A sharp breeze blew around Kagome's hair as she took in the last bit of information her eyes becoming wider by the second. She stood up and walked away, his hand sliding delicately off her knee.
"Kagome?" he replied as she remained in silence.
"Uh" she said, "I don't. I don't. I can't understand any of this. Naraku? The Naraku? The very Naraku we have been trying to fight and track down all this time? He's the demon you fought back then?" she replied trying not to sound hysterical.
"Yes" he nodded somberly, "I'm afraid so."
"Dad. How can that be?"
"I don't know Kagome" he shook his head as he stood to his feet, "I don't. I was the fool for believing that he had actually given up. I died believing I had no unfinished business and the truth is I did. I never finished what I had started and now you're the one who is suffering for it. I am so sorry honey. I never meant for this to happen."
"Everything" she shook her head, "Everything that cursed demon has done, even to you has all been for the jewel."
"Yea. That jewel is all Naraku cares about."
"Well yea" she said sarcastically, "We know that now. I just can't believe this. Dad, Naraku is not the one who is responsible for this village is he?" she asked turning to him.
"No, I don't think so. Naraku always leaves a calling card when he attacks a place. This was done by some other kind of demons" he sat down, "Anyway you had to know, because there is something very important I have to tell you before I go. I am almost out of time."
"What is it?"
"Do not ever, and this is very important Kagome. I have already told you this once but now you are going to know the reason why. Under any circumstances never reveal your last name to anyone but your friends. The name Higarashi is still well known throughout the Feudal Era. You haven't used it thus far otherwise I would know. Continue doing that Kagome. Your best protection is to keep that to yourself. Naraku must never find out whose daughter you are. Never."
"What would happen if he did?" she asked her eyes becoming wider.
"I would hate to think what would happen. He hated me above every one of his enemies. If you think he hates Inuyasha just as much you'd be wrong. The only reason he hates him that way is because he sees qualities in Inuyasha that I possessed. And he also despised dog demons to begin with."
The wind blew sharply and he stood as the breeze hit his neck making him shiver.
"I have got to go now Kagome" he replied standing.
"Dad!" she called as the wind blew even harder, "Is this the last time I am going to see you?"
"No. There is still so much more I have to tell you. And your friends!" he called as the wind blew louder making it harder for her to hear.
"What?"
"The next time you see me Kagome, I will talk to all of you! It is okay for them know that you have seen me! I love you angel!" he calked one last time as he disappeared as Kagome waved slightly.
Kagome could feel the tears welling up in her eyes as the wind died down and all she could see was the barren spot where her father once stood. Inuyasha walked slowly up the hill and stood behind her.
"Kagome" he said softly.
"Inuyasha" she replied turning around surprised, "What are you doing here?"
"I've been here the whole time."
"You heard everything?"
"Yes" he nodded slowly but with his eyebrows furrowed, "Kagome, what was that all about?"
"C'mon" she said taking his hand gently, "I need to talk with you and the others" she led the way back down the hill towards the village.
(Next Scene)
Sango, Miroku, Shippo, and Inuyasha listened intently for two hours as Kagome explained everything her father had told her the past two times she had seen him. When she finished Sango took her hand carefully in hers and rubbed it understandingly.
"Oh Kagome" she replied, "That must have been so hard for you."
"I haven't seen my father since I was a small girl" Kagome nodded, "It was like one of my dreams coming true."
"I don't know what to be more surprised about" Miroku shook his head stunned, "The fact that you Kagome, are Midoriko's heir and the real owner of the Sacred Jewel or that Naraku was also your father's enemy."
"That's what you're surprised about?" Inuyasha replied in a scoffing tone, "Of all the things you should be surprised about is how all this is connected. Everything from the time we met Naraku. Heard about him. Even the Sacred Jewel and Kikyo. All of it has been connected since the very beginning."
"Inuyasha" Kagome said with sad eyes, "You're not angry with my father are you?"
"Huh?" he looked directly at her his ears perking up.
"About the fact that he was the one who was responsible for what Naraku did?"
"Oh please" he frowned, "Naraku did what he wanted to do. He always does. Your father is not responsible for that bastards actions" he spat.
"I have to agree with Inuyasha" Miroku nodded as he leaned back and Shippo nodded along, "But Kagome if you saw your father before we left Kaede's village, how come you didn't mention it then?"
"Well, dad said that he wants to talk to all of us when he next comes" Kagome answered.
"How come?" Sango asked curiously as she leaned forward and Miroku admired her backside.
"I don't know. Maybe there's something he needs to tell of us as a group."
"Maybe he's gonna tell us how we can defeat Naraku" Inuyasha suggested punching his left fist into his right palm with a grin.
"That would be good' Sango smiled but then suddenly frowned furiously because she could feel the monk up to his usual tricks, "Don't you ever quit?!" she shouted slapping him across the cheek as Inuyasha, Shippo and Kagome stared at him with frowns of their own, "Can't you ever be serious for once?"
"I can't help it when you put it right in front of me" he retorted smiling as he rubbed his bruised cheek, "I had very good intentions."
"Yea right" Sango said sarcastically as she moved over to the other side of the room, "Anyhow. Let's get some sleep. We have a long trek ahead of us tomorrow."
"Good idea" Shippo agreed snuggling up next to Kagome as Inuyasha sat down, crossed his legs, and lowered his head.
Kagome laid her head down and tried to close her eyes. But thoughts about her father and his stories kept her interest so much to the point that she reopened her eyes and laid in silence. Inuyasha opened his own eyes and noticed she wasn't sleeping. He frowned sadly as he continued to watch her the rest of the night with his unwavering gaze.
(Next Scene)
For several days the group traveled with no strange events occurring. Surprisingly no other village had been attacked for the three days that they traveled. But when they reached the first set of mountains they came across another village that had been mercilessly attacked by the scent of it by the same group of demons. As they buried the last person Inuyasha sighed heavily and threw the shovel he was holding.
"I don't get it" he huffed as he talked, "Why one earth were all the other villages that we passed not touched? But this one was like the other one by the same demons?"
"I don't know" Miroku shook his head, "Perhaps they are looking for something."
"But what?" Sango replied as Kilala meowed, "I mean nothing is missing from what I can tell."
"Who knows?" Inuyasha said angrily as he sat down, "There's got to be a reason though" he added as the sun began to set, "This is just too pattern like."
"The problem is, what's the pattern?" Kagome added.
"Maybe that is just something we are going to have to figure out" Miroku replied and Sango nodded, "But it's getting late, so I guess we're staying here for the night."
"Hey Kagome" Inuyasha said, "When's your old man coming back?"
"I don't know" she shook her head, "He didn't give me directions this time. But it has been four days" she looked up into the orange and pink clouds that were colored by the sunset, "We could get lucky tonight."
(Next Scene)
Later as the stars came out the wind began to blow around the village. Inuyasha, who was checking the perimeter felt it. He sniffed the air and then walked inside the cabin where everyone had finished up eating.
"Kagome" he replied.
"Hmm?" she looked up.
"You said that when your father is around the wind blows right? It's really picking up out there" he added as she walked over to the doorway.
She stepped outside and glanced around. Towards the left of the village was a hill surrounded by a bunch of medium sized rocks that looked just right to sit on. Over the rocks was a large tree with massive leaves that seemed to blow in a whimsical manner.
"I think he's coming," she said with certainty so Sango and Miroku stood while Kilala and Shippo hopped to each of their shoulders.
The group walked up the small hill and looked around as the breeze became lighter. Inuyasha frowned and crossed his arms.
"I don't see how we're going to be able to see him if I couldn't see him last time."
"Spirits aren't like ghosts Inuyasha" Kagome explained, "If my dad wants you to see him, then you'll see him."
A few more minutes went by until they all saw the vapors of Kagome's father's spirit approaching. They all could clearly see him and were surprised to see how young he was.
"Mr. Higarashi?" Miroku said politely.
"Mhm" the teen nodded with a smile.
"You got to be kidding me" Inuyasha replied, "You're to young to be her father."
"Oops" Kagome realized, "I forgot to mention that he is in his teenage form."
Aiku nodded and they all sat down on the rocks minus Inuyasha who preferred to stand his yellow eyes focusing on the figure that sat down in front of them.
"Well now" Aiku began, "It's very nice to finally meet all of you. Although I feel like I already know you," he added with a grin.
"Because you have been watching Kagome all this time?" Miroku asked.
"That and other reasons. I gather that Kagome told you everything?"
They nodded.
"Good then you're up to speed."
"What?" Inuyasha said quizzically.
"I mean you know everything that she knows" Aiku explained.
"Oh."
"So where to start. I have very little time tonight, so I am going to try and tell you all as much as I can" he cleared his throat, "As you know Kagome told you about Naraku. I do not know how you can defeat him. That was something I couldn't even do. What I have come to you tonight for is to tell you that you all meeting each other was no mistake. You have all been connected since the very beginning."
They all looked at him as if asking him to carry on.
"When I first came here I was a young boy. I was eight years old. In the Higarashi shrine I was treated like a young prince but I was very lonely, that is until I met my two best friends. Two friends that I will never forget. One of them was a monk in training. His name was Miatsu."
"Miatsu?" Miroku spoke up, "That's my grandfather's name."
"I know" Aiku nodded, "Your grandfather was my friend. Granted he was a little older than I was but only by two years. The other friend was a demon. A dog demon by the name of Kiroshi."
"A dog demon?" Inuyasha replied his ears perking up again.
"Yes. He was set to be the ruler of the lands in the west."
"Wait a minute" Inuyasha interrupted a second time, "The lands to the west belonged to my father."
"I know, he inherited them from his father Kiroshi, my friend."
"Dad" Kagome said, "You knew both Miroku and Inuyasha's grandfathers?"
"They were my best friends. Miroku I bet you have wondered why Naraku chose your grandfather for such a curse as you possess now?" he replied turning to the monk.
"I did often wonder" Miroku nodded, "I mean I could never understand why Naraku hates my family so much."
"It's because Miatsu was on my side. Kiroshi and Miatsu defended me with their lives. Sango" he said turning to the young woman, "I knew a descendant of yours as well."
She nodded.
"You knew one of the finest demon slayers of our village didn't you?" she asked.
"I knew both of them. They were very talented siblings and also my friends. And even young Shippo" he added turning to the astonished fox demon, "I knew your ancestor, Sokey."
"You knew Sokey?" Shippo said astonished.
"I most certainly did" he nodded, "He was quite a character" he smiled, "He always found ways to make me laugh."
"Well then if you knew all of our ancestors" Shippo replied, "Then you must have known one of Kilala's too."
"Kilala?" he said surprised, "Is she here?"
"She's sitting on my shoulder" Sango explained.
He glimpsed the small cat that meowed as she looked back at him. Then he made a strange sound by clicking his tongue and Kilala immediately perked up her ears and ran over to his outstretched hand.
"Kilala?" Sango replied stunned as she rubbed against his hand lovingly, "I don't understand, she never does that to strangers."
"We're not strangers" he said with a smile as he picked her up and she rubbed against his cheek, "I'd bet you never thought you'd see me again huh girl?"
Kilala meowed and then jumped down and curled up at his feet.
"I can't believe how much she has grown. You must take very good care of her Sango," he observed.
"You know Kilala?" she said her eyes wide.
"Mhm. Back when I was a boy she was the first demon I had ever become friends with. You could say she was my best friend. I know she doesn't look like it Sango, but Kilala is actually pretty old. Well she's young for her kind, but two tailed cat demons can live years at a time. To you Kilala may be young, but in reality she's actually thousands of years older then any of us."
"Really?"
"Mhm" he nodded as the wind began to blow, "I need to finish up. Like I said I don't have a lot of time now. The real reason I have appeared in front of you all is because you need to be warned."
"Warned about what?" Inuyasha asked uncrossing his arms.
"The path you are following is just what it is" Aiku said critically, "The demons are leading you to them."
"You mean these villages that have been attacked?" Miroku replied, "The demons did this because of us?"
"They know of your deeds in helping people around the area. They are using that to lure you."
"Lure us where? And who are they?" Inuyasha said.
"The answer to that Inuyasha is one you must ask to someone you wish not to " he replied looking at him directly.
"What does that mean?" Inuyasha asked with a frown.
Aiku stood as the wind picked up around him.
"Your brother holds the answer to your question. You must seek him to find out the truth" he added, "Kagome. It will be awhile till we see each other again" he replied to his daughter who nodded in understanding, "Until then, take care Angel" he said and then disappeared, the vapor fading away.
Sango and Miroku looked at each other and Kilala meowed into the darkness. Inuyasha shook his head furiously.
"Sesshomaru? He wants me to ask Sesshomaru? He's got to be kidding?"
(To be continued..)
Authors Note: Hey guys! Changed the title of the chapter again. Not sure how many chapters I am going to get done this week. This may be the only one so I hope you enjoyed it!
Note One: I wasn't sure which lands Inuyasha's father ruled. I couldn't remember so I took a guess. If any of you know or know that I am wrong, please telll me so I can change it. Thanks!
Note Two: All the characters that Aiku is talking about will be given an even deeper description when Book two comes out. Till then enjoy!!!
Next Chapter: Sesshomaru's Truth
Not telling!!!!!