Chapter 12: Resolutions

Three monks gather around Avalon and Hikari a few feet from the temple, where Avalon pulled her sword.

"Lady Miko we did not mean to frighten you."

Avalon looks down at her charge and presses her lips together and sees the girl's terrified expression not wanting to disturb her further she says, "I am not frightened, I was only caught off guard."

HIkari looks up at Avalon saying, "Avalon, can we go back to the village now?"

"Soon Hikari but not yet. I need to speak with these monks first."

Avalon continues to cradle Hikari. She doesn't want her to see the dead monk. She tries to figure out what to do since she is so tired and now has Hikari to care for as well. Would Hikari be okay riding on Ah-Un or would she feel uncomfortable with it now?

"Monk, I need my horse can you bring him to me?"

"Hai, Lady Miko." One of the monks goes to the horse, unties him from the tree and leads him to Avalon. As the monk brings the horse over, she motions for him to approach her.

"Down here." Avalon motions with her hand for him to lean down. He leans over to be down at Avalon's level. She whispers in his ear, "Remove the dead monk. I do not want my charge to see his body." She feels bad that he died. She didn't want anyone to die but she can see the change happening in Sesshomaru. The young man nods his head and goes to the other monks as the horse blocks the view of Hikari and Avalon.

"Tell me Hikari, I heard you say something about Sesshomaru promising to protect me, can you tell me about that?"

Hikari raises her right arm, eyes wide watching it move. "Avalon, I can move my arm again." She stares down at the foot that was in a brace before flexing it lightly. "My leg doesn't hurt anymore...what happened?"

Avalon stares at Hikari's right arm. "Let me see your arm." She reaches for it.

Hikari flexes her arm back and forth and rolls her shoulder. "I haven't been able to move this arm since…" she stops short, not wanting to talk about what happened.

"I think it might have to do with Tenseiga." Avalon grabs Hikari's left foot and pulls the brace off, She bends the ankle and sees there is no swelling and the bruising is gone. "Does this hurt at all?"

"No," Hikari grabs her ankle and wiggles her foot, flexing her toes and taps it on the ground. She pushes herself tentatively setting her bad foot down and then resting her whole weight on it. She jumps up and down, "Look Avalon! I can jump!" then darts off and runs circles around the trees and leaps over a log. "I can run again! Look! Look!"

"I am so happy for you Hikari! Come on back here." Avalon opens her arms waiting for Hikari.

For a moment she doesn't want to come, but to play but then shrugs her shoulders and slumps into Avalon's embrace. "What are we going to do now?"

Avalon wraps her arms around Hikari and nearly crushes her as she rocks her back and forth. One of the monks comes over and nods at Avalon letting her know the body is out of sight. Avalon nods back. "Hikari can you help me up?"

The girl starts laughing because now she is the one that can be of some use. She leans down and wraps an arm around Avalon's waist and supports her weight. "What happened?"

"Hmmm, that's a complicated question. But basically I went through a trial to get my sword. It was exhausting. I'm okay. I'm just really tired and need to rest but I will be fine." Avalon summons her sword into her hand demonstrating to Hikari her new ability.

"It didn't help you with him," Hikari says bluntly as they walk to the temple. "I guess he's really mad."

"He's mad. So what? It isn't right that he abuses me. I tried to use the sword to summon a barrier but he moved quickly to disarm me. I will get better at wielding my sword. I know someone who can help me. I just hope she will. But you never answered me, what was that about Sesshomaru promising to protect me? Monk, one of you grab my horse and tend him"

"I was scared and asked him if he would protect you and he said he would...well he nodded anyway."

Avalon nods her head considering what it would mean. "Interesting, I'm not sure how to interpret that. It was definitely agreeing to it. Thank you Hikari."

"I don't think he saw it that way. You're getting heavy, where are we going?" Hikari stumbles and drops Avalon sitting next to her. "And why is he still here?" She points at Jaken.

Avalon sits and looks over at Jaken and laughs. She motions Hikari to get down to her. Once she is by her she whispers in her ear, "Sesshomaru left him behind. He has no idea what happened. He probably thinks he still has to protect me. I'm not about to dissuade him." Speaking louder Avalon says, "I think I would like to rest at the temple for the night and leave in the morning, if that would be okay with you Hikari?"

"Where are we going?" Hikari asks moving her arm around again. "I bet I could punch something with this arm now." She throws her fist out and knocks Avalon in the nose. "Sorry! I wasn't aiming!"

Avalon holds her nose, "Hiarki! That hurt." She pushes against Hikari hard enough to make her sway where she sits but not hard enough to knock her over. "I'm not entirely sure. I know we have to go back to Kaede's. Jaken Jr. needs you and so do the kids. As for me I can't be there anymore. Not with Lord Kagewaki having his eye on me. It would be too dangerous for everyone there."

Hikari lowers her head, curling her knees into her chin and turns away from Avalon and starts crying.

Avalon leans over and wraps her arms around Hikari. "It won't be forever. I will visit, I just can't stay there."

"Everyone always leaves!" Hikari screams at Avalon as she runs out of the temple into the forest, leaving Avalon and Jaken alone.

"HIKARI!" Avalon screams and starts to crawl, following her. She is worried Hikari might be harmed and doesn't want any of the monks to confront her. She finally makes it out the door, "HIKARI, please come back. Jaken I need you to go find Hikari. She could get hurt."

"I'm not your servant. I don't have to listen to you."

Avalon's eye twitches and she hits Jaken in the head. "Do you honestly think Sesshomaru-sama would want anything happening to her?"

Jaken rubs the new bump on his head, "Ie."

"Well go find her then. I'd do it myself if I could."

"Fine." Jaken starts searching around "Hikari where are you? Hikari." Jaken wanders around until he finally sees Hikari sitting under a tree with her arms wrapped around her knees. "Hikari you need to get back to Avalon."

"It's not fair Jaken-sama," she sobs into her knees. "Everyone always leaves."

Jaken puts his hands in his sleeves "Well it's not. Sesshomaru-sama always leaves me behind too."

She chuckles wiping her nose. "So you know how it feels. Did he say he would protect Avalon?"

"No but he left me to protect her and threatened my life if I failed."

"He's a liar," she says quietly.

"SESSHOMARU-SAMA would never lie!"

"I'm not going back," she says firmly. "You can't make me."

"What do you mean you're not going back? To Avalon?"

"What does she care, she's leaving me anyway. I can walk now. I don't need her." She turns to face away from him.

"If Avalon didn't care, I wouldn't have a lump on my head." Jaken points to the bump on his head. "Hikari, I don't think Avalon wants to leave you behind. At least she explains things to you. Sesshomaru-sama just orders me to do something and then walks away. Besides, it's dangerous out here, a demon would be more than happy to eat you up. Me, I'll be fine, but you are just a ningen."

She growls angrily then gets up and follows Jaken back to the temple. "If he comes back I'll kill him."

"You would threaten Sesshomaru-sama?" Jaken exclaims in disbelief.

"Yes stupid toad. He's not that tough," she says arrogantly. "I could do it."

Jaken starts laughing hysterically. Just then Avalon sees Hikari and Jaken coming towards the temple. "Hikari, I'm so glad you're okay! Why is Jaken acting crazy?"

Hikari says nothing to Avalon. She shoulders past her and finds a spot to curl up against the wall by herself and stares quietly at the ceiling.

Avalon watches Hikari move to her spot and sighs. Avalon allows her some time to cool off while she talks to Jaken. "Jaken what is going on?"

"Hi..Hik..Hi... Hikari says she can kill Sesshomaru-sama!" Jaken continues to laugh.

Avalon looks over at Hikari inquisitively wondering why she would threaten his life. She smacks Jaken. "Stop laughing at her." Jaken stifles his laughter. Avalon crawls over to Hikari "Hikari please talk to me."

Hikari still refuses to acknowledge Avalon or even make eye contact with her. "Well when you want to talk, I'll listen. I just want you to know I'm glad you are safe." Avalon crawls away from Hikari and goes to rest at the temple entrance, she still wants to talk to the monks.

After a few hours, the monks come back and Avalon examines them up and down. They are sweating and there is dirt on their hands. "He's buried?"

Monk one answers, "Hai."

"I am sorry for your loss."

"It is nothing to die in the service to the Murasaki no Raikō Miko."

"Tell me your names."

The first monk speaks, "I am Eiji." Pointing to another monk, Eiji speaks, "This is Giichi." Pointing to the last of the three Eiji says, "This is Kazue."

Avalon nods then asks, "You keep calling me the Murasaki no Raikō Miko. What does it actually mean?"

Kazue speaks, "You are the true owner of Murasaki no Raikō and only a priest or priestess can wield it. Many have tried before you, but no one has been able to draw it out in 100 years."

Avalon takes a deep breath stifling her shock. 'I'm a miko, that can't be right can it?' "Are you sure I'm a Miko?"

Eiji shakes his head. "There is no other explanation. Only one with spiritial power can free the sword from the slab."

Avalon nods slightly dumbfounded. "Is it always such a long time between wielders?"

Eiji says, "Ie, sometimes shorter sometimes longer."

"How was the sword created?"

Giichi speaks, "We only know the legend. The Kamis created the blade to be used by a wise Miko. Upon her death she put her memories into the blade and willed that this temple be built and any should have the chance to try their hand at drawing the blade. It is said, it is the Miko's will that picks the wielder, but none can tell why they are chosen. Sometimes they are dark and sometimes they are light. The elders know more but they are not here."

"So these elders, where are they?"

Eiji replies "They are scattered and are hidden. They pass the full extent of the legend down to a single acolyte. I can summon one for you."

Avalon considers she would really like to know more but she doesn't want to linger and she doesn't want to put anyone in danger. "Can one tell a friend of mine the legend?"

Giichi asks "Miko?"

"There is a Miko I trust her name is Kaede. Are you familiar with her?"

Giichi shakes his head. "No I am afraid not."

"She is elderly with a patch on her one eye. Perhaps you might be familiar with her elder sister Kikyo?"

Kazue exclaims, "I do recall that name. She came to claim the sword but failed many years ago."

'Interesting, so Kikyo was not meant to draw this blade.' "Are you familiar with the village she hails from?"

Eiji answers, "Hai"

"That is the village I need the information sent to, can that be done?"

Eiji agrees, "Hai, it will be done."

"I know what happened when I pulled the blade but if I wasn't the right person, what would have happened?"

Giichi says, "If you were not the correct wielder the sword would have stayed in the block and you would have fainted and your sins would have confronted you."

"But my sins did confront me."

Kazue says, "Hai but you also learned how to use the blade and it came out of the block. This is what happens to the chosen one."

"Interesting, I know I can summon the blade is there a limit? Can I hand the blade to someone else to use? If someone takes it from me can they use it against me?"

Eiji speaks "As long as you live, the blade can be summoned by you. You can hand the blade to someone and they can use it but they could never use it against you. It would pass through your body without harming you."

"What happens if a demon handles the sword?"

Kazue nods and says, "That would depend on if you gave the blade to them or not. If you handed them the blade they could use it, however if they tried to separate you from your blade, it would purify them."

"That is very useful information. Is it okay if I stay here for the night?"

Eiji exclaims, "You and your friends may stay as long as you like. We are your servants, your acolytes. We will do whatever you wish of us, for as long as you live."

"Then who replaces you in this temple if I die and you're all dead?"

Kazue says, "You need not worry, we are only the guards for this week. There are many more of us. We will all follow you."

"But you would not listen when I told you to leave me be."

Eiji explains, "We had not pledged ourselves to you yet. A pigeon with a message has been sent to tell of you. Our brothers will all arrive tomorrow to pledge themselves to you."

'Great, I hope Naraku doesn't mean to harm them.' "Send a new message telling them not to come."

Kazue asks, "What? How can they pledge themselves to you?"

"What happens when I die?"

Eiji says, "The sword will return to the slab."

"So all your group would realize that I was the true wielder of Murasaki no Raikō?"

Eiji nods his head.

"Then they can pledge their loyalty when they see me. Quickly, send a message to stop them from coming."

Eiji nods and runs into the temple. "Kaz you mind if I call you that?"

Kazue says, "Ie, you may call me anything you like my Lady."

"What about you Gi? You mind if I call you that?

Giichi states, "Ie, feel free to call me anything you like."

"Kaz, Gi, I'm really tired. Would you mind setting something up for me and my friends to rest on. I'm sure they are hungry also. I know I am."

Kazue and Giichi respond together, "Of course, Miko-sama"

"Ava will be fine."

They both nod moving into the temple.

Avalon puts her head in her hands shaking it. 'Why me?'

Some time later Avalon can smell food cooking. She can feel some energy returning to her so she tries to stand up. On shaky legs she walks into the temple finding Hikari still in her spot. She walks over and sits next to Hikari. Avalon looks up at the ceiling. Soon the monks come out with three dishes and set them in front of Hikari, Avalon and Jaken. Avalon looks as the monks walk away. Avalon and Jaken eat in silence. After she finishes eating she looks over at Hikari. "I'm sorry." Avalon gets up and crawls into the futon the monks had prepared for her and falls asleep instantly.

Avalon awakes and finds Hikari asleep on the futon next to her and can't help but smile seeing her alive and well. Avalon stretches her limbs, happy to feel them respond without protest. She feels refreshed, sleep was the answer. She gets up and walks quietly looking for the monks. She soon spots Jaken asleep in a corner. Shaking her head she continues to look for the monks. She sees a sliding shoji door. She knocks on the frame and hears shuffling in the other room. "Eiji, Kaz,Gi you in there?"

"Hai, Ava-sama."

Avalon cringes at the -sama being added. "I was wondering do you have any miko garb?"

Kazue slides the door open saying, "Hai, I would be happy to get it for you."

"Arigato." Avalon nods, "Can you prepare food for me and my friends."

Eiji and Giichi follow Kazue out of the room Giichi says, "We would be happy to."

"Also, do you have any food good for travel?"

Eiji says, "Hai, we will have it wrapped and ready for you. Will you be leaving today?"

"Hai, I cannot linger. I am sorry."

Eiji frowns, "You need not apologize Ava-sama."

Avalon looks over Eiji "Have my horse tended to I will be riding out soon after eating."

Eiji nods his head "Hai, it will be done."

"Arigato."

Avalon walks back towards where she left Hikari. Avalon goes to Hikari and leans over to give her a hug and shakes her shoulder saying softly, "Hikari, time to get up."

Hikari groans and rubs her eyes, seeing Avalon standing near her, she narrows and turns away. "Go away."

"Hikari, I know you're upset with me but I want to spend as much time as I can with you."

"No you don't, you want to leave," she got up and trotted away from Avalon. 'I bet I can run faster than her now.'

Avalon follows behind Hikari, "I don't want to leave, I have to leave to protect you."

Hikari turns around screaming and attempts to land a blow against Avalon's nose in frustration.

Avalon catches Hikari's fist and turns her around pulling her back into Avalon's chest, using her weight to bring both of them to the ground. "Sweetie do you really think I want to leave you? You're like a sister to me. I haven't felt this attached to anyone since my parents were killed."

Hikari kicks her feet trying to get away, screaming, "You're lying! You're a liar! No wonder you want to be with him, you're perfect for each other!" She rolled over trying to get away. "Let me go!"

Avalon struggles against Hikari. She rolls with her and keeps the momentum going till she is back on top of Hikari. "If that were true, why am I still here and holding you? If I didn't care I wouldn't bother with you. I would just let you run off. But I care about you a lot." Tears start flowing in Avalon's eyes as she tries to reason with Hikari.

"I don't want to be alone again," Hikari starts crying too, finally ceasing her efforts to escape.

"I don't want to leave you alone Hikari, I want you to be with me." Avalon sobs into the back of Hikari's head

"Why does everyone have to leave? Everyone always leaves me," she rolls over and hugs Avalon. "Can't you stay?"

"Kami I wish I could, I wish I could keep you safe by my side. I don't want to be without you. But the man who took me, he's not human. He's a yokai and he is evil incarnate and until I know why he is interested in me I'm not safe to be around. He will use whatever he can to hurt whoever he can. I am so sorry Hikari, I never wanted to do this to you. I wish that yokai never saw my face," Avalon continues to sob as she explains herself

Hikari nods holding Avalon around the shoulders still crying but nods her head. "Okay. Promise me you'll visit?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way Hikari. Whenever I can I will come see you I promise."

"Okay," Hikari agrees as they both get up to go back to the temple.

Once Avalon and Hikari get back to the temple they are greeted by the monks holding food laiden trays. They set one down in front of Jaken. Avalon and Hikari sit as the monks set the trays down in front of them. After eating sometime in silence, Avalon decides to broach a touchy subject. "Hikari, will you be okay riding the dragon back or do you want to ride behind me on my horse?"

Hikari thinks to herself for a few minutes then says, "at least he isn't a jerk? If I ever see Sesshomaru again I'm going to break his nose," she boasts throwing an arm out, pretending she is punching his face.

Avalon stares in horror at Hikari's declaration, "Hikari, please tell me you would never actually try to harm Sesshomaru."

She folds her arms with a smirk and says, "I will. You'll see."

Avalon nearly stumbles over her tray to get in front of Hikari, "Hikari I'm not looking to protect Sesshomaru. I'm looking to protect you. I have no idea how he would react if you were to attack him."

"You worry too much. He gave me Jaken Jr. He wouldn't hurt me...I think, but I'm still going to kill him for being a jerk."

Avalon places her head in her hands, "Please promise me you won't."

Jaken chimes in, "That's what she said before. She is a stupid little girl. Sesshomaru-sama will kill her for sure."

Avalon turns on Jaken in a rage, "Shut up!" She turns back to Hikari. "Please, please, don't try to attack him. He's a jerk, I agree and he needs his ass kicked but not by you."

Jaken says snobbily, "Like anyone would be any match for Sesshomaru-sama."

"I'll do as I please," she harrumphs and turns away from Avalon throwing a stick on the ground standing up and walking for the door.

Avalon gets up and follows Hikari, "Hikari I want to keep you safe, don't you see that?"

"You can't get everything you want Avalon," she says very seriously. "Sometimes we have to make our own choices. He's a jerk and I will kill him if I ever see him again."

Avalon says in a defeated tone, "Then I hope he is in a good mood when you see him, if you ever see him again." She motions with her hand back to the temple, "Come on, let's finish eating then we can head back to the village."

"Okay," Hikari jumps up and down, still in awe of her working arm and leg. "I'm going to be tough, you'll see." She pretends to punch the air, then tries jumping and kicking only to land on her butt on top of Jaken. "Ow." She rubs her backside.

"Get off me!" he screams.

Avalon laughs at the sight and reaches her hand out to Hikari. "We need to work on that, don't we?"

Hikari takes Avalon's hand and nods her head, "Yeah."

They make their way back to the temple to finish eating and once they are done, Avalon looks over at Hikari and says, "I'm going to change. Are you going to be okay for a few?"

Hikari looks up from her food at Avalon, "Yup."

Avalon slips away to the other room to change into the miko garb. She holds the kimono up and looks at the worn edges and the tears, thinking back to all she has been through so far. 'I hope things are better from here on out.' She carefully wraps the kimono, juban, and obi up into a bundle. She steps out into the other room dressed in her white and red attire, "So what do you think?" as she pirouettes in front of Hikari and Jaken.

Jaken chimes in, "Whatever, it's clothes."

"You look like Kaede-sama without the eye-patch," Hikari laughs.

Avalon nods her head, "Do I now, do I look wise like she is?"

"No," Jaken snorts and Hikari slaps him in the back of the head.

"You look good to me!" Hikari says jumping on one foot, the foot that used to be injured. "Can we race? Let's see who runs the fastest."

"I would be happy to race you but let's wait until we are outside." Avalon smiles at Hikari and gathers her things. Hikari bounces around the room excited to race Avalon. The monks come in.

Eiji says, "Your horse has been prepared. There is enough food for the next week for your whole party. Is there anything else we can do for you Ava-sama?"

Avalon looks at the monks. "That will be good arigato." She walks with her bundle and steps outside with Hikari on her tail.

"Come on, let's race to that big tree and back, whoever loses has to kiss Jaken," Hikari giggles. "I bet I'm faster than you! Jaken-sama, you be the judge okay?"

"Eww, I am so not kissing Jaken." Avalon puts down her bundle of stuff. "Alright on the count of San . Ichi...Ni...San." With that Avalon launches herself towards the tree pumping her legs.

Hikari runs after her keeping pace. Her legs move quickly, outpacing Avalon to the tree.

Avalon giggles as she sees Hikari move ahead of her. "Oh no you don't." Hikari reaches the tree and spins around seconds before Avalon gets there. Avalon hits the tree and then really launches herself running with her training and passes Hikari to wind up back at the step of the temple as Hikari comes in just behind her. Breathing heavily, she looks at Hikari slyly. "So are you going to kiss Jaken?"

Hikari smiles fiendishly and calls, "Jaken-sama!" She puckers her lips while he runs from her. "Come back Jaken-sama!"

"Stay away you crazy girl." Jaken keeps running until he trips over his own feet and landing on his face dazed.

"Come back Jaken-sama!" She chases him. When she sees Jaken trip she smiles as she pounces on him rolling him over, she grabs both sides of his face and puckers her lips ready to kiss him.

Jaken comes out of his daze just as Hikari moves her face closer to his. "AHHHHHHH!" He waves his arms wildly.

Hikari plants a kiss right on top of his beak then lets him go.

"YOU! You!" Jaken rubs his beak wiping it furiously. "Stay away from me!"

Hikari and Avalon laugh with such mirth Jaken finds himself wanting to laugh too but he keeps his face in a scowl.

Avalon finally calms down and picks up her pack. She sees her horse tied to a tree near the temple walking over to it and packing her bundle on him. "I think it's about time we head out."

"Okay," Hikari says walking over to the dragon. "At least you're not like him are you?" she whispers as she pets their heads."Not at all huh?"

"So Jaken, are you riding with me or Hikari?"

"I guess I will ride with you, you're less crazy than that wild animal." He points at Hikari. Avalon mounts the horse and reaches her hand down for Jaken to take. Jaken grabs hold and Avalon places him in front of her. "Jaken I need you to put your staff down so I can see"

"Oh" Jaken moves his staff out of the way.

Avalon places her hands on either side of him grabbing the reins. She looks over and sees Hikari is already on the dragon.

The three monks look on as Eiji says, "Farewell Ava-sama. May your path be clear.

Kazue says, "I will miss you dear Ava-sama and you too Hikari-chan stay safe."

Giichi says, "Please do not hesitate to call upon us again, we are forever your servants Ava-sama the Murasaki no Raikō Miko."

Avalon nods her head at the monks "Let's move out." With that she flicks the reins and heads off towards Keade's village.

A/N I don't own Inuyasha most unfortunately. This is my first fanfic and I love getting reviews. It lets me know how I am doing. Elohiniar has been essential to helping me out. She has helped co-author many of my chapters and helps me expand my skills. Please check out her work, she is amazing. An thanks again to all my fans.

Freshlymintedsenshi212711- Thank you for your kind review and I hope to keep you all on the edge of your seats.

ASJS- I am glad you are enjoying my story so far and we will just have to see if Sesshomaru ever trust our poor heroine and see how much she changed the timeline.

Rsaenz18- I hope you continue to enjoy my story. Thank you for your review