Secrets of Memories
Chapter 10: The Beginning to the End
PLEASE READ A/N: So it's been a long time once again. Sorry you guys. For some reason all my ideas for this story have run dry. I still know the direction in which I want to go; I'm just slowly piecing things together. This story has definitely made me want to have half of future stories written before I post it on the site. :-P I hate leaving such long intervals between chapters. Thanks to everyone who keeps commenting and giving me info about inuyasha's mother's name. As I keep getting comments about it, it makes me wonder if I should go back and edit previous chapters. I would really like your input to what you guys think I should do. I'm not really going to change the info in the chapters if anything I would add to them, or get rid of my mid chapter a/n's. I've been debating, so I figured why not see what the reviewers think. It's been such a long time since this fic started, so please respond with any of your ideas. As Always Thanks! Well anyways...on with this chappy! ENJOY!
Oh and I don't own inuyasha! Would love to, but don't I think I forgot the disclaimer in the other chappy's so this goes for the others as well! My bad
'Words' are thoughts
"words" are what's said
words are flashbacks
-. - are change of place
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The sun rose slowly the next morning, embracing the green and asphalt landscape all around.
Stunning rays burst through the windows landing on a slender arm peaked out from beneath a maroon blanket. The owner of the limb shifted uncomfortably as brown eyes opened slowly to be met with the penetrating sun; in response the small form pulled the covers over her head and allowed a groan to escape from her lips.
A masculine voice was heard from outside the door alerting the girl that it was time to get out of bed.
"Sango, are you up? It's sunrise and we'll be meeting the others soon to start training" came her fathers' gentle reply.
"Hai, I'll be down in a few minutes father" Sango sighed as she sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Foot steps retreated from the outside of her door as her eyes stole a short glance out the window. Memories from last night flashed across her mind before she threw her legs over the side of the bed and into the direction of her closet to get ready.
After several minutes she arrived downstairs with a duffle bag of training gear in tow. Her father eyed her and Kohaku, who sat at the table with a similar bag.
After leaving Kagome's house last night Sango's father and Miroku's parents broke down and told Kohaku, Sota, and Shippou about the prophecy. They were the youngest in the group, yet the three boys would also start training with the others.
Breakfast was quiet in the demon slayer's house. Guilty and angered faces scanned the room instead of making contact with the other.
Silverware clanked as the family finished their food and moved in a rhythmic motion. Without a word they all grabbed their belongings before making their way to the car and toward Kagome's house.
I can't believe Kohaku and the other boys are involved. This is so dangerous. How could father and the others kept this from us for so long!? Sango's thoughts scrunched up on her divine features. She was so lost in thought she didn't notice the car stopping or her male companions voices until she felt a hand on her shoulder.
Snapped from her reverie, Sango shook her head and followed her family up towards the practice area of the shrine.
As they reached the grounds the rest of the group could be seen sporting comfortable workout gear that was easy to move in.
Sango and her brother joined the group as everyone brought their attention to the four figures standing before them.
Kaede, Inutashio, Morihiro (Miroku's father), and Takeshi (Sango's Father) stood tall in front of the group. Hard stares marred each of their faces with the grim reality as to why they were all there. (-I know I made the names up, but as far as I know both of their fathers were never named, if I'm wrong please correct me.)
"Well, let us begin shall we?" asked Morihiro "First we'll start by splitting you up into four groups. Each of us will work with you and help to harness certain abilities that are unique to each individual."
The children nodded as they listened to the assigned groups.
"Inuyasha, Miroku, Sesshoumaru you're group one! Kohaku and Sango, group 2! Kagome and Rin are group three! And Sota and Shippou are group 4!" Everyone nodded and divided themselves accordingly.
Inutashio took group one, while Kaede took three, Morihiro took four, and Takeshi took group two. The divisions were, more or less, assigned by strength. It wouldn't be sensible to put Souta in the same group as Inuyasha, or even Miroku. They needed partners who were around the same level and age.
As the first lessons of the day got under way, everyone seemed on edge. Sparring began throughout the different groups as each instructor helped in their own ways.
Group one was already drenched in sweat as the three boys fought hand to hand against one another. Inutashio watched their movements and called out to them if they were favoring one side or if they had been caught off guard. Any mistake they made he announced and the boys fixed the problem in order to prevent being struck down.
Group two was sparring with their respective weapons. A slash here a throw there. The two evaded each others movements as their breathing became heavy and labored. The two had trained before, but had never truly fought to the extent they were. The siblings were more serious.
Their father saw gaps in their flow of movements and helped them to fix such. Other problems like losing their opponent from view or not paying enough attention were other issues addressed between the siblings.
Group three and four were learning the techniques of self defense and how to fight hand to hand combat. Aside from Kagome's miko powers and Shippou's fox magic, the groups didn't have much experience with battle. The four were pushed the hardest to learn the techniques and be able to use them by the end of the day.
Shippou and Kagome would be individually worked with to harness their powers and to control them at higher levels from where they already were. While Kaede chose to do this, Morihiro worked with Rin and Souta. He gave them swords and instructed them on how to further protect themselves.
The two of them would need the most protection. Both without demonic or supernatural powers, they had no special skills so harnessing any technique they could would prove helpful.
As the sun began to set in the west the groups lay drenched on the grass gasping for air. The four leaders headed back towards the shrine, allowing the teens to rest.
The back door slid open silently and the four elders walked inside with a heavy tension hanging among them.
Inutashio was the first to speak, "This is hard for all of them, and it makes me think that we should have begun this long ago."
The others nodded their heads as Morihiro began, "I'm worried most about Rin and Souta. They are human and so very young. They are the most vulnerable in the group. I just..."
"Have faith in them and the others. If they do prove vulnerable, their friends will surely do everything in their own power to protect them" Takeshi interrupted.
"Hai, please forgive me" his line of vision became dulled as he began to stare off into space, worry etched across his features for all of their children.
"No need for forgiveness my friend, ye are just as worried as the rest of us" Kaede chimed in.
The elders sat there in silence, all lost in their thoughts and prayers for the teens.
Outside the group had begun to pack up and joke around in an attempt to lighten the mood. The fifth smack reverberated off the surrounding area as Miroku groped Sango again within the past ten minutes.
Rin and Souta sat next to each other in silence both deep in thought. Before either knew it, Kohaku had launched himself at his best friend and began a small spiral fall a quarter of the way down the hill. The two boys laughed as they wrestled and head locked one another.
Shortly after, Rin's line of vision was interrupted by a pair of feet. The small girl blinked several times, confused, as she was brought away from her thoughts to look up at the feet's owner. She smiled and was comforted to see her Sesshy standing before her with his hand out in a gesture to help her up.
Rin took his hand, and followed Sesshoumaru back toward the house, both failing to notice the grasp on their hands that had not released. As Inuyasha called after the couple to wait up, Sesshoumaru stopped to turn his cold stare back at the rest of the gang.
"What's the matter dear brother, too slow to keep up?" the line was enough to get Inuyasha's temper boiling as curses and other foul comebacks came from his mouth atop the hill.
Sesshoumaru ignored him as he turned his attention to the girl beside him, feeling his gaze upon her she smiled up at him.
"Always pushing his buttons aren't you?" Rin giggled. She felt him shift at her side and realization hit her of where their hands were. Her face immediately turned red as she pulled her hand away and apologized.
The couple's gaze turned away from each other as Sesshoumaru coughed to signal their movement, once again, toward the house. He tried to keep his gaze cold, but failed to prevent the slightest tint of pink from entering to his cheeks. He was relieved to note that the color disappeared before anyone could see as the couple entered the house. Shortly after the rest of the gang stomped through the doors chattering away, all in efforts to not talk or think about the prophecy.
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The setting sun created dark shadows throughout the park; the perfect cover for its occupants. Creamy legs glistened against the darkness as their owner paced back and forth.
'I can't believe I'm doing this. Stupid scumbag! I just couldn't leave it alone could I? Then again, if I refused Naraku he would have made me regret it. I know I owe him a damn favor, but who in the seven hells does he think he is!? I loath him…' the woman's thoughts were interrupted by a hand that touched her shoulder.
She grimaced as a chill ran up and down her spine. If she could have, she would have vomited all over him simply from the repulsion he gave her.
"I see my goons brought you my message" his red eyes glowed menacingly in the darkness that wrapped around the couple.
"They did, though you ought to teach them to be gentler. Maybe next time I won't dice them into pieces" she hissed back at the man before her.
He smirked, causing another wave of nausea in the woman, urging her to get away as soon as possible.
"I'll keep that in mind. It's not like I needed those weaklings any ways, just messengers. You should know that better than anybody."
She snorted at the memories of time past. "Yes, well some of us can only be so lucky to be granted death and the release from your grasp, Naraku."
His smile faltered at her words "You should also know better than to say such things to me." A dark miasma formed around them, a fraction of the anger and frustration he was feeling because of the woman before him.
He pushed her against a tree as she tried to cover her sensitive nose from the wicked poison cloud. Satisfied with the discomfort and pained expression on her face, the cloud dissipated.
"Let me remind you that I could end your life in an instant, do not tempt me further. I need your favor repaid, if need be I will find someone more suitable for the job at the expense of your death."
Her red eyes narrowed against his, a frown plastered across her ruby lips as she nodded slightly to him.
"Good, then shall we begin what we came here for, or do you insist on me finding someone else to form my plans with Kagura!?" his eerie voice echoed her name as more memories tried to push into her mind of times when her name was called from pleasure.
She shook the thoughts away and straightened her composure against him.
"No Naraku, I will repay my debt to you" he smirked in response knowing she wanted nothing more than her freedom from him. He would give it to her if she could live through his tasks, that is.
The two dark figures walked deeper into the darkness, disappearing as if they had never been amongst the trees.
Night had fallen and the stars twinkled their innocent lullaby, a totally different scope from the treachery that was being planned beneath them.
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The next couple of days passed quickly between school and training. The teens were becoming accustomed the routines and schedules they held.
Rin and Sesshoumaru did not bring up them holding hands to one another, and Kagome and Inuyasha tried to act as if the kiss never happened.
Naraku had been keeping his distance, not even giving the group of friends the slightest glance. This just added to the tension in the air.
However, Koga and Hojo left little time to think about Naraku.
"Hey Kagome!" a male voice called. Kagome turned around to be met with wind smacking her face, she already knew who it was and planted a fake smile across her face.
"Oh, hi Koga how are you?" she tried being as neutral to the boy as possible without allowing her anger to flare.
"I'm great! So great, that I thought me and my woman could go and grab a bite after school" his words danced merrily across his features.
'What on earth can I do to get him off my back?' Kagome thought.
"Well, you see Koga. It's just that, I…uh…' as she stumbled with her words she did not notice the figure that had come to her rescue.
"She has plans bastard so back off" Inuyasha growled out.
Kagome sighed with relief as she looked over at her friend.
"What plans…definitely not with you mutt!?" Koga laughed as Kagome tried to stop Inuyasha from landing a punch to Koga's face.
His growing growl was enough to catch Koga's attention before Kagome stepped in.
"I do have plans at home, Inuyasha and the others are helping me" She tried to explain as nicely as possible.
Koga just lifted his shoulders "some other time then, see ya around Kagome! And don't touch my woman mutt!" and with that he was gone.
Kagome sighed heavily as she smiled back at Inuyasha and began to drag him away and toward their next class.
"I don't understand why you put up with that jerk Kagome" he stated angrily.
"He just can't get a clue Inu and it's not worth wasting my energy on any more. I get myself too worked up over it. You're here now, so I don't have to worry as much anymore either" she smiled up at him causing his cheeks to blush slightly.
"Feh, whatever" he replied as he turned his attention to where they were walking.
It was just a normal day at school now. There might have been a fight here or there and plenty of slaps to Miroku's face. They had all become accustomed to it.
They were happy, and if they could live like this for any extended period of time, before the prophecy began, then they would take full advantage of it.
They were aware of what was to come, and they tried to have as much normalcy as the world would permit.
They were at the beginning of the end, and they were not planning to rush toward the ending anytime soon.
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A/N: YAY! Another chapter done! I've been keeping myself motivated and have been reading my previous chapters. Did some of you think that Naraku's accomplice was going to be Kikyo? I honestly thought about it being her, but then I read back my chapters and I think I mentioned something about Kagome being her reincarnation.
I don't remember so I'm going to read back to confirm it cause I have a way to add her in here if I decided to do it and work out the kinks in this fic. When I started this fic I wasn't as knowledgeable about Inuyasha as I am now, so that was another reason I was thinking of fixing up previous chapters a little.
Tell me what you think, I always love hearing from you, and you guys keep me going. I want to finish this story in the near future. Though I'm not sure how near is near at the rate I'm going lol. I still have the battle and sacrifices and then what happens after that still to come along with forming relationships between the characters more and I still need to add Hojo dialect in here some where.
Well before I ramble on more please REVIEW! Thanks, love you all!