Blanket Disclaimer: The writer does not own any characters created by Rumiko Takahashi but like everyone else wishes she did. All original characters or concepts are the author's Inuma Asahi De's.
**Warning: This Chapter is in the process of being edited. I apologize for any grammatical, syntactical, or spelling errors that have yet to be corrected. I will try my best to get them cleaned up as soon as possible. Enjoy.**
Chapter Forty
Father's Heirloom
"Papa's dead, isn't he?" Jinenji asked softly as he set on the lavish sofa, the very one his mother had sat on the day before during the ill-fated conversation between his father and herself.
The situation was entirely different now, however. It was not his mother and father on the couch anymore, and he was not hiding some distance away in the kitchen. No—now it was his mother with a handkerchief in her hand and tears streaming down her face sitting beside him—Jinenji—who couldn't bring himself to feel anything but disbelief.
"Yes." His mother whispered into the handkerchief, her voice barely audible through the combined efforts of her cries and the cloth.
Jinenji clutched his hands tightly, his own tears building as he thought of his father and of his father's death. His father had left to fight for him, for his mother, and he—his father had not returned. He was gone, dead at the hands of men who had called themselves his friends, whom he had healed with his very hands and knowledge over the many years he had been alive. They had killed him, in cold miserable blood because his son had been a half demon, had been borne by a human mother.
"No-o-no-oh." His mother cried next to him her sobs becoming louder as she covered her eyes with the soft white linen, the dirt of her face rubbing into the cloth and changing its color slightly from a cheery yellow to a dingy gold. "Why-y-y." She stuttered and hiccupped as she gasped, her hands shaking as she brought them away from her face, her lips torn in a line that opened into a wide circle as she released an even louder sob, her whole expression contorted into a look of pure torment.
"Mama?" Jinenji whispered as she sobbed, his small hands reaching for her, grapping onto the ends of her skirt gingerly. "It's okay Mama." He tried to comfort but even with his young mind he knew his words were dead before they left his mouth. He knew, just as well as she did, that his father's death was more than just sad—it was devastating, emotionally and knowledgably. Without his father there was nothing left to protect them, nothing. It was only a matter of time.
The woman hiccupped and drew a shaky breath as she turned her red eyes down at her young son. Slowly she reached a hand forward, touching his cheek with such tenderness and love that it made Jinenji's eyes run over with even more tears. "Listen to me," She said in a rushed whisper as she stood from the couch only to kneel before him, one of her soft hands resting on one of his cheeks gently. "We're going—," She started to speak but a sob seemed to take up residence in her throat.
She looked away bringing the handkerchief up to wipe at her eyes for a second. She sniffled and closed them tight as she collected herself, all of herself. Taking a deep breath she reached into her bodice, pulling a small thin chain out from underneath it. Jinenji recognized it instantly. He had seen it many times before.
"Jinenji." His mother whispered as she finally opened her eyes and turned the chain towards him. Dangling was a jagged jewel he recognized but had never seen up close. It was small and white, a slight pinkish tint swirling around inside it.
Something about that pink surprised him, drew him in and reached down inside him to his very soul. He closed his hands tightly as he felt it pull him in, the sight making his eyes grow blind to anything else but it.
"This was your fathers—,"
He knew his mother was speaking again but he couldn't hear her words. His eyes could only stare at the jewel and his ears could hear nothing. He licked his lips and tilted his head as he watched mesmerized as that same pinkish hue started to change, growing darker and darker the longer he gazed into it until it was almost blackness he was seeing, pure black had crept into that white. It swirled slowly at first and then faster, the opaque color taking on a purple tint. He gulped as he felt his palm itch, as he felt something within him demand that jewel. It wanted it more than anything—something inside of him was begging for it. Absolutely begging.
"Take it."
The voice resounded in his head but it didn't startle him, it was a voice he knew without having ever heard it.
"Take it."
The voice commanded and Jinenji felt a tingling start in the pit of his stomach. His palms started to sweat and the small hairs on the back of his neck, on his arms, even the tiny ones on his legs stood on end. He wanted to look away, he wanted to break eye contact with that swirling miasma of purple darkness, but he couldn't, he couldn't have even if he tried.
He could hear his mother talking still, her words distance and non distinctive to his preoccupied ears. He couldn't even look at her, not even her gentle voice could break this great a spell. He felt his heart race in his chest, the palpitations against his rib cage actually hurting him. He felt sick, he felt nauseous, he felt like something was trying to worm its way into his very soul. He couldn't identify it, he couldn't understand it, and he didn't even know why he wanted it so bad.
"It's power, power."
He felt his breath hitch in his throat as the voice pointed out what he had not understood. That swirling purple, the tingle down his spine, the sweat on his palms, and the hairs standing on end, he felt all of those strange sensations because of power, the jewels power. It was a power he had never known, a completeness he had longed to experience and he wanted it, he wanted it so badly it hurt, it tore into him. That jewel was calling him, begging him to give in to that sensation. He needed it, the jewel wanted him to have it, he wanted to have it. His body started to shake as the itch grew stronger, that voice inside of him recognizing the jewel for what it was and the possibility it held.
"It make strong, make us strong."
The voice growled and Jinenji couldn't help but sink into it a little; release himself to it, if only for a moment. His nostrils flared and his eyes flashed red, his young mind not yet strong enough to step in and tell the unrealized demon within 'no.'
"Jinenji?"
He heard his mother's voice, he heard his given name but he couldn't focus on either name nor sweet sound. He felt something stir within him, something he had been feeling all along but had yet to truly realize was even there. It was something very strong—he knew—and equally as dangerous, "Give me the jewel." He heard his voice but it didn't sound like his own.
"Jinenji?" His mother had stood up, her voice had changed, the grief replaced by fear as she backed away slightly, her eyes darting between Jinenji and the jewel fragment on the golden chain.
He watched her with a smirk and stood slowly, his eyes focused and intent as he took in the sight of his mother wild eyed and scared. "Give it to me." He commanded her, his voice lost to himself. A part of him screamed in the background, detached from the other part of himself that was speaking so darkly.
His mother's eyed widened; the fear replaced but strange understanding. Hastily she retreated as far across the room as she could manage and brought the jewel out of his line of sight.
Immediately Jinenji felt peace. He blinked several times as the voice and tingle and itch went away. Confused he looked for his mother, she was standing against the wall on the other side of the room, her eyes wide and her skin pale almost pasty and white. "Mama?" He whispered as he stood, concern etched on his face.
His mother actually backed away, her hands were shaking but she didn't move, instead she merely watched, intent and focused on her son before her. She licked her lips and stood up straighter, pushing herself away from the wall, her eyes studying Jinenji as if she had never seen him before but maybe knew someone who had looked similar."Jinenji," She said softly her voice calm and her eyes filled with an understanding Jinenji wished he had. "That jewel," She posed the word so gently that Jinenji felt it was made of glass. "Belonged to your father."
Somehow Jinenji got the feeling she had said this before.
"It is your heirloom and it is your birthright to have it—however—," she trailed off her eyes distant in memory of something, something Jinenji had not been privy too. She sighed suddenly and blinked once or twice as she brought a hand to her forehead as if fighting off a headache. "It's not that simple."
"Mama?" Jinenji whispered completely and utterly confused about everything, the jewel, that feeling, the voice inside him, his father's death, and the birthright he had been left. "Mama, what's—why—," He shook his head. "Why is it not simple?"
She frowned, a look of pity on her face. She no longer looked the widow or the mother or even the wife. In that moment, Jinenji thought his mother looked absolutely like a woman, a brave and young one who was prepared to face pure adversity but first needed to prepare her son for it. "Jinenji," She spoke, her voice so strong that Jinenji felt he was in fact looking at a different person. "In this world, there are many elements both good," His mother whispered as she reached for the jewel in her bodice where she had hidden it from him. Presenting it before him once again, although now appropriately distanced, she let it dangle her own eyes watching as it twisted and turned this way and that. "And evil."
"I know that Mama." He spoke confused as he watched the jewel twist on its chain for only a moment before turning back to his mother.
"We were waiting to tell you the legend when you were older."She continued on as if she hadn't heard him, her eyes stilled focused on that jewel, as if she was silently blaming it for everything.
"Legend?"Jinenji questioned when she didn't speak right away.
"Yes." The young mother nodded and tore her eyes away from the slowly twirling jewel to look Jinenji in the eye. "About the origin of this jewel, its power, and the evil within it."
Like most memories of his father and his death, Jinenji came out of the moment feeling cold. Inuyasha and Kagome were still standing before him, their eyes intent as they waited for Jinenji to continue his explanation involving his father and the jewel he had owned.
"When my father died," Jinenji started to explain as he looked off towards his herb fields fidgeting slightly from the intensity of the Captain's expression. "It was bequeathed to me." He paused for a second, the memory pushing at his psyche. "However," He looked at Inuyasha then back to Kagome, his large blue eyes pained. "Just like you, I could never touch such an heirloom."
Kagome felt her heart clench in her chest at the pitiful sound of his voice. To have lost his father at such a young age and then to find that the one thing bequeathed to you was something you could never touch, must have been miserable for the poor abused child and now healing man. She glanced at Inuyasha, wondering if he was feeling the same pity that she was for the large man before them. If he was, it wasn't written on his face.
"So what happened to it?" Inuyasha pressed ignoring his own slight memories of bequeathed heirlooms in favor of stepping forward to look the younger demon in the eye. Jinenji didn't say a word just licked his lips slowly. Inuyasha gulped, the feeling that something was wrong beginning to stir in his stomach. "Do you know what happened to it?" He rephrased the question slightly his dog ears working over drive on top of his head, taking in the odd sound of Jinenji's steady heartbeat but irregular breathing, mixed signals for lie and truth.
"Yes." Jinenji said after a few long seconds but his eyes still looked far off, deep and troubled. "But I cannot tell you."
"Why not?" Inuyasha practically snarled as all his hopes of this never ending search coming to an end were dashed. "Give me one good god damn reason."
Jinenji raised his head, his eyes going a deep navy blue, starring at Inuyasha so intently that it looked as if he was trying to see into the man's very soul. Slowly, he blinked, his large eyes staying closed so long that it was almost like he was trying to block out the world instead of clear his vision. "That jewel is evil." Jinenji spoke his lips tight and tense, his heart beat picking up, and his breathing gaining speed but his truth undeniable. "It will only hurt men," He continued softly, his words loud and troubled. "It will only cause pain and bring out the darkness in ones soul," With great strain he looked up, his eyes so haunted that it made Kagome's well with tears. "Just as it did for you and me."
Inuyasha froze, his heart stopping in his chest and his hands dropping to his sides, the memory of the jewel's power when he had been on Manten's little vessel coming back to him tenfold once again. He could feel it, exactly what Jinenji had just said all the way down to the pit of his stomach. The hatred, the blackness and darkness: it had been real, it had actually touched him and that very idea was terrifying.
"Didn't you feel it, when you touched the jewel?" Jinenji whispered as he licked his lips and tried to still his shaking hands even though he knew it was of no use. "Power, unquestionable power, that's what I felt." He brought his hands before him, staring at his slight claws. "All the demon energy in your body at your very fingertips." Jinenji took a deep shaky breath as he clutched and unclutched his large fist remembering the taste of such potential. "It's like being a full demon," He nodded his head slightly. "It makes you want to transform despite losing your mind when you do," He took a shaky breath and pulled his arms around himself in a strange sort of hug. "Did you feel that?" He whispered into the air before looking at Inuyasha once again, his eyes stern and focused. "Didn't you feel that?" He finished darkly as he looked Inuyasha directly in the eye, his blue orbs dark and ghastly.
Inuyasha was silent for a moment, his expression darkening as well as he remembered his mind going fuzzy and dizzy. He hadn't been able to stop that feeling, he hadn't been able to control it, he had simply had to stand there and take the transformation. He remembered his mind starting to go blank, he remembered the exact second when he lost control of his human soul, he remembered the feeling of emptiness, the feeling of nothing but anger and hate. It had felt bleak, it had felt vacant. He remembered pleading and begging the transformation to stop but he had not been able to tame it, his body hadn't let him. He had been powerless, completely powerless and then he had been filled, completely filled with the demon's power.
The absolute power that had entered his very veins had pushed all his human blood away, so far down within his body that it had felt like a receding tide. And then the rush of pure demon blood, to the point that he could feel the pulsing hot heat of absolute power all the way down into his very toes, had hit him. It was a sensation that had been downright intoxicating and undoubtedly caused by something purely evil. And it was with that evil, that in that moment, his heart gave up; it had turned and changed and he found himself wanting that power, wanting it more than anything.
Even though it had been terrifying he found himself wanting to experience that initial rush of power once again; it had felt exhilarating and undeniably addictive. He had wanted it—he couldn't help but want it, the power, the intensity of it was like a drug: a drug that seemed to psychologically alter the state of the human/demon mind. That jewel had altered his state and left him with the feeling that he wasn't some abomination but a complete individual. It had been so great to feel whole for the first time in his life that he—for a moment had forgotten where that feeling of completeness had come from: the evil in the jewel that he could not control.
The evil inside the jewel was uncontrollable; untouchable; undeniable. Once that evil touched him he lost all semblance of who he was—yes—he was complete in a sense but in a greater sense he was not himself. The feeling of losing control, of the demon in him coming to the surface and letting his rational mind dissipate, that scared him. There was no telling what power like that could do, what losing his rationality could do to the people around him.
He glanced at Kagome, taking in her expression. She was watching him, plainly, her eyes focused on his face. She frowned, those big grey eyes blinking at him slowly as if trying to convey a question—are you alright—they seemed to say and he found himself wondering what his demon would do if it was allowed out before her.
He gulped; he knew exactly what it would do. His eyes glanced at her mark, or really to the spot underneath her clothes where he knew it rested, and he clutched both of his fists to the point of nearly drawing blood. The demon in him, unrestrained, would want to finish what it had started and he had forbidden from being completed. And that was not something he would ever let happen—ever.
Determined, Inuyasha turned his dark molten eyes on Jinenji, looking at the other demon almost harshly before his expression lightened just a tad, enough to make him look only mildly furious. "I did feel it," His voice was tight. "I felt that power in every part of my being but Jinenji," Inuyasha looked away for a second, his eyes catching Kagome grey ones, trying to convey a message to her as she had done with him.
Her grey eyes caught sight of his gold ones and the two stared at each other for moment, an unknown message going between them. One even he wasn't sure what that meaning of was but he knew it was deep, so deep and so meaningful that it couldn't possibly have words. It was a message of emotion, a message of reassurance, a message of memories and deeds passed and gratitude that they had been accomplished.
As he looked at her and took in her eyes, he remembered them in a different setting. In a time when they had been so stormy and full of power that they had brought him back, pushed him back to himself again. He remembered her smile and then the way she approached him on the small boat as if she could walk on water had she wanted to.
"Come back."
She had said so gently that the very thought of her voice made him want to fall to his knees and worship her as one would an ancient goddess.
"She saved me." He recognized as an emotion he had never felt completely entered his chest. Hastily, Inuyasha pulled his eyes away from Kagome, his heart thumping in his chest as he remembered the cool rush of his power fading as she removed the jewel from his neck. She had saved him, brought him back to himself. To the person he was meant to be. And that was not to say that, the demons power—that undeniable insane supremacy—was not amazing, it was even a little tempting but when push came to shove it was not him.
"I'm a better man than that."
Those were the words he had told her and those were the words he had meant more than anything. He was a better man, he didn't need demon power, he didn't need to lose himself to something as stupid as blood lust. He was a half demon, human and demon blood is what marked him and labeled him. It was that combination that made him who he was.
"But you're still you, right?"
Kagome had been right when she said it. He was himself, human and demon and the demon that came out when he touched the Shikon no Tama was not a part of that. It was a demon influenced by hate and anger, by the evil nature of the jewel; it was not real, it was not a part of him.
Taking a deep breath he looked at the other man once again his expression full of pity. "That power—it's not real power, Jinenji." He spoke, his voice actually sounding as if he was talking to a child. "It's not strength, it's not really being a full demon, that's why you lose yourself in it, because you're not you anymore," He nodded to himself as his words rang truer and truer to his own ears. "You're part of the jewel, part of its hate and part of its evil."
"But," Jinenji fought back. "Weren't you tempted to fall into its trap Mr. Inuyasha?"
"A—," Inuyasha looked away darkly and worried his lip with a fang before bringing up one hand to run in his hair. "I was." He finally told Jinenji, he had always been truthful, blunt as it were.
Jinenji nodded his head firmly leaning away from the Captain looking triumphant. "And that's why I can't tell—."
"I said I was—," Inuyasha cut him off quickly his eyes shining with that same truth. "But I never will be again, I'm stronger than some stupid piece of mythological jewelry." He snorted crossing his arms in annoyance. "What's with you and your mother misconstruing my words?" He shook his head. "That power is amazing and tempting and I won't say that I wouldn't mind experiencing it again, however," He punctured the last word harshly his eyes blazing. "I don't need it, it's not me." He nodded his head firmly. "I'm the man standing before you, who's proven time and time again that I'm badass enough without that power." He smirked boastful, a look that he deserved. "You couldn't make me any stronger and neither can that jewel."
Jinenji actually smiled, his eyes lighting up. "So you have no desire to use the jewel?"
"Jinenji," Inuyasha let his arms drop to his side exasperated. "The only desire I have is to help Kagome destroy it."
Jinenji actually looked surprise by those words, as if they had stopped all thought the half demon had in its tracts. Slowly his head moved all at once his eyes landing on Kagome as a smile widened on his face. His eyes dipped lower taking in the pure white jewel that rested around her neck, blinking slowly as he realized he had never seen one so white, so pure. That jewel that Kagome carried wasn't tempting as the other had been, it was pacified, controlled by Kagome because Kagome had the power to do what his ancestors had never done. "Kagome can destroy the jewel." It wasn't a question but a statement of undeniable truth.
Inuyasha smirked and glanced at Kagome out of the corner of his eye, trying once again to convey a message that he could not yet really say aloud.
Kagome felt her heart swell at the look of pride and trust that he conveyed to her through his deep molten eyes. It was as if he was saying, "I know she can, I believe in her and her power." It was as if he was admitting that he, the man who trusted no one, who allied with none (other than Miroku who he had raised as a son and not really just some ally), trusted and believed in her. It was a thought that made Kagome turn away too intimidated by the firm belief to actually look at him anymore.
"That's very good." Jinenji said suddenly, the smile on his face breathtaking as he closed his eyes, little tears shinning on his lashes as he sniffled, whined and brought a hand to his face wiping at them firmly. "She can do it. What I never could." He nodded firmly to himself, knowing that Kagome had the power to do what he had only dreamed of accomplishing. "So very good."
Inuyasha glanced at Kagome confused, giving her a look that clearly said, what the hell is wrong with him? The young girl shrugged and shook her head but did take a step closer to Inuyasha on impulse. It was not that she was afraid of Jinenji or that she wanted to be closer to Inuyasha, it was a search for comfort, a comfort she was beginning to associate with the half demon beside her. Slowly but surely, she was beginning to trust him as much as he appeared to trust her.
Inuyasha felt his face grow hot as she grew closer to him but managed to hold down the impending impulse to snake a hand around her waist and pull her even closer. "So," He started as he looked away from Kagome, licking his lips as he glanced down at the top of her head, taking in the way her hair moved in the breeze softly, the black downy curls sweet in the noontime light.
One strand blew in front of her face suddenly and she wrinkled her nose in response, attempting not the sneeze as it brushed her nose. His hand started to twitch at the sight and he panicked crossing his arms over his chest and stepping to the side as the impulse to reach forward and brush that rouge hair behind her ear became too much.
Clearing his throat he turned back to Jinenji to speak once again. "Are you going to show us the jewel shard you have?"
"Well ah," Jinenji mumbled startled by the impulsive words. Blinking rapidly he reached up and scratched the back of his head a shy smile on his face. "I guess I have little choice."
Kagome furrowed her brow and stepped slightly forward ignoring the Captain's slightly strange behavior, her eyes worried as she watched Jinenji's apprehension grow. "It's not going to be a problem for you is it?" She asked softly, her expression extremely concerned. "I mean it was your fathers."
Jinenji looked up at her, his eyes filled with shock that quickly melted into a warm smile. "You don't understand," He began looking slightly uncomfortable. "It was but Papa—it was death Papa's wish—um—well I mean to say," He looked this way and that in thought for a moment, trying to choose his words wisely. "It was in his family because—his great grandfather had been entrusted with it you see, centuries ago by a nobleman in our homeland." He nodded his head firmly as the words seemed to come to him, making sense in his head. "The nobleman give it to him with a mission in mind that has since been passed down in my family for generations."
"The mission's never been completed?" Kagome guessed by his tone and words.
"Never." Jinenji confirmed bluntly.
"What was the mission?" Inuyasha quickly asked a sneaking suspicion building in him as he watched the younger demon.
Jinenji was silent as he watched the captain a certain sparkle in his eye that was strikingly out of place on his somber face. It bother Inuyasha greatly but he didn't say a word or press the situation farther, instead he waited patiently for the younger man to speak, his eyes never leaving Jinenji for a second as he waited.
The young demon licked his lips and took a deep breath, perhaps to build suspense or simply because he was slightly apprehensive still about what would happen when he spoke. With one more deep breath and long exhale, he nodded to himself reassuringly and looked Inuyasha directly in the eye once again. "To destroy the jewel and purify the undeniable evil within it."
Kagome's breath hitched, Inuyasha coughed a few times startled. "No way." The Captain managed to say through a strangled throat clear. "The same—they want the same," He looked down at Kagome his mouth hanging opened in amazement.
Kagome looked up at him, her grey eyes filled with disbelief as she nodded understanding his gibberish easily. "The same." She looked to the ground in amazement before turning back to Jinenji watching as the young half demon shifted from foot to foot. "That's why—why you don't mind giving us the jewel."
He nodded in response. "It would be what my Papa would have wanted." He confirmed with his head bowed. "I know I need to do this for him and his memory."
Kagome nodded quickly, "Then this seems to be fate." She told Jinenji seriously, her expression almost childlike and dazzled. "It's my mission to complete and destroy this jewel and it was your father and his ancestor's dying wishes that that task be carried out with their own jewel fragment." She grasped her hands before her face in wonder. "How lucky, how absolutely lucky, you can count on me Jinenji I'll do anything to destroy this jewel, anything, for you, your ancestors, your father, and your mother."
Jinenji clicked his tongue at the mention of the word 'mother' and scratched the back of his head. "There might in lie a problem Miss Kagome."
The starry expression left the young girls face and her hands dropped to her sides. "Wh—?" She tried to say but the words got tangled on her tongue prompting Inuyasha to take over.
"What kind of problem," He pressed without a backwards glance towards Kagome, his eyes instead fixated on the tall awkward looking man before him.
"Mama," Jinenji began a flush apparent on his ample cheeks. "She is the one who carries the jewel since I cannot." He nodded his head firmly and brought his hands together before them, clasping them tightly as he fidgeted. "And I don't know if she'll be willing to give it up to you or anyone."
Inuyasha frowned and looked at Kagome who was also frowning deeply. Without words they both nodded at each other and turned towards the house where Haniyama still dwelled, both knowing now what exactly what they had to do.
-break-
"Absolutely not!" Haniyama exclaimed as she sat at her small table with a tea cup and pot before her.
They had come to Haniyama requesting to speak to her over tea not twenty minutes ago in hopes of the older woman easily releasing the jewel into their care. But even after explaining that they had similar intentions as that of her late husband, the old woman would still have none of the idea, however, neither Kagome, Inuyasha or even Jinenji were entirely sure why. Was it because she didn't trust them to do as they said they were going to do or was it for another reason entirely? Somehow, even before they had entered into the conversation, Kagome had gotten the sneaking suspicion that it was for another reason—a reason that rested closer to the irrational heart than to the rational mind.
"How could you tell them about the jewel Jinenji?" Haniyama continued to rant as she held her face in her hands exasperated. "This jewel has been kept a secret from every outsider in this family since the times of your great grandfather for a reason." She nodded her head firmly, removing her hands from her vision in order to look at her son disdainfully. "I don't care if they do have a piece of the jewel, for all we know," She motioned to Inuyasha and Kagome with one wrinkled hand. "They want to complete the thing and use it for power and personal gain, just as it was foretold in the times of its creation."
"Mama," Jinenji pleaded but his tone was still quiet and bashful as it always was. "Miss Kagome and Mr. Inuyasha have proven their nature to us. They are good people, they would never use the jewel for personal gain." He eyed her sternly, trying to show that he firmly believed what he was saying. "They want what Papa wanted and nothing more."
"Jinenji," The old woman sighed, her voice coming off extremely tired. "We can't just trust people because they have done some good for our lives, we don't know them—."
Inuyasha plainly snorted causing Haniyama to turn and look at him with a glare.
"I mean no offense." She added as an afterthought but her tone suggested she didn't really mean her words.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes and stood from the table knocking his chair backwards as he straightened to his full height. Gritting his teeth he punctured her with his eyes before finally speaking. "With all due respect," He spat. "What is there to know about us?" He threw his hands up in the air angrily. "I'm a half demon like your son, so I can't touch the bloody thing for fear of going insane!" He growled. "Why do you think Kagome has it, anyway?" He thrust his thumb in her direction causing Kagome to flinch, an action he ignored. "And as for her, Kagome is the most fucking pure person in the whole world. She took the malice out of people's hearts for god's sake!" He banged his fist on the table. "So why would she, the purest fucking thing ever to be born onto this earth want some dark bloody jewel and all the evil that comes with it?"
Haniyama glared at him, actually glared at him as his voice boomed the last curse. "Watch your language with me boy." She said darkly causing Inuyasha to literally growl.
"I'll talk however the fuc—."
"Inuyasha." Kagome cut him off suddenly as if just now coming back to herself.
"What?" He threw back still enraged his eyes glaring at her, pissed off that she had interrupted him.
Kagome stood from her set at the table and walked the short distance towards him, one of her hands reaching out to rest on his shoulder slightly as she looked into his eyes, trying to exude as must calm as possible. "Let me handle this, please?"
Inuyasha blinked in surprise at her calm and collected words, all the anger in his body slowly dissipating as he listened to her gentle voice. He sighed tiredly and looked away from her, only his pride getting in the way of allowing her to completely calm him. "Fine." He grumbled as he crossed his arms once again over his chest and staked off towards the closest wall, leaning against it with a huff.
Kagome couldn't resist a smile when he drew his ears back to his skull as he leaned, as if he was a small child refusing to listen because he was in trouble. Preparing herself Kagome turned around and looked at Haniyama who was still sitting in her chair her eyes defiant, conveying to Kagome that this woman was not prepared at all to back down and Kagome honestly couldn't blame her. "Haniyama," She started gently, her words not full of malice or anger or even judgment but simply compassion and genuine understanding. "Your husband meant the world to you, didn't he?"
For a second the older woman looked honestly surprised, as if those words were the last thing she had expected to hear but then she looked away from Kagome refusing to make eye contact with the girl, defiantly denying her the emotional connection.
"It must have been awful," Kagome continued to reason softly, not daring to look Haniyama in the eye either. "To have lost him so young, to have lost everything so young." Kagome reached across the table as she spoke, taking one of the small teacups into her hand, studying the pattern of the sneaking fox in the luxurious blue china. "I can't even imagine," She whispered as she brought a finger upwards to trace the fox's tail, her mind only briefly wondering to the little Shippo back on the ship. "How it must have felt to suddenly have absolutely nothing." She looked up at Haniyama then, her eyes dark and sad. "Nothing left to even remember him by except for painful memories of his death, which clouded others of happy times when he was alive."
Haniyama didn't reply, she didn't move she only continued to stare vacantly to the side, her eyes fixated on something undistinguishable but somehow appearing unseeing—as if they were looking at the object but not taking it in, blind and unfocused.
Kagome smiled sadly at the sight, knowing that Haniyama was listening to her. Cautiously, she walked around the table, moved passed Inuyasha and to the chair he had vacated that was closest to Haniyama side. She didn't sit, however, she merely stood behind it, her eyes watching the old woman who was still staring vacantly in the opposite direction. With slow and deliberate hands Kagome set the tea cup down on the table close to Haniyama's side. The china making a slight clinking noise as it touched the wooden surface. Finally Haniyama looked, her eyes taking in the small fox just as Kagome's were.
"This is it, isn't it?" Kagome whispered softly. "Your wedding gift from your mother, you saved it and with it you remember a time when he—," Her voice trailed off and she moved the chair out so she could sit only a meager foot or so away from the still grieving widow. "—was alive."
Haniyama let out a sound that was suspiciously similar to squeak before she clammed up once again trying desperately not to buy into Kagome's words.
"The jewel is the same isn't it?" The Miko continued. "It's a reminder a part of him, it keeps his memory alive." She nodded to herself but smiled sadly all the same. "But you know Haniyama," her voice was as soft as a larks twitter as she spoke. "You have more than just that jewel fragment or these tea cups to remember your husband by." She giggled oddly her eyes still fixated on that small tea cup, taking in the mysterious fox in its design. "In fact I'd say you have the best memento that could ever have been left by anyone."
At this Haniyama finally looked at Kagome, her sad and troubled eyes still fighting, anger and hurt. "And what would you know of memento's my husband left?" She ground out, snapping at Kagome angrily. "This is it," she gestured towards the tea cups. "These little bits of China and that sliver of jewel—that's all he left me girl, all I could manage to save!"
Inuyasha snarled at her tone but his voice stopped when Kagome held up one delicious white hand without looking at him. "Kagome." He mumbled softly as his hackles slowly went back down at just her simple gesture, a fact that amazed him. No one in the whole wide world could make him go from angry to calm as quickly as Kagome could.
Kagome turned and gave him a slight smile before looking back at Haniyama, her eyes compassionate and caring and loving and honest; their grey color resembling a storm which was filled with wisdom and knowledge that far exceeded her short seventeen years. "He left for you Haniyama a living gift." She took a deep breath before she finished. "Your son."
The short phrase hung in the air; those two words causing Haniyama's jaw to drop and her eyes to widen and her breath to hitch. Slowly, the old woman turned and looked at Jinenji who was sitting in his trademark spot, back to the hearth and head bent down. "Jinenji." She whispered, the name sounding as if it had never been said before. "I—," She shook her head slowly, the words unable to come out but still sitting on her tongue. "How could I have forgotten, the greatest memento he ever gave me." Tears slipped down her cheeks softly.
"Mama." Jinenji whispered and looked up his nose twitching from the smell of salt. "Mama please don't cry."
"I'm so sorry." She whispered as twin trails of tears ran down her face.
"It's okay Mama." Jinenji told her honestly with a small smile on his face. "I know you love me."
"I love you so much Jinenji." The old woman said, her tears still predominate on her cheeks as she bit her lip and hiccupped distressed. "You, more than anything on this earth, you are my greatest treasure." She spoke slowly and softly, apologetically. "And you have always been the best thing your father ever gave me. The most precious gift I ever received in the whole of my life."
Jinenji let out a whimper that wasn't fitting of a man his size and nodded his head, bringing one large hand up to his face, trying to brush away his own tears. "Thank you—Mama," He sniffled before glancing at Kagome his eyes thanking her as well.
Unprovoked Haniyama reached into her bodice, producing the shard of the jewel that was kept on a very similar golden chain to Kagome's and pulled it from around her neck offering it to Kagome in the palm of her hand.
"Haniyama?" She started to question surprised that the old woman had shifted gears so quickly but stopped when she saw the look on the old woman's face. It was pleading, accepting, and full of so much pride that it made Kagome smile. "Thank you." She whispered and reached forward, her hands shaking as they approached to take the jewel away from Haniyama forever, the last piece of her husband and the legacy he had left her in death.
It somewhat felt wrong to be taking such a precious thing away from a woman whose whole life had been nothing but pain and lose, however, it also felt very right to take that step in a positive direction. This was the first jewel shard they had ever found on their own, it was the knowledge that this was possible that she could do this, that she could find the rest of the jewel and end the madness that it had caused the world and the people who had come in contact with it. It was the knowledge that she was capable of something the past was not.
Carefully, her fingertips touched just the tip of the jewel in Haniyama's hand causing it to glow. Both half demons automatically gasped and jumped away, their eyes growing wild as the glow faded. They both had felt it, the power and evil inside the jewel, that evil that search for something to latch onto, in this case a soul that was not entirely demon, a soul that could be easily challenged into taking its ill gotten power and thus being corrupted.
Undeterred, Kagome forced herself to reach forward again, just her pointer and thumb touching the edges of the jewel bringing it away from Haniyama's hand with no resistance. Once again it glowed but this time the glow changed it wasn't lashing out as it had the first time she had touched it. This time it simply illuminated everything, the pure white color of it brightening the room as if it was the sun itself.
"Amazing." Haniyama whispered as she watched the purest of colors she had ever seen take over her small cabin, highlighting everything in a ray of pure energy.
And then, like a candle snuffed out in the night, the light evaporated into nothingness and all that remained was a pure white jewel between Kagome's fingers. The young Miko stared at it momentarily unsure of what to do with the small white jewel and then, as if something was speaking to her from somewhere far away, she heard her directions whispered into the air.
"The other jewels—bring it to them."
Kagome nodded even though she had no idea who she was nodding to and reached for the chain around her neck pulling it off easily. Opening her palm, she placed the small sliver with the larger jewel and watched as the whiteness returned. This time it lasted for only a brief second before disappearing once again leaving in its place a small white malformed jewel, one side smooth and almost rounded and the other jagged as if more pieces were still missing from it.
"She combined them." Jinenji whispered completely stunned.
"I told you," Inuyasha grunted as he spoke. "Kagome was meant to complete and destroy the jewel."
Haniyama nodded at the silver haired man's words, her eyes not leaving Kagome for even a second as belief flooded them. "You're amazing." She identified so softly that it was almost hard to hear her words.
"Thank you." Kagome blushed as she spoke, her voice a gentle note in the still air. Without further thought she placed the necklace back around her neck allowing the jewel to hang in front of her, dangling against the background of her chest. "I promise Haniyama." She said with conviction. "I will destroy this jewel and fulfill the mission given to your husband so long ago."
Haniyama nodded a smile on her tear strained face. "Thank you." She whispered, "I'm sorry that I—I—."
"Don't worry about it." Kagome told her gently as she reached a hand forward to touch the old woman's hand gently.
"There has to be something I can do—to repay you—for—everything—all of this—everything you've done for me," She flicked her wrist towards Jinenji. "And my son."
"Haniyama, if you really want to repay me." Kagome spoke, her words honest and fair. "Then live your life from now on in complete happiness with your son."
Haniyama gulped and looked over at her baby boy—her half demon son whose eyes shown bright like his father's. "I will, I promise on my husband grave and soul that I will."
-break-
The next morning came and found both Inuyasha and Kagome sitting around that very table once again with Haniyama and Jinenji, although this time it to eat breakfast and thus say goodbye.
"I can't believe the two of you are leaving so soon." Haniyama mumbled as she took a sip of her tea defiantly, looking as regal as ever. Kagome and Inuyasha's announcement that it was time for them to take their leave had not gone over well with the old woman who was beginning to see the two as a part of her life she could never truly live without. After all, the two of them had done so much for the old woman that it was almost impossible of her to think of either one of them being gone and her and Jinenji being left on their own once again.
"We've been gone six days." Inuyasha reasoned easily as he bit off a piece of one of the rolls Haniyama had made them for breakfast, chewing it thoughtfully.
"I'm assuming." Haniyama mumbled around the edge of her tea cup. "That you have people waiting for you?"
"Yes," Inuyasha answered without hesitation as he reached across the table rather rudely and grabbed the tea kettle. "My son and my daughter-in-law."
Both Haniyama and Jinenji froze at the admission but didn't say a word as etiquette dictated they shouldn't.
"Originally we told them we'd be gone for only a couple of day's tops," Inuyasha explained easily as he poured himself some more tea absently.
Beside him, Kagome bit into her own roll (albeit fair more daintily than Inuyasha was capable) and slowly chewed the buttery contents. They had been gone a lot longer than originally planned, she could only imagine what state that must have left Sango and Miroku in, not to mention little Shippo who was still so new to the ship. The poor boy was probably having a fit by now. "I've only know him for a few short weeks and already I'm so attached to him." She swallowed and reached for her tea cup. "It's probably because he reminds me so much of Souta." She reasoned absently her expression growing sad at the thought of her younger brother.
"I'm afraid," Inuyasha continued oblivious to Kagome's sad musings. "That they're both gon'na be rather worried since we've been gone almost a week now."
"Can't argue with that, now can we Jinenji." Haniyama reasoned with a firm nod her old face looking a bit disappointed but perfectly agreeable. "Your son is probably worried about his father I bet."
Inuyasha smiled at the very idea and nodded his head. "Probably thinks I'm dead knowing him." He joked as he glanced at Kagome his expression filled with amusement that slowly turned to confusion when Kagome didn't respond right away. "Kagome?"
Kagome blinked rapidly from the sound of her name and snapped her head upwards looking at him startled. "Y-yes-s?"
Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at her but didn't really comment on her odd behavior instead deciding that it was better to leave her alone for the time being. He cleared his throat and gulped down the rest of his tea hastily before licking his lips. "As soon as you're done we better get going." He nodded firmly standing from his chair to stretch. "I'm sure the sooner we get back the better."
Kagome nodded her head in agreement. "Yeah—I bet everyone's rather worried."
"Well I'll be sad to see you go." Haniyama shrugged from the other end of the table but her expression displayed her true sadness. "But I know you have a family to return to and I can't be selfish keeping you both from that."
Kagome simply gave both Jinenji and his mother a found look as she look in the older woman's words. "Next time we visit we'll bring the rest of our family with us, I'm sure you'd love them." Kagome nodded firmly not even the least bit aware of the impact of her words.
Behind her Inuyasha stared, his ears perked forward, his heart beat dead in his chest, and his eyes as wide as the moon. "Family." He repeated soundly in his head. "No—more than that—our family." He shook his head back and forth slowly. "Our family—when—when did Kagome start thinking." He blinked and let his mouth hang open slightly as he watched Kagome take her bag from Jinenji's extended hand as the goodbyes continued to flow. "When did Kagome start thinking of me, of us, as her family?"
"Alright Inuyasha." Kagome started to speak as she turned back to look at the half demon before her. "Inuyasha?" She questioned again when he didn't even react to her words, his expression dazed as he stared at her completely shocked over something—what she wasn't aware of. "Um?" She tilted her head to the side and approached him cautiously. "Hello?" She waved a hand in front of his face as she spoke, the action catching his eye enough that he snapped his mouth closed and stuttered.
"Um—," He coughed into his hand slightly. "Well-a-you got your bag right?" he asked as he scratched his cheek absently with one claw.
Kagome raised an eyebrow at him vaguely. "Ye-s-s." She drew out.
"Good." He nodded his head firmly turning to boy at both Haniyama and Jinenji, a very odd gesture that none of the three westernized people had ever seen. "Thank you for allowing us stay in your home." He said formally, another thing that was odd to anyone who didn't know him well or had only seen him in a non formal setting. "We are indebted to your kindness."
"Oh no," Haniyama argued instantly. "We are indebted to your kindness Mr. Inuyasha," She turned and looked at Kagome firmly. "And to you too Miss Kagome."
Kagome blushed instantly and waved her hand before her thanks. "Please, please, I just did what was right and nothing more as did Inuyasha." She motioned to the older of the two half demons. "There's no need for any more thanks, we went over this yesterday."
"But there is," Jinenji stepped in finally, his voice a brilliant tenor in the small house. "Without you, there's no telling what would have happened to us the other day," He looked down as the memory of the attack came back to him. "And I never would have been able—been able to—to complete my father's wish." He nodded his head firmly. "Without you, neither thing would have been possible."
"Jinenji—,"
He cut her off. "You took the malice from the hearts of my fellow villagers just as you took the evil from that jewel. Because of you Miss Kagome and those deeds you have performed, I—I'll be able to live the life I always dreamed of living." He sniffled and rubbed at his eyes for a second as a swell of tears prevented him from speaking. "You created the world that me and Mama wanted, a world where words speak louder than guns or fist. You took the mission that I've feared all my life and will complete it." He gulped firmly, pushing himself to say what he knew he had to say before she left. "I never could have done any of that without you. I couldn't touch that jewel just like I couldn't touch their blackened hearts but you could. You Miss Kagome could do everything I could not and I can't think of any way of repaying you for all of that." He took one last deep breath before finishing. "Even living a wonderful life as you asked of Mama yesterday seems a trifle to what you did for us in this past week."
"Jinenji." Kagome whispered as the tears filled her eyes causing them to shine. "You don't have to, I don't need any thanks. I just—I just did what needed to be done. Things like this start small, like finding these jewel shards." She reached for the necklace, pulling it up to look at as some of the tears escaped her eyes and overflowed. "I'll continue to find one at a time and purify it and eventually I'll have them all. Then—then I'll be able to finally extinguish the hate within the jewel itself." She looked up at him and smiled. "Just like, one by one I'll change the hearts of people until eventually I'll finally be able to extinguish all the hate within this world. It's just what I need to do, it's my purpose on this earth and I accept it without needing any gratitude."
Jinenji grinned and nodded his head, sniffling still. "I'll still say thank you, Miss Kagome for changing their hearts, no one else in the world could do such a thing but you—," He trailed off for a second as something caught his eye.
Kagome glanced following his train of vision and frowned when she saw Inuyasha standing with his back to them looking out the window, disengaged from the whole of the conversation.
"Mr. Inuyasha." Jinenji started abruptly causing the older demon to grunt. "I owe you as many thanks as I do Miss Kagome, so thank you." He said his voice genuine. "You believed in me too." He licked his lips embarrassed. "And you showed me, something I had never known before—I'm—a—I'm worthwhile." The words seemed even know how to say. "Thank you for showing me that my life is worthwhile—that I have something to live for, something precious."
Inuyasha didn't turn around or even move his head but he did snort. "Whatever," He grumbled as he shrugged his shoulders and crossed his arms over his chest, his back still turned clearly uncomfortable.
"Inuyasha?" Kagome groaned as she shook her head in disbelief. Here Jinenji was pouring his heart out to them and that was all Inuyasha could say? She opened her mouth preparing to reprimand the firm Captain when he suddenly surprised her by dropping his hands to his side and sighing.
"Jinenji." Inuyasha said softly as he looked at the other half demon over his shoulder. "Remember those words, whenever you think life is about to take a turn for the worse," He looked at the ground and then much to Kagome's surprise looked at her a lopsided smile on his face. "Promise me you'll remember that person and the reason your life is worthwhile."
Jinenji was quiet for a second as he regarded the stronger man in front of him, his eyes watching the Captain with a unique understanding. "You'll remember too?" He questioned suddenly his eyes darting to Kagome quickly before darting back—the action so fast that Kagome hadn't even seen it performed.
Inuyasha smirked and shook his head before giving Kagome another convoluted wink that made her tilt her head to the side. "I ain't gon'na promise nothing." He declared loudly causing Haniyama and Jinenji both to laugh, it was a sound neither had made in a very long time. Inuyasha took in a deep lungful of air and popped his neck as his next words came carefully. "But I'll try—." He finished with a smirk, motioning to Kagome with one firm clawed hand. "Come on, let's get the horse and get out of here while the lights still good."
Kagome smiled and nodded her head as she followed him out the door, glancing behind herself to make sure Haniyama and Jinenji were following them outside.
They rounded the house and came up to the post the horse had been tied against. Reaching beside it he grabbed the saddle that had been hung up to give the horse some freedom and threw it on its back where the saddle pad already rested. The horse whined in response but didn't move as Inuyasha tightened the girth on one side easily. Without being told Jinenji came to the other side of the horse, whining softly in the back of his throat as the horse itself whined back before neighed and shaking its head.
Jinenji smiled in response and patted the horse's neck affectionately before reaching to fasten the girth on the other side. "He says you're really good at this Mr. Inuyasha." Jinenji supplied as he stood back up straight to look at the older demon.
Inuyasha shrugged in response as he prepared to put the bridle on the horse. "I've been riding a long time." He mumbled honestly as he undid the halter and tie around the horses neck before maneuvering the reins over the horses head. "Can you put the bit in?" He asked as he arranged the horse's ears into the headstall.
Jinenji nodded eagerly and whined to the horse making it open its mouth without physical prompting. Bit in place, Jinenji stepped back and watched as the Captain finished situating the throatlatch and noseband, securing them easily before stepping back himself.
"Alright Kagome, let's get going." Inuyasha reached for her offering his hand to help her on the horse.
Kagome gulped and nodded taking the offered appendage with some hesitation. The horse whined in response and stomped one of its hoofs twice into the ground as it neighed and shook its head roughly once more before giving Jinenji a strange almost pointed look.
Jinenji gasped in response and nodded his head. "Are you afraid of horses Miss Kagome?" He posed the question with blue eyes watching her amused.
Kagome blushed in response, taking her hand from Inuyasha's in order to twiddle her fingers as she looked away. "Just a little bit."
The horse let out a noise that sounded suspiciously like a laugh. Jinenji chuckled in response and whined back to the horse, letting out a snort and a grunt combination followed by a distinctive neigh. The horse shook its head once again in response and blew its lips firmly. "Thank you." Jinenji said in plain English before turning towards Kagome once again. "Not to worry anymore Kagome. He'll be gentle for you so no more worries."
Kagome pursed her lips unsure of what to think of what Jinenji had just said but nodded as if it was the most natural occurrence in the world. "Thank you." She responded slightly dazed and gasped when she felt two hands firmly on her waist lifting her up and setting her on the horse. "Inuyasha!" She exclaimed with flushed cheeks. "I can get up with just a hand you know."
Inuyasha chuckled lightly and shrugged. "I know but it was easier to do it while you were distracted and not focused so much on the horse."
Kagome huffed but didn't give Inuyasha the satisfaction of fighting back as she leaned backwards in the saddle giving him room to easily jump in front of her and settle himself into an easy riding position. As if it was the most natural thing in the world, Kagome brought her hand automatically around his waist, preparing for the motion of the horse taking off. "Goodbye, Mrs. Haniyama," She addressed the old woman one last time with a smile. "Mr. Jinenji, I wish you all the best in life and all the greatest happiness's that come with it."
Jinenji flushed and returned her smile, his heart skipping a beat as he listened to her careful words. "Thank you Miss Kagome." He told her, his face strong and full of conviction. "Thank you for everything."
Kagome didn't bother arguing with his words as Haniyama touched her sons arm softly and spoke as well. "I wish you the same Kagome child." She spoke gently her eyes coming to rest on Inuyasha as he took the reins in his hands. "And you as well Mr. Inuyasha. I hope you both are happy and a safe throughout your life—," she trailed off looking at the ground before adding so quietly that only Inuyasha and Jinenji could hear her words. "—together."
Inuyasha cleared his throat loudly and pulled the reins slightly to the left causing the horse to turn and start walking slightly. "No promises." He called over his shoulder as Kagome turned in the saddle and waved one last time before Inuyasha dug his heels into the horse's sides lightly and started them off at a light gallop leaving Haniyama and Jinenji behind, safe, happy, and free to live a life unhindered by the hate of their neighbors and the hate of the jewel.
-break-
"When are Miss Kagome and the 'aptain coming back?" Shippo grumbled as he sat next to Sango on the bed.
Sango smiled in response and pointed at the small grammar book that they had picked up in town for the boy yesterday. It was the latest grammar compendium released by Noah Webster and Sango was sure that Kagome would be delighted to see they had bought the book to help teach the boy proper spelling and grammar (a facet of education Shippo had never been exposed to). "I'm not sure when they'll be back." She told him as she glanced at what they were going to work on next, nouns. Before she could direct the lesson, however, the small boy was talking once again.
"They've been gone for'ver." He mumbled as he rolled onto his back on the bed, one of his small arms covering his face as he sighed deeply.
"It's only been six days." Sango argued back feebly. Truthfully, she was beginning to get a little worried herself. Surely it shouldn't take this long to find a shard of the jewel unless they had run into trouble along the way. "No," She thought with a shake of her head. "It was probably just farther inland than they thought." She nodded but still didn't feel convinced in the least.
Gingerly she worried her lip, her eyes staring at the children's grammar book without really seeing it. "What if something happen?" She pondered the possibility her heart beginning to hammer in her chest. "Kagome knows nothing of fighting. What if the Captain wasn't able to protect her or—no—no—no." she cut herself off knowing her thoughts were growing dangerous. "I have to believe in the Captain, he won't let any harm come to her, he wouldn't, he won't."
"Miss Sango?" Shippo suddenly spoke up again and she glanced over at the boy.
He was sitting up once again, his bright green eyes looking a little dull as he watched her. "Yes Shippo?"
"When Miss Kagome gets back," He looked away and blushed slightly looking a little embarrassed. "Will she do 'essons with us again?"
"Of course Shippo." Sango smiled gently feeling for the little orphan boy. With caring fingers she reached forward and pushed his flaming red bangs out of his face, lingering the tips of her fingers on his forehead for a moment as a show of love.
The small boy sniffled but otherwise said nothing at the gentle caress, his smart eyes looking down once again at the book. "Do we 'ave to do 'essons anymore today?" He whined softly, his small voice sounding pitiful.
Sango huffed in response and reached forward, grabbing the book and snapping it closed as she stood from the bed. Without a word she walked towards the desk and set the book a top the old wood motioning for the door as she did so. "Go on, find Mr. Myoga and stay with him, okay?"
The boy's dulled eyes lit up at the mention of the old Master Rigger. Quickly he darted off the soft covers of the bed and hurried towards the door. "Thanks Miss Sango!" He yelled as he scrambled upwards along the door, jumping up so he could reach the handle. Using his body weight he managed to make it push down enough that the door clicked opened. Laughing triumphantly he scurried on all fours out the door and down the hall, the sounds of his giggles resounding through the still opened exit.
Sango laughed with him, her worried eyes growing soft for a moment as she fingered the grammar book's binding slightly. "He's a good boy." She mumbled to herself as she pulled the chair out from under the desk and took a seat, her body slumping into the chair as she leaned back tiredly. Leaning her head backwards, resting her neck against the chairs hard back she looked up at the ceiling, her eyes tracing the planks of wood that rested above her. "I wonder—what's keeping them?"
"So am I."
Startled Sango shot out of the chair, turning panicky eyes towards the still opened door where Miroku now stood, an amused smile on his face.
"Did I startle you?" He questioned a slight chuckle threatening to erupt from the back of his throat.
Sango gave a very unladylike snort and crossed her arms under her breast, hugging herself tightly. "Oh shut up." She huffed and plopped herself back down in the chair.
Miroku smiled at her actions but the look really didn't reach his eyes. Bringing a hand up to his face he rubbed his temple and the bridge of his nose before walking into the room closing the door behind him with a faint click as he approached the bed, bypassing her in favor of sitting on the soft down comforter. "I saw Shippo running off to bug Myoga." He mentioned as he lay back on the bed, allowing his anxious body to relax for just a second.
"Yeah." Sango acknowledged as she leaned forward in the chair, resting her elbows against her knees and her chin against her hands as she watched him waiting for a reaction to her next words. "He asked about Kagome and the Captain again."
Miroku didn't respond right away, instead looking off to his side to look out the one window that lined the back of their cabin. He could see the opened ocean and the outlines of ships coming into port in the distance. He growled slightly sitting up, ripping his eyes away from the tranquil scene.
"Miroku?" Sango called to him gently, her voice far softer than it ever was.
Startled by the gentle emotion he heard from her, Miroku looked up and took in the sight of her tear shined eyes. She was worried, really worried and that only fueled his worry even worse. "Don't worry Sango," He tried to comfort but the words seemed hallow. How can you comfort someone when you are so worried yourself?
"Give me one good reason not to." Sango mumbled back to him, her expression defiant and truthful. "It shouldn't take this long and you know it."
Miroku buried one of his hands in his hair and looked away from her. He had nothing to say to that, nothing at all. She was right, it shouldn't take this long to travel inland and obtain a piece of jewelry, especially when one had the device that led you right to it.
"What are you going to do?" Sango continued to press, her dark eyes watching him, hoping he would decide to act soon. She couldn't take waiting anymore.
The first few days had been hard but these past three had been impossible. Each morning she had woken up and wandered to the Captain's room, knocking on the door hoping to hear his gruff voice or the sweet sound of Kagome's on the other side but she had heard nothing and so had entered in hopes that they were asleep and had not heard the knock (slim chance that was but it was worth a try). And each time she had been disappointed when she came into the empty room, left exactly as it had been left by both. After such great disappointment, she would spend the rest of the day looking and watching, hoping to catch sight of some silver along the ports. Silver she had seen but the Captain's silver she had not and that only disappointed and worried her more.
Six days she had spent like this and there was no way Sango could take even one more.
"I'm not sure what to do." Miroku spoke up suddenly his voice actually sounding strained. "I keep thinking to myself that—he's just gon'na come up the gang plank anytime now—don't worry—I can't help but think it—don't worry he'll come back, he always comes back." Miroku sighed deeply, throwing his legs over the side of the bed, sitting up and placing his head in his hands. "But—the other part of me—the rational side knows that he always is back by now. And since he's not then—logically." Miroku took a deep breath, obviously the next words were hard to say. "Something's wrong."
Sango nodded her head in response, her heart telling her the same exact thing.
"And if something's wrong." He continued bringing his face out of his hands to look at her desperately. "Then we have to do something but I don't know what to do." He looked at her pleadingly. "I don't even know where to find them. Which way did they go, which road, for how long, how far?" Miroku grunted at the very thought. "There's no telling where they are."
"We could ask around?" Sango offered but her voice lacked confidence. Even she knew that was likely to not succeed.
"Knowing Otou-san," Miroku let the name slip easily. "No one knows where he went, he doesn't leave trails, doesn't tell people where he's going: that's the kind of shit that gets you followed and killed."
Sango nodded in agreement, she had even heard the Captain say those very same words himself. "So what do we do?" She asked once again completely at a loss.
Miroku once again was quiet, his voice lodged in his throat. It was a miserable feeling, the feeling of knowing that no matter what, you were backed in a corner, there was nothing you could do. He could look but it was like finding a needle in a haystack—impossible. The only thing he could do logically was wait, wait and trust but when your father is concerned that is very hard to do. "Sango—," He started to say but stopped.
Understanding his hesitation Sango stood from the desk chair and made the short distance across the room to Miroku, knelling before him, one hand resting on his knee while the other reached up to touch his cheek in comfort, drawing it upwards until he looked at her. The two made eye contact, an exchange of anxiety and worry going between them. "He'll come back, they'll both come back." She reasoned even though her voice sounded like a lie to her own ears.
"I hope they do." Miroku agreed with her as he raised one hand to cover the delicate appendage that touched his cheek. Bringing it away from his face he closed his eyes and softly kissed her palm before pulling the hand downwards to rest against his heart for a moment. Finally he sighed and released her hand bringing his own freed hand upwards to touch her face, pulling her forward until she was just a breath away.
"Mir—." She tried to say but the words never left her as she suddenly felt his lips against her own, hungry and intoxicating. She moaned as his hand dropped from her face to travel down her neck to one breast that he greedily caressed through her jacket and shirt.
Miroku growled in response and reached for the buttons of her jacket hastily undoing them, wanting nothing more than to touch her, really touch her and feel her, her hot skin against his burning flesh. He needed it, needed the release, needed all the tension that was building in his body to bubble over and he knew that her flesh could offer such release. "San-g-o-o." He breathily gasped as he pulled away from her just long enough to rip her jacket from her shoulders, his hands moving as if on autopilot back to her perky breast, his fingers caressing them through the coarse fabric of her undershirt.
"Miroku." Her voice was fast and heady as she tried to catch her breath. "Miroku." She repeated when his nimble fingers found her nipple through the material of her under shirt, tweaking it against the plane of the rough fabric, the sensation causing her to shutter and whimper. "Damn it—Miroku." She cursed as he pulled against them roughly, a sensation she liked even more.
Miroku chuckled low in his throat in response but he stayed silent as he allowed his hands to roam to the hem line of her shirt, untucking it from her pants slowly as he brought his mouth up to her neck, sucking on the point right below her chin before working his way around the right side of her jaw, all the way up until he met her ear. He licked the outer edge gingerly before sucking on the lob, drawing a delightful moan from her as she reached up and gripped his shoulders tightly, her fingers digging into his skin as she lost herself to the sensation. Smiling to himself he backed away, pulling the shirt up and over her head, discarding it behind him as he came face to face with a sight he had known for years.
"Never gets old." He thought to himself as he reached one hand forward to the underside of a plump and pale breast, his finger tips cold against her hot skin causing her to actually jump in surprise.
"Cold." She complained bringing her hands up to cover herself slightly, her flushed face pouting in such a cute way that Miroku found himself hard pressed not to just throw her down right then and there and have his way with her.
"Sorry." He apologized, reaching forward once again to take hold of her arms which now covered her perky chest. Gently he lowered her arms, depositing them at her sides as her ripe flesh was once more revealed to him. Before he could descend upon even one breast, however, the door burst opened much to Sango and Miroku's shock.
"Hey, Miroku what the hell are you doi—. Ah shit!" Inuyasha yelled surprised covering his eyes automatically as he got a very good glimpse at Sango's upper body completely unclothed. "God, didn't I tell you to give me some fucking warning, put a sign on the door or something!"
"Otou-san?" Miroku whispered surprised, his eyes wide as saucers as he looked at the man standing in the door looking just as he had when he left: perfectly fine. "You're back, you're okay!" He exclaimed, so happy that his father was alive and well that he completely forgot about his half naked wife who was currently turning a previously unknown shade of red.
"Yes, we're both here and we're fine." Inuyasha nodded as he started to back out of the door, eyes still covered. "I just wanted to let you to know."
"Did you get the shard?" Miroku continued standing from the bed completely unaware. "Did anything go wrong? I mean why were you gone so long?"
"Miroku maybe nows not the time to talk about this." Inuyasha pressed as he finally managed to grab the door handle without looking. "While normally I'd be delighted to see a naked woman, I think this woman in particular is not delighted with the idea of me seeing her."
Miroku blinked rapidity as realization seemed to dawn on his face. "Sango?" He grumbled looking back at the woman who was sitting perfectly still her hands covering her chest just enough that nothing was truly visible but it still left nothing to the imagination. He glanced at her face which was an unnatural shade of burgundy and felt his heart drop into his stomach. He gulped, somehow knowing that he was going to die the second the Captain left the room.
"I'll just leave you two alone." Inuyasha mumbled as his ears twitched listening to the silence and the impending sound of Sango's blood pressure sky rocketing. "Have a good night." He called over his shoulder as he closed the door, the resounding click a practical signal for Sango to let out a blood curdling scream.
He chuckled to himself as he started towards his cabin knowing that Kagome was already there with Shippo at her side. "I guess," he mused. "I'll have to talk to him tomorrow about everything that happened but it serves him right." He frowned but it was a playful sight. "I've only told him a thousand times to put a sign up or something. I can't rely on my nose all the time," he thought as he reached his own door, opening it and walking in. Kagome was already sitting on her bed, Shippo in her lap regaling her with stories.
The young girl offered him a smile when she noticed him in the room before frowning as the sound of banging and further screaming came to her ears. "What's that noise?" She inquired as she absentmindedly played with Shippo's hair.
"Oh nothing," Inuyasha told her with a shrug before he stretched and walked over to his desk. "Just a man losing his dignity."
End of Chapter
Please Review
A/N: Wow, sorry this took so long. Like I've been saying, finals, finals, finals, but they are done now so we are back on track and hopefully updating a lot more again now that I'm not writing paper after paper and I have a month off from writing my thesis. I hope everyone enjoyed the extra long chapter, I tried to really make it worthwhile and even added a little smut to tide everyone over until we get to some good old Inu/Kag woofy goodness.
Bonus Point:
In what episode does Shippo use a series of drawings to explain a fight Inuyasha and Kagome had to Kaede and what was the fight about?
Last Chapter's Bonus Point:
The answer I was looking for is episode 167 although I will accept episode 22 from the Final Act Anime as well. Congrats to the winners:
Litle C, HeavenlyEclispe, , TheRealInuyasha, InuKag4eva, AriaLuvsInu, Purple Dragon Ranger, InuKag77, Coka Cookie Cola, Ciao From Indiana, soliea0death, glon morski, AnimeRomanceFreak1990, Laken, Warm-Amber92
Notes:
Noah Webster – Wrote a three volume compendium for American children entitled, A Grammatical Institute of the English Language. The work consisted of a speller (published in 1783), a grammar (published in 1784), and a reader (published in 1785). His goal was to provide a uniquely American approach to training children. He is more notably responsible for publishing a dictionary in 1807—An American Dictionary of the English Language. Over years a revision it would become known as Webster's dictionary and is still used today under his name.
Chapter Fun Fact: To date this is the longest chapter of the fic at just over 13,500 words.
Next Chapter:
N/A
See you then!
UNEDITED
POSTED 12/21/2011