A/N: I wonder if anyone will read this. I know, it's been such a long time. My apologies. I've posted an explanation on my profile.
As I wrote this chapter (and I've been wrestling with it for months). I realised how very out of practice I have become. I found myself getting horribly bogged down in details. Then I thought to scrap what I had and just say, 'They met, they conversed... let's move on.' But, that didn't work, so back I went to the details. Many thanks to Magnusrae, for helping me separate forest and trees once again.
In effect, this chapter also serves as a synopsis of sorts, which could be helpful to those who read the last chapter oh so long ago. It also allows me to finally - finally! - bring Taro properly into the narrative. I had hoped to include his full story at the end, but it was getting too darn long, so... to be continued.
A short Irish lesson: Bí go deas, á bhodach (Bee go jas, a vo'-dakh) means 'Be nice, old man; Bás Buí (bass bwee) means Yellow Death; mallaithe (mal-i-heh) means accursed.
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 Nineteen: Dilemmas
As Sesshoumaru was turning his back on the snake yokai warrens, at the other end of the valley a certain kappa was deep in thought.
Since Rin had appeared in the demons' lives, Jaken had often been delegated to the role of child-minder – much to his annoyance. All too often, the exasperated kappa had found himself rolling his eyes skyward as the human girl had enthused about catching a fish or something as banal as the shape of a cloud. Now, however...
Now, for the second time in two days, Jaken was reflecting on the tediousness of silence.
The diminutive demon sat on the back of a dozing Ah-Un, his crossed arms securing the Staff of Two Heads as it leant against his shoulder. Occasionally, he glanced at Rin who lay supine on the ground beside the dragon, her body held in stasis by foreign magic. To all appearances, she looked dead.
Jaken was surprised at how unsettling he found this sight.
Of course, he thought, Lord Sesshoumaru must have a plan. 'Naturally,' he then muttered to himself, 'a demon of Lord Sesshoumaru's stature would be able to see through the manoeuvring of a deceitful upstart like Naraku...'
Although... their enemy had managed to somehow steal Rin's soul and hide the deed from his lord, at least until that foreign woman had discovered the truth for them...
The kappa shook his head and looked around cautiously. No, better to not even consider that line of thought. Who knew when his master would return? Lord Sesshoumaru might read it on my face...
Instead, Jaken pondered what he had just witnessed. He was still flummoxed at the knowledge that the human female (member of a foreign race of magicians, notwithstanding) had cast such a complex magic. And, complex it most certainly had been. Jaken knew a thing or two, having lived a long life and witnessed many things, especially since he had cast his lot in with the great inu yokai.
'The woman was indeed fortunate,' he now observed to an indifferent Ah-Un, 'that Lord Sesshoumaru deigned to act as an "anchor".' He remembered how his master's yoki had risen and merged with the woman's spell, effectively holding it fast and allowing the female to direct it into Rin. The process had not taken long, but the Power that had been channelled had left Jaken gasping.
The kappa now grudgingly acknowledged the validity of the concerns expressed by the healer's kitsune-like companion – though, he still couldn't believe his master had not killed the man for his impudence. The human's words had been in the gibberish of his own tongue, but the tone he had used as he had delivered them...
Jaken shuddered, and returned to his musings.
Immediately after the enchantment had taken hold, the 'day-dah-nahn' female had cast another spell on the grassy ground beneath Rin. This, the human had said, would ensure that the child was not lying in the damp. The kappa had wondered why she would bother, given the circumstances (a body in stasis felt nothing), but he had held his tongue, putting it down to more human sentimentality.
The two foreigners had taken their leave soon afterwards.
His master had then scrutinised the shape-shifter's barrier of concealment – the 'glamour' – surrounding the clearing. The male foreigner had said it would be hours before the barrier dissipated. Lord Sesshoumaru, however, had obviously decided this was insufficient. Looking down at Rin, the taiyokai had issued a command.
'Jaken. Use the Staff.'
Jaken had immediately understood and, overjoyed to be finally doing something constructive, had responded with alacrity. Raising the Staff of Two Heads above his head, he had driven its point into the ground and called forth a dome of demonic power, effectively rendering the little glade and its occupants inaccessible to any except himself or his master. It would remain in place until either he or the dog demon commanded it to disperse.
Then, Lord Sesshoumaru had left, flying off in the direction of the haunted lake.
Now regarding the Staff's barrier of concealment, Sesshoumaru's servant began to wonder just how long his lord intended to be away...?
As far as InuYasha was concerned, it was time to leave the valley of the Mizumimoto. The connection between the snake-demons and Naraku had turned out to be a cold trail; thus, the disappointed and frustrated hanyo was convinced that he and his friends needed to get back to the Village of the Bone Eaters' Well and regroup from there.
But, he grumbled inwardly, of course it couldn't be that simple...
To InuYasha's further frustration, Kagome was determined to investigate the mystery of the hair comb from the shrine in the hope that this would lead to a way to free Ryunosuke's soul from the demon-bone spear – although, this was hardly a surprise to the half-demon. Kagome was, as far as he was concerned, the kindest person he had ever met, and it was obvious that the tragedy of what had befallen the last daimyo of the valley had affected her deeply. So, when she and the others had looked expectantly at him, he had suppressed the growl he had felt building and, with a gruff, 'Fine', had nodded his agreement.
Still, the beaming smile Kagome had given him as he had done so had been a bit of a balm to his ire.
Unfortunately, however, the hanyo had quickly realised that delaying their departure also meant that Miroku could continue exploring the possibility of exorcising the other, more malevolent spirit tied to the valley.
During their earlier exploration of the upper end of the valley, he, Sango and Kirara had briefly paused on a ledge which had given them a good view of the many snake tunnels. It was then that the half-demon had expressed his belief that Miroku was biting off more than he could chew; InuYasha had asked the demon-slayer if she could talk some sense into the monk. Sango had only sighed and shrugged in response, but the expression on her face (and her apparent distraction) had made it very clear to him that he was not the only one who had been having reservations about Miroku confronting the lakeshore ghost.
InuYasha had promptly dropped the subject. But, he had not forgotten it. Thus, it had been this particular problem upon which he had been ruminating when Takeo's grandson had intercepted them on the road back to the village.
Naturally, the group's pace quickened after hearing the startling news. Takeo had continued to question the boy's declaration about Old Taro – was Shiro sure that that was what his mother had said? – until he saw Izumi waiting by the gate that opened into their front garden. As soon as he saw his daughter-in-law's face, he rapidly reconsidered his scepticism.
'It's true, Izumi?' Takeo then asked. 'Shiro said...' His voice dropped to almost a whisper. 'It's really true?' he asked, again.
Izumi smiled at the older man; her eyes were bright with unshed tears as she met her father-in-law's questioning gaze.
'You were right, Otou-san...' she said, '...last night – when you said Taro seemed less confused. You were right! But now... oh, I can't believe it! He was sleeping deeply, then he woke up... and he called me by name!' She reached out and patted Takeo's arm. 'He's been asking for you.'
'He... has?' asked the headman softly, his expression holding a mixture of hope and disbelief.
Izumi nodded. 'Hai,' she answered, then wiped at her eyes as the tears began to escape in earnest. 'Hai, Otou-san'
Takeo turned to his visitors and quickly excused himself. Then, he walked quickly toward his house.
The group watched silently as the elderly man paused at the doorway. Distantly, they could hear his voice as he spoke.
'Taro...?'
Only the sharp ears of the hanyo and the kitsune clearly heard the faint reply from within the building: 'Takeo... my friend. My good friend...'
After giving her eyes another swift dabbing with her sleeve, Izumi sent Shiro to rejoin Kanaye and Yuki who were still under the plum tree in the backyard. She told her son that he could help his friend complete a light chore she had given him: studiously picking over dried beans for signs of mould. When the boy asked if he should fetch his father, his mother shook her head and told him that they would inform Akio later, once he was home from the fields.
As Shiro trotted back to where he had left his friend, Izumi turned to the others.
'I'm longing to tell my husband this good news,' she explained to them, 'but, not in front of the neighbours. They'd question him if he suddenly left the planting, then... so many people would rush here to see...' Again, she shook her head. 'Taro still seems weak. I think the fever was on him for several days and we didn't realise...'
Miroku nodded in understanding. 'Of course,' he said, kindly. 'A wise decision, Madam Izumi. The whole village descending at once... well, that would certainly be overwhelming.'
The monk then suggested that the group stay outside until the family felt it was appropriate for anyone else to enter the house. Izumi smiled softly and bowed her thanks to them, then said she would soon bring them some rice balls to stay their hunger. First, though, she explained, she would need to wait upon the two elderly men in the house.
'You must be parched, after spending all that time up at the shrine,' she said. Then, she pointed to a shady corner of the property where a well stood. 'Our water has always been very good. Please, help yourselves.'
Thus, the group of friends found themselves sitting in the shade of a maple tree which stood several yards from the headman's house. Everyone had agreed the spot was well situated to allow them to give Takeo and his old friend privacy for their first real meeting in fifty years, and to prevent accidental eavesdropping of their own conversation. Kagome (who was, indeed, 'parched') offered to draw water from the well; soon, they were all enjoying a refreshingly cold drink while Miroku summarised what he had learnt about the demon which had killed the last daimyo of the Mizumimoto.
'That's just... odd,' commented Sango, as she stroked Kirara. 'The steward made no mention of what kind of yokai killed the daimyo?' Such information, the demon-slayer well knew, would typically have been recorded in the annals of an estate. 'And, you think the sealing happened while the spear's power was activated?'
Miroku nodded. 'I suspect so, since the inherent power of the demon-bone blade is a protective barrier.'
'So,' asked Kagome, 'the spear's power was turned against Ryunosuke?'
'Well... it's certainly possible,' said Sango, pensively. 'Such an ability could be used to contain as well as to barricade. Katsumaru was very gifted. It's not impossible that that magari yari had more than one ability.'
A sigh came from the young monk. 'The question remains, however – how is the demon's ghost containing the spear's power?' Miroku mused. 'Spirits can manipulate their environments, but... create a seal?' Then, he blinked as something occurred to him. 'Or...'
He fell silent, his eyes closed and his head bowed as he again began to mull over a theory that had brushed against his mind earlier whilst at the shrine. As they had earlier, his companions waited silently for him to continue. As his contemplative state became more extended, however...
'Or, what?!' asked Sango, Kagome and Shippo in chorus. InuYasha simply rolled his eyes. So far, the half-demon had been quiet, arms folded and head bowed in thought. But, the frown on his face and his pricked-forward ears showed that he was paying attention.
Miroku started, then looked up to meet three pairs of eyes staring at him with varying degrees of exasperation.
'Heh! Sorry,' he said, giving a self-conscious grin while rubbing the back of his head. 'Or...,' he continued, 'the spirit is also under seal.'
He leant forward then, his eyes glittering with suppressed excitement as he explained. 'Maybe...' he said, 'maybe, it haunts the lakeshore because it's compelled to do so! Think about it – if there's a seal holding it there, a standard exorcism ritual wouldn't succeed. Which would explain the failure of that cleric who tried so many years ago. I doubt he'd even have considered the idea of a seal anchoring the ghost.' The monk thought hard. 'Such a seal would be incredibly difficult to achieve, because it would need to be tied to both this world and the spiritual plane. But, could the spear have caused such a thing to form... accidentally?'
Or, the young monk wondered, did the demon have the ability to create seals in life? That would mean a very powerful yokai...
This line of thought was interrupted by Kagome.
'The seal that's on the spear... looked like chains,' she interjected softly. 'They were wrapped all around the blade. It's too bad we couldn't just somehow... cut them,' she added with a sad-sounding, little sigh.
'Indeed,' agreed Miroku. He smiled kindly at the teenager. 'If we were dealing only with the seal on the spear, I suspect your arrows would serve that very purpose. But, Ryunosuke himself said that the second seal on the lakeshore must be destroyed first...'
Hearing this, InuYasha abruptly broke his silence. 'No way!' he snapped. 'Kagome ain't going anywhere near that spirit!' This isn't some lost kid's soul, he thought, angrily, remembering an earlier encounter he and Kagome had had with a child's ghost on the other side of the Bone Eater's Well.
Miroku frowned at this rebuke. I see he's still in a mood, he thought.
'And, I wasn't suggesting anything of the kind, InuYasha,' replied the monk, defensively. Folding his arms, he raised an eyebrow as he squarely met the half-demon's scowl. 'I simply meant that something that's attuned to the spiritual plane, like Kagome's arrows, could be of use.'
'Well, that's another dead end, then.' responded InuYasha, nodding his head abruptly in emphasis. 'That spirit's been cursing the whole upper end of this valley for two hundred years. That's a helluva seal, if it's trapping something that powerful – and you're talking about breaking it? Huh! The only thing I know of that's strong enough to do something like that would be the Tenseiga, like when it destroyed that fiend-thing from the Netherworld... What's up with you, squirt?
The hanyo shot a puzzled look at Shippo, who had just squeaked on hearing the name of the taiyokai's sword. The fox demon in turn looked straight at Kagome, which brought everyone's attention on her.
For the second time that day, the girl could feel a blush furiously climbing her face.
'Funny you should say that, InuYasha,' said Kagome, her voice pitching higher as her hands began to flutter nervously. She had really hoped to have this conversation somewhere just a bit more distant from Takeo and his family. At least, she thought, we're on the other side of the yard. 'Shippo was saying earlier...'
It was then that Aine and Lon appeared at the end of the lane, just in time to hear a loud, 'What?!'
Just as Kagome had been gratefully raising the bucket of ice-cold water from the headman's well, the Dé Dananns had been bidding Hanako good-bye and then making their way down her lane to begin the short stroll back to Takeo's home.
During their visit with Takeo's neighbour, they had learnt that 'Granny Hanako' was also the village midwife and, as Aine had soon discovered, the women of the valley trusted her implicitly. She had cared for afflicted children in the past, willing to keep them at her home in an attempt to protect siblings from contagion. Once word had gotten out about a visiting healer at Takeo's house, three children from different households had swiftly been brought to Hanako's to be that much closer to help. The youngsters in question had all awoken ill that morning, despite seeming well enough while planting seedlings together the previous day.
Their mothers had bowed deeply in welcome as Aine entered, though the healer had been quick to put them at ease with her naturally friendly manner. Watching this, Lon had strongly suspected the women had been well primed for their arrival by Hanako, owing to the little hen's own earlier (perceived) gaffe. It had soon been apparent that any trepidation the village women might normally have felt about meeting a foreigner had taken second place to concern for their offspring.
Despite Hanako's earlier wittering, Aine had swiftly recognised that the little woman was a natural-born nurse and very focussed when it came to the young patients. Thus, the healer had consulted with her as she would a colleague, asking her about previous cases and in turn receiving detailed answers. Listening from the doorway, Lon had been reminded of his own recent talk with Jaken. He would have been amused at the comparison if the topic hadn't been so serious.
'So, there's more sick lambs tended,' Lon now remarked, as the pair turned again to wave one last time to the midwife, who was herself still waving (and bowing). Then, as he watched the matronly woman turn and scurry back into her little farmhouse, the foxy-faced 'youth' murmured under his breath, 'Chuk-chuk. Chuk-chuk-chuk,'
Aine shook her head, her lips twitching as she tried not to smile. The Londubh was adept at mimicking birds and she immediately recognised the call of a marsh hen. 'Bí go deas, á bhodach,' she murmured.
'Amn't I always, so?' replied the unrepentant – and grinning – púca. Then, his expression became more serious. 'At least, 'tis not as bad as when the Bás Buí struck Éire,' he observed. 'Ach, the mortals were after dropping like flies in those days. Have you yet figured out the cause of this queer fever, lass?'
Aine huffed softly. The healer was, in fact, feeling very frustrated about that very thing. Oh, clearing the sickness from her patients' bodies was straightforward enough. The children's fevers, she knew, would soon abate and would disappear altogether over a realistic period of time.
But, what is the cause?
'No, à stor,' she answered with a shake of her head. 'The fever itself arises from an imbalance in the body – both Kanaye's and Taro's life energies showed the same variances – but, as to what created it in the first place..?'
Aine thought that the villagers' belief that raiding soldiers had likely brought disease with them was highly unlikely, not when it so singularly affected children. Although, she had learnt from Hanako that, in fact, one adult had perished – an elderly woman who had already been dying from a malignant growth had passed away only two days prior. And, then too, the ailment had clung stubbornly to Taro. This information had led the healer to conclude that the overall strength of one's life-force was the deciding factor between life and death.
She wondered... Could it be... that there is a 'lethal dose' at work here?
'The closest thing to which I'd compare it would be a poisoning,' she said, 'but I've scanned for the few toxins known to cause fever and found nothing.'
'So... an unknown poison, then,' mused Lon. 'In a land full of unknowns.' He shrugged his shoulders and gave her a sympathetic smile. 'No surprise there, lass.'
The púca then canted his head in the direction of the headman's home. 'Speaking of your patients...' he added, 'I'm assuming from the surge of Power I felt earlier that you've brought back the grey one's reason?'
The healer released a deep breath. 'Aye, I did, so,' she answered. 'For the most part, he's restored – there will no doubt be some gaps in his memories, some confusion... but all will return with time.'
The worried expression only flickered across Aine's face for a moment, but her sharp-eyed friend caught it. 'What's wrong, mo chailín?' he asked.
'It's just... I know 'twas the right course, my blackbird. The old one deserves another chance at life, and his mind may hold precious information about the spirit that haunts the lakeshore. Yet, he's caught in the middle of this morass, just like wee Rin, with no say in the matter,' she replied.
Lon immediately grasped the nature of her concern.
Shaking his head, the older Dé Danann snorted. 'That's nonsense, lass.' he said. 'The healers' rule about choice was never meant for lunatics. You can't very well reveal your power to the other mortals, so no one could make the choice for him. And, sure, how can he be after giving his own consent when his brain is churning like a bag of stoats?'
Aine sighed and smiled softly at her old friend. 'Ever the realist,' she said. 'Don't mind me, my blackbird. I think today's events are just playing on my mind too much.'
Lon frowned. Aye, he thought, and I'm still thinking that you're more tired than you're admitting. I've got my eye on you, my lass. The púca then asked, 'After the queer things we were seeing this morning... do you suppose this illness is somehow tied in to your anamchara's predicament?'
The healer considered this. 'There was no fever on Rin, though – just that horrid emptiness.'
'Aye,' said Lon. 'But, there's other players in this game. I'm just sayin'...'
Their discussion came to an end as they were greeted by the sound of an irate hanyo.
'Well, well,' murmured Lon, as they approached their fellow travellers. 'What's got the pup's hackles up now?'
Seeing the wide-eyed look the young fox demon was giving her, Aine quickly guessed the answer. 'I think that Shippo has mentioned with whom we met this morning...'
Lon nodded in understanding. Aine had told him of the fox-child's deduction. Ah, brotherly love..., he thought, emitting a low chuckle as he took in the expression on InuYasha's face.
At that moment, they were spotted by the rest of the group seated by the well. Kagome stood up on her knees and waved to them, effectively cutting off whatever else InuYasha had been about to say as she called out, 'Hello! You're back!'
And, your timing couldn't have been better! the girl thought, while throwing the half-demon an apologetic look. Then, she quickly realised that InuYasha suddenly did not look half as wound up as she had expected him to be after hearing of Sesshoumaru's proximity. In fact, to her bewilderment, he seemed almost... contemplative?
'We heard that you had more patients, Lady Aine,' Miroku was saying, as the Dé Dananns approached. 'I hope your visit went well.'
'It did, so,' answered Aine, as she lowered herself to sit in the shady patch, Lon lightly dropping to land cross-legged beside her. Both gratefully accepted the drinks of cold water which were promptly offered. 'Poor mites, they'll be well soon enough.' She sighed. 'Sure, but my heart aches for the mothers. They're so frightened for their little ones.'
'I'm so glad you could help them,' said Kagome. Then, she looked pensive. 'Um, speaking of sick people... there's been some good news about Old Taro...'
'He's not crazy anymore!' piped up Shippo. Then, the fox-child leant forward and asked Aine in a loud whisper, 'You fixed him, didn't you?'
It soon became obvious that this question was something that had crossed everyone's mind, but had not been voiced until now. Not only Shippo was looking expectantly at Aine.
'Ah, sure and what wondrous and strange side-effects a fever might induce in a body!' the púca swiftly interjected with shrug, while giving the little kitsune a wink and a cheeky grin.
Any lingering doubts the healer may have had about her decision to restore Taro's reason were immediately eased by the response these words received. Smiles appeared on everyone's face, with the exception of InuYasha, who appeared to be mulling something over (although he did bestow a grunt and a nod in the healer's direction). From the corner of her eye, she could see Lon's subtle nod of approval at their reactions.
Aye, my blackbird, thought the healer, I know. You told me so...
Sango surreptitiously wiped at the corner of her eye. 'I'm glad for him,' the young woman said. 'I think you've also made Takeo very happy.' She then gestured to encompass the small group 'That's why we're all out here for now, so that he and Taro can talk.'
'Aye, aye... a good plan, to be sure,' commented Lon. Then, the older Dé Danann decided it was past time for a change of subject. 'Sooo, laddie,' he said, addressing InuYasha directly, 'I'm assuming you've heard we had a wee adventure in the forest this morning?'
Seeing the kitsune looking worried again, Aine smiled and held out her hand to him and soon had a lap full of Shippo. 'Don't fret, so,' she whispered in his ear. ''Twasn't a secret. Just not something to speak of in front of mortals.' Reassured, Shippo sighed and settled in for a cuddle.
InuYasha grunted and met the púca's inquiring stare. 'He's here, huh?' he asked.
'Aye,' answered Lon. 'He is, right enough.'
Aine nodded. 'Indeed,' she added. 'Lord Sesshoumaru arrived in the valley early this morning. By good fortune, he was nearby while Lon was flushing a pheasant and he recognised the Dé Danann signature of his wards. 'Twas he that found us,' she added with a smile.
Ignoring the healer's use of 'good fortune' to describe a meeting with the taiyokai, InuYasha suddenly smirked. 'Huh,' he said, in a satisfied tone of voice. 'He's here because of Naraku.'
The Dé Dananns exchanged a surprised glance, then both nodded in agreement at this statement. However, his friends all looked at InuYasha with varying degrees of perplexity. They understood the logic of the deduction, certainly, but every one of them was wondering why the hanyo was suddenly in a decidedly better mood.
InuYasha returned his friends' stares with a suspicious look. Then, he shrugged and sat back with his arms crossed.
'Yeah, yeah... like I said, it's been nothing but dead ends tracking those damn snakes. But,' he said, 'Sesshoumaru's here... and Sesshoumaru doesn't follow dead ends.' A predatory gleam had returned to the hanyo's golden eyes. 'Might be worth hanging around here a bit longer, after all.'
Aine then spoke. 'You've the right of it, lad,' she said, solemnly. 'Your brother is indeed here because of your common enemy.
'Aye,' added Lon. 'It seems your man Naraku sent a swarm of those same serpents to attack his lordship. Didn't work out well for the beasts,' he added drily, remembering the little kappa's satisfied description of the yokais' incineration.
Looks of understanding were immediately shared.
'Well,'observed Miroku, 'there's one question answered.'
Sango gave a nod of satisfaction. She explained to the Dé Dananns how they had found the entrances to the snake demons' warren. 'There was evidence of hundreds leaving... but no signs of any returning. No matter its great size, if that swarm was compelled to attack Sesshoumaru... well, I doubt many survived beyond the three we encountered. It's a relief to hear they were slain.'
'Unfortunately,' said Aine, sorrowfully, 'Naraku has still managed to cause harm, for Rin has been injured.'
This brought about several exclamations of dismay. 'Oh no!' cried Kagome. 'What happened to her?'
Aine did not consider telling her travelling companions about Rin's affliction to be a breach of healer's ethics. The life of everyone living in the valley could be in danger with a creature such as Kakusamaru on the loose and she believed that their friends needed to be informed.
'The child was struck down with a most malevolent magic.' said the healer, her words becoming clipped with her anger at the cruelty Rin had endured. 'Her essence – her soul – is... gone... though her body lives.' She then explained how a demon parasite kept the little girl from perishing. 'I've set a spell to protect her body as I've learnt the parasite might abandon her...'
She paused as she took in the expressions on their faces. Then, Aine quickly realised that the attack Rin had suffered not a foreign concept to any of her listeners. 'You've heard of such a thing?' she asked, sharing an incredulous look with the púca beside her. 'The theft of a soul?'
'Unfortunately... yes,' answered Sango, grimly. And demon worms, thought the young woman as she exchanged a knowing look with Miroku
The young monk nodded, then addressed the Dé Dananns. 'One thing I hadn't yet told you about Naraku was his ability to create an offshoot from himself...'
'An "incarnation", d'you mean?' interjected Lon, with one eyebrow raised. When Miroku shot him a surprised look, the Dé Danann waved it off. 'Never mind lad – I understand your wanting to be discreet with information,' he said, referring to the monk's earlier discourse on Naraku while riding in tandem with Aine. He had told them much about the dangerous being, but the topic of incarnations (and the Shikon Jewel) had not arisen. 'However, after what we witnessed today, I felt it necessary to glean a bit more about the creature. His lordship's retainer is an admirable fount of knowledge.'
'You mean... Jaken?' asked Miroku, blinking with surprise. .
'Aye,' replied Lon. 'Talkative little toad, so he is... when you give him the right incentive. The topic of incarnations came up because...' – here, the púca's blue eyes became glacial with anger – '...'twas just such a creature that stole the child's soul.'
This statement merited an immediate reaction from the group, all exchanging startled looks.
Kagome gasped aloud and exclaimed, 'It must have been Kanna!' Addressing the obviously curious Dé Dananns, she explained, 'She's an incarnation. She looks like a little girl – but, she's very dangerous. She controls a mirror that captures souls.'
Aine and Lon shared a worried look. 'Damnú air, lass... another one?' asked the púca.
'What do you mean, "another one"?' asked Shippo, his voice pitching higher with worry.
Lon answered. 'That wasn't the name we were given, little warrior.' He then quickly relayed Jaken's description of Kakusamaru's meeting with Sesshoumaru. It was soon obvious to both Dé Dananns that the others had never heard of this particular minion of Naraku.
'A new incarnation – that merges with darkness,' Sango commented grimly. 'That means we should set watches at night from now on.'
'And, he's... like Kanna,' Kagome observed, her eyes wide as she made the connection. 'I mean, he sounds similar. Except, Kanna has no demonic aura, or scent – it's impossible to detect her until you can see her. I wonder...' she looked the others worriedly. 'Do you think this Kakusamaru was using her mirror? But, we've never seen her without it...'
Aine shook her head. 'Sesshoumaru made no mention of that creature carrying a mirror.' The healer knew that the observant dog demon would never have missed such a detail. 'If this "Kanna" is involved, then she hasn't made herself known.'
But, thought the healer, I linked with the child. Faint though it was, it was a foreign life energy I felt within her. That would not have been the case, she knew, if a being that embodied 'nothingness' had been the one using Rin as a scrying tool. Nevertheless, Sesshoumaru must be informed of this Kanna's existence.
The healer continued. 'When Kakusamaru did boldly reveal himself to Sesshoumaru, his purpose was to lay the blame for Rin's condition on another. He claimed that the wraith that haunts the lakeshore, whom he called 'Taka', was responsible, naming it an ally of the one called Naraku.'
'Huh?!' exclaimed InuYasha. Everyone else looked similarly shocked. All were wondering the same thing: what would the deceitful Naraku have to gain by striking an alliance with a ghost haunting a remote lake?
'Aye,' answered Aine, grimly. 'That poor child was made to suffer, was nearly killed, so that Naraku could force a confrontation between Sesshoumaru and that mallaithe spirit.'
'Speaking of which,' interjected Lon, 'were you after learning anything of use at that shrine?'
Londubh of the Púcaí rubbed his hands over his face as he bowed his head and groaned. 'Lovely. Bloody lovely. Another damned ghost!'.
'At least,' offered Miroku, 'Lord Ryunosuke is an innocent victim.'
'Aye, that's real comforting, so 'tis,' muttered the púca, shooting the young monk a look of pure frustration, to which he received a commiserating shrug in return.
Aine gave her old friend a sympathetic pat on the shoulder, then turned to Kagome. She had been examining the hair comb the girl had produced from her pocket. It was a pretty thing, but innocuous. To the healer's private relief, there were no signatures of power attached to it. It was simply a hair comb.
'And, you were able to speak to him, lass?' she asked the girl, while passing the comb back to her. 'You can speak with spirits?' And, you can sense Power... what a mystery you are, child...
Kagome felt yet another blush forming. 'Heh, heh!' she laughed nervously, 'It's kind of a long story...'
The healer took pity on her. She reached over and patted her hand. 'And, I'm sure 'tis a fascinating one, but for a later time, I think... yes?' She smiled as the teenager let out a relieved sigh and nodded.
InuYasha suddenly sprang to his feet. 'C'mon, Kagome,' he said. 'Lets go check out that waterfall.' With a shadow-user hanging about, InuYasha wanted the advantage of bright daylight for this next detour. Plus, now there was yet another connection with Naraku to be considered. Though, what the hell is the bastard up to...?
This declaration had caught Lon's full attention. 'Waterfall?' asked the púca, his sharp gaze again focussed on the hanyo. 'It's a waterfall you were told to seek?'
Throwing the older male a puzzled look, InuYasha nodded. When Lon asked for the location, Kagome (who was equally curious about the púca's intense interest in the falls) quickly recited the directions she had been givien by Takeo.
Lon nodded in response. 'Aye, that's it, right enough,' he said. 'I happened across the very spot last night, lass... and, I'm thinking something is to be learnt there.'
Kagome blinked. He was there last night? When did he go out? she wondered, while exchanging questioning looks with Miroku and Sango. Then, she noticed that InuYasha, Shippo and Aine did not seem surprised by this information. Leaving questions about the male Dé Danann's nocturnal absence for a later time, she asked instead what he had meant about learning something.
'Ach, lass..,' he answered, with a shrug and a wry smile. 'I can only say that, for a moment, I thought I wasn't alone up there. But, whatever it was, it wasn't there long.'
The hanyo frowned. 'Did you feel a jaki?' he asked.
Lon shook his head. 'No, nor did Aine sense anything when I took her there this morning,' he said, glancing sideways at the healer who was nodding in agreement. 'I'd been questioning meself since, wondering whether I was mistaken... but, hearing all this talk of sealed spirits and such, I'm now thinking something... was there.'
Hearing this, InuYasha had a moment of clarity and realised that hunting had not been the púca's only purpose that morning. He also had a strong suspicion about just what sort of presence he and Kagome were going to find. And, from the pensive expression that was now on the pretty girl's face, he suspected she was thinking along the same lines.
Shrugged, the hanyo then crouched down. 'Get on, Kagome,' he said. 'Let's get this over with.'
Shouldering her bow and quiver, the teenage girl gave a quick nod of agreement and quickly climbed aboard her friend's back. Then, the two disappeared into the nearby woods.
At that moment, a voice called out from the direction of the house. Then, Izumi was coming toward then, carrying a bowl with a cloth draped over it. Lon began to rise to his feet. 'Do you need some help with that, missus?' he called out to the farm wife.
The farm-wife smiled as she shook her head in answer to the foreign youth's question. Such a polite young man, she thought. 'Don't get up, Lon-kun', she replied, as she walked over to the well.
Izumi had already been informed by Takeo that the departure of InuYasha and Kagome had been expected and that all would be explained later. Thus, as she approached, she only expressed concern that the two had left before getting something to eat.
Kneeling on the ground beside Aine, Takeo's daughter-in-law lifted the cloth from the bowl and gestured for them to pass it around and help themselves to the onigiri within. As the filled rice balls disappeared in short order (with sincere comments of thanks and appreciation), Izumi turned to the healer and asked how things had gone at Hanako's home. Aine responded with reassurances that she believed the children were not so ill that they were in danger, and she praised the midwife's care and concern for them.
Izumi nodded. 'Hanako often seems flustered, but not when it comes to children,' she said, with a soft smile. 'My neighbour is a very kind woman.' She then glanced quickly toward where she knew the boys to be. Although her son and his friend were well out of earshot, Izumi nevertheless lowered her voice as she added, 'Hanako has often given young Kanaye shelter and a meal when his father is... indisposed. The boy is always welcome here, of course, but he also knows that Hidenori resents Takeo.'
Remembering the behaviour of Kanaye's father the previous evening, Aine nodded in understanding. The healer had no doubt that there would be repercussions for the child if his sire perceived him to have spent too much time at the headman's house. Sensing Lon stiffen beside her, she knew he was drawing similar conclusions.
'I imagine she's good to the lad,' the púca then observed. 'She seems the motherly sort.'
Izumi nodded. 'She is indeed. Sadly, Hanako has no children of her own. She was married – her husband passed away only last year – but, they were never blessed with a family.'
'Poor thing,' murmured Aine softly.
Izumi placed the now empty bowl on the ground beside her. 'Yes, it's a shame,' she said. 'But...' she added, with a fleeting and somewhat rueful little grin, 'she makes up for it by mothering everyone else's. I know she's given many a hot meal to Kanaye and...' the farm-wife gestured back towards the house, 'also Taro. He's another one that Hanako feeds.'
Aine smiled. 'It's glad I am to hear that the village shows him kindness.' Then, the healer frowned as Izumi shook her head in response.
'Unfortunately, no...' said the other woman, with a sigh. 'Most are nervous of him – they're afraid that whatever cursed him could cling to them. Years ago, some wanted him banished... but our past headman was his father so, of course, he refused to do it. And, Takeo would never do such a cruel thing.' She sighed again. 'Our household has cared for him as best we can, and Hanako has never been afraid of him.' Then, her expression brightened. 'But, now... now, life should be better for him! They must have told you, lady healer? A most wondrous thing has happened...'
Aine had just replied, that, yes, she had indeed been told of the old man's recovery, when (to the healer's private relief) Takeo appeared in the doorway of the house and began walking toward them. Their conversation ended as everyone respectfully stood as the headman approached.
The elderly man wore a distracted expression; apparently, he was still coming to terms with his friend's 'miraculous' recovery. Whatever that first conversation had entailed, it had obviously been affecting for Takeo, for his eyes were red-rimmed. But, he was also smiling.
'Is everything alright?' Izumi asked him.
'Yes, yes,' he answered. 'It's so remarkable... so remarkable, isn't it, Izumi? How he knows us? He thanked me...' – here, the old man's voice broke slightly – '...just now, he thanked me for looking after him. He remembers... I think he may remember all that happened while he was mad. Only now... now, he understands it.' Patting his daughter-in-law on the arm, the headman turned to Miroku.
'Master Miroku,' he said, 'I told Taro of your interest in the spirit of the lakeshore, and he is... most concerned. He insists on speaking to you.'
Taro had, in fact, become very agitated on hearing of the young monk's research into the spirit – so agitated that Takeo had been alarmed. When his old friend began shaking his head frantically and repeating that no one should go anywhere near those ruins, Takeo (fearing a relapse) had reassured him repeatedly that no one had. To his relief, his friend had calmed on hearing this but had persisted in pleading that the monk must be warned. Thus, the headman had agreed to this request and had hastened outside to retrieve the visitors.
'Of course, Master Takeo,' Miroku now replied, with a polite bow. 'I'm at his service.'
The headman nodded. 'Thank you. I'm most grateful. In fact,' he added, once more smiling,'Taro is looking forward to meeting all of you. Please, everyone... come inside.'
As they walked toward the house, Takeo addressed Aine. 'Lady healer, I know you have only just returned from Hanako's, but... I would be grateful if you could look at Taro before he speaks with Master Miroku.' he asked. 'He... he still seems very weak.'
Aine heard the worry in the headman's voice. 'Aye, of course,' she replied, giving him her gentle, reassuring smile. 'Sure and I'm most eager to check on him.'
When the group entered the house, Taro began to rise from his sleeping mat. With his grey hair now combed and his thin frame clad in a clean yukata Izumi had found for him, he looked very different from the dishevelled man whom Hidenori had kicked to the ground the previous evening. And, he obviously intended to bow to them in greeting. Izumi and Aine swiftly dissuaded him of this notion, however. Looking slightly bemused by this rapid onslaught of feminine attention, the old man nonetheless happily complied and allowed himself to be fussed over until they were satisfied with his comfort.
Miroku found himself exchanging quick, wry grins with both Takeo and Lon at this sight. A man after my own heart, thought the young monk, as he watched Taro's face light up when Aine put the back of her hand to his forehead.
'It's glad I am to see you looking so much better, Master Taro.' Aine was saying, as she smiled gently at the old man. Taking hold of his thin wrist to check his pulse, she created a link and swiftly read his life energies. To her relief, she found that he was stable. As Takeo had observed, he was weak, but thankfully no worse then he had been the last time she had read him. She also watched Taro's face for any change of expression as her probes swirled within his body. However, he gave no indication that he had noticed the magic this time, and she wondered if, after all, he ever had. 'I hear that there has been a great change for you... How are you, a stór?' she asked gently.
The old man's expression sobered on hearing this simplest of questions. 'Lady Healer,' he said softly, 'I'm still trying to take in everything... All these years, I saw, I heard, but... I don't know how to describe it. It was as if I was lost in my own head. Nothing made sense...'
Taro closed his eyes for a moment, and Aine realised he was feeling overwhelmed with emotion. She reached for his brow and, whilst gently brushing back a lock of grey hair, sent forth a subtle spell to ease his anxiety. As the magic took hold, the elderly man swallowed, then opened his eyes to stare directly into her own. 'I feel as if I've woken up from the longest of nightmares. You, though...' – he suddenly offered a shy smile – '...you I thought to be a beautiful dream...'
'Did you, so?' replied the Dé Danann woman, her green eyes now shining with humour as she released his wrist and patted his thin, gnarled hand.
'Yes,' answered the old man, inwardly marvelling at how at ease he felt in this kind, foreign woman's presence. 'Takeo reassured me that you were real – a healer come to our land from across the sea. But, even if you aren't a dream... you are still beautiful.'
'Sure, and aren't you the charmer?' Aine murmured. She found that she couldn't resist giving the old fellow a saucy wink in response. At this, Taro suddenly grinned and laughed, and it was a clear laugh that might have come from a younger man. Hearing it, Aine felt a sudden, brief thrill of euphoria. She realised in that moment that she would never again question her decision to have healed this mortal's mind. Looking into his deep-set, brown eyes, which now glinted with intelligence and kindness, the Dé Danann healer could suddenly visualise the bright boy he had once been.
Everyone else had been utterly silent during this exchange, but the healer now heard a soft chuckle behind her. Then, Takeo stepped forward and lowered himself to the floor beside his friend's bed. 'Ah, Taro,' he said, his own eyes now sparkling, 'the lady has your measure.' At this, Taro grinned again and shrugged while Aine, after giving her patient's hand another pat, stood and beckoned to Lon for her satchel (to her exasperation, he was still insisting on carrying it for her). Then, she retired to the hearth, saying she would prepare the patient an herbal draught.
Takeo gestured to the others and quickly made introductions – then, he asked Miroku to join him at his friend's bedside. After everyone had bowed to the elderly man in greeting, Sango, Lon and Shippo (and a diminutive Kirara) retired to the other side of the room where they could listen, but not crowd the still fragile-seeming man.
Meanwhile, Taro was looking at Shippo with an expression of awe. 'A kitsune... truly? Such a day of wonders...' Then, his expression became puzzled; partially rising on his elbows, he looked about the room. 'But, I remember... there was a third pretty girl and... where...? Takeo?'
'What is it, Taro?' asked Takeo, concerned to once again see his friend becoming agitated. Reaching forward, he gripped his shoulder in an attempt to soothe him.
Taro looked at the headman, a worried frown on his face. 'Where is he, Takeo? Where is the child of the moon?'
A/N: And, away we go. Next: Taro's story and the waterfall revisited.
The Yellow Death to which Lon was referring was a plague in the (I think) 6th century, probably one and the same with the Justinian Plague.
And, yes, I am aware of the new series, YashaHime. I've almost finished watching season one. Season two will have to wait until the DVD is available as my only access to high speed internet at home is my phone's hotspot. Streaming a series uses waaay too much data. So, no spoilers in reviews, please and thanks. :D
