?"

Megami blushed softly and answered, "It was simply a second sutra, my lord."

Sesshomaru was about to release her wrist when the image of her dancing in only a pair of red thong panties flashed in his memory. He lightly pulled her back to him. "And my lady, just where was this sutra painted?"

Megami's face reddened with complete embarrassment. She chuckled softly before mumbling, "Think hard, my lord. What didn't you see until after you saw the crescent?"

Sesshomaru's eyebrows flew into his hair as he comprehended her subtle hint.


Rain splattered the windshield of Megami's Chevelle as she and Sesshomaru sped down the extensive blacktop that was Interstate Five. The wiper motor groaned as the wipers slid across the windshield repeatedly. Sesshomaru looked to the driver's seat and his gaze fell upon his mate. Her nerves seemed to steel as they crossed the state line, but that was quite some time ago.

With every passing mile he noted that her face grew more grave and cold.

"How much further is it, Megami?" Sesshomaru asked.

She glanced at the upcoming exit. "We're coming up on Everett. It shouldn't be much further."

Sesshomaru reached over and placed his hand reassuringly on her thigh. "Are you ready, my love?"

Megami sighed, "Yes. I have been ready for this since I laid eyes on you." She checked her blind spots and signaled to pass a semi truck. "The day Kagome saw my sutra I thought I had met my end. It seems that it was only the beginning. That ten minute train ride from the school to her home felt like an eternity. I didn't fully realize what awaited me at her house." She stopped speaking to look at him momentarily. "Finding you at the Higurashi shrine was much more than finding another demon. To me it was finding my mate. But it didn't end there. For me and my family it meant finding our freedom. I knew that this day was in sight. I knew that my whole life was about to change, and I wanted it more than anything."

Sesshomaru reached over and pushed a piece of her hair behind her pointed ear. "I will not fail you."

"I know," Megami whispered.

Two car lengths behind the Chevelle, Senkotsuke followed the hot rod. He looked into the rearview mirror and saw Kagome staring out the window. "Are you feeling okay?" Senkotsuke asked.

Kagome nodded gently. "I'm okay, considering where we're going."

Sango turned to her and asked, "Are you sure you want to do this, Kagome? It could be dangerous for the baby. We could just have someone take you back to Oregon when we rendezvous at the casino."

"No, Sango. I have to do this. I know that InuYasha would be furious right now and call me stupid for charging into a battle when I'm three months pregnant. There is no other choice. That prophecy was specific that if we didn't band together then this will not work. It will all be in vain if I leave. It's my fault this whole mess started in the first place. I broke the jewel. I have to restore it. I have to guard it."

"Kagome," Sango scolded, "This would have happened whether you broke the Shikon Jewel or not. Naraku was already there; plotting and scheming. If the jewel had remained whole it would have been that much easier for him to kill you and InuYasha and have all the pieces together. He would have pitted you against each other just like he did to Kikyo and InuYasha."

"No, Sango. There is one big difference there," Kagome countered.

"What's that?"

"I know that InuYasha would never have betrayed me for the jewel. I would never have believed it." Kagome sighed heavily, "I guess in that way, I am stronger than Kikyo."

Sango nodded to Kagome and turned to face the front of the vehicle yet again. Senkotsuke shook his head as Megami gunned her motor and took off like a bullet. He accelerated to keep up with her as she barreled for the Tukwila exit.