A/N: May I grumble a bit? This chapter was supposed to be posted over a week ago. However, some 'real life' interfered. I have a job that can involve late-night emergencies -- two nights in a row of these, plus one night of thunder showers (accompanied by two distressed and howling dogs), plus insomnia brought on by lack of sleep... well, you get the picture. My final draft stayed on the same page all week, my 'muse' having decided that, since I was going to go without sleep, it shouldn't have to follow suit.

Anyway... at last, Kenji and his family will be reunited (and we shall soon be saying good-bye to them) and a hanyo gets to meet a púca. I hope you enjoy it. :)

Disclaimer: The characters of the anime InuYasha are the property of Takahashi Rumiko/Shogakukan and Yomiuri TV Sunrise 2000. I do lay claim, however, to Aine and Lon. And, Kakusamaru.


Chapter Seven: Hail Stranger, Well Met

'Midori! Midori, we're back!' called Kenji.

InuYasha flinched and shot a irate look at the man he was carrying pickaback. He had not appreciated the sudden bellow near his sensitive ears. That's the 'thanks' I get for lugging this guy the last couple of leagues, he thought sulkily.

Meanwhile, Miroku breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the half-demon's cross expression had gone unnoticed by his passenger. The monk didn't think the injured and exhausted Kenji would be able to handle any more frights that day.

As the group stopped at the entrance to the clearing, the farmer and his son were momentarily taken aback on seeing the strangers with their family – they had never before beheld folk with such exotic features. However, Kagome's reaction on seeing the tall, red-haired woman immediately reassured Kenji and Jiro that she was indeed the person 'from across the sea' whose scent InuYasha had recognised.

'It is her!' Kagome exclaimed, then she waved and called out to Aine.

'Huh! Told ya so,' muttered a smug InuYasha, as the Dé Danann healer, smiling broadly, waved in return. The half-demon shot a puzzled look at the other foreigner, however. He had known that the second scent he had detected hadn't belonged to Eadoin, but he hadn't expected to see someone so... young travelling with the Lady Aine. This grey-clad, dark-haired stranger – who, in turn, seemed to be watching them with a cool interest – looked no older (and was not much taller) than Kagome.

InuYasha then huffed softly to himself. Well, he would find out more about the stranger soon enough...


A suddenly awake Midori sat up and looked to where the road entered the clearing. 'Kenji?' she whispered uncertainly, wondering if she had dreamt her husband's voice. Her breath caught with fright when she spotted the group of strangers approaching. Then, she saw her older son hurrying toward her. 'Jiro!' she called joyfully as she tried to stand.

'Ach! Mind your leg, so,' the healer admonished, tutting softly as she urged her patient to remain seated. 'They're coming to you, a stór,' she murmured as she gently patted the woman's shoulder before stepping aside.

It was then that Midori saw someone sliding to the ground from the back of a man dressed in red. She barely took note of that person's unusual appearance – all she could think of in that moment was that her husband had been severely injured if he had had to be carried so. But then, Kenji was rushing toward her; within seconds, a weeping Midori was embracing her kneeling husband and son while the younger children, all talking at once, swarmed about them.

Lon paid scant attention to the touching reunion by the campfire – although the púca was pleased for the mortal woman and her offspring, he was far more interested in the other new arrivals. Of course, Aine had told him all about this group; from her descriptions, Lon was confident he could identify each of them.

Ah now, he thought. 'Twould seem that they're not in the least surprised to see us. And, I believe I know why. Lon eyed the dog-eared young man who was watching him with obvious suspicion, even as the strangely-garbed girl beside him was waving eagerly to Aine. So... this must be the 'half-demon', InuYasha. Followed our trail with that sharp nose of yours, didn't you, laddie?

Meanwhile, Aine was hurrying to meet the newcomers. 'Ah now, this is indeed a welcome sight,' she said, her expression showing the comment was sincere. Then, the healer laughed with pleasure as Shippo launched himself into her arms.

'It's so great to see you again, Lady Aine!' exclaimed the excited fox demon.

The kitsune's enthusiasm was genuine. He had grown very fond of Aine during the short time he had spent with her, for she in turn had been enchanted by the fox-child and had made much of him. As she now warmly hugged him, he realised, to his delight, that this had not changed. He snuggled happily in her arms, enjoying the floral scents that always clung to her softly-coloured, linen clothing and to the healer herself.

'Ah, mo mhadraín rua... it's good to see you, too,' murmured the lady as she kissed the top of the little yokai's head. She then looked up to smile at his friends. 'Truly, it gladdens my heart to see you all,' she said as, still holding a now-blushing Shippo, Aine continued forward, calling over her shoulder as she went: 'Come, Lon – I've some lovely folk for you to meet.'

Cracking his shoulders with one, brief languid stretch, an intrigued Londubh nodded and followed.

Releasing Shippo, Aine embraced Kagome and Sango in turn, murmuring 'may peace be upon you' as she kissed their foreheads and then asked them if they were well. Having already experienced the healer's outgoing mannerisms, neither girl was surprised to be on the receiving end of such an affectionate greeting and they readily stated their own pleasure at seeing the Dé Danann woman again.

'What is it with foreigners and all that... hugging?' muttered a suddenly very uneasy InuYasha to Miroku.

The monk shrugged in answer. However, as he looked appreciatively at Aine (whose slim figure, he noted, was so nicely accentuated by the woven belt holding the soft fabric of her long tunic to her waist), Miroku thought to himself wistfully that, really, it wasn't such a bad custom... Then, both males gulped as, after stroking the purring Kirara perched on Sango's shoulder, the healer turned toward them.

Aine had not forgotten the more reserved customs of the Japans when it came to contact between the sexes, however. Thus, though she also expressed how glad she was to find them both well, her interaction with Miroku and InuYasha as she formally wished them peace was limited to dignified bowing. Nevertheless, it took all of her resolve to not laugh aloud at the expressions that crossed their faces as she did so – the monk looked slightly disappointed, even as he cast a wary glance at the demon slayer, while there was no doubt that the half-demon was profoundly relieved.

'But, where's Master Eadoin?' asked Kagome.

'In the arms of his flaxen-haired bride, no doubt.'

This answer came from Londubh, who had just joined Aine. The healer could not help chuckling at the flippant comment, and at the startled looks it had elicited on the others' faces.

'Aye. 'Twould seem that we've more than one story to exchange this evening,' Aine observed, as she gestured toward the reunited mortal family. 'But, first, you must all meet a countryman of mine.' She slipped her arm companionably into that of the black-haired 'youth'. 'This,' she said, 'is my very dear friend, Londubh... of the Púca Clan.'

Aine knew that, even if they had overheard her, the term 'púca' would have been meaningless to the mortals behind her. However, the word did have an immediate effect on Shippo, who had been patiently waiting beside Kagome for an opportunity to recapture the Dé Danann woman's attention. The little fox demon had not forgotten the stories Eadoin had told him about the ingenious shape-shifters of distant Éire, so similar to kitsune in their penchant for tricks and mischief. His eyes were now rivetted on the púca, and he wondered – might this 'Londubh' have been the protagonist of one of those exciting tales?

Lon stepped forward, bestowing upon the group what he knew was his most winning and innocent smile. Taking his cue from the healer, he bowed to each in turn. But, as he did so, his sharp eyes were rapidly appraising them. Though he respected Aine too much to bait one she called friend, it was second nature for the shape-shifter to assess any newly met person for their potential as 'entertainment'. A few exchanged pleasantries could reveal much to the púca.

When he came to InuYasha, Lon immediately noticed that his own scrutiny was being returned tenfold. Well, well, well... he thought. Aren't you the cautious pup, then?

He reinforced the congenial smile on his face as he greeted the half-demon, confident in his ability to charm the toughest customer. Then, as he noted InuYasha's defensive posture, and looked squarely into his guileless, golden eyes, the púca inwardly groaned with frustration. Before him was an irresistible target – an individual who took life (and probably himself) very seriously indeed. This dog-eared youth, he knew, would not make it easy for him to be on his best behaviour.

InuYasha responded to Lon's friendly greeting with a nod and a grunt. This in itself was typical for the hanyo, who tended to be abrupt on any first meeting. However, the yokai instincts he had inherited from his father were reacting to this Dé Danann's intent, blue gaze, and the half-demon found himself feeling very much on guard. He suddenly had the uncomfortable sensation that he was being evaluated, perhaps even mocked – and he didn't like it. The way this Londubh looked at him – looked through him – was too reminiscent of someone else...

InuYasha's curt attitude was taken in stride by his companions. Still, the tension between the half-demon and the púca had not gone entirely unnoticed. Aine knew her friend well, and she had noticed a slight change in Lon's posture as he regarded InuYasha. Ach... she thought, Just like a hound sighting a stag. Again slipping her arm into his, she gave her old friend's wrist a warning squeeze and broke what was fast becoming a staring contest.

At that moment, Shippo jumped onto InuYasha's shoulder. The púca turned his attention to the kitsune who was staring at him with obvious interest. 'Aye, little one?' Lon asked, his eyes now dancing with amusement as he watched the fox-child practically bounce in place, much to InuYasha's annoyance.

Shippo glanced quickly toward the mortal family, then he leant forward and asked in an excited whisper, 'Are you really a púca?'

'Aye,' Londubh answered, at first puzzled by Shippo's interest. Then, he remembered what Aine had told him of the little fox demon. 'Ah, you're the shape-changer – the one who flew his friend to safety by taking the form of a gull?' Grinning cheekily, the púca bowed deeply to the kitsune. ''Tis an honour to meet a fine, brave warrior such as yourself.'

Hearing this, Shippo thought he would burst with pride and pleasure.

InuYasha snorted and rolled his eyes heavenward. There'll be no living with the brat after this... came the half-demon's pained thought.


Although the day had been seasonably warm, nightfall had brought with it cooler temperatures, and a second campfire had been lit to accommodate the larger number of people now sheltering beneath the rocky overhang. The remainder of Lon's catch became supper for the new arrivals and, as it was quickly and gratefully consumed, stories were exchanged.

Any apprehension Kenji's wife might have felt at finding herself in the company of a hanyo and two yokai was easily overshadowed by hearing of the services the unusual group had provided to her husband and son. Midori readily expressed her gratitude to them all, including Kirara, who accepted the woman's shy petting with a mewing chirp and a happy purr. Soon, the firecat had become the centre of attention with the children. Their nervousness of the feline yokai finally gone, even Kenji and Jiro smiled at the sight of her delicately accepting small pieces of fish from the fingers of the youngest child.

Of course, out of necessity, the presence of the mortal family precluded certain topics of conversation between the companions and the Dé Dananns. Still, while Shippo was regaling an obviously amused Aine and Lon with a description of the snake-demon's attack, Kagome could not resist asking InuYasha in a quiet aside if he thought Aine's return might have something to do with Sesshoumaru.

'Huh!' he muttered, with an angry shrug. 'Ask her if you're that interested...'

Kagome sighed. She should have known better. The taiyokai was someone the half-demon would rather not discuss.

Nevertheless, Kagome's question had caused InuYasha's gaze to turn involuntarily toward the healer. As he watched her smiling at Shippo's antics, his eyes narrowed slightly as he gave in to a reluctant curiosity . He himself had heard his arrogant older brother speak to the foreign woman with respect, and they had all seen the dog demon save her life. In fact, the image of the formidable and aloof Sesshoumaru carrying Aine to safety, away from the hell-beast's fangs, had been burned into the hanyo's memory. Kagome had speculated many times since on what sort of relationship might exist between the two, much to her dog-eared friend's annoyance.

InuYasha then realised that he was being watched.

He looked past Aine to see that Lon had noticed that his attention had been on the healer. The púca was now grinning at him, and this time there was no doubt in InuYasha's mind that he was a source of amusement. Then, to the half-demon's utter mortification, Lon winked. Realising that the other Dé Danann might be thinking that his interest in Aine was like that Miroku showed toward pretty women, InuYasha blushed furiously.

Lon turned his attention back to the kitsune, though he continued to watch InuYasha out of the corner of his eye. The lad was truly self-conscious, the púca thought, if a mere grin and a wink could turn him as red as his clothes. Nice to see I haven't lost my touch...


Not long after everyone had finished eating, Kenji was being encouraged by both his wife and Kagome to allow Aine to look at his arm.

'No... no, it's not so sore as it was,' said the farmer. 'Don't fret so, woman,' he said to his wife, though his voice was gentle. 'I'm a tough old bird – I'll be all right. You should be resting, though.' He swiftly changed the subject, telling Midori she herself needed sleep and should be lying down. She complied, but her eyes showed that she didn't quite believe her husband's claim that he was fine.

The farmer actually had a very simple reason for refusing further help: he was desperately afraid of what a trained healer would tell him. The pain he was feeling had already implied that the news would not be good.

Lon had unashamedly listened to this exchange. He recognised a lie when he heard one, and he softly murmured his conclusion to Aine in their own language. She nodded, and decided to take matters into her own hands.

As the others watched silently, the Dé Danann healer rose and moved to the other side of the fire where Kenji was sitting. Then, she knelt in front of the farmer and, with a deferential bow of her head, asked for his permission to examine his injury. This respectful approach startled the mortal man for, though she was dressed in simply-fashioned clothes, he had known upon meeting her that the foreign woman was no peasant like himself. Realising he would look churlish if he refused such a polite request, Kenji swallowed his apprehension and mutely nodded his consent.

Aine unwrapped his bandage with care, softly murmuring reassurances as she did so, although, like Kagome, she had seen the short, red streaks marking the skin above the wrappings – a sure sign, the healer knew, of blood poisoning.

'Is it... very bad?' the farmer's son tentatively asked her. Jiro had knelt beside his father and was watching the red-haired woman's ministrations, his worry evident in his face. When the older man had consented to being carried by InuYasha, Jiro had realised then that his father's pain must have been great indeed.

'Be at peace. It's been very well taken care of,' Aine answered, as she gave Kagome an approving look, causing the teenage girl to blush. 'Such injuries always look worse before they look better,' the Dé Danann woman added. Then, realising that Jiro needed some distraction, she patted his arm and, giving him her gentle smile, asked him to please heat some water so that she could make his father a potion for pain.

The combination of a feminine touch and smile had an immediate effect on the teenage male. Ears aflame, Jiro hurried to do Aine's bidding, his slightly panicked expression giving Lon some distraction of his own.

Young men are the same world over, it would seem, came the púca's amused thought.

Lon caught Aine's eye upon him as he watched the flustered youth, and her look of warning. The púca merely raised one eyebrow in response and then, with a faint smile, returned to his original entertainment – listening to Shippo's account of his early morning artistic endeavour and studiously ignoring the narrow-eyed glares InuYasha was sending their way (which, they both knew, was irritating the half demon to no end).

Reassured that Lon was not going to torment the mortal youth (she had recognised the speculative gleam in his eye), Aine continued to speak soothingly to Kenji as she cautiously manipulated his arm to determine its range of motion; then, she quickly sent forth probes of magical energy to assess the severity of the injury. Nasty – very nasty, she concluded, inwardly shuddering to think of the filth the snake demon's fangs must have held. However, she soon realised that the unguent Kagome had applied to the wound had managed to at least slow the infection. Aine couldn't begin to guess at the composition of the salve, but she vowed she would later ask Kagome about it.

With a small frown of concentration, she sent healing energies into the wound, compelling the tissues to begin ousting the sepsis which had taken hold. If only, she thought, she could use her full power to ease this man's pain more quickly. With a few spoken Words, she could have fully realigned the imbalances in his life force and compelled the arm to be completely healed before the hour was out. But, such an act would reveal that she and Lon were more than human, and that she would not do lightly. She could, however, ensure that the wound was thoroughly cleansed of corruption. The flesh would then be able to heal at a natural pace – with the help of some stitches.

The minor healing enchantment had been unapparent to Kenji, though Aine had noticed InuYasha's interest as she had cast the spell, and had known that the half-demon had felt the magic. Then, she caught Kagome's eye, and knew that the girl had sensed it, too. That settles it, she thought then, sometime soon, you and I must have a little talk, lass...

The healer retrieved a herbal lotion from her satchel and applied it to the wound. This, she told the mortal man, would numb the skin and make the sutures he needed more tolerable. Kenji (and Jiro) paled at the mention of the minor surgery, but he nodded his consent that she continue. Thus, armed with needle and thread, Aine set to work, lamenting silently to herself that she had to resort to such crude methods.

'Lady Aine...'

Aine looked up from her work to see the farmer regarding her, his expression earnest.

'Aye, Master Kenji?'

'I... I want to thank you again... for helping my Midori.'

'Ach, I did little enough,' answered Aine, with a light shrug. 'She only needed a bit of soothing...' The healer's comment was technically true – it had taken only a very low infusion of healing energies to halt the woman's labour.

The farmer looked then at Midori. Sleep had overtaken her after all, and she was now curled up by the fire with their younger children and Kirara snuggled about her. The expression on Kenji's thin face left no doubt that he loved his wife deeply.

'I couldn't have stood losing her, on top of everything else,' he said, his voice becoming raspy with emotion. He looked up then, and met the healer's concerned gaze.

'Midori told me why you'd chosen to leave your home,' Aine said softly.

'It's been a hard time for many in the village,' admitted Kenji. He then went on to explain that sickness had taken many of the community's children. 'Takeo, our headman, thinks the fever came with the soldiers who took the winter stores. The adults could handle it, even the old ones... but, the children... with food so scarce, they weren't strong enough. Mine were spared, but... when we lost our crop, too...'

Lon immediately guessed what would be in the healer's mind on hearing this. When Miroku, who had also overheard the comment, asked the farmer if there was still illness in the village, the púca was not surprised to see the determined look that crossed Aine's face when the mortal's answer was in the affirmative.

Her repair work complete, Aine began to apply fresh dressings and a poultice to the limb; then, passing the farmer a small bronze cup, she coaxed him to drink the potion it contained. It was a bit bitter, she told him, but it would ease his pain.

As Kenji slowly sipped the liquid, he became more talkative. He was finally feeling at ease, despite the unusual nature of the folk who now shared their campsite. Plus, now that he knew his family was safe, the frights he and his son had suffered earlier that day had become more surreal and easier to talk about.

'When Jiro and I set out yesterday, we never dreamt we would meet such a creature as that snake yokai,' the farmer was saying. 'It must be over forty years since I've seen one.'

'Hold on.' InuYasha's head snapped up from what had deceptively appeared to be a light doze. 'You've seen those things before? Where?'

Kenji looked a little nervous again as he meet the hanyo's intense stare, but he answered. 'In our valley. When I was a boy, there was the odd attack on the livestock. But, there was rarely more than one demon... and, we never saw those things in daylight. Never.'

'Did you find the demons' burrows?' asked Sango. The demon-slayer's father had taught her well about the habits of lesser yokai – she knew that those particular serpent-demons normally sought refuge underground during the day, and that the tunnels that led to their nests could extend for leagues.

'We knew the beasts were coming from the upper end of the valley, somewhere beyond the Lake of Tears,' came the farmer's reply. 'But, no... the men didn't look for them. We're farming folk... not soldiers. And, our village wasn't rich enough to hire demon hunters. But then, it didn't matter because the snakes just... stopped coming. We were just grateful that they'd found better hunting grounds.'

'Yeah, well, it looks like they're back in this area,' declared InuYasha. And, Naraku has something to do with it. He looked about at his friends, his golden eyes gleaming in the firelight; then, he smirked as he gripped the hilt of his sword, the Tessaiga.

'I've got a feeling that this Lake of Tears might be worth a visit.'


Kakusamaru occasionally glanced upwards as he made his way swiftly through the darkness of the forested slopes. Glimpses of the waxing moon appeared through the heavy canopy of leaves above him. Soon, he knew, the moon would be full, and Naraku's plan would come to fruition.

He thought about returning to the tunnels until it was time for his next task, then dismissed the idea, deciding that he rather liked being above ground. The feeling of space, of the freedom to move in any direction, was quite exhilarating. Even though the caverns provided him with darkness, their narrow confines were limiting. Out here, especially now, at night, Kakusamaru could fully relish the unique properties of his body.

'More shadow that substance...' How very true, my 'master', thought the blue-skinned incarnation. The deeper the shadows that surrounded him, the more translucent his form became – within the dark shrouds of the night, he was quite invisible. And, once he merged with the shadows, he moved through them as effortlessly as a fish through water. Few, he knew, could match his speed as he traversed his dark roadways.

Nevertheless, he also knew his limitations. Kakusamaru had lost no time vacating the area once he had witnessed the fate of the taiyokai's ward. He had been warned that Sesshoumaru was one of the few who could match his speed, and now was not the time for the powerful demon to detect him. No, he thought, that moment still lay ahead.

At least, he reflected with a satisfied smirk, he need have no fear of the powerful dog demon following his trail – this would be impossible, thanks to the nature of she who was Kakusamaru's sister/mother.

Kanna – the embodiment of nothingness. The female yokai's complete lack of both demonic aura and scent rendered her undetectable to any demon unless she stepped into their line of vision. And, he, Kakusamaru, had been created partly of that essence. Thus, though he did have both a jaki and a scent, they were so faint as to be almost nonexistent. Sesshoumaru would have to be almost on top of him before even his acute senses would detect one whose very name meant 'hidden'.

Kakusamaru was only a kilometre from the Lake of Tears when he finally paused at the edge of an open meadow. He swiftly ascended an ancient tree and, crouching down on one knee, balanced on one of its thick branches. Frowning, he stared up at the night sky. However, it was not the view of the stars which had captured his interest. Instead, he was regarding four dark shapes which he had sensed hovering above him.

Saimyosho. Naraku's eyes.

He had been wrong – there was one who could always detect him... always find him. The shadows meant nothing to one who was also born of darkness.

Kakusamaru used all of his resolve to keep his coldly handsome face devoid of emotion. After all, it would not do for the insect yokai to report back to their master that his latest offspring seemed... disgruntled.

'Tell Naraku that the first stage is complete – his ally has cooperated, and she has accepted me as his messenger,' he said. His voice was not far above a whisper, but the hell-wasps understood.

As the Saimyosho departed, Kakusamaru again regarded the night sky, gauging the time until sunrise. He had to report back to her as well, but that, he well knew, would have to wait until daylight, when she was confined within the ruins. At night, their 'alliance' would mean nothing. At night, the spirit of the lakeshore would not hesitate to attack any who dared to enter her territory, and even his beloved shadows could not protect him from the spectre.

Once again alone with his thoughts, Kakusamaru leant back against the tree's trunk to wait patiently for the dawn.


A/N: For those interested... mo mhadraín rua (mo wad-eh-reen roo-a) means, 'my fox'. The literal translation of madraín rua is 'little red-haired dog'. :)

Next... a very irate Sesshoumaru.