Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha or Loki. I own Yuniko as my own character, however.
This came in late, as this chapter sent me into crying fits. But it is kind of necessary to the story and the plotline, so please don't hit that Back button. Just…enjoy it. There are some happy moments in every life, no matter how sad. Oh, and the bold underlined names indicate who is remembering what.
Chapter Five: Shadowed Memories Unlocked
Inuyasha:
"Mother!" Tears ran down young Inuyasha's face as he clutched his mother's hand. On the other side, Loki gently mopped Izayoi's fevered forehead.
"Inu…yasha…" Izayoi gasped. Her illness had slowly wasted her away over the past year, and her hand felt nearly skeletal beneath the little hanyou's fingers. But her raspy voice still held traces of its old music as she spoke.
"Mommy? Are you gonna be OK?" Loki asked worriedly.
Izayoi smiled slightly at her daughter's innocence, still there despite the harshness of the world she had been born into. "I will be soon, Loki. Inuyasha, listen to me—" She broke off, coughing. Blood spattered her pillow. "Inuyasha…take care of your sisters. Find a place to live in peace. I love you, my little ones…" The last spark of her life faded away. Her hand went limp.
"Mother?" Loki started to cry quietly as Inuyasha screamed his heart's pain: "MOTHER!"
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It was burning away. Their home for as long as they could remember was turning to ash before their very eyes. And there was absolutely nothing they could do about it. There was nowhere to go.
They hadn't even been given time to mourn before the villagers came, heartlessly driving them away, setting their hut aflame with them still inside. Inuyasha barely had enough time to get his sisters out before the roof collapsed. Now, bruised and bloody, they could only watch as their only shelter, the only place they could have ever called home, vanish, taking the last physical reminder of Izayoi with it.
They hadn't even been given time to mourn. The villagers came with torches as soon as they heard, heartlessly driving the three children away, setting the house aflame with them still inside. Inuyasha barely had time to get his sisters out before the roof collapsed.
Yuniko whimpered in Inuyasha's arms, too small to fully understand what was happening, but fearing it all the same. Loki's small hand tightened on his sleeve.
"They're coming," she whispered, her huge eyes reflecting the firelight.
Inuyasha's amber eyes narrowed. He could smell them too—the villagers were coming to finish them off. He tensed, seeking an available escape route.
"Loki, when I tell you to, run. Get as far away from here as possible, got it?" Loki nodded. "I'll take Yuniko and get out another way. There's another village a few miles from here. We'll meet on the outskirts."
"There they are!"
"Kill those stinking half-breeds!"
Loki looked up at Inuyasha fearfully. His face was set in grim lines, the look of an innocent shown the harshness of the world far too soon. His arms tightened ever so slightly around little Yuniko.
"Loki, I want you to run. Now!" She fled before the humans could catch sight of her. Inuyasha held Yuniko closely, counting off the seconds until he was sure Loki was safe…
"You're dead now, you little freaks—Hey, where'd that girl get to! I was planning on having some fun with her before we finished her."
"Never mind…we've got two of 'em right here. No one'll even bother to avenge 'em. They got no family!"
Someone snatched Yuniko out of Inuyasha's arms. He hadn't expected anyone to sneak up on him. Caught off guard, the hanyou was kicked into the ground.
"Bastards," he growled. "Give me my sister!"
A pitchfork flashed above his head.
"You'll see her soon enough… She'll follow you into the afterlife!" He squeezed his eyes shut, readying for the blow that never came.
"Inu-nii-chan!" Inuyasha opened his eyes a crack, and then his amber orbs widened. The humans lay dead around them, leaving the children unscathed. Inuyasha didn't stick around long enough to wonder who had rescued them: He grabbed Yuniko and ran, hoping that whatever had gotten the humans wouldn't go after them.
It took hours to reach the appointed meeting place. Inuyasha stumbled, exhausted, into the little clearing. Loki wasn't there yet. I hope she's all right, Inuyasha thought, settling himself down to wait…
Sesshomaru:
"Take the child Loki, my son, and take care of her until she is old enough to fend for herself."
Sesshomaru asked, "Why should I take care of that pitiful half-breed, Father?"
"Because she needs you, Sesshomaru. I myself will take Yuniko soon enough."
"And what of Inuyasha?"
"He must learn to defend himself. He is old enough to take care of himself." InuTaishou sighed. "It is not an easy thing, to leave a young child to face the world on his own, with a young girl to take care of. But he is the eldest of the three, and besides," he chuckled ruefully, "he could probably raise her better than I could at the moment. But Loki will be too much for him to protect. You must watch her until she is six years old by human reckoning."
Sesshomaru bowed slightly. "I will fetch her, then."
"Farewell, my son." InuTaishou transformed into a giant dog and leaped away, leaving Sesshomaru alone. He groaned inwardly before heading towards the village.
As he drew closer, he could smell smoke, and something that made his blood run cold. The scent of hanyou blood.
Are the whelps dead already? Gods, don't let me be too late… He willed his legs to go just a little faster, praying he would arrive in time.
"Loki, I want you to run. Now!" came a boy's voice.
He saw the three hanyous together in front of their burning home. One dark-haired girl broke away and headed for the forest. The villagers closed in on the boy, who was clutching his year-old sister. Sesshomaru was in a dilemma. His father had said to protect Loki, the one who had run off, but what of the other two? Half-breeds or not, they were still children.
He saw one villager raise his pitchfork, and his instincts took over. Within seconds, his poison whip had dispatched of the danger. He then dashed after Loki.
She was staggering slightly as she made her way through the forest. Sesshomaru stepped up beside her. She stopped, staring up at the youkai with huge eyes.
"Are you all right?" he asked gently, trying not to scare her.
"Who are you?" Her voice had an edge of fear to it, but it was filled with wonder: she had never seen a youkai before.
"I'm your older brother," he said, kneeling and putting his hand on her shoulder. "My name is Sesshomaru. I will take care of you from now on."
Unexpectedly, she pushed him away. "No! Inu-nii takes care of me! Where is he!"
I do not have time for this, Sesshomaru thought, and flung the screaming child over his shoulder. As he headed home, he swore that he would kill Inuyasha for this. And so began four torturous years with Loki…
Inuyasha:
"It's all my fault. This is all my fault," Inuyasha said numbly.
It had been a whole day since the fire, and Loki had still not arrived at their meeting-place.
"How could I have been so stupid as to let her wander off alone?" he groaned, burying his head in his hands. "She could be dead for all I know!"
Yuniko whimpered, pulling on her brother's sleeve, demanding attention. He looked down at her and smiled shakily. No matter how much death he had seen today, at least he and Yuniko were still together. They could still start over again. And he had a feeling that Loki was all right. That she was being taken care of, and maybe… Maybe she'd come back one day.
"C'mon, Yuni," he said, picking his little sister up. "We'll make a new life. And we'll wait for Loki, wherever she is now."
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Sesshomaru:
"I'm going to kill you, Loki!" Sesshomaru screamed, chasing the laughing hanyou girl. The normally composed youkai had only been taking care of Loki for half a year, but already he felt close to collapse. She had tried to run away five times! The last time, he had been caught in a human's snare and yanked into the air. He could still hear her mocking laughter as he hung upside down, fuming… Sesshomaru shuddered at the memory even now.
He had also resigned himself to checking up on Inuyasha and Yuniko every once in a while. Strangely enough, his father had still not taken the girl away…perhaps to allow her to know her brother? Already Loki was beginning to forget. The pain of separation from her beloved siblings no longer hung around her like a dark cloud.
But is it wise to allow Yuniko to experience the same pain? Sesshomaru rarely doubted his father's decisions—well, not entirely true, but still, this was one choice that Sesshomaru found himself wondering what on earth his father was thinking…
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Four years later…
"Nii-san, where are we going?" Loki asked. She was wondering if her older half-brother was angry at her. The last prank she had played had left him in another bad mood.
Sesshomaru could read her thoughts on her expressive young face. The six-year-old wore her emotions on her sleeve. She looked more and more like Inuyasha every day, he thought as he walked on, Loki running to keep up.
Finally, they arrived at the edge of a clearing, in which was a small hut. A hanyou boy and girl played outside of it.
Loki drew closer to Sesshomaru. "Nii-san, who are they?" she whispered. "Are they like me? They smell like it." She sniffed, and her amber eyes, so like his own, widened with surprise. "They have the same scent I do!"
"They are your siblings. Their names are Inuyasha and Yuniko." He smiled as gently as he could, trying to soften what was to come. "You'll be living with them from now on."
"What! No, I want to stay with you, nii-san!" She buried her face in his fluffy. "I want to stay," she sobbed.
Sesshomaru knelt, stroking her black hair. "It's not easy for me either, little one. But you were the same way years ago when I found you. Go on. Everything will be all right." He hugged his little sister tightly, trying not to let her see his tears. "And I'll see you from time to time, all right?"
Loki sniffed. "OK. Come back soon, will you?"
Sesshomaru nodded. "Be a good girl now. And don't look back. It will just hurt more."
"I'll be good." And she walked slowly towards her siblings, not looking back. She never knew he told her not to look because Sesshomaru didn't want to let Loki see his heart break.
Inuyasha:
Yuniko was almost thirteen the day she was kidnapped. Not that the siblings could keep a very good count of the days, remote as their home was from the hated humans, but they could still hear the New Year's celebrations sometimes.
Inuyasha had only left her for a few moments, telling her not to go with anyone. Loki had gone with him to look for food. When they returned, Yuniko was gone, and a strange youkai scent filled their makeshift home. They didn't see her for another three years.
When she did arrive, she was tired and her clothes were worn, suggesting that she had traveled a very long way. She refused to say where she had been, only saying she was going back in the morning. She left before any of them could wake up, leaving no trace of her scent.
Inuyasha didn't see Yuniko again for a long time. He never had the chance to even try and track her down. However, Loki met with her sister, and learned the truth…Yuniko was being raised by their father. Loki told Inuyasha why she was gone, but no matter how he threatened her, she would never reveal where Yuniko was.
"Why won't you ever tell me what is going on!" Inuyasha raged. "I just want to take care of you two!"
Loki sighed, rubbing her temples. "I've told you a hundred times before: Yuniko doesn't want you to know where she is. She's fine. And she sends her love."
"But why doesn't she ever come to see us?" he asked, calming down. His voice was sad, remembering his little sister. Literally his only little sister; Loki had long since grown taller than him.
"She can't. I don't know why. But Father seems to want her to forget us. I have to sneak in to meet her already. She believes he thinks that our lives are 'too dangerous'. She's being babied by him." Loki's voice was tinged with disgust. She disapproved of coddling. "Even Sesshomaru can't get him to say why he won't allow her to see us. But Yuniko's planning to run away one of these days." She sighed deeply. "With all the moving we've had to do, I hope she can find us."
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Yuniko came back years later, a complete stranger to her older brother, shortly before Loki's death…
"Hello?"
Inuyasha's ears pricked at the sound. He glanced at Kikyo. She nodded at him, nocking an arrow to her bow. The both of them were hidden behind the trees, watching the strange girl.
The girl was cloaked, hiding her head, but her scent—so tantalizingly familiar—and her amber eyes marked her as a demon. One with human blood, either in or on her, but a demon nonetheless.
Kikyo stepped out of her hiding place and confronted her.
"Who are you?" the priestess demanded, her bow slightly raised in case this girl really was hostile.
"A traveler seeking something of value."
Kikyo apparently thought she meant the Shikon jewel, because before Inuyasha could blink, she had her bow up and fired three arrows, pinning the girl to the tree by her clothing.
"This is the only chance I'm giving you, demon," Kikyo snarled. "Leave now, or die."
The girl replied with a growl, flexing her claws. Another arrow shot towards her head, and she somehow managed to duck it. However, it ripped away her hood, revealing two silver dog ears poking out of her black hair. Both Kikyo and Inuyasha gaped.
The girl sighed. "I meant to say I came looking for my brother. Where's Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha stepped out from behind the tree, staring at her. "Yuniko? Is that you?" He pulled the arrows out, letting her drop to the ground. "What are you doing here?" A grin stretched across his face. "You managed to get away?"
Yuniko almost popped Inuyasha's eardrums with her scream. "Inu-chan!" She barreled into him, knocking him over and squeezing the breath out of him.
"Can't…breathe…"
"Sorry! I'm sorry. It's just… It's been a long time, big brother."
"Yes, it has. You've grown." She had grown…she was a good inch taller than he was now. He groaned. "Aww, man, now both my little sisters are bigger than me…"
"Oh, c'mon, don't be bitter," Yuniko said, pouting. "You're still the best little brother I could ever have. Loki told me you were looking high and low for me." She buried her face in his chest. "I missed you so much."
"I missed you too, Yuniko."
Kikyo cleared her throat, reminding Inuyasha that she was still standing there.
"Oh, I nearly forgot. Yuniko, this is Kikyo, my…girlfriend. Kikyo, this is my younger sister, Yuniko."
"Nice to meet you," said Kikyo coolly, still suspicious. After all, one can't be too careful.
"Likewise," said Yuniko, meeting her frosty tone. She stood, brushing herself off, and bowed slightly. "It's always good to know that the humans are being protected by priestesses as alert as yourself." She allowed herself a small evil grin. "And the Shikon no Tama, as well. Don't worry. I'm not here to steal it. I'm far weaker than my brother or sister, and I have no desire for power. I'm not even in line to take over after Father dies. If he dies." A shadow briefly crossed her face, then she brightened. "Speaking of sisters, where is Loki?"
Now it was Kikyo's turn to look angry. She didn't like Loki. The two of them were polar opposites, unable to get along with one another. Loki thought Kikyo was stealing her brother away, and Kikyo…no one knew what she thought about Loki. Not even Inuyasha.
"Hey, Yuni!" Loki came running into sight, a massive grin on her face. "Long time no see!"
"Loki!"
The two sisters exchanged greetings eagerly. Then Loki whispered something to Yuniko. Their faces suddenly looked utterly grim.
"Inu-nii, we need to talk," said Loki. "It's really important."
"Important?"
"Kikyo-san, could you please—?" Yuniko waved vaguely towards the village. "We need to talk alone. I'm sure you understand."
She nodded. Was it his imagination, or did Inuyasha see her antagonism towards Yuniko ease a little? He wasn't sure.
"I'll be in the village then, Inuyasha."
He nodded, smiling at his love. "Sure. See you later." The moment she was out of sight, he turned to his sisters. "Now what—"
Suddenly, Yuniko grabbed his hand and ran, Loki following close behind. They didn't stop until they were well away from the village. Inuyasha yanked his hand out of his younger sister's grip.
"What is going on here!" he yelled. Normally, his sisters would have loved his frustration and confusion, but not today. He realized something must be really wrong if they weren't laughing.
Yuniko turned pleading eyes on him. I sense danger, big brother. Something's coming, and it's after all of us. We have to leave!"
Loki nodded in agreement. Just once. Thunder rumbled ominously in the distance. "One of us will die, Inu-nii. Can't you feel the evil aura?"
He could, but he didn't know what she meant by death. Thunder rumbled again as the rain began to pelt down on the three hanyous, soaking them to the bone. Loki's demonic features seemed to melt away as the night came. The full moon. Inuyasha had almost forgotten. If anything came for them now, she wouldn't be able to defend herself adequately.
Suddenly, lightning flashed. When their vision cleared, Yuniko was gone. A shadowy figure stood behind Loki.
"Loki, look out!" Inuyasha cried, dashing forward. She turned, and a strangled gasp escaped her.
The man grinned evilly. "I am Naraku. I have come for you, Loki." He grabbed her throat, choking her.
"No!" Inuyasha yelled, drawing his claws back to strike. But he didn't dare. He might hit Loki. "Let her go, Naraku!"
Instead of replying, Naraku vanished, taking Loki with him. Inuyasha dropped to his knees, trembling.
"I…couldn't protect her… I'm going to kill you, Naraku!" he screamed at the trees, the driving rain.
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He didn't go back to the village, didn't even bother looking for Yuniko. Instead, he focused all his energy on tracking down Loki and Naraku. The search went on for days. He was drinking from a stream during a brief period of rest when a familiar scent drifted into his nose.
"Loki?"
She was on the other side of the stream, approaching him. Inuyasha grinned with relief as she came closer.
"Thank the gods you're all right, Loki. I was so worried—" Then she drew her sword, Hiromi, and stabbed him in the left shoulder. He was too shocked to even scream as blood spurted from the gaping wound.
"…Inuyasha…die…" she intoned.
"Loki," he gasped, "what're you doing!" Why?
Then he saw her eyes. They were completely blank. Cold understanding replaced his earlier confusion. This wasn't Loki anymore. It was kill or be killed now. And he chose to live. Not because his life was more important than his younger sister's…far from it. He had to survive so he could gut that bastard Naraku.
Loki may have had the height advantage, but Inuyasha was faster. He wrenched her sword out of her hand as he shoved her flat on her back. He raised the sword…
"Forgive me, Loki," he murmured, then plunged Hiromi into Loki's heart. Her blood spattered his face and hands, staining Hiromi as well. And only now did he scream, sobbing hoarsely as he clutched his sister's body close: "LOKIIIIII!" The kill-or-be-killed instinct disappeared, leaving only an acute sense of loss. "Loki," he whispered brokenly.
He heard a soft gasp, and his head shot up, searching for its source. Yuniko stood behind him, at the edge of the forest, staring at her older brother in horror. Feeling sick to his stomach, Inuyasha realized that she had witnessed what had just happened.
"Yuniko…" He stood, reaching for her with his bloodstained hands.
"Inuyasha…" Her voice was soft and shaky as tears ran down her cheeks. "What have you done?"
"No, Yuni, I can explain—"
"There's nothing to explain, Inuyasha. You… You killed our sister." She started backing away, shaking her head as he tried to hug her, to comfort her. "Stay away from me. Stay away!" Her voice rose to a panicked scream. She turned and ran.
Inuyasha looked back down at Loki's lifeless face. I'll never see her smile again. Either of them… The rain falling softly from the sky mingled with his tears, and the emptiness in his soul seemed to consume him. Loki…
Yuniko:
As she sped through the forest, blinded by tears of her own, Yuniko tried to rid her mind of those terrible images: Loki, once always smiling and full of life, lying dead in the arms of her killer, their beloved older brother. The brother that they had always looked up to, no matter how tall and strong they had grown. Her sword, Kiba, slapped against her leg as she ran, but she didn't bother adjusting it. She didn't care where she went, just as long as she could escape her own mind…
"Something's coming, and it's after all of us…"
"One of us is going to die, Inu-nii. Can't you feel the evil aura?"
If only he'd listened…
She had felt the aura appear nearby, then quite suddenly had found herself alone in a strange place, surrounded by evil demons. They had slowed her down enough so that she couldn't find her siblings until it was too late.
A tree loomed in her vision, too quickly for the nerve-wracked hanyou to avoid. She crashed head-first and sank into blessed darkness.
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Sesshomaru:
He could see it in his dreams. So clearly he awoke almost in tears. Inuyasha had heartlessly murdered his sister, the only person Sesshomaru truly cared about.
"No. Loki." I'll kill you for this, Inuyasha.
"Milord? Are you all right?" Jaken queried. He was worried. His master had never looked so…disturbed before. Then Sesshomaru's face changed back into its usual stoic countenance.
"I'm fine, Jaken." But he was lying. Inside he was screaming for bloody revenge. "I just need to pay my brother a little visit."
Jaken shivered. He knew that tone. Sesshomaru was beyond rage now. The toadlike demon fervently hoped that the half-breed could find a very, very deep hole to hide in. And even that might not be enough.
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Inuyasha:
The spot Inuyasha chose for Loki's grave was a rather peaceful clearing below a cliff, abounding with the life she once possessed.
"You deserve a place like this to rest in, Loki, after what I've done." He laid her sword next to her. "Goodbye, Loki. I'm really gonna miss you." He finished the burial, praying that her soul would find peace. He doubted it, though…she held grudges for a very long time, and there was no reason it would be different now, even if she was dead. He stood.
Then he saw Sesshomaru standing on top of the cliff, looking down at him with an expression of pure hatred etched across his face. Inuyasha gulped. He was going to die.
Sesshomaru leaped, his poison whip lashing Inuyasha's chest, throwing the younger brother to the ground. Before Inuyasha could regain his footing, the youkai had him pinned, his hand glowing green with his poison. The intent in his eyes was clear: he wanted Inuyasha to die…slowly and painfully.
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Sesshomaru:
It's here. The moment that I avenge you, Loki. And on your own grave… How appropriate.
But still…that weakling half-breed's eyes were all too prepared for death. That would not satisfy Loki's soul if he went willingly to the next life. That must the reason why he wasn't going to kill him now. It had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he could read Inuyasha like an open book, and he could see that the hanyou wasn't guilty. Not fully, anyway. Someone else was to blame for this.
Ridiculous! he thought. Still, the hanyou looked as if he had a score to settle if he somehow managed to survive. Sesshomaru was starting to get a headache.
"Well? Get it over with, Sesshomaru." Yes, Inuyasha was clearly prepared to die. But for some reason, Sesshomaru couldn't kill him. Instead, he got up and walked away, leaving behind a very puzzled half-demon.
Perhaps…it's a matter of the heart.
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Yuniko:
"Nnn," groaned Yuniko. "Ouch… My head…"
She could smell the scent of wolves all around her. Her eyes opened slowly and focused…on a red-haired ookami youkai leaning over her.
"Aaaugh!" she yelled, scrambling backwards.
"Aaaugh!" He also leaped away, surprised.
"Wh-wh-who are you? And where am I?"
"I'm Asaka," he replied. "Lone wolf. You're in my cave." He leaned closer, indicating her silver dog ears. "And you are…?"
"I'm Yuniko…daughter of InuTaishou."
His pupiless blue eyes widened. "The InuTaishou? Wow… You certainly don't look like a noble." He sniffed her, his eyes getting larger and larger. "A half-breed. No wonder. I thought I smelled human in you." He grinned, his fangs glinting in the late afternoon light. "Cool. I've never met a mutt before, especially not one as cute as you!"
"Straightforward, aren't we?" Yuniko muttered, patting her hoari to make sure it was still in one piece. It was. She needn't have worried. Asaka wasn't a pervert.
"Say, you wouldn't happen to know a dude named Inuyasha, would you? I heard rumors he's the offspring of that dead guy, Taishou, too."
"Inu-chan?" Her ears twitched. I… Hey wait a sec! Dad's not dead!
"I heard what happened kid. Listen, I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" Sorry I have a murdering jerk for a brother?
"Yeah. The land of Musashi is going to be a lot less interesting without him to fight."
"Eh! He's dead!" No! No! I wanted to tell him I was sorry! Inu-chan! For she had seen the truth in his eyes. Tears rolled down her face.
"No, not dead. He's under seal. He attacked a village, trying to get the Shikon no Tama, and the priestess guarding it—uh, Kikyo—shot him. He's at the God Tree now…he'll be there for a very long time."
"No!" Yuniko leaped to her feet, exiting the cave at a run, Asaka following close behind.
"Hey, Yuni! Where do you think you're going! Wait up! Yuniko!"
"I can't! I have to save my brother!"
Asaka grabbed her wrist. "He can't be saved!" he hissed. "Can't you see that? Do you honestly think that arrow is just going to let you through its barrier?"
She bit her lip. "I have to try."
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Earlier…
Inuyasha:
Inuyasha trudged through the forest, numb with shock. But that was only to be expected: His sister dead by his own hand, the other vanished, and his brother, the deadliest demon he knew, out for his blood…
At least I still have a life with Kikyo… he thought.
Thunk thunk thunk. Three arrows embedded themselves into a tree right next to his head. The hanyou recoiled in shock, his eyes tracing the arrows' flight path back…to Kikyo, her face a twisted mask of hatred.
"Die, Inuyasha!" she cried, letting another arrow fly. Fury filled him. His life was crashing down around his head, and damned if he was going to let the last thing left to him—the chance to steal the Shikon jewel—slip out of his hands. He fled towards the village, never realizing that he was fleeing straight into a trap, and somewhere the real Kikyo lay dying, killed by 'his' claws.
He burst through the villagers' pitiful defenses immediately. It didn't take him very long to snatch the jewel at all. As he bounded away, he laughed bitterly at his hollow victory. This was all that was left to him now, and he was going to die all alone…
"Inuyasha!" The arrow was so fast, the voice so faint, that he barely registered Kikyo, her shoulder bloody, had fired on him before her enchanted arrow buried itself in his chest. He groaned as he felt it pierce his heart. In his pain, he released the jewel.
"K-Kikyo! How could… I thought…! Unh…" He sagged as his world spun away into darkness. How could you betray me? I thought…I thought you truly loved me, Kikyo. But I was such a fool… Such a fool…
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Yuniko:
"Oh, big brother," Yuniko groaned. "You've gone and done it to yourself this time, haven't you?"
Asaka raised an eyebrow. "Why are you so calm?"
She sighed, stepping closer to the tree. "'Cause my brother can be such a moron. This is probably all his fault, anyway."
Thick vines were growing around Inuyasha's still form. An arrow stuck out of his heart, attaching him to the tree. Asaka sweatdropped. If that had been his brother, if he even had a brother, he would be panicking. Then again…all of her worry seemed to have been used up on the way. She grasped the arrow and pulled…
"Ahh!" she screamed as the arrow repelled her. Inuyasha twitched as the shock tore through him as well. He moaned in pain, but didn't wake up.
Yuniko started guiltily. "I'm so sorry, Inu-chan…" She reached up and clutched his limp hand. The skin felt cool beneath her fingers. "I'm sorry, big brother. I'm sorry I've hurt you so much. Maybe… Maybe someday you'll be free again, and I can tell you this. We can be a family again." She sniffed softly as she turned to go. "Goodbye, Inuyasha."
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Afterword…
Over fifty years later, Naraku would say it was the trauma that caused Inuyasha to lose his memory of his sisters and of himself. But he didn't know the truth. Yuniko's attempt to free her brother had been the real cause of his amnesia. Perhaps it was better that way…he could rest in peace for a little while.
Loki, on the other hand, did not rest in peace, and in the afterlife her rage towards her brother only continued to grow. She haunted his dreams, giving him no peace. His only solace was that when he awoke, he wouldn't remember a thing.
Yuniko spent a few years with Asaka before her father found her and took her back. She began to harbor a slight resentment towards him. A resentment Naraku would later use to his own advantage. Sesshomaru's bitterness towards Inuyasha also continued growing, only his brother now did not know why he was hated. And so the story comes full circle, and will continue from there in the next chapter of Family Ties.
Whew! That was a long one! What, fifteen, sixteen pages! Oo Sorry it took so long, everyone… The next chapter will take a while, but it will be shorter, I promise!
Clearing Up Any Confusion: About Naraku being after Loki…she was weaker than her siblings at the time, and he needed someone to test his powers on. So it was like a booby prize. I just wanted to explain to those who aren't Yukari-kun, because it would be confusing otherwise. And ookami wolf. I hope this helped!
I'm surprised Inuyasha hasn't curled up into a little ball by now. His life is a living hell, ne? Yukari and I are giving him such a hard time in our stories… Poor Inu-chan!
Inuyasha- TT I hate you.
Me- Meh. I don't care! And Sesshomaru's not going to be happy with me, either…
Sesshomaru: You're right. I'm not happy. Do you wish to die?
Me: But I'm showing the real you! The one who's a loving brother underneath all those cold layers!
Inuyasha: XD Ha ha ha. -- Yeah right. No way.
Sesshomaru: Grr…