Chapter 36: A Hellish Dream
For the next several months, Kagome insisted that the pups sleep with her and Inuyasha. After over a month of not being with any of them she wanted everyone as close as possible.
With the arrival of spring it brought a few new things with it. After spending the last few months cooped up in the house for the winter, Sango and Miroku had finally developed a relationship. The pups were back to sharing a room with Shippo. Kagome celebrated her 18th birthday, with no surprises for once, except when Inuyasha "attacked" her later that night. As of right now, everyone was outside enjoying the warm afternoon sun.
The triplets stood lined up in front of their parents, all three looking slightly nervous.
Inuyasha crossed his arms in front of his chest as he eyed his children. "As of today you all and that includes you too fox boy!" He also directed his statement to Shippo who was lounging on the roof of the house. "As of today, you will start school. You'll learn things from your mother like reading and math along with how to use your spiritual powers. After that I will teach you how to use weapons." All four faces cheered up at the mention of learning to fight. "I remember you three mentioning using other weapons besides a sword or bow and arrows, so I asked around."
The children watched as their father entered the house and return a moment later with a few bundles. All watching excitedly, Chii and Shippo's tails were wagging happily.
After placing the bundles on the ground, Inuyasha sat down on the log next to them. "Since Chii already has a dagger, I thought we could focus her on them. Akira, I thought you could use Sais, maybe you can use them to harness your lightning abilities." He handed the pair of 3 pointed sai to the black haired hanyou pup. "Kenji, I thought you would like this Bladed Shuriken. When closed it's a single handed sword, when open it's a four bladed giant star." He demonstrated between the two then handed it to an ecstatic Kenji. "And for Shippo, I got you some acorns."
"WHAT!?" Shouted Shippo as he looked up at the taller hanyou.
"I'm joking." Inuyasha laughed almost uncontrollably. "Actually Shippo, you were the hardest to figure out. Given you're a fox youkai and a trickster, I settled on a Slingshot. Kagome actually brought it from the future."
Shippo took the fancy device and compared it the simple "Y" stick ones he had always seen. This one was made out of metal and came with an arm support. "Arigato!" was all he muttered before returning to examine it again.
"Well if Inuyasha is done for now it's time for your lessons come along." Kagome ushered all four kids inside, making them deposit their weapons in the doorway, then made them take a seat at the table.
~*~
Every morning during the school lessons, Inuyasha would go down to the village and inquire about Naraku or his minions. The fiend had remained quiet for over a year. "He's probably pulling together more body parts and increasing his power."
"Most likely. That would be the smart thing to do." Stated Kaede as she grounded some herbs.
"And we know he's still alive or I wouldn't have this hole in my hand anymore." Miroku mumbled as he clenched his fist tightly.
"Don't worry, we'll get him. The bastard has to show up soon, it's been over a year. If not then I'll start digging if I have too." Inuyasha growled as he spoke angrily, but he was distracted by a scent and turned his head toward the door.
Akira burst into the hut, followed closely by Kenji. "Otousan, hayaku! Okasan fainted and she won't wake up!" They shouted through ragged breaths.
Nothing more needed to be said, Inuyasha leapt to his feet, he grabbed each child under his arms and ran from the hut hastily. The normally quick sprint from Kaede's to their house now seemed like miles as Inuyasha raced toward home. As they neared the house, Inuyasha spotted Chiisai kneeling on the ground next to Kagome. He placed the boys on the ground and slowly walked toward his mate.
The approach of her father got Chiisai's attention. She turned her head toward him, worried, tear ready eye's gleaming up at him. "We were practicing a few spells…she went silent…then fell over……She won't wake up! Otousan, what's wrong?" Her eyes got closer and closer to shedding tears as she spoke.
Inuyasha leaned over and looked at Kagome. She lay still on the grass, her eye lids twitching occasionally. "I think she's having a vision. We should leave her be, she'll wake when it's over." He looked at the sleeping hanyou on the ground, worry in his eyes. 'I hope the vision isn't a dangerous one.'
~*~
Kagome woke to find herself in a large village that had been attacked. She looked around and saw several buildings, all destroyed and burning. Several more people were scattered on the ground, dead. Kagome slowly started to walk down the macabre like street. Occasionally she would examine a body, only to discover a few youkai were mixed in with the humans. As she walked deeper into the town, more and more youkai bodies appeared, slashed, bleeding, and mangled. The amount of destruction and death shocked Kagome. She neared the outskirts of the town and saw a flash of gold. It lay near the back entrance to a nearby burning building, the second floor having already collapsed. Kagome approached the gold object silently. She was horrified to find the gold was the hair of another Inuyoukai. She knelt down next to the youkai. It was indeed an Inuyoukai, a woman too. Her long golden hair was almost completely soaked with blood, her blood. She had a blue teardrop mark on her forehead and she was scantly clothed.
"I have a feeling this is Naraku's doing, but for what purpose?" Kagome tried to brush a bloody lock of hair from the dead woman's face. "She can't be much older than me!" She gritted her teeth and growled loudly, her ears lying back in the process. A very faint whimpering sounded from the nearby forest. If she had normal human hearing, she never would have heard it.
She stood up and started to follow the sound. After about 20 minutes of slow, cautious walking, Kagome found the source of the whimpering. Huddled under a low limbed tree was a little girl about the age of the triplets. Her long golden pigtails reflecting the moonlight. Her dog-like ears lay back as she sobbed into the bundle she clutched to her chest.
The girl looked up as the bundle made a tiny sound. She wiped away tears from her midnight purple eyes and looked down. "It's ok Kori, I'll protect you." The girl started to cry again.
Kagome watched the little girl, her heart aching to reach out and comfort her. She fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around the frightened child.
"Okasan?"
Hearing a familiar voice, Kagome opened her eyes to find she was in a sunny, grassy field. The child she was hugging tightly was Chiisai. She pulled back suddenly and looked around. The boys were sitting nearby along with Miroku and Nekome. Inuyasha and Chiisai were kneeling right next to her, both looking extremely worried.
Inuyasha grabbed Kagome by the shoulders and turned her toward him. "You had a vision didn't you?" He watched her nod slightly. "Tell me what you saw!"
With tears threatening to fall, Kagome told him everything she saw, everything. After reliving her vision she felt so emotionally drained that she slumped against Inuyasha's chest and just laid there not doing anything.
"A village was destroyed." Inuyasha's face became very serious as her cradled Kagome. "A town of humans and youkai mixed……I've heard of such a city down south, but I never thought it existed…We'll leave tomorrow to investigate." He felt Kagome nod against his chest then looked over to the triplets who were sitting nearby. All three looked excitedly up at him, Chiisai's tail was wagging happily. "It might be a good experience to take the kids with us, and then we won't have to worry about them sneaking away from their grandmothers…Chiisai!"
The small girl looked up at her father innocently. "What, I helped didn't I?" Chiisai shrugged then looked to her mother. "Do you think the little girl is ok?"
"We can only hope so, but I don't think I would have received that vision if she wasn't…We'll find out in a few days." Kagome spoke quietly and tired. She gave the triplets a weak smile before falling into a disturbed sleep.
~*~
A dark shadowed man sat in the darker shadows of a large room. All the windows were open but the curtains were pulled closed, letting them dance and turn in the breeze. Despite the light pouring in through the windows the room was extremely dark and the air was stale.
"Have you found them yet?" the man in the shadows asked.
A boy of about 15 kneeled in front of him, looking at the floor. "I know where the Citrine, the Star Sapphire and the Lapis Lazuli are, but the Amber and Opal have disappeared."
"I see. The moment you find the last two, capture them all and bring them to me. I need all 5 to finally get all that I want…and to finally rid myself of that damn hanyou." Spoke the man forcibly.
"Hai!" the boy nodded and left the man and the room, walking silently and quickly down the hall.
"You know where the other two are, don't you? You just don't want him to succeed. Aren't I right, Kohaku."
Kohaku glanced up at her surprised. He fought for an explanation that wouldn't come. "So what are you planning to do Kagura?"
The wind sorceress shrugged nonchalantly. "Nothing, I'm on your side. I want to be rid of that bastard Naraku as well."
They nodded to each other then left in opposite directions down the hall, both remaining silent.
~******~
For the next several months, Kagome insisted that the pups sleep with her and Inuyasha. After over a month of not being with any of them she wanted everyone as close as possible.
With the arrival of spring it brought a few new things with it. After spending the last few months cooped up in the house for the winter, Sango and Miroku had finally developed a relationship. The pups were back to sharing a room with Shippo. Kagome celebrated her 18th birthday, with no surprises for once, except when Inuyasha "attacked" her later that night. As of right now, everyone was outside enjoying the warm afternoon sun.
The triplets stood lined up in front of their parents, all three looking slightly nervous.
Inuyasha crossed his arms in front of his chest as he eyed his children. "As of today you all and that includes you too fox boy!" He also directed his statement to Shippo who was lounging on the roof of the house. "As of today, you will start school. You'll learn things from your mother like reading and math along with how to use your spiritual powers. After that I will teach you how to use weapons." All four faces cheered up at the mention of learning to fight. "I remember you three mentioning using other weapons besides a sword or bow and arrows, so I asked around."
The children watched as their father entered the house and return a moment later with a few bundles. All watching excitedly, Chii and Shippo's tails were wagging happily.
After placing the bundles on the ground, Inuyasha sat down on the log next to them. "Since Chii already has a dagger, I thought we could focus her on them. Akira, I thought you could use Sais, maybe you can use them to harness your lightning abilities." He handed the pair of 3 pointed sai to the black haired hanyou pup. "Kenji, I thought you would like this Bladed Shuriken. When closed it's a single handed sword, when open it's a four bladed giant star." He demonstrated between the two then handed it to an ecstatic Kenji. "And for Shippo, I got you some acorns."
"WHAT!?" Shouted Shippo as he looked up at the taller hanyou.
"I'm joking." Inuyasha laughed almost uncontrollably. "Actually Shippo, you were the hardest to figure out. Given you're a fox youkai and a trickster, I settled on a Slingshot. Kagome actually brought it from the future."
Shippo took the fancy device and compared it the simple "Y" stick ones he had always seen. This one was made out of metal and came with an arm support. "Arigato!" was all he muttered before returning to examine it again.
"Well if Inuyasha is done for now it's time for your lessons come along." Kagome ushered all four kids inside, making them deposit their weapons in the doorway, then made them take a seat at the table.
~*~
Every morning during the school lessons, Inuyasha would go down to the village and inquire about Naraku or his minions. The fiend had remained quiet for over a year. "He's probably pulling together more body parts and increasing his power."
"Most likely. That would be the smart thing to do." Stated Kaede as she grounded some herbs.
"And we know he's still alive or I wouldn't have this hole in my hand anymore." Miroku mumbled as he clenched his fist tightly.
"Don't worry, we'll get him. The bastard has to show up soon, it's been over a year. If not then I'll start digging if I have too." Inuyasha growled as he spoke angrily, but he was distracted by a scent and turned his head toward the door.
Akira burst into the hut, followed closely by Kenji. "Otousan, hayaku! Okasan fainted and she won't wake up!" They shouted through ragged breaths.
Nothing more needed to be said, Inuyasha leapt to his feet, he grabbed each child under his arms and ran from the hut hastily. The normally quick sprint from Kaede's to their house now seemed like miles as Inuyasha raced toward home. As they neared the house, Inuyasha spotted Chiisai kneeling on the ground next to Kagome. He placed the boys on the ground and slowly walked toward his mate.
The approach of her father got Chiisai's attention. She turned her head toward him, worried, tear ready eye's gleaming up at him. "We were practicing a few spells…she went silent…then fell over……She won't wake up! Otousan, what's wrong?" Her eyes got closer and closer to shedding tears as she spoke.
Inuyasha leaned over and looked at Kagome. She lay still on the grass, her eye lids twitching occasionally. "I think she's having a vision. We should leave her be, she'll wake when it's over." He looked at the sleeping hanyou on the ground, worry in his eyes. 'I hope the vision isn't a dangerous one.'
~*~
Kagome woke to find herself in a large village that had been attacked. She looked around and saw several buildings, all destroyed and burning. Several more people were scattered on the ground, dead. Kagome slowly started to walk down the macabre like street. Occasionally she would examine a body, only to discover a few youkai were mixed in with the humans. As she walked deeper into the town, more and more youkai bodies appeared, slashed, bleeding, and mangled. The amount of destruction and death shocked Kagome. She neared the outskirts of the town and saw a flash of gold. It lay near the back entrance to a nearby burning building, the second floor having already collapsed. Kagome approached the gold object silently. She was horrified to find the gold was the hair of another Inuyoukai. She knelt down next to the youkai. It was indeed an Inuyoukai, a woman too. Her long golden hair was almost completely soaked with blood, her blood. She had a blue teardrop mark on her forehead and she was scantly clothed.
"I have a feeling this is Naraku's doing, but for what purpose?" Kagome tried to brush a bloody lock of hair from the dead woman's face. "She can't be much older than me!" She gritted her teeth and growled loudly, her ears lying back in the process. A very faint whimpering sounded from the nearby forest. If she had normal human hearing, she never would have heard it.
She stood up and started to follow the sound. After about 20 minutes of slow, cautious walking, Kagome found the source of the whimpering. Huddled under a low limbed tree was a little girl about the age of the triplets. Her long golden pigtails reflecting the moonlight. Her dog-like ears lay back as she sobbed into the bundle she clutched to her chest.
The girl looked up as the bundle made a tiny sound. She wiped away tears from her midnight purple eyes and looked down. "It's ok Kori, I'll protect you." The girl started to cry again.
Kagome watched the little girl, her heart aching to reach out and comfort her. She fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around the frightened child.
"Okasan?"
Hearing a familiar voice, Kagome opened her eyes to find she was in a sunny, grassy field. The child she was hugging tightly was Chiisai. She pulled back suddenly and looked around. The boys were sitting nearby along with Miroku and Nekome. Inuyasha and Chiisai were kneeling right next to her, both looking extremely worried.
Inuyasha grabbed Kagome by the shoulders and turned her toward him. "You had a vision didn't you?" He watched her nod slightly. "Tell me what you saw!"
With tears threatening to fall, Kagome told him everything she saw, everything. After reliving her vision she felt so emotionally drained that she slumped against Inuyasha's chest and just laid there not doing anything.
"A village was destroyed." Inuyasha's face became very serious as her cradled Kagome. "A town of humans and youkai mixed……I've heard of such a city down south, but I never thought it existed…We'll leave tomorrow to investigate." He felt Kagome nod against his chest then looked over to the triplets who were sitting nearby. All three looked excitedly up at him, Chiisai's tail was wagging happily. "It might be a good experience to take the kids with us, and then we won't have to worry about them sneaking away from their grandmothers…Chiisai!"
The small girl looked up at her father innocently. "What, I helped didn't I?" Chiisai shrugged then looked to her mother. "Do you think the little girl is ok?"
"We can only hope so, but I don't think I would have received that vision if she wasn't…We'll find out in a few days." Kagome spoke quietly and tired. She gave the triplets a weak smile before falling into a disturbed sleep.
~*~
A dark shadowed man sat in the darker shadows of a large room. All the windows were open but the curtains were pulled closed, letting them dance and turn in the breeze. Despite the light pouring in through the windows the room was extremely dark and the air was stale.
"Have you found them yet?" the man in the shadows asked.
A boy of about 15 kneeled in front of him, looking at the floor. "I know where the Citrine, the Star Sapphire and the Lapis Lazuli are, but the Amber and Opal have disappeared."
"I see. The moment you find the last two, capture them all and bring them to me. I need all 5 to finally get all that I want…and to finally rid myself of that damn hanyou." Spoke the man forcibly.
"Hai!" the boy nodded and left the man and the room, walking silently and quickly down the hall.
"You know where the other two are, don't you? You just don't want him to succeed. Aren't I right, Kohaku."
Kohaku glanced up at her surprised. He fought for an explanation that wouldn't come. "So what are you planning to do Kagura?"
The wind sorceress shrugged nonchalantly. "Nothing, I'm on your side. I want to be rid of that bastard Naraku as well."
They nodded to each other then left in opposite directions down the hall, both remaining silent.
~******~
