"I'm sorry Miroku," Avalon apologies, for the millionth time.
"Avalon-sama please, this is not anything you need to apologize for," Miroku replies, trying to alleviate Avalon's dismay at needing to be carried.
"Avalon, it's not your fault that you broke your leg," Shippo says, patting her shoulder as he rides next to her on the litter.
"I know, but I hate needing to be carried," Avalon says quietly.
Miroku shakes his head. "You need not worry."
"Fine, then let's talk about something else," Avalon says exasperated.
"Would you like to hear about my grandfather Avalon-sama?" MIroku asks, knowingly.
Avalon smiles. "I would love to hear about him."
Miroku smiles and launches into story after story about his grandfather. Avalon asks questions when something comes up she doesn't understand or wants clarification. The stories distract Avalon enough to make her stop apologizing and thanking him. Shippo enjoys listening to the stories as well. Soon, the sun starts sinking and Miroku sets Avalon down.
"Avalon-sama, we must stop for the evening," Miroku says.
Avalon nods her head. "I know. I wish I could help."
"I'll go get wood and then I'll go gather food!" Shippo says excitedly.
"You like being a provider don't you?" Avalon says as a smile curves her lips.
Shippo nods.'I do, I feel like an adult.' He runs off to gather wood and food leaving Avalon and Miroku alone.
"Avalon-sama, allow me to help you off," Miroku says as he leans down, lifting Avalon off the litter bridal style.
Avalon wraps her arms around Miroku's neck. "Thanks," she says shyly into his shoulder as he sets her down.
"Avalon-sama, would you sing again? Your voice is most stunning."
Avalon blushes at the comment. "I guess I could." She ducks her head, thinking of what to sing and also feeling flattered that he likes her voice.
"I let it fall, my heart,
And as it fell you rose to claim it
It was dark and I was over
Until you kissed my lips and you saved me
My hands, they're strong
But my knees were far too weak
To stand in your arms
Without falling to your feet
But there's a side to you
That I never knew, never knew
All the things you'd say
They were never true, never true
And the games you play
You would always win, always win
But I set fire to the rain
Watched it pour as I touched your face
Well, it burned while I cried
'Cause I heard it screaming Out your name,
Your name"
Miroku smiles, bobbing his head to the beat and starts humming when Avalon sings the chorus. Once Avalon finishes her song, Miroku says breathlessly. "Beautiful just like you." A charming smirk graces his lips. He leans down to Avalon mere inches from her lips. His breath ghosts over her. "Avalon-sama," he whispers, leaning further down brushing his lips with hers. Avalon stiffens, unsure of how to react. His lips are gentle and warm against hers. Just then Shippo comes back carrying a pile of wood. "Miroku!" he calls, surprised to see the two liplocked.
Avalon backs her head away. A stunned gasp escapes her lips. She whispers, "Miroku." She covers her lips. A red blush spreads across her cheeks. She looks away from Miroku and Shippo.
Miroku looks over at Shippo with an embarrassed look on his face. He rubs the back of his neck.
"I can't believe you Miroku," Shippo scolds.
Miroku laughs nervously. Miroku looks over at Avalon and sees the scarlet across her cheeks. "Avalon-sama?"
"Hai?" Avalon squeeks out.
"I think I will forage food for us," Miroku volunteers. He heads off into the woods .
Shippo lights the pile of wood with foxfire and goes over to Avalon. "Are you okay?" he asks, concerned.
"Um...I'm not sure," Avalon replies hesitantly. She had not expected Miroku to kiss her and she was even more surprised to find how it affected her.
"Don't worry, I'm sure he won't try that again," Shippo says confidently.
"Oh, Shippo." Avalon smiles down at the little demon. She considers what happened and decides to act like nothing happened. It doesn't matter anyway. She has a half-demon to kill and that would have to be enough.
Miroku returns with a small boar slung over his shoulder. "I have returned!" he annonces happily.
"Wow, Miroku you out did yourself," Avalon praises.
Shippo's mouth waters. "We'll eat good tonight."
Miroku sets the animal to roast over the fire and sits next to Avalon. Shippo sits in Avalon's lap. Avalon keeps her head forward and tries to keep her eyes on the roasting pig and fire but her eyes keep moving to look at Miroku.
Miroku catches her glances and smiles happily, knowing his kiss made an impression on her.
Avalon's lips press together firmly, knowing nothing can happen between them. First, she is bound to Sesshomaru and if she did anything with Miroku, Sesshomaru would likely kill him. And second, he was going to be with Sango. Yet it bothered her greatly that she enjoyed the kiss but it also caused a pain deep inside her. She wanted to know why he had done it. "Hey Shippo-chan, you think you could get me some berries?"
Shippo looks up surprised. "Sure!"
"Thanks."
The little kitsune runs off into the forest.
Once Shippo is far enough away not to hear, Avalon looks at Miroku and asks, "Why did you kiss me? I mean you normally grope my rear." 'It's so much easier to just disregard that it's his normal behavior. I know it means nothing to him.'
"I...just felt it was the right thing to do."
"It felt nice," Avalon admits softly.
"I could kiss you again. You sent Shippo away to be alone with me." Miroku raises his eyebrows suggestively.
"No, you set me back, honestly. I was resolute in simply hunting Naraku down and I would deal with the fact Sesshomaru doesn't love me but now you made me ache. Now I want to find a way to break the bond. I think...I...I want love. I wasted so much of my life being afraid and now..." she trails off. 'I'm stuck with a youkai who doesn't love me and I don't want to just have meaningless sex.'
"Avalon-sama," Miroku says remorsefully.
"Just don't do it again," Avalon says quietly.
Miroku nods thoughtfully.
"I got the berries you asked for Avalon!" Shippo annonces, walking towards her happily.
Avalon holds out her hands for the berries. He drops them into her hands. "Thank you Shippo, these look delicious and they will make an excellent dessert," Avalon says, faking a grin when she really wants to cry. She places them in a fold of her kimono. She stands on her good leg and grabs the pig off the fire and sets it aside.
"I'm glad you like them," Shippo says proudly.
The conversation goes late into the night and Avalon ponders her next move while thinking of how she wasted years of her life and now she may never find love. She had to find a way to break the bond.
The next morning, she and the group wake and travel towards Keade's village. On the way Inuyasha shows up with Kagome on his back.
"Avalon what happened?" Kagome asks, concerned.
"It seems someone was at the temple before us and destroyed it. I think it was Naraku," Avalon says through gritted teeth. She gets out of the litter, using her good leg to stand.
"Naraku," Inuyasha hisses.
"He was there?" Kagome asks, running to Avalon to check on her.
"Not when we were, but he burnt the temple down and any hopes of me finding out more about my sword. But as I was searching the rubble, a beam fell on my leg," Avalon explains.
Kagome bends down to look at the leg. Other than the sticks and vines it looks good. "A beam fell on it? It must not have been a very heavy one."
"Oh Kagome-sama it was, but because of her bond it has healed spectacularly. When I first glimpsed her leg, I feared for her life or that the leg would need to be removed," Miroku says dryly.
"That is amazing," Kagome says, breathlessly.
"Kagome, do you think I could stay with your family for a while?" Avalon asks hesitantly.
"Why?" Kagome asks curiously.
"I want to seek modern medicine and then I want to look for a way to break my bond with Sesshomaru. I can't live my life having…" Avalon trails off, looking down. "I want to search your shrines records and then if I find nothing, I'll keep looking at libraries and other shrines."
"Sure," Kagome says kindly.
"Uh, Inuyasha? Could you pick me up and then bring me to Kagome's house please?" Avalon asks hesitantly.
Inuyasha looks at her incredulously.
Miroku steps forward. "Avalon-sama is not our enemy, Inuyasha. She is kind and I would trust her with my life."
Avalon turns to Miroku with a shocked look on her face.
Shippo jumps up in front of Miroku. "I can vouch for her too. She is sweet and wonderful. You can trust her Inuyasha."
Inuyasha's mouth drops open stunned. 'What happened while they were away?'
"Inuyasha, if Miroku and Shippo trust her, I think we can trust her too," Kagome says quietly, slightly surprised by Miroku's and Shippo's trust in her.
"Fine," Inuyasha says, with his arms crossed. "But if you harm anyone, I'll kill you," he warns Avalon in a deadly tone.
"I have no intentions of harming anyone but Naraku and his minions," Avalon says resolutely. "I will only defend myself if need be."
Inuyasha nods and walks over to Avalon, picking her up, bridal style and carrying her to the well. "You coming Kagome?" he calls over his shoulder.
"Yeah!" Kagome says, happily following.
Avalon waves to Miroku and Shippo. "See you guys."
"Bye," Shippo chimes up.
"Farewell Avalon-sama." Miroku bows his head politely.
Inuyasha jumps with Avalon in his arms, into the well. Black with purple and white lights streak around them as the portal of time allows them through. They land gently on the other side of the well. Inuyasha jumps up and waits for Kagome. Kagome comes moments later and they make their way to the Higurashi residence.
"Mom, I'm home!" Kagome calls happily, sliding the door open and letting Inuyasha and Avalon in.
Mrs. Higurashi cheerfully greets her daughter, "Hello dear, you're back early."
"I brought Avalon to see you," Kagome replies.
"Hello Mrs. Higurashi," Avalon says politely from Inuyasha's arms.
Kagome's mom comes around the corner just at that moment and sees Avalon in Inuyasha's arms. "Oh no, what happened?" she asks, concerned.
"Just a broken leg," Avalon says lightly.
"WHAT!? We need to get you to the hospital! I'll get the car!" Mrs. Higurashi says, getting her keys and heading for the door.
"MOM, STOP!" Kagome says, grabbing her mother's arm.
"Mrs. Higurashi I don't need a doctor. I'm mostly healed actually," Avalon says calmly.
"What?" She turns on her heels to look at Avalon.
"I'm bound to a daiyoukai and his yoki heals me at an exponential rate. Here watch, but stay calm okay." Avalon reaches into her sleeve and pulls a bo-shuriken out and uses the tip to cut the top of her arm.
Mrs. Higurashi rushes over to stop her.
Avalon puts her hand up and turns the injured arm up to Kagome's mom.
She watches in amazement as the skin stitches back together, leaving a red streak. Then moments later, it's light pink and a few moments later it looks like her regular skin. Avalon smiles gently "Skin heals quicker than bone, but the bone was set and it just needs to heal a little more and I'll be fine."
"I see. Please don't hurt yourself again," Kagome's mom scolds.
"I'm sorry, I just needed to show you so you didn't need to worry about this." Avalon points to her leg and hides her eyes. "I didn't want to upset you."
"It's alright dear. Why don't you put her on the couch Inuyasha."
"Feh, whatever. It's not like she is heavy."
"Owww, that is the sweetest thing you've ever said to me."
Inuyasha bristles. "I could just drop you right now."
"Please don't," Avalon says shyly.
"Eh." Inuyasha walks to the couch and sets Avalon down, so she can lay there.
"Thank you Inuyasha-sama."
"Yeah sure."
"Come on Kagome, we need to go," Inuyasha says, turning his back on Avalon and walking towards Kagome.
"Already?" Kagome and her mother reply.
"Of course. We just came here to drop off the dead weight," Inuyasha says smuggly, pointing with his thumb in Avalon's direction.
"In-u-ya-sha!" Kagome says angrily.
"It's okay Kagome. He is right, at least at this moment. I would only slow you guys down," Avalon says patiently from the couch. "I'll see you guys later."
Kagome sits next to her. "Are you sure? I could stay for a little while."
"No, it's okay Kagome. I'm sure I already have slowed your search down. Go, I'll be fine." Avalon smiles kindly at her.
"Alright. I'll see you in a few weeks, if you're still here. Will you be?" Kagome asks, hesitantly.
"I'm not sure honestly. I have some research to do in this time, then I'll see where it leads me," Avalon says, pondering her next move.
Kagome presses her lips together. "Okay. Let's go Inuyasha. Bye mom, I'll see you."
"Goodbye dear." Mrs. Higurasha waves at her daughter and Inuyasha as they leave the house. She turns to Avalon and comes to sit by her. "So what research are you planning to do Avalon?"
"I want to break mine and Sesshomaru's bond," Avalon admits.
"Oh, but it seems like it benefits you," she says, glancing at Avalon's recently healed arm.
Avalon looks away from her. "It does, but the cost is too much."
"Oh. I see," Mrs. Higurashi hums. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Only if you know of a way to break the bond without either of our deaths," Avalon replies, not looking at her.
"Oh, I'm afraid I don't know anything about that."
Avalon nods. "Have you heard back from Takahashi?"
"Not yet. I'm not being very helpful right now, am I?"
Avalon turns to her with a smile. "You helped. Your concern makes me happy."
Kagome's mom smiles back. "Well, if there is anything you need dear, let me know."
"Crutches would be great and a change of modern clothing. Kagome and I had purchased a few outfits for me."
"Oh yeah, I'll go get them for you and I think there is a set of crutches from when I twisted my ankle a few years back." Mrs. Higurashi smiles as she walks away to retrieve the items. She soon returns with a set of clothing and crutches. "I'll make sure jii-chan doesn't come in." She smiles gently. "Did you need help changing?"
"No. I got it. Thank you," Avalon says. She puts on a long skirt, then she drops the juban and kimono and slips on the modern t-shirt. "I'm good."
"I'll let you rest. Call me if you need anything."
"Thanks," Avalon says, laying down, putting her leg up and falling asleep for the rest of the afternoon and night.
Avalon wakes in the morning to the smell of cooking eggs and onions. Her mouth waters at the idea of eggs and onions. It had been a while. She removes the makeshift brace, testing her leg. It still hurt a lot but the bone was stable, so she figured the brace is unnecessary. She uses the crutches to make her way to the ground floor bathroom to freshen up. She marvels at the modern convenience of turning on the faucet to get piping hot water. She looks at the toilet and giggles. It had been so long but she was sure the Higurashis would not appreciate it if she used the methods she had back then. After Avalon finishes freshening up in the bathroom, she steps out to find Sota there.
"Mom, the strange lady is awake!" he whines.
"Strange lady? That's what I am?" Avalon asks, looking down at the young boy.
"Yeah, you slept most of the day yesterday and it's already the afternoon."
"Hmmm," Avalon looks up at a window and notices that the sun was high in the sky. "Shouldn't you be at school?" she asks.
"Hey, it's Sunday!" Sota pouts.
"Oh." 'It's been so long since I've had to remember days of the week. Avalon hobbles over to the couch using the crutches and takes a seat.
"So where did you come from? You look like a foreigner. And why are you here?" Sota asks, sitting next to her.
"Aren't you just full of questions?" Avalon says quietly.
"Well, come on. You're in my home."
"I suppose I am." She smiles down at the boy. "My name is Avalon-sama and I am a foreigner," she replies proudly and regally.
"What sama?" Sota exclaims.
Avalon nods. "I am a miko and also I am a Lady."
"Cool."
Avalon laughs a little at the young boy. "You don't have to call me that though. Just Avalon is fine but I figured I may as well let you know exactly who I am. I am the Murasaki no Reiko Miko."
"What! I've heard of that. It's a legend that is known at this shrine. Jii-chan has mentioned it."
"Interesting," Avalon says. "I will have to ask him what he knows of it."
"So you said you are a foreigner then, how can you be a Lady?"
"Well...I'm bound to a daiyoukai Lord. It's similar to a marriage in a way but not the same."
"Woah! A daiyoukai Lord?"
Avalon can't help but giggle at his excitement and nods her head. "You probably wouldn't like him if you met him." She sighs, knowing Sesshomaru has tried to kill Sota's sister in the past. She doesn't want to hide the fact from Sota either. "You may even know about him already."
"What? Really? How?"
"Well, he is Inuyasha's older half-brother."
"His half-brother? You mean the one who tried to kill nee-chan?!" Sota's eyes light with realization.
Avalon frowns. "Hai. He did that a long time ago."
Sota gets up slowly, backing away from Avalon. "Youuuu you're with him?"
"I am bound to him," Avalon says, sitting still. "But I want to break the bond. I want to be free of him," she says softly. "That's why I'm here. I need to find a way to break the bond," she says with more determination.
Sota sits back down next to her. "And you think you will find the answers here?"
"Maybe, and if not, I can go to other Shrines, Libraries, and even some of the Universities. There has to be an answer somewhere."
"Can I help?" Sota asks.
"Convince Jii-chan to let me look through the shrines archives," Avalon says, smirking at him.
"I can do that," Sota says.
Mrs. Higurashi walks into the room. "Oh Avalon dear, you're awake. I hope Sota didn't wake you."
"No, Mrs. Higurashi he didn't. I woke up on my own."
"You looked so exhausted. You look better now. Can I get you anything? I'm making some lunch right now."
"Tea would be wonderful, thank you."
"Of course dear." Mrs. Higurashi leaves the room to boil the water.
The rest of the day Avalon spends talking to Sota, Jii-chan and Mrs. Higurashi. She keeps her leg up, letting it heal. Jii-chan agrees to let her go through the archives. She plans to do that the next day.
That night, Avalon is sleeping on the couch when Naraku bursts into the Higurashi house. Mrs. Higurashi wakes and rushes down the stairs. When Naraku sees her, he sends a tentacle at her, impaling her against the wall.
"NO!" Avalon screams and tries to summon her sword, but it will not come to her.
"Now that you are away from him, I will be taking you back," Naraku cackles. The room fills with a thick cloud of miasma. Avalon gags. She uses reiki to purify what enters her lungs. Naraku comes forward, grabbing her and pulling her towards the door.
"MRS. HIGURASHI!" Avalon yells desperately to get her to wake up. She watches in horror as Mrs. Higurashi's body starts to dissolve in the miasma Naraku created.
"You are lucky you are a miko or you would dissolve too," Naraku says as he licks from the base of her neck to her ear.
"Let me go!" Avalon demands, but she can feel her body weakening. More miasma floods her body. Her energy drains from purifying it.
"Oh, I don't think so. You will have my child Avalon." Naraku drags her to the well, leaping into it.
Avalon wakes screaming. Sweat pours down her body and her breathing is labored. Mrs. Hirgurashi comes down the stairs to check on her.
"Avalon dear, what happened?"
Avalon shakes her head, clearing the dream. She launches herself at Mrs. Higurashi, wrapping her arms around the older woman crying. Avalon was so relieved she was alright. 'I can't stay here for too long. I have to see what I can find and then get back to my hunt for Naraku. As much as being bound to Sesshomaru hurts my heart, Naraku will hurt me and anyone I care about. I will only stay for a couple of weeks at most,' she resolves in her mind, while her body calms down.
"That must have been a horrible dream," Mrs. Higurashi says soothingly, while stroking Avalon's back.
Avalon nods while extracting herself from Mrs. Higurashi's embrace. "I can't stay for very long here. I have duties I have to see to in the feudal era," she says resolvedly.
"I understand. Would you like some tea?"
"Oh, you don't have to trouble yourself like that."
"Nonsense dear, it's nearly morning anyway."
"Is it?" Avalon asks, eyeing the older women.
She smiles, nodding. "I'll go get breakfast started."
"Arigato."
Within an hour the sun rises and the rest of the Higurashis awaken. Sota runs off to school. Jii-chan escorts Avalon to the archives of the Shrine.
"Do you need help dear girl?"
"I wouldn't mind it. I'm looking for anything on how to break a youkai bond."
"Well that's easy either of the parties has to die and the bond is broken," Jii-chan replies, wisely.
"That's the catch. I'm looking for a way to break the bond without one of them dying."
"Oh my, then I'm not sure what to tell you."
"Like I said, I'm looking for that answer."
"Well I have some time. I'd be happy to help you look through what we have, but I'm not sure it will be helpful."
"Can't hurt to look, right?"
"No, I suppose not."
After a few hours of searching in silence, Jii-chan pipes up. "You know I wish my grandchildren would get into this."
Avalon looks up from the folder she is scouring. "I don't see Sota or Kagome becoming part of the priesthood."
"I know that all too well. Would you mind helping out around here?"
"Me?"
"Yes."
"I can see what I can do, but right now, I have other things that need to be taken care of, unfortunately."
"That's the problem with the youth today, they're always too busy to keep traditions alive."
"Jii-chan, I am the Murasaki no Reiko Miko. My duties are in the feudal era."
"What? Wait? You're her?"
"Well one of them I suppose. The sword is passed along and chooses the next owner. The next miko or monk who will be called the Murasaki no Reiko Miko/Houshi."
"Then the duty lies with the sword and not this Shrine. Forgive this old man."
Avalon smiles kindly at him. "Nothing to forgive." Avalon goes back to looking through the paperwork and finds only the same references of killing to break the bond. She digs the scrolls out and has grandpa Higurashi go over it with her so she can learn the old Kanji. Having him read the document, she finds that it says the same thing to break the bond, one of them has to die. A knot builds in her stomach each time a different scroll says the same thing. 'I'm never going to find a solution.'
At dinner she and the family visit and enjoy each other's company. Sota finds himself loving Avalon's adventures. She keeps them pre-teen friendly to not upset him, but he still loves them. Jii-chan finally catches on that she is bound to a youkai and that is why she is looking for a way out. He finally can't take it anymore and bursts out "Just slay the youkai!"
"Excuse me?" Avalon asks, floored by his outburst.
"You want out, just slay him. I don't know how a miko of your stature would even find herself in such a position."
"It's complicated and I will not kill him," Avalon says evasilvely.
"Jii-chan leave her alone," Mrs. Higurashi demands. "It's not our business to judge her."
"Whatever. Back in my day we would have just slain him."
"Gramps, back in your day there were no youkai," Sota groans.
Grandpa Higurashi grumbles and goes back to eating.
Avalon finds herself no longer in the mood to talk. 'I can't just kill him, I don't think I could ever kill him. No matter what happens.' She remains silent for the rest of the evening.
The next morning, she makes her way to the shrine and picks up where she left off. She finishes midafternoon with no new ideas and no progress. 'This means I'll have to go to other shrines and see if they might have something of value.' Avalon trudges back to the house, sliding the screen open and walks in, plopping down on the couch.
"No luck huh?" Sota asks.
"No." Avalon confirms. "I'll have to search elsewhere. I'll start with a phonebook. See what shrines are about and see which ones are actual shrines and which are just tourist traps."
Sota runs to the kitchen grabbing a phonebook and gives it to Avalon. She looks up shrines and takes a deep breath. 'There's so many.' Avalon gets up and finds Mrs. Higurashi. "Mrs. Higurashi, I would like to use your phone to make a lot of calls. I need to call around to the shrines and see which if any, have potential."
"You didn't find what you needed in our shrine?"
Avalon shakes her head no.
"Of course dear. You need to do what you have to."
"Arigato." Avalon walks back to the couch where Sota is waiting. "Shoot, can you get me the phone please?"
"Sure." Sota runs, grabbing the phone for Avalon.
Avalon starts dialing numbers and writing down ones that had potential. By the time six rolls around, Avalon had makes it through a quarter of the listings. "I think I'll pick this up tomorrow."
"Sounds like a good idea."
Dinner is a nice affair and Avalon helps with the dishes. Her leg is fully healed and she couldn't tell it was ever broken. Avalon asks Mrs. Higurashi for a notebook and she happily supplies on. Avalon heads up stairs to Kagome's room that she has been lent while Kagome is away. Avalon takes some time to write down her thoughts.
Dear Journal,
Let me introduce myself, I am Avalon Lillian McLean. I'm from 2019 in America, but I was transported to the past. Into the Sengoku period in Japan. I can go through a magical well to the year 1996. Closer to my time, but not there.
Avalon lifts her pencil tapping the page.
While in that time I have become the Murasaki no Reiko Miko, I was put under a spell that forced me to follow his every command and he used his power for his great satisfaction. He commanded me to kill and I did his will. How many men women and children I killed haunts me but I try to remember that it was only by his bidding I did it. I would have never done such horrid things on my own. I was merely his tool. I was forced to be his bedmate. I finally broke free of his control only to be forced into a different kind of imprisonment. I must find a way to break my bond to Sesshomaru.
Avalon closes the journal and lays down to sleep.
The next day, Avalon makes it through the rest of the phone book. 'Tomorrow I will travel to each shrine and see if they will let me in and if they have the answer I need.' Avalon maps out her course, checking with the train and metra schedule. She was all set but she wanted something else.
"Jii-chan?"
"Yes deary?"
"I was wondering if I could borrow a pair of red Hakama and a white Kosode?"
"Ah, the traditional garb of a miko. It might help you get into other shrines."
"It's my hope. It's not like I can say I came through a mystical well and I'm a miko of legend."
"No I don't suppose you can." He laughs getting up and searching through the clothes used for shrine duties. He comes back with what Avalon asked for.
"Arigato. I'm all set to fail."
"You can't know that."
"No, but I have a feeling I will. I don't think any have been in my position before, so why would any have thought of a solution."
"Now, now, you can't give up."
"I'm not, I'm just not getting my hopes up. If this fails. I will have to return without the answer. I have more pressing matters than my own comforts."
Jii-chan gives her a stiff nod.
The next morning Avalon makes her way to a shrine.
"Welcome to Aoso Shrine," ayoung woman dressed in miko garb greets Avalon.
Avalon bows her head. "Are you the practitioner of the shrine?"
The young woman shakes her head.
"I need to speak with them please."
The woman nods and heads to the main building and a man comes out, dressed in modern clothing. "May I help you Miss...?"
"Avalon." Avalon bows low. "I am a practicing miko and I am in need of expanding my knowledge. I humbly ask that you allow me to view your archives."
The man scratches his chin thoughtfully at the woman who is prostrating herself before him. "I can allow you but I will insist Hinata accompany you. Hinata please escort our guest to the archives."
"Hai." The young woman quickly bows to the man.
Avalon rises from the ground with the grace of a Lady of the court. "Arigato," she says, gratefully
"You have been practicing a while?"
"I have for some time now." Avalon replies. 'If he knew how new I was, he would never allow me in.'
"May the Kami's guide you."
Avalon bows her head and follows Hinata towards a building. The woman opens a door and leads her down the stairs.
"So this is the reference and this is the ledger. I won't be able to help you read the older Kanji as I'm not familiar with it," Hinata says, pulling a drawer out that is filled with index cards.
"I am grateful for anything you can offer," Avalon says quietly.
"Are you looking for something in particular?"
"I am looking into youkai bonds," Avalon says, while scanning through the index cards looking for the kanji/hiragana equivalent.
"Why youkai bonds?" Hinata questions.
Avalon shrugs "It seems an interesting topic." 'Not like I can say I'm bound to one and want to break it,' she thinks wryly.
"I suppose, I'll help you look."
"Thank you."
Avalon and Hinata tackle the large drawer of index cards. They find six texts that reference bonds. Avalon takes each one and examines it, carefully reading over what it says. She keeps a pleasant smile on her face, scribbling down facts but her hopes fall. 'I don't want to be stuck with him for all eternity, to be only used for sex.' It was the same information she had read over and over again. The only way was death. After reading the last scroll and helping clean up the papers and the index cards, it was only midday. "I appreciate your help Hinata," Avalon says pleasantly. She flips the notebook open to check where the next shrine is. "I'm off."
"Good luck Avalon. May the Kamis bless you."
"Arigato," she says waving as she walks down the path, heading towards the metra. She figures she can hit up Komagata shrine before returning to the Higurashis.
Hours later Avalon makes her way back to the train disappointed. Komagata shrine didn't provide anything new. On the train she opens her journal.
Dear Journal,
I have not found the answers I seek at Aoso or Komagata shrine. Everything I read says the same thing, one of us has to die. I refuse to allow that to be the solution. As much as I want to be free of him I do not want him dead. How did it come to this? Why was I sent to the past in the first place? I remember it so clearly, being transported, landing and then being chased, captured and raped. I was ready to die if need be but he showed up and saved my life. I could have left it at that, but I was so scared of being alone. I worried that I might be attacked again by bandits or I could be taken by other demons. I knew he was strong and he could keep me safe. So I foolishly tried to control him. He is like water, you can direct it's flow for a little while, but it will soon overwhelm you and sweep you away. It was foolish and now here I am.
Avalon slams the journal shut. Tears prick at her eyes. She felt foolish and her pride was wounded. She knew she owed Sesshomaru an apology but would he accept it was the question.' The train ride is short. She gets off and makes her way back to the Higurashi's for the evening.
The next day she sets out again going to shrine after shrine. Most shrines allow her in and she reads many interesting things, but nothing about how to break the bond, except through death. She returns each evening to the Higurashis, visiting with them and getting to know them better. Soon Sota finds her to be like an big sister calling her ni-san half the time. Avalon finds it endearing and does nothing to discourage the boy. Jii-chan enjoys having her around because she helps around the shrine and acts as a miko at times by offering blessings to passing tourists and selling the shrine's keepsakes.
Mrs. Higurashi finds her to be like a daughter. Before the sun sets, she practices archery, after she practices with bokutōs. She whirls around hitting an invisible enemy, practicing and flexing her muscles. Though something isn't right. Her hair stands on end and she scans the horizon, looking for the source of her discomfort but sees nothing. After a while she settles to meditate expanding and flexing her reiki further than she can normally but still she cannot find who or what was bothering her. She gives up, heading into the Higurashi's home to retire for the evening. She heads upstairs to Kagome's room. She has been staying there while Kagome was not there. She opens her journal again.
Dear Journal,
I wonder sometimes what would have happened if I hadn't said anything to Sesshomaru about knowing the future. Naraku probably wouldn't have even looked twice at me. Me and my big mouth.
Avalon takes a deep breath dipping her head low.
Then again, who knows if I would even be alive? Perhaps I would have been eaten by a demon as I tried to find a village. What purpose would that have served? If I had ended up in a village? Lived out my life there? Could I have done that? Would I have found happiness in that type of life? I don't think I would have. I don't think that is why I was sent there. It just doesn't make sense. There must be some reason for me to be in the Sengoku period.
Avalon closes the journal and gets under the covers, falling asleep.
After a week of searching and finding nothing of significance, she feels hopeless. There was no suitable solution and her body is beginning to ache more and more for Sesshomaru with each passing day. Her lust is nearly unbearable and her ability to concentrate decreases. 'This is ridiculous,' she chides herself. 'I gave myself another week and I'm going to stay that week.' Avalon walks up to Sota's room where he is playing video games. "Are you all done with your homework?"
"Yes mom," Sota says sarcastically
"Hey, none of that. I just have to worry about you."
"Come on, you're like the cool sister, don't be all responsible and stuff."
Avalon can't help but laugh. "You mind if I join you?"
"Sure! I'll grab the other controller," Sota says, getting off the ground and rummaging through his drawer.
Avalon sits next to the TV. Sota offers her the controller.
"Prepare to go down!" Sota taunts.
"I have no doubt." Avalon giggles.
After ten rounds Sota has won seven and Avalon three.
"I'm getting better," she says conspiratorially. "Maybe I'll sneak into your room while you're at school and get even better."
"No way. You're never here during the day. By the way, how's the search going? Find anything yet?"
"No," Avalon says, whipping out a combo, sending his avatar sprawling on the ground.
"What will you do if you can't find anything?"
"I go back. Try to fix a broken relationship, I guess," Avalon says, unsure of herself.
"Can't you just avoid him?"
"No," Avalon says without inflection.
"Too bad, he doesn't sound very nice."
"He isn't. Well sometimes he can be really sweet, but he can also be really cruel," Avalon says, distracted.
Sota takes the opportunity to K.O. her character.
"So not fair!" Avalon protests.
"Hey!" Sota says, holding up his hands in surrender.
"I smell supper cooking. I think I'll go check with your mom and see if she needs any help."
"Alright," Sota says, going back to his game.
Avalon makes her way down the stairs to the kitchen. "Need any help?"
"Oh Avalon could you chop these vegetables?"
"Sure," Avalon says, taking the knife and starts chopping them.
The two women work in comfortable silence and dinner is soon ready. They all gather around the table and eat. After everything is cleaned up, Avalon heads outside and grabs two bokutō and practices her sword play. After a while her spine tingles and her hair stands on end. She swears she is being watched. She fans out reiki but cannot find the source. It was happening a lot at night. She swore someone or something was watching her. She stops her movements, planting her feet in a fighting position. "WHO'S THERE?" she yells in frustration. "ANSWER ME!" she demands, but no reply comes. She continues scanning the darkened landscape but she can't make out anything. She would not hide. The cool night air feels nice on her damp skin. She pushes her lust to the back of her mind and concentrates on emptying her mind. After a time she heads inside, going up stairs. She opens her journal and reads over it, noting that she has much to apologize for and even more to explain.
Dear Journal,
My desire for Sesshomaru grows with each passing day nah, hour. It is driving me crazy. I won't go to him yet. I gave myself a time period and I'm sticking to it. But when I do get back, I will need to speak to Keade. I have to tell her why I didn't tell her about Naraku and why I didn't say anything about Kagome. I have to apologize to Sesshomaru for trying to control him and explain why I did what I did. I'm afraid of his reaction, but I can't just hide, eventually it will come out. I have decided that I will hunt Naraku down. Either with the help of Inuyasha and his group or with Sesshomaru or by myself. Wherever things lead. I won't be swayed from it. Naraku needs to die. Not only for what he did to me but for what he does to others. For what he made me do to others. And not only that, I am a miko. It is my duty and I feel I am neglecting that by staying here. As much as it has given me time to think and recoup, I will have to return.
Avalon closes her book and sets it down. Laying on the bed, she falls asleep.
After several days and finding shrine after shrine, the few libraries, universities she visited all came back the same. One of them has to die to break the bond. It's a sobering thought and one she vows will not happen. She isn't going to die and he isn't going to die. They would just have to learn to deal with each other at least for now. She could continue to look at a later time but her time was up. She gave herself a time frame and she could pick up the search once Naraku was dead. She plans to return in the morning to Sengoku, Japan. Avalon packs a bag with essentials and readies herself to leave in the morning.
A/N Thank you all for your continued support. I apologize for not posting last week I was having a hard time trying to write what was in my head if that makes any sense. Elohiniar helped as my beta she did not co-author this chapter. I appreciate her for all she does for me and I think of her as a dear friend. I hope you all are enjoying Avalon's journey so far it is a complex road for her and she is walking a delicate balance. Please read and review it always helps to know how my readers feel about my work. Thanks again.
song credit goes to Adele - Set Fire to the Rain
Miss Meep - Naraku went after the temple, as for if it is the same monks that witnessed Avalon taking the sword...no one knows since the corpses were burnt beyond recognition. I am glad you are enjoying her bonding with others and I intend for her to try to be more open with others from now on. Thanks so much for the review.
Sushi-chan99 - I am so glad you are enjoying this story and you will have to wait and see how the relationship progresses. Thanks for reading and the review.
Itzatakahashi - I am so pleased you like how she is interacting with others. And it is terrible that Naraku attacked the temple but he couldn't let her learn more about her powers. He has realized that she could be a problem so he will try what he can to minimize her threat. Thank you for the review.