Hey everyone I'm back, this chapter took so long to write. I wavered on it and wanted to add so much detail as possible. I also wanted to show the manipulation of Hero and his family. Next chapter is going to be very interesting, and leading up to the wedding... it's going to get so intense. Also one of our followers has an amazing story I think everyone should read. Here is the link, go follow her: InuYashaGrl26 and here's her story link ( s/13252715/1/For-the-Love-of-My-Life )
Enjoy! Comment if you like the story and I'll link your stories in the upcoming chapters.
Chapter 13
"Kikyko I must leave, please do what you must tell your family everything… they need to be ready," Hero said pulling her from him. She looked at him and sighed deeply.
"I'm sure my father will try to come after you," she said to him. He touched her face and leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
"Uhh," she said and blushed.
"I will come back to see you, keep your phone with you, I will notify you when I come." He said to her.
"My phone is smashed right now, kind of got a little rage when I realized I turned into this," she said and rubbed her head. He smiled then turned his face.
"Well I'm sure it will get fixed; however, I will return. I need to keep an eye on my family, make sure they don't make their way here until your family is ready for them," Hero said to her again.
"Please do as your uncle says, he is the only one who can return you to your normal self," Hero said to her. Just as he was about to turn, she grabbed his arm.
"Kikyko…" he said turning to her. She pulled him to her and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Uhh," he said and blushed.
"Please be careful, I know you were only trying to suppress my spiritual powers, but your cousin was the one who poisoned me, I don't know …." She was about to finish her words when he pushed Kikyko against the door and kissed her. Her cheeks turned rosy.
"Uhhh," she said when he pulled away from her.
"I'll come back to see you, keep yourself safe," he said and touched her face. She blushed again and touched her face. He turned quickly and darted through the room to the opposite side of the guest house, and out the sliding patio doors.
"Uh," she said after she regained her thoughts.
"I have to tell everyone," she said and turned to the door, she fumbled with the handle and opened the door running out.
"MOM….. DAD," she shouted at the patio doors. I saw her come near the doors and slid them opened.
"What, what is it?" I said worried. She ran in and looked at us.
"Your all still here, we need to talk," she said quickly. We all looked at her.
"Hoshiki, take the boys and your baby sister to the game room downstairs please," Kagome said to them, she came towards Kikyko worried.
"Why!" Hoshiki said crossing his arms.
"JUST DO IT!" I shouted at him. He looked at me and sighed.
"Come on guys," he said to Koji and Yuki, he came over to his sisters play pen and leaned over picking her up.
"Eeeh!" Kikyko said touching her stomach as it grumbled.
"Here eat something, sit down and tell us," Sango said as she came around Miroku to the kitchen.
"Kikyko what is it, why are you so panicked," I said to her as she came to the living room and sat down next to Rin who was eating some of the cookies their grandmother made. Sango brought over a plate to Kikyko, she took it from her.
Kikyko started to eat, she used her hands to eat, she couldn't figure out how to hold the chopsticks with her claws. We all gathered near her, she started to tell us everything, even about how she ended up the way she was…. I was a little disappointed with her when she explained how Hero tried to take her powers away and how his cousin coated the ground beneath her with poison. She lied to me on a lot of things... and this really bothered me. We watched her carefully, Miroku seemed agitated with her entire story.
"Wait wait Tadahiro is Hero's father?" he said touching his forehead. I could see the stress lines form.
"Yes, he is and he's very dangerous," Kikyko said looking at the plate. She slid it to the table.
"No wonder why he smelt so familiar," I said to everyone.
"How do you know all this Kikyko, did Hero tell you?" Sango said touching her back. Kagome shifted closer to me on the couch. I could tell she was nervous.
"Yes, please don't be mad, but he was just here… he's gone now, he just told me of his father and his family training in the mountains," she said to us.
"Koga and his family live in the mountains," Kagome said to us.
"We'll call him, maybe he knows they are there," I said to her. She reached for her phone on the table. I took it from her and stood up. I came around the couch dialing Koga's number.
"We haven't trained in years, since we've been here, we haven't had the need too. If Tadahiro is planning to attack us we need to defend ourselves and be prepared for him," Miroku said to us. Rin sighed and rubbed her stomach.
"Kagome?" Koga said answering his phone.
"No its me, we have a problem, we need your help with something…" I can't believe I just called that mangy wolf.
"Inu-Yasha, strange for you to call me…. What can I do for you mutt face?" he said to me. I growled and held back the urge to swear at him.
"Look the panther tribe, remember them, they attacked your pack years ago…" I started to say.
"Aaah the panthers, most disgusting creatures, they are apparently on my territory training here in the mountains, my boys and my wolves are watching them," he said to me.
"Yeah well we have a huge problem," I started to say. I went over to the dining room and started to explain to Koga about Hero and how his father is going to attempt to kill Kagome. I heard Koga go silent for a moment, Ayame was talking to him.
"He better not come near Kikyko or Kagome," Koga said angry.
"He won't, he'll have to get through me to get to them…." I said angry as well.
"I'll watch them, don't worry I'll keep you posted on their movement. Ayame is due to deliver in a couple of days, let's just hope they don't make a move by then. InuYasha, keep your family safe, I'll watch those creatures…" Koga said.
"Don't worry I will," I said to him. He then hung up.
I sighed deeply and returned to the living room. Everyone was still in discussion.
"They are on Koga's land apparently, he's watching them like a hawk, he'll keep us updated on their movement," I said to everyone.
"Good, we were discussing…. We need to train ourselves again and prepare for this, for whenever he strikes, we need to be ready InuYasha," Miroku said to me. I sighed deeply and sat down next to Kagome.
"First things first… how do we get Kikyko back to her normal self?" I said looking at her.
"Hero said… that it can be reversed," she said holding up her prayer beads.
"You found them?" Miroku said, he extended his hands to the beads and a small surge of energy repelled him.
"Huh," Kikyko said looking at the beads.
"Your power is in there Kikyko, its trapped within the beads, we need to work hard you…. Your mother and I, we can help you…." Miroku said to her. She looked at her beads and nodded.
The entire day fell into night quickly, Inuko had come home early and Sesshomaru returned with Yamatoo to take Rin home. I waited for them as they gathered in my living room, I came around the kitchen island to them. Hakura and Kira had come in to gather their brothers, Miroku and Sango were preparing to leave, they waited in the living room for their children.
"We…. have a problem," I started to explain, Kagome looked at me and Kikyko. Kikyko yawned she stood up and stretched.
"Good night," she said to all of us.
"Good night Kikyko, wake early tomorrow," Miroku said to her, reminding her about the first part of her soul cleansing training…retraining. She nodded to him. Miroku told us, that Kikyko needed to start her miko training all over again, from cleansing her body and mind to learning to wield a bow and arrow again. It'll be hard, long and tiring, but she is definitely determined to get her old self back.
"What's this about?" Inuko said as his sister passed him, she hit in on the arm, he growled at her as she headed for the stairs. Hoshiki had come upstairs from the basement as well, he saw us all gathered and sighed, he followed his sister upstairs. He had Makoto with him.
I watched the girls as they came around the kitchen with their brothers.
"InuYasha, we will see you tomorrow, I'm closing down the office for a couple of days so we can prepare for this. I called Yuri and let her know that she and Misha do not need to come in for a few days," Miroku said to me. Sesshomaru looked at him curious as to why he did this. Miroku nodded to us.
"Good night everyone," Sango said. The girls smiled and followed their parents to the door.
"What is going on InuYasha?" Sesshomaru said standing up he came around Rin towards me.
"Something happened while you were gone…" I started to say. Kagome sighed deeply I could tell she was definitely not happy about this, about wielding a bow and arrow again, and about another attack on our family. We wanted to stay here in this world, and we didn't want to break any rules doing so.
Kagome retreated to the kitchen, Rin noticed Kagome's mood and followed her. I looked at Sesshomaru, Inuko came towards me also concerned. I sighed and started to explain every detail that had happened after they left.
"So Hero is involved in this, and you let him get away…." Inuko said frustrated. I touched his shoulder and looked at him.
"I was aware the boy may have been involved but I was not aware that Tadahiro was his father…." Sesshomaru said to us.
"You knew Hero was involved?" I said to him.
"Kikyko told me… I promised her I wouldn't say anything until she came out with it, but I was not aware of everything else, this is very troubling InuYasha, we have not wielded our swords in 10 years or needed too." Sesshomaru said to me.
Inuko hissed angrily and mumbled under his breath.
"Why didn't you just kill Hero father?" Inuko said angry.
"Inuko stop, listen… Hero is the only one who knows his father's moves, he knows when they'll attack, he can be helpful to us, besides… he didn't harm Kikyko, he only did as he was told. Which was not a good decision, and Kikyko… doesn't want any harm brought to him," I said to Inuko. She shrugged my hand off his shoulder.
"I don't care, he's dangerous…" Inuko crossed his arms and looked at me.
"You need to understand something…. and I'm only going to say this once, do not harm Hero. Kikyko still cares for him deeply, and it will hurt her if anything happens to him. She's struggling to fight through her demonic self-right now, we cannot bring anything upon her that will cause her demonic self to release." I said to him. He growled and narrowed his eyes to me. I knew he was mad. He hated that boy and his instinct just like all of us, is to kill him and protect his sister and mother.
"Do as you all wish, but he does not come near Kikyko," Inuko said and turned to the kitchen.
Kagome looked at him as he came towards her, she sighed deeply, she touched his arm trying to gain his attention. He looked at her, she smiled and touched his face.
"Inuko…" she started to say.
"InuYasha, we need to figure this out… we need to train again, since the office will be closed, let us gather with Miroku tomorrow and figure out a solution," Sesshomaru said to him. I nodded. Yamatoo seemed agitated, he's usually rather reserved and quiet, but I could tell he was worried and concerned for Kikyko.
"We will return home and be by here in the morning," Sesshomaru said to us. Rin smiled and came around the counter to Sesshomaru and Yamatoo.
"May… I see Kikyko before I leave, if…it is alright?" Yamatoo said, I was rather surprised he asked to go to her room to see her. I looked at him.
"Fine," I said to him. He nodded and came around me to the stairs. Kagome and Inuko looked at him as he ran up the stairs.
"Uhhh…." Inuko said nervous.
"AAAH HOSHIKI DON'T DO THAT," Kikyko's voice bellowed from her room.
"Hahhaha, you're so stupid," he teased her. He was trying to help her remember who she really was, by taunting her and making her get mad, like she usually does when her brother's taunt her.
"Give it back pup," she teased him.
"Nope," he said waving her hairbrush in the air. He jumped on her bed and continued to jump on it.
"GET OFF MY BED STUPID," she shouted at him. Yamatoo leaned to her door and heard this.
"Maybe this was a bad idea…" Yamatoo said to himself.
"I CAN SMELL YOU AT THE DOOR YAMATOO," Kikyko said to him. She came to the door and it opened. Hoshiki was next to her smiling a mischievous smile.
"HEY HOSHIKI," she shouted at him as he ran out the door past Yamatoo he had her hairbrush with him, he ran to his room and stuck his tongue out at her then closed his door.
Kikyko huffed.
"The nerve of that boy," she said and crossed her arms.
Yamatoo smiled and turned his face so he wouldn't laugh at her appearance, she was wearing her short night dress and her hair was braided and wrapped with a ribbon.
"What?" she said to him looking herself over.
"AAH," she said and ran to her closet, he came in and stood at her door.
She came out of her closet wrapping her long robe together.
"Can I help you Yamatoo?" she said coming towards him.
"I kind of wanted to talk to you, but I see your ready for bed… so maybe we can talk some other time?" he said rubbing his head, she looked at him curious and tilted her head.
"Well I really want to kill my brother for taking my favorite hairbrush, but…. I'm not going too tonight, so… we can talk," she said to him. He smiled and just as he was about to come towards her, Hoshiki barges into her room again, this time he ran in without her hairbrush and jumped to her bed.
"WHAT, HOSHIKI GET OUT," she shouted at him. He snickered and jumped on her bed again.
"Go ahead, kill him…." Yamatoo said to her. She looked at him then ran at her brother. Yamatoo chuckled and turned to the door, he closed it behind him.
"AHHHH," Hoshiki's voice shouted upstairs.
"Great, unreal can't we have at least one night of peace," I said heading to the stairs. Yamatoo was just coming down. I looked at him curious.
"Hoshiki's taunting his sister," Yamatoo said as he came around me. Rin giggled and then laughed.
"So cute, Yamatoo I hope you don't taunt your sister when she's bigger…" Rin said to him as he came towards his father and stepmother.
"Nah, unless she brings it on herself…" he said and shook his head.
"Great, I'm going to ground them," I said and looked at Yamatoo. Inuko sighed and also came towards me.
"Can I watch when you yell at them, then ground them?" he said. I looked at him and touched his shoulder.
"Well you'll be out of the house in a week, can't really ground you anymore, so… I might have to give Kikyko two weeks… one for her and Hoshiki and the second week will be for you for pissing me off," I said taping his shoulder. He looked at me for a second as if to think about what I was saying then I saw his face change to surprised expression.
"Hey that's not fair…. Wait, hang on I'm off the hook?" he said and followed me upstairs.
"Hahahah," Kagome laughed downstairs.
"Good night Kagome, we'll be by tomorrow," Rin said to her as Sesshomaru helped her with her jacket.
"Good night, all of you," she smiled to them.
"AAAH KIKYKO YOUR GOING TO DIE," I heard Hoshiki's voice in her room.
"NAAAARRR, I'M A HALF DEMON NOW MEANING….. I'M STRONGER," she shouted at him. I sighed deeply and shook my head.
"Unreal, I want her back to normal for the love of god…" I said and opened her door. Inuko chuckled and tapped his hands together and came in behind me. As we came into the room, the whole room was covered in feathers. They were pillow fighting on her bed.
"You do realize… when she's normal, she still will try to kill us…" Inuko half whispered to me. I looked at him and sighed then I grunted and crossed my arms looking around the room again.
She looked at us, Hoshiki held a pillow in his hands and looked at us as well.
"Great!" I hissed and lifted my sleeves.
"Hahha, dad is pissed... hahaha," Inuko laughed behind me.
"AWE….dad come on," Hoshiki said crossing his arms. I looked at the both of them.
"Two weeks each one of you," I said to them. Kikyko sighed and pouted.
"Don't you dare give me that pouty look…" I said to her. Inuko tried his hardest not to laugh at her expression.
"Why are you here stupid, here to see dad ground us…." Kikyko huffed and crossed her arms.
"Yup! Technically I can't get grounded anymore since I'm moving out next week…. But its still so funny to watch you get grounded," He chuckled and laughed. Kikyko was about to jump up off the bed and jump at her brother when I grabbed her.
"Woah woah, hey…" I said pulling her back down to the bed.
"Stop taunting her Inuko," I said to him. He crossed his arms and shook his head laughing.
She crossed her arms and pouted again; I'm not falling for it… nope I'm not falling for it. I rolled my eyes and sighed.
"Get to bed both of you," I said again sternly. Kikyko pouted even more and looked at me. Why does she do that, that….that pouty look, I fall for it all the time, then I go soft on her, this time…it's not happening!
"Cut that out, bed now!" I said to the both of them. Hoshiki huffed and dragged himself out the door.
"This isn't fair, I was trying to help sis remember who she was…" he mumbled out the door.
"BED HOSHIKI!" I shouted at him. He then grumbled.
Kikyko looked around her room.
"Aaah, my pillows," she said noticing she had nothing to sleep on.
"Bed Kikyko," I said to her.
"I can't….." she whined standing up off the edge of the bed.
"I have no pillows," she whined.
"Then sleep without them or go to the linen closet and get new ones…." I said to her, I saw her smile mischievously and before she could even come around me to the door, I stopped her and grabbed her arm.
"On second thought, Inuko get her some pillows…." I said to him. She huffed and crossed her arms. The linen closet was next to Hoshiki's room. I knew what she was planning to do, no pillows, attack her brother. Not on my watch kiddo!
"Awe man, I wanted to see her sleep without pillows for once," he said then turned to the door. I came over to Kikyko and touched her face.
"You lied to me, I'm really disappointed Kikyko, that's twice now…" I said to her sternly. Her eyes meet mine then she turned away.
"I didn't lie…. I just don't want Hero hurt," she said to me. I cupped her face in my hand and turned her to me.
"Don't do it again, you are too honest Kikyo, don't make lying a habit…. I never want to know you lied to me, or anyone again… understood?" I said to her. She looked at me and nodded. Inuko came in with some pillows.
"Anything else you want to tell me…." I said to her sternly.
"No father..." she said again.
"Don't do it again!" I bent down to her and said this, I touched her head and kissed her cheek.
"I won't!" she said to me. I tapped her face and looked at her.
"Get to bed, Miroku wants to start your training again tomorrow," I said to her. She nodded and looked at me. Inuko looked at her as I passed him out the room.
Inuko came towards her, Kikyko took the pillows from him.
"Kiki…" he said to her.
"I heard what you said about Hero downstairs," she said holding the pillows against her body.
"I won't hurt him… okay," he said to her. I leaned by the door listening to them.
"I like him Inuko… a lot, I really do, and I want to see him… not you or dad can stop me from seeing him, he's not bad he's just…conflicted with who he is," she said to him.
"I won't hurt him Kikyko," he said to her again.
"But can I say something first, and I want you to think about what I'm going to say…" he said to her. She looked at him and crossed her arms.
"You are my sister, and I want what's best for you, I want a boy… a man, who can treat you well Kikyko. Like how father treats mother, I want someone like that for you. I know Hero is your first boyfriend…. But as your brother, it's my job to make sure you don't make a mistake with who you fall in love with, and Hero… is a mistake Kikyko," he said to her calmly.
"He isn't, and I know you're trying to protect me…." She stared to say. Inuko held his hand up to her.
"Let me finish, he may not be a mistake to you Kikyko, but he's not the right one for you. When you do meet that right person Kikyko, that person will change your life…. They'll make you see things differently, see the world differently, see life differently, they'll love you unconditionally no matter who you are," Inuko said to her. I smiled hearing this. Since he and Hakura had officially started dating at age 13, she was 16 she completely changed his entire personality, in a good way.
"Inuko… I know what you're saying…. But I don't know what that is yet…. Maybe Hero isn't right for me, but…. I feel like it's my duty to protect him," she said to him.
"You may think that…but a man should never fear anything or anyone, his only priority should be to protect those he loves, you should never protect anyone but yourself Kikyko. A man's job is to protect the women he loves with his life…" Inuko said to her. I smiled at him. I saw Kagome come near me. I grabbed her and pulled her to me.
"Shhh," I said to her
"I was in the bedroom, I heard them talking…." She half whispered to me.
"I love you sis, so much and I worry about you always. I think about you and your happiness, and Hero…will not make you happy sis, you think he might, but please…if you want to continue to see him, then I won't object to it. But be smart about it," he told her. She put her pillows down on the bed.
"I'm going to bed Inuko," she said to him and turned to her sheets fixing them. Inuko came up behind her and kissed her cheek.
"Love you," he said to her. He came towards the door. I pulled Kagome to me and quickly darted to the bedroom.
"INUYASHA," she said to me loudly as I closed the door. I looked out at Inuko as he went to his room.
"What was all that about, I only heard some of it…" Kagome said to me as I turned to her.
"I hope he got through to her," I said and sighed deeply. I came towards Kagome and hugged her.
"Uhh…." She said and looked at me.
"I won't let anything or anyone near you, Tadahiro may want you dead…but you are my life, and I will not let him take my life away," I said touching her face. She blushed.
"He won't, we're going to train again, and we will take him down if we have too…." She said to me.
"I really don't want you to fight again…." I said to her.
"I will fight by your side always, and to protect my family if I have too," she said to me. I sighed deeply and leaned forward and kissed her. She pulled her arms around my neck and fell into the kiss.
At Hero's Apartment
"So she fell for it?" Nizu said in their bedroom.
"She's so gullible, I think I'll play her a little bit longer…" Hero said to Nizu. He came around the bed to her.
"I don't like it when you kiss her," she said to him and crossed her arms.
"Don't worry she won't live much longer, then my father can kill her entire family with her out of the way," Hero said. He was about to lean in to Nizu when she held her hand to his mouth.
"You didn't tell her did you," she asked him. He shook his head and smiled.
"All I told her is if she stays a half demon she could die, I didn't tell her how it will happen. The girl is really stupid, like I mean she has this voice that's like a bell and she's so tiny, its actually quite funny, and who would believe she actually has spiritual powers. She's not powerful Nizu, she's just a weak scared little girl," Hero said to her again. Nizu smiled and ran her hand through her hair.
"When you realized your inner power Hero, your inner panther you changed, its like you understood your duty as a panther. I saw you waver and become conflicted, especially when your father gave you that vile, but then…. you realized your true inner power. After you returned from the hospital, you had a talk with your father, and your inner true powers finally woke," she said to him. He touched her hand and pulled it to his mouth and kissed it.
"In a couple of days, by her brother's wedding, Kikyko will be dead and we…can move in on here entire family, ambush them without them knowing," he said to her.
"Your father is proud you have chosen to be the leader, to take charge and avenge your mother's death," Nizu said to him, she started to unbutton her shirt taunting him.
"Kikyko has to go through the phases, phase one: she'll forget and slowly loose her memory, important things and even life events. Phase two: thanks to your poison spell, her hair will start to change to white slowly but gradually, and her voice will deepen. Phase three: her inner demon blood will take over her entire being, her spiritual powers will cease to exist, and she will turn into a full-fledged demon. Which in turn, will end her life, I give her a week. Possibly on the day of her brother's wedding," Hero said to Nizu.
"Mmmm, I love you," she said to him opening her shirt. He leaned forward to kiss her.
"Mmm, I want you Hero," she said to him unbuttoning his shirt.
"I'm yours Nizu, forever…" he said to her and pinned her to the bed.
The Next Morning: Training Day 1
"Aaaaah," I heard Kikyko's voice again. I sighed and touched my face.
"Why do we always start the day with them fighting downstairs…" Kagome said next to me I heard her sigh and shift out of bed. I reached my arm out and grabbed her.
"Let them sort out their own problems, stay in bed with me…." I said and rolled over to her.
She looked at me and tried to push me away, I smiled and pulled her to me, and kissed her face and then her neck. I slide my hands into her opened robe. She pulled my hand away.
"You crazy horny pup, seriously your daughter needs to start her training… or would your rather have her life in danger if she stayed a half demon?" Kagome said to me. I sighed and let go of her.
"At least give me a kiss," I said to her and sat up, she slid out of bed and came around to my side.
"Fine," she leaned forward, I grabbed her and kissed her.
"Be careful, you and Miroku and Kikyko," I said to her. She touched my ears and smiled.
"We will," she said to me. Then she came around the bed to the closet. I slid out of bed and followed her.
"Why?" Kikyko's voice bellowed downstairs. I sighed and shook my head.
"Unreal," I said to Kagome I heard her sigh as she tied her hakama together. She wore her traditional red and white kosode and hakama robe. I smiled, she looked just like she always did. Gorgeous!
"INUKO THIS ISN'T FAIR," Kikyko said to him. He rolled his eyes.
"What isn't, come on Kikyko jump for it," he taunted her holding the plate over his head.
"AAARGGH, I can hurt you now you know that you jerk," she grumbled.
Hoshiki looked over to his siblings he was leaning over Makoto's play pen.
"Now that Kikyko is half demon Mako, Inuko's going to definitely die… which means I can marry Hakura when I'm 18!" he said to his sister. She looked at him and laughed then threw herself in to the play pen.
"YOU ARE NOT MARRYING HAKURA YOU STUPID IDIOT, BESIDES… she's too old for you," Inuko said to him still holding the plate over his head.
"AAAARUGHHH," Kikyko shouted, she then jumped her brother, knocking him hard to the floor. The plate tipped, she grabbed it before it fell from his hands, she sat on her brother with the plate in her hands.
"GET OFF!" he hissed at her and crossed his arms.
"Serves you right for taunting me, I have training I need breakfast," she said and got off her brother, he growled and jumped to his feet.
"You just ate your breakfast that's mine," he said behind her. Kagome and I sighed as we came down the stairs. Kikyko was making her way to the dining room table, when she saw us. She smiled and held the plate close to her.
I took the plate from Kikyko as I came around her.
"HEY…." She said and hissed at me. I came to the kitchen and gave it to Inuko. He growled at her and took the plate from me.
Kagome sighed again and shook her head.
"You know what happens when you over eat at breakfast, you get sleepy and you can't focus on training," Kagome said to her.
"I wanted more energy food," she whined to her mother and followed her as she came to the kitchen.
Kagome looked Kikyko over as she grabbed an apple from the plate on the counter.
"Is that how you tie your hakama?" she said to her. Kikyko looked herself over.
"What?" she said touching the tie on her hakama. I rolled my eyes and shook my head, even I knew how a kosode and hakama should be worn.
"Fix your kosode and hakama, a real miko doesn't dress like that, and tie your hair…" Kagome said to her sternly. I crossed my arms and nodded.
"Oh man," Kikyko whined, she had pulled her kosode over her hakama and tied her hakama into the wrong knot, traditionally a miko would not wear her kimono like this. Kikyko went to the bathroom down the hallway to fix her clothes.
"Hahaha, Kikyko got told…" Hoshiki said near his baby sister. I looked at him then went over to Mako's play pen.
"Stop taunting her," I said to him.
"Me and Inuko are trying to help her remember who she really is by doing things that'll make her remember… you know normal things, like piss her off, argue, fight… taunt her, you should too dad. Like I don't know, get mad at her if she wears makeup or something, the usual stuff… it'll help her," Hoshiki said to me sure of himself, he crossed his arms and nodded. I chuckled and picked up Makoto.
"Well then… it could work," I said to him. He nodded and went to the door.
"I got it," he said, just as Miroku and his family came to the door. I chuckled and heard them as Hoshiki opened the door.
"Miroku, Sango…" Kagome smiled at them as they came in with their children.
"Good morning everyone," Sango said to them. Hakura came over to Inuko, she looked upset for some reason, she was talking to him about something, I couldn't make out what.
"Morning," Kagome said to them.
"Great!" I heard Inuko hiss under his breath. He then sighed and turned to us.
"Mom dad we have a problem," Inuko said to all of us. I held Mako in my arms and came over to the kitchen.
"Oh?" Miroku said to them.
"The venue rejected us, and we don't have time to find another venue…" Hakura sighed and said this.
"What… we booked it three weeks ago!" Sango said agitated. She crossed her arms and had a peeved off expression to her face. I narrowed my eyes and sighed. Great, if she's pissed that means Kagome's not going to let this drop now either.
"Why would they do that, we have all our families coming in for the weeding," Kagome said also agitated. Great!
"WHY DON'T YOU GET MARRIED IN THE BACK YARD, NEAR THE POND!" Kikyko shouted from the bathroom. We all turned and looked to the hallway. And this is why she's the brains of the family.
"Uhhh…" Inuko said thinking about it.
"Do we even have time to do that, to decorate the yard and prepare everything in a couple of days before next week?" Hakura said to everyone.
"No worries, we can totally make it happen sis," Kira said to her and smiled.
Kikyko came down the hallway towards us. She was still wearing her hakama wrong.
"Kikyko?" Miroku said looking at her, she was humming to herself and had her hair wrapped. Was that all she did in there?
"Oh hi everyone," she said to everyone and smiled.
"I thought I told you that is not how you tie your hakama, now fix it!" Kagome said sternly to her again.
"I…forgot how to tie it," she said looking at her hakama. Kikyko sighed and rubbed her head.
"Kikyko are you feeling well, your face looks pale, and you know how to wear a kosode and hakama you wore one for your sisters naming ceremony 4 weeks ago," Miroku said coming around the counter to her. He was in his traditional grey and blue Buddhist robe.
"Uhh… I'm feeling okay, I just don't remember how to wear this," she said looking herself over. Kagome touched her forehead.
"You're not sick, fine… I'll show you only one time Kikyko then we leave to the temple," she said to her. Kikyko followed her mother to the bathroom.
"Huh, she's usually not forgetful," I said to everyone. Miroku turned and looked at me.
"Hmm…I'm concerned, maybe a cleansing will help her soul," Miroku said to me. I nodded.
"Well I'll take the kids for the day InuYasha since you and Sesshomaru are preparing for Inuko and Hitoshi's party tonight," Sango said coming towards him. She extended her hands to Mako. Mako giggled and held her arms out.
I passed her over to Sango.
"Yup their engagement party is tonight, Miroku I know a cleansing ceremony can take a few hours, try not to be late. Kikyko is needed here for Hakura and Kira's party as well," I reminded him. He looked at me and chuckled.
"Hahaha, as if she'd want to miss that, she made a huge fuss last week about it, she doesn't want to miss a single minute of it," Miroku said tapping his hand on my shoulder.
"Rin will be with me and Kira today as well, we have so much food to prepare tonight and so much to do, the house isn't even decorated yet, I'm so glad Rika and Hitomi are coming to help as well. Shippou and Yukiko are getting the balloons… while Hakura and Inuko are out finalizing some last details for the wedding with the guys…." Sango started to ramble. She looked as if she was making a mental note on all the preparations and what still needed to be done. Everything was almost done for the wedding anyway, without this minor venue issue, and the car not being ready, I think we have everything for a great wedding. I chuckled at her, Miroku looked at his wife and shook his head.
"Sango my love why are you so worried, this wedding is going to be wonderful," Miroku said to her. Sango turned to him and glared. If looks could kill.
"We are so far behind Miroku…" Kagome said coming down the hallway with Kikyko behind her.
"We are not missing tonight's party, so since we are all ready…" Kagome said to us. Miroku smiled and came over to Kikyko.
"Your prayer beads do you have them with you?" he asked her. Kikyko thought for a moment and her hands touched her body.
"Ohhh ahahhhah, yeah here they are," she said holding her arm out. I narrowed my eyes at her. Something is definitely off about her. Inuko also noticed her forgetfulness and looked at her worried.
I turned my head to the patio doors as Sesshomaru and Yamatoo came in, Rin was with him she was in a cheerful mood and had a huge box with her. Probably for Hakura and Kira. Hakura smiled, she and Kira came over to her. Koji and Yuki were at the tv already with Hoshiki I grunted and reached for the remote off the table turning down their sound.
"Awe man," Hoshiki hissed and sighed.
"Good morning," Miroku said to them as Yamatoo closed the door behind him.
"Good morning everyone, I'm so excited for tonight," Rin beamed. Yamatoo turned his eyes to Kikyko as Kagome was reminding her how to act in a Buddhist temple.
"Yes yes I know mom," she said to her. Yamatoo's face blushed.
He seemed to watch her diligently, I hated it. He was her cousin, and I knew Yamatoo was defiantly interested in her, he's 21…I won't even allow it, even if he asked and vowed he truly wanted to be with her. I wouldn't allow it.
"Yamatoo," Sesshomaru said to him. He wasn't paying attention to his father.
"YAMATOO," he said a little louder to him.
"Huh oh sorry," Yamatoo said and turned to us.
"Let's get going!" Sesshomaru touched is shoulder.
Sesshomaru, myself and Miroku had discussed over a few weeks that we wanted to put down a down payment on a house for Hakura and Inuko. And an apartment for Kira and Hitoshi, even though they set their wedding date to a year from now, Miroku wanted Kira and Hitoshi to have their own place as well, since Hitoshi was living with the boys. This would be a great opportunity for them to live in a safe and big apartment within the city. So we were going to grab the keys, get their furniture brought in with the movers and finalize everything for them. They are so going to freak out. The house we found for Hakura and Inuko, was built in the wooded area across from where we live across the main highway, nestled deep in the woods, it was brand new and really really big. It was surrounded by glass windows, and was a large two-level home, with so many bedrooms and bathrooms, a huge kitchen and two living area spaces. Including an office.
I smiled, when Hakura and Inuko looked at eachother, they smiled and kissed eachother. I was really happy for my son.
"Okay well then shall we be off...have a good day everyone," Miroku said to us as he and Kagome gathered with Kikyko.
"Have a good time Kikyko do your best, and focus," Sango said waving to them as they headed to the hallway.
"Thanks bye!" Kikyko said loudly then we heard the door close. Huh! She really wasn't herself today. I could tell from her voice.
"The Meehan Buddhist temple," Miroku said, they pulled into a vacant lot across the temple. There were many people at the temple today, taking pictures, meeting with monks, praying. Kikyko looked at the temple and took in a deep breath.
"Uncle Miroku," Kikyko said to him from the back seat.
"Yes?" he said and turned to her.
"I'm nervous…. What if I remain like this, what if this doesn't work," Kikyko said still looking at the temple. Kagome turned as well and looked at her.
"Don't doubt yourself Kikyko, your spiritual power is still with you and in those beads, you just need to believe in your strength and power again and release your inner spirituality," Miroku said to her. She turned her eyes to him and her mother.
"Kikyko, you know that soul cleansing will be hard, and can be tiring… I want you to remain focused and do your best, you need to allow your soul to go through the cleansing process," Kagome said to her. She looked at her mother and nodded.
"I remember, I'll do my best mother, I didn't have these beads last time I did the cleansing ceremony, and it wasn't fun at all…" Kikyko said to her. Kagome smiled and touched her head.
"Then let's go, do your absolute best," she said to her.
As they walked up the stairs of the temple, other miko's and people were looking at Kikyko and her appearance, she tilted her head to some ladies who were whispering to eachother.
"She's a half demon in a miko kimono…. Isn't this forbidden by the teachings of Buddha?" one of the ladies said to the other.
"Hmmmm," Kikyko huffed angrily. She walked up the stairs and to her mother.
"What's wrong?" Kagome said to her as they approached the hanging bell.
"I don't like this; people are looking at me and talking…" Kikyko said to her mother. Kagome rang the bell and held her hands together.
"Say a prayer Kikyko, ignore everyone here and do not listen to their words," Miroku said as well. He shook the bell and too held his hands together. Kikyko looked at the rope and the bell and did the same, she held her hands together and said a Buddhist prayer that she still remembered.
After a few moments of prayer, Miroku came around Kagome and touched Kikyko's shoulder.
"Monk Mishu is aware of what's happening with you Kikyko, he is waiting for us in his private ceremony chamber," Miroku said to her, she followed behind him as he walked into the temple, Kagome grabbed her arm and smiled at Kikyko. She let out a deep breath as they entered the temple, many other monks, and people where at the main hall in the temple praying. Kikyko quickly looked at them then turned away. She followed Miroku to a hallway and to another room.
"Welcome Miroku," Monk Mishu said to him. He greeted him and nodded.
"So…this did happen, I saw her a few weeks ago at her sisters naming ceremony, and she was not like this, let us proceed with the cleansing…" Mishu said gesturing with his hand to a chamber. Kikyko stopped at the large doors and looked around the temple.
"Kikyko?" Kagome said to her she pulled her arm from Kikyko's.
"I'm nervous momma, I'm scared…this isn't going to work and…I'll never be normal again," Kikyko said at the door. Mishu came towards her.
"It is words like that, words of doubt that will keep your soul darkened, I sense your power is locked away Kikyko. Your inner demon will emerge it will take over, this is why I am here, I am here to help you focus, and cleanse your entire being…" He said to her. Kikyko took in a deep breath and went through the door. The room was filled with incense, a small water reservoir for blessings streamed behind a fence rope, and the statue of the all mighty Buddha was nestled behind the reservoir.
"Come sit by the incense, let the cleansing begin child," Mishu said and closed the door behind them.
"Woah, woah, woah, what do you mean she's turned into a half demon?" Kenta said to Inuko as they waited by the bridal shop for Hakura's fit in.
"Yeah that's how it happened apparently," Inuko said to them.
"Then we have to act on this, if Hero had done this to her, or his family we must strike first and find them," Reno said to Inuko he turned his eyes to the store then back to Inuko.
"No we can't, Hero said he knows his father's every move and he will let us know when they are going to strike… I have a feeling nothing will happen yet, not for a while at least," Inuko said to his friends. Hitoshi held Kikyko's cell phone in a wrapped paper in his hands and opened it.
"Well I managed to fix it, gave her a new color too, and some new decorations," Hitoshi said holding out the phone. Inuko smiled at the pink new phone with the pink case that said princess on it.
"Give it to her tonight when you all come over for the party," Inuko said to him.
"Is she doing okay with this Inuko? I'm worried for her, I mean she wasn't born a half demon…" Kenta said again.
"She's not taking it to well but she's doing her best, my uncle and mother have taken her to a Buddhist temple today, I hope they can help her find her inner spiritual powers again. Hero told her that if she can figure out who she really is and restore herself to normal, her inner half demon would be locked away again," Inuko said looking to the store. He then turned his eyes to his friends again.
"WHAT, WHAT DO YOU MEAN MY DRESS WON'T BE READY BY NEXT WEEK…." Hakura bellowed at the ladies.
"Uhh, what's going on?" Inuko said outside hearing her voice inside the store. The guys came into the store and noticed Hakura at the counter talking to the ladies, and she was angry.
"Something wrong?" Inuko said coming towards her.
"I'm sorry sir, but the tuxedo's and the dress will not be ready by next week. We cannot accommodate such a tight schedule and our tailoring department is focusing on getting everything done as quick as possible, but it will not be ready I'm sorry…" the lady said at the counter. Hakura sighed and looked at her.
"Inuko what do we do…." She said and turned to him.
"Calm down we'll fix this..." Inuko said touching her arms.
"So nothing is done? Our family knows of our wedding date, and are prepared for it… is there another tailoring company that can accommodate us?" Inuko said to the ladies. Kenta touched his head and sighed deeply.
"Yes there is sir, and that company can accommodate your needs, however they require a higher deposit then what we require. We will refund your deposit and send all the dresses and tuxedos to the company," the lady said to them, she tapped on the register.
Hakura looked at Inuko and looked as if she was about to cry.
"Calm down Haku," Inuko said tapping her arms.
"How much will this cost, I'll cover it… we need everything done by Friday of next week," Kenta said reaching into his jacket for his wallet.
"Kenta you don't have too," Inuko said to his friend.
"No Inuko, I do have too…there is no more time for us to wait on these, I'll take care of this okay…" Kenta said touching his shoulder.
"Kenta we can take care of this you don't have too," Hakura said to him. He smiled and touched her face.
"Anything for you guys, your family, your father has done so much for us, we are grateful for him…so spending money on my brother and sister's wedding, is nothing…." Kenta said. Reno nodded and came around Inuko, Kenta did as well they talked to the women at the counter, while another three women where calling the company to pick up the garment bags.
When Kenta and Reno where younger they were out with their father and mother, both wolf demons, travelling on a little family adventure in the forest, a tribe of soldiers ambushed them at night and wounded their father, they had returned to the village where Kagome and Keade had saved his life. I wasn't aware of this because I was with Miroku in another village working.
I didn't find out until I returned, when I did, I went on a hunt. I found them, those soldiers and killed them for what they had done, not only for their father, but Kagome was pregnant at that time with our third child, and….they had attacked our village, before Miroku and I had arrived. We saw the smoke and hurried back as quick as we could. Kagome and Sango where fighting to protect the villagers, by the time I had made it to the village, our entire home had caved in on top of Kagome, Inuko and Kikyko. It was the most terrifying moment of my entire life, I thought they had died.
We searched for them and when I found them through the rubble of our hut, Kagome had used her own spiritual powers to protect Inuko and Kikyko, however it wasn't enough to protect herself, and she miscarried our third child, before Hoshiki. She was devastated and it broke her heart deeply. Everyday Kenta and Reno would bring flowers for Kagome and Kikyko, just to cheer them up, Kikyko was heartbroken as well, the boys had done so much for us, including their father. We were grateful for them.
"Thank you," Inuko said to them. Hakura let out a deep breath and leaned against Inuko, he pulled his arms around her and let out a deep breath as well.
"Hey, you're our brother….we want you to have a great wedding Inuko," Hitoshi said to him touching his shoulder.
"Thanks, really…" Inuko said to him. He nodded and smiled.
"Everything is going just as planned Hero," Nizu said to him, they were in the mall as well looking at them from across the mall near another shop.
"Good they'll send the garments to my father's tailoring company, and Hakura's dress will be tailored….and a touch of poison will be added to the lining just for that extra spark," he said touching Nizu's head.
She smiled and turned to him.
"Mmmm just how I like it, then the poor girl will fall ill, and no one will know how to treat her," Nizu said to him. He smiled and touched her face.
"Nizu, I might have to continue seeing Kikyko this week and the next…just to ensure she doesn't attempt to return to normal, please don't be mad ok," he said to her. She pouted and crossed her arms.
"I don't like it when you kiss her, it bothers me…" she said to him.
"I come home every night to you, and sleep with you…she is nothing to me, just a pawn in my father's game. Same with Hakura, everyone will be too busy tending to her and Kikyko to even notice our ambush, we will set them ablaze and the fire will kill all of them," Hero said touching her face.
"Don't forget the demons may survive the fire," Nizu said to him.
"Oh they will survive the fire, all to see their loved ones burn in their home, distracted by us to even be able to save them…." He chuckled and leaned forward to kiss her.
"Mmmm your father said he might not strike right away and prolong the suffering of the girls, this way if they die….then we strike," Nizu said wrapping her arms around his neck. She kissed him again.
"Then Kikyko's mother will have no choice but to surrender to us," Hero said and smiled at her.
"How about we go have some fun," Nizu said to him.
"Oooh a little feisty there Nizu aren't we now!" Hero said grabbing her. He pulled her to him and quickly, jumped to the air through the opening in the skyline windows.
"Eeh, hu hu!" Kikyko's breathing became labored, she was focused, concentrated, her mind was nothing but an empty blank slate.
"Keep going Kikyko, you're doing well….listen to the monk's prayer, hear his words Kikyko, do not break your concentration," Miroku said to her. Kagome touched a cloth to Kikyko's forehead wiping away the beads of sweat. Kikyko held her hands together her prayer beads wrapped around her hands and fingers, her eyes where closed and she was determined to keep her mind focused.
The monk shook his prayer leaves near Kikyko and held his incense near her, he was chanting a prayer.
"It's been three hours Miroku," Kagome said to him in a half whisper.
"She's doing well Kagome, do not fret…" Miroku said as well. He kept his eyes on Kikyko watching her carefully.
"Uhh," Kikyko said again. She was remembering, focusing on how to bring out her own spiritual powers to the surface, that she hadn't realized she formed a small barrier around her body.
"OH MY GOD, Miroku…." Kagome said touching his arm. He looked at Kikyko carefully.
"Do not break your concentration Kikyko, you have managed to form a barrier around yourself, do not break it…." Miroku said to her. She started breathing heavily and her body trembled.
Mishu noticed Kikyko's own power emerging, he started chanting louder and gestured with his hands for Miorku to bring over the holy water. Miroku stood up and went behind Kikyko to the reservoir, he brought over the bowl of holy purified water and came around Kikyko again.
"Kikyko… I know you remember what comes next, this bowl has the holy purified water of Buddha, it has been purified for 8 hours, I will hold it to your lips, you must drink from it…" Miroku said kneeling next to Kikyko.
He held the bowl to Kikyko's lips she took a sip of the holy water and swallowed it.
"Kikyko…" a voice echoed in her head.
"I am your spiritual power… I am you Kikyko…." The voice said again. Kikyko's breathing became heavier, she wavered a little almost tipping forward. Miroku put his hand on her shoulder, and she pulled herself up again.
"Kiki, sweetie concentrate," Kagome said to her.
"You must not allow the darkness into your soul Kikyko…" the voice said again.
"The holy water, it must be channeling her inner power…" Miroku said feeling Kikyko's body tremble. He didn't move his hand from her shoulder. The monk looked at Kikyko and let out a deep breath. He put down the prayer leaves and took the bowl from Miroku.
"It is… and now her soul is fighting against the darkness," Mishu said as he held the bowl of water over Kikyko's head. Kagome's hands tightened against her pants. She kept her eyes on Kikyko worried.
"Kikyko…is this what you want to be? A half-demon, you have experienced your life in that of your brother's lives, now you must free yourself from the darkness of your inner demon…" the voice said again.
"Eeh, eeh," Kikyko's voice muttered as Mishu dripped some water over Kikyko's head. She cringed and her breathing was still heavy.
"Kikyko…this cleansing has released me, your inner self, your thoughts, memories, your life source. In order for you to become a human girl again, you must find the spiritual arrow…. That is the key!" the voice echoed again.
"S—p—iritual ar—r-ow…" Kikyko mumbled out.
"What sweetie, what is it?" Kagome said touching her shoulders.
"No Kagome do not break her concentration," Miroku said holding his hand out to her arm.
"You gave some of your power to your sister and brother haven't you…they can restore your power Kikyko, but the spiritual arrow will make you complete again!" the voice echoed again.
"Find it…" the voice said then disappeared.
"HUUUUUUH," Kikyko muttered out opening her eyes. She was dripping with sweat and her entire body was quivering.
"Kiki, baby are you okay?" Kagome said shaking her. She held her hand to her chest and fell forward on to her mother's lap.
"KIKYKO," Miroku said worried.
"She's been asleep for an hour," Miroku said conconerd. Kikyko was resting on Kagome's lap, as she ran a cold cloth over her forehead.
"This training isn't going to be easy; she passed the cleansing as she is supposed to, tomorrow the purification…will be much more difficult," Mishu said to us as he touched a hand to Kikyko's spiritual beads. Her spiritual power still hidden within them repealed him. He quickly pulled his hadn away.
"See…her beads are containing her inner power," he said to us. Miroku narrowed his eyes thinking and looked at Kikyko with worry.
"Uhhh," Kikyko's voice stuttered. She slowly opened her eyes.
"Sweetie, you did it Kikyko you passed the cleansing process," Kagome said to her. She looked at her mother and slowly tried to sit up, Kagome helped her.
"Momma, do…do you still have any arrows?" Kikyko asked her. Miroku handed her a cup of purification water to help ease her mind. She took it from him and took a drink.
"I don't think so sweetie, I'm not sure if I have them in the shed or somewhere… why do you ask?" she said touching her back.
"Are they scared arrows?" she turned to her mother and asked her this.
"I don't know sweetheart, how about we go home, and you have a nap before tonight's party!" Kagome said to her. She closed her eyes for a moment and leaned back resting her head against her mother's shoulder. Kagome sighed and rested her head against hers.
"The child has been trained with weapons, usually Miko's only learn the art of archery or a musical insterment," Mishu said to Miroku. Miroku took the cup from Kikyko and turned to him. He gestured with his hand to follow him near the buddist statue. Mishu followed him.
"Yes Kikyko has been trained in archery and she is musically trained as well, asking for a sacred arrow however, this concerns me…Kagome has not used any arrows in 10 years, and as far as I know none are anywhere in either our homes." Miroku said to him he looked over at Kikyko as Kagome stroked her hair.
"The child must not touch a holy sacred arrow, in her form right now, that arrow can cause her soul to be released unwillingly and without proper cleansing and preparation, it could destroy her." Mishu said worried. Miroku looked at him and then to Kikyko.
"She won't, we will make sure she goes through the purification and training process…she must, in order for her soul to gradually release," Miroku said again. Mishu touched his shoulder and nodded.
"I will preform one final prayer before you all leave," Mishu said then turned to Kagome and Kikyko.
"Hmm," Miroku said worried. He knew Kikyko had visions of something, this made him worried and concerned for her safety.
"I hope Kikyko…you follow the training properly, and do not reach for a sacred arrow until you have been fully cleansed." He said to himself. He came towards Kagome and Kikyko as Mishu bent down to the futon and started to chant a prayer.
