Chapter 10: The Truth Always Comes to Light. Part One.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha!

"Now that that's settled, we can talk about what is happening and what you all need to do to stop it." Kikyo said as she settled into her sitting position.

"All? What do you mean all? She's the one that destined to save the world!" Inuyasha grumbled.

"It's for the greater good, Inuyasha!" Kikyo snapped. "And because without you, Sango and Miroku - Kagome will fail and she will die!"

"Die?" Kagome asked as she grew a panicked look on her face. "What do you mean I'll die? Noone said anything about dying!" She yelled out in near hysterics.

Inuyasha growled and shot to his feet. "I would never let anyone kill her! I'll kill anyone who dares to try!"

"What do you care?" Kagome scoffed and rolled her eyes. "You didn't care about me when you kept the biggest secret from me! And besides, you already have someone that you're supposed to protect, and it isn't me." She finished under her breath, but Inuyasha heard it all the same.

"Damn it, Kagome." Inuyasha growled but was interrupted by Kaede clearing her throat.

"If you want to save Kagome, Inuyasha I suggest you sit down and listen to what we have to say!" Kaede ordered making Inuyasha sit down immediately, still growling under his breath.

"Okay then." Kikyo said taking back control of the discussion. "This going to be a long conversation, for I have to start from the beginning. Long ago, almost three centuries ago, the world was turning black, the fruits and vegetables and all wildlife was dying as well as people - the old and already ill people were starting to die. Soon after that even the young and healthy people got really sick and slowly started to die. Something had to be done. Everyone started praying, begging any God that was willing to listen and answer their prayers - their pleads for life and a miracle. That was when a very powerful and known priestess called Midoriko gave her life to produce the Sacred Jewel that had the power to revive the Earth and bring all the fruit, vegetables and wildlife back. It had the power to heal the sick and rejuvenate them back to what they were like before the world started to die. Everyone was so happy, thrilled even, that they were saved that built the shrine to house the Sacred Jewel in, and prayed - even worshiped it over the centuries.

"Noone knew the dangers that lurked in the dark corners just waiting for the right opportunity to make his move, and that came on a dark stormy night. As everyone slept, a man named Onigumo made his move by trying to dig out the Sacred Jewel out of its holding compartment only for it to shatter in thousands of pieces and fly all over the world. People assumed that the blast from the sacred jewel had killed Onigumo and tried to move on to clean up the mess he left behind. Not long after that, however, the ground started to grow black as the trees and flowers started to wilt and die. There were fewer and fewer wildlife to be caught day after day. Luckily there were five shards found on the island and placed back in its holding compartment, and that helped the trees and grass grow green again and the people to stay healthy and strong. However, it wasn't enough to bring back the big wildlife - only the small like rabbits, squirls and such and it wasn't enough to make fruit and vegetables grow back, so we were left to only small meals every day.

"As our ancestors were making do with what they had, thinking that Onigumo indeed died, a new demon came into the picture named Naraku. Naraku, as you probably don't know, is a terrible demon who once wreaked havoc everywhere he went. He destroyed home, land and even lives - people knew him from miles and miles out, perhaps even the whole of the world knew him and his dastardly deeds. However, as time moved on - the attacks from Naraku grew smaller and smaller until they all disappeared for good. He decided that he had wanted to take over an entire port and run it as his own, as you know him to be Mayor of Port Royal. You Might be wondering what Onigumo and Naraku have in common with this tale, right?" Kikyo stopped as she watched all, but Kagome nod their heads.

"Well, you see." Kikyo continued. "Onigumo and Naraku are one in the same. Meaning that the blast from the jewel didn't kill Onigume but only made him stronger by three shards flying from the explosion and embedding into his flesh giving him great power and making him the demon called Naraku." She said and ignoring the surprised gasp from Sango, went on. "With that bringing us to where we are now, it's time for me to tell and teach you all what you must do to save us all."

"As you all must have noticed, the Earth is dying once again because of Naraku - he came last week and stole the five shards we had left and now the world is once again decaying and will soon cease to exist. Now, there is a life force flowing everyone's bodies like a river, but sometimes life forces becomes clogged and the causes of the clogs are deception, secrets, evilness, greed and finally great tragedy. One must be cleared of all of these things to become one with themselves and truly let their abilities shine through. I have looked inside all of your souls and found you all hiding a big secret or two and Sango, Kagome and Inuyasha, you have a tragedy in your life that you must expose with each other if you wish to be the victors of this battle. Once you've exposed the secrets then your life force will unclog and flow freely through your bodies and you'll have the power to stop Naraku and restore the world to its former glory. Now, who wants to be the first one to reveal what they've been hiding?" Kikyo asked as she looked around.

For several minutes there was nothing but silence as all the occupants stared at one another, no one actually wanting to reveal their secrets but knowing that they had to.

Eventually Sango sighed as she looked down at the ground. "I guess I'll go first. When I was eight a demon came to my village and destroyed everything and killed everyone, I was punished for being bad and sent to the chicken coop when it all happened, and they didn't find me. I saw everything. I saw as my parents were ripped to shreds as well as the rest of the village and I did nothing but sit and watched. I was a coward." Sango said as a giant sob escaped her throat prompting Miroku to move over to her and encircle his arms around her. "I did nothing! I just watched as my family and friends were savagely killed!" She continued to wail causing Kagome to scooch closer to her friend and rub her back hoping that it would bring Sango some comfort.

Sango sniffled as she shrugged out of Miroku's hold on her. "After the demon had left, I crawled out of the chicken coop and traveled to a nearby village and begged for someone to help but no one would listen to me, they all shoved me to the side like they didn't even care! I stayed there, though. I was homeless and had to steal just to survive, I lived like that for about ten years until Kagome found me and offered me a new life in which I didn't have to struggle. She told me that she was the captain of a pirate ship and if I would join her then I would never want for food or anything ever again. I accepted and never regrated or looked back, not even once." Sango looked at Kagome and gave her a fond smile. "You saved my life; Kagome and I could never find the words to thank you, nor have I found a way to repay you."

"Oh, Sango." Kagome cried as tears ran down her face as she enveloped Sango in a tight embrace. "Why haven't you've ever told me that?"

"I didn't want you to see a coward whenever you looked at me. I've been trying my hardest to prove to myself and to everyone else that I am no longer the scared little girl that I once was!" Sango explained as she moved away from Kagome's hug.

"Sango, I could never see you any different than what I see you as right now. You were just a little girl; how could you have defeated that demon? If you would have exposed yourself, you would have died as well - right along with everyone else. You did the right thing by staying hidden. I bet your parents are so happy that you stayed where you were and lived!" Kagome said.

Sango gave Kagome a slight smile. "Thanks, that means a lot."

Miroku sighed. "I guess I'll go next. I was born into a family that couldn't give less of a shit about me, go figure." He said with a humorless laugh. "They were part of a gang and when I turned five, they started using me as a decoy. They had me pretending I was hurt and had me going in shops to distract whoever was running the particular shop so they could come in a steal things. I never wanted to do it, but they said that if I didn't do what they said that they would beat me and kill me. I was scared, so I did what they wanted me to do - I got good at it too, the best decoy they've ever met. That went on the same way until I was fifteen, I was old enough then to do bigger jobs such as stealing and hurting people. Again, I didn't want to do it and put up a pretty good fight about it, it didn't turn out so good for me though. They all, even my own parents, beat me and left me for dead in a deserted ally way." He let out another humorless laugh. "I probably would've died had Inuyasha not found me unconscious on the ground, pick me up and carry back to his ship to nurse me back to health. I woke up on his ship, disoriented and scared but he calmed me down and told me who he was. He asked me if I wanted to join, and I never looked back."

"Miroku." Inuyasha whispered making Miroku turn to look at his captain.

"I never told you, because I was ashamed for all that I did and who I unintendedly hurt." Miroku said. "I guess, like Sango, I didn't want you to look at me any differently."

"Miroku, I could never see you as anything other than what you are, and you're not a senseless killer." Inuyasha said.

"Thanks, man. Means a lot." Miroku said as he sent Inuyasha a smile.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Inuyasha grumbled but couldn't keep the small smile off his face.

Inuyasha cleared his throat and glanced at Kagome who was looking at him already. They weren't ready to let their secrets out but knew they didn't have a choice in the matter - they had to do this. Which one would confess first, though, was the question. Inuyasha could read the plead in Kagome's eyes and sighed.

"I guess it's my turn." Inuyasha huffed out making all eyes turn his way.

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