Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High School Host Club or Inuyasha. They belong to Bisco Hatori and Rumiko Takahashi respectively.
Text
"Talking"
Thinking
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Chapter Eight: The Old Demon's Tale, and Kagome's Explanation
"Kagome! How did you survive these last five hundred years!" The old man squinted at her. "You're not a demon are you?"
Kagome laughed as she hugged the old demon. "Totosai, you know better than that!" she let go. "How are you?"
"I itch." he said solemnly.
"Eh?" the group echoed.
"I haven't had a bath in ages!" He lamented. "Not since Inuyasha was last here..."
"Inuyasha! He was here? When?" Kagome said in shock.
"Who?" Totosai questioned.
"Inuyasha, Totosai." Shippou said.
"Oh! Inuyasha! He's been missing for near a hundred years..." the elderly demon told them. He scratched his head confused. "Then how did I get a bath last month?"
Kagome turned to Shippou. "So Inuyasha was here last month...I wonder why?"
"Kagome..." the old demon asked. "When did you get here?"
Kagome stared at him kindly. "Ten minutes ago, don't you remember Totosai?"
"Inuyasha was here last month you know," he began.
"I thought you just said he hasn't been seen in a hundred years." Kyoya said nastily.
Shippou hit him lightly on the head. "Shut up! You'll make him forget again!" Kyoya fell to the ground gasping in pain.
"Oops." Shippou said.
"Did he say why?" Kagome asked.
The rest of her new friends listened attentively.
"Yes. He brought me some new fangs, said I needed to make something for him...what was it?" he asked himself.
"Okaa-san...why would Inuyasha need something made by Totosai?"
"Maybe for his sword?" Kagome mused. "Totosai? What did he want you to make?"
"It's a secret! He told me he'd kill me if I told anyone!" Totosai said in a scared tone. "Besides...I forget what he said..."
"If we get you a bath ready, would you remember it then?" Kagome asked.
"Hmm...I wonder?"
Kagome turned to Takashi and Mitsukuni. "Could you two go and get some wood for me? I want to help him."
Takashi nodded as his cousin gave a cheerful yes. Shippou went with them. Kagome turned to Totosai. "Where is your bath?"
"This way." he stood shakily and grabbed his hammer. Using it as a crutch he led her deeper into the cave. Haruhi followed curiously.
They followed a long tunnel that came out in a large room. Haruhi wiped at the sweat that was peppering her brow. Looking at her cousin, she found that Kagome had taken a piece of cloth from her pack and wrapped it around her head. At Haruhi's look she said, "Keeps the sweat off."
Haruhi nodded. She accepted a scrap of cloth from her and tied it around her own forehead. A few minutes later they were standing by a large cauldron shaped bath.
"You still have the same one?" Kagome asked him in shock.
"What?" he asked her.
Kagome sighed. "Never mind."
Haruhi asked him, "Um...Totasai-san, should we get some water then?"
"Water would be nice...I haven't had a bath since last month you know." he told her.
Haruhi looked at him consolingly. "Then lets go get some water."
She turned to walk out. Kagome soon caught up with her, carrying several buckets. "We'll need to make a few trips." she told her.
Haruhi nodded.
When they reached the others, they saw that Takashi and Mitsukuni had returned. "Can you take the wood down there?" Kagome asked. "Shippou, we need water."
"I'm on it!" he said taking the buckets from them. Several minutes later they were pouring the icy water into the cauldron. Kagome set the wood beneath it and turned to Totosai. "There you go."
The others looked at her confused. "Won't you need to light a fire?" Tamaki asked.
Kagome looked at him, raising a brow. "Totosai can do it himself. See?" she stepped out of the way, just in time for them to jump back in shock.
Totosai took a deep breath and let it out in flames. The wood caught immediately. Kagome immediately turned and ushered the others out. "Come now, let him bath in peace."
An hour later found them sitting around a roaring fire, fresh fish roasting on sticks over it. Kagome was tending it as the rest talked. She rifled through her gaudy yellow pack and pulled out a twelve pack of spring water. She handed one to each of them. A few minutes passed and she handed each a fish. "Careful, it's hot." she said. She handed one to Totosai. "Here you are."
He ate it in one bite. "Ah, Kagome, that was delicious." he complemented.
"Hehe. Thanks." she said.
Totosai crossed his arms, hammer in hand and began to speak. "When Inuyasha came to me he gave me these." He held out a hand. Thirty or so fangs were in his clawed hand.
"Sugoi!" Hikaru gasped.
"Why did he give you those fangs?" Kaoru asked.
"I am under strict orders to turn these into a weapon for young Kagome." he told them.
Kagome smiled softly. She knew those fangs. "It must have taken a while to get that many." she said.
"Yes. That's what he said. You know what I am to make you?" he asked her.
"Hai." Kagome said. "You need the measurements I suppose?" she asked.
"Wait a moment!" Tamaki said. "Why should you give him your measurements? Isn't that kind of rude?"
"How is the size of the bow I use rude?" Kagome asked, irritated.
"Oh...I thought...well...never mind." Tamaki blushed.
Kagome blushed at his insinuation. "Hentai!" she yelled smacking him upside the head. "My god! You're as bad as Miroku!" She turned to Takashi. "No offense." she said.
"None taken..." he replied.
"I'm sorry, I use the Ouruma bow, about this size..." she showed him with her hands. He nodded his head.
"Inuyasha said that it needed to be made within a month or so..." he said. "He knew you would need it." he looked at her with ancient eyes. "He's back...Naraku."
Takashi looked at her in horrified shock. The others just looked confused.
Kagome bowed her head. "Yes." she told him. "Sango and Miroku left me something, they protected it so that I would eventually get it. It tells of Miroku's wind tunnel returning. He was...sucked in. After his death, Sango added to the will. She told me that their eldest son also died due to the tunnel. It has been passed down through the generations. Their descendants, they did not have any use for it, so it spread slowly...his latest, hasn't gotten the tunnel yet." she glanced at Takashi from the corner of her eye. She stood. "I'll go get us some more water. She turned to Shippou, can you take me to the spring?"
"Hai, Okaa-san." he stood.
"I want to stay there for a bit as well," she said. "I will bring Takashi-kun with me, I'll call when we need to come back."
Takashi stood without complaint. Haruhi looked at Kagome sadly. What is she playing at?
Shippou nodded. He understood. "This way." he led the two from the group.
When they were gone, Kyoya asked, "Haruhi? Do you know why Kagome seems to spend a lot of time with Mori-senpai?"
"I...don't know." she said truthfully.
"Mori?" Totosai asked.
"The one who left with Kagome-chan." Kaoru said.
"Oh...you mean her friends descendant." he said.
"What?"
"I could tell immediately." Totosai told them. "That Mori is the descendant of her friends Miroku the Monk, and Sango the Taijiya."
"Demon slayer?" Hikaru asked.
"Yes. A very beautiful, very feisty woman she was." Totosai's pale cheeks flushed a bit. "She was very kind."
"If she was a demon slayer, then why do you like her? Aren't you a demon?" Mitsukuni asked.
"She fought and killed countless evil demons...but then, I'm not evil am I?" he asked. "...Hmm...am I?" he scratched his head thoughtfully.
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Takashi helped Kagome fill the water bottles. "Why did you ask for me to accompany you, Miko-sama?"
Kagome sighed. "Naraku is back." she turned to face him. "I'm sorry to say this, but you are now a part of this fight."
"..." he blinked in confusion.
Kagome began to explain. "You see, ever since Miroku's grandfather, they have been cursed with a very evil object. It was called the Kazaana. Now, this wind tunnel would not disappear until the creator of the curse was destroyed. That being Naraku." she sat down and took off her socks and shoes. She let her feet rest in the flowing water. She motioned for him to sit beside her.
"Now, Miroku's grandfather was eventually sucked into his own wind tunnel. The same for his father, who he saw disappear with his own eyes. Miroku was very worried. When we destroyed Naraku...the wind tunnel vanished."
Kagome turned to him. "You should get to know your father a bit better, Takashi-kun...I know he has it. He was born with it. And it will not be long before he too suffers as his ancestors have done. You will be the next to have it. I am sorry. I had hoped that this conversation could wait for a bit...but with Inuyasha asking Totosai to make me a new weapon, from demon fangs, well...it can only mean that Naraku has once again reached close to full power."
Takashi had been silent through the whole explanation. "So...my father is going to die?" he asked.
Kagome bowed her head. "Hai." she said. "It could be any time now. I'll have to see it to be sure." she told him. "I will go with you to your house, and talk to your father. I need to do it soon." she told him.
Takashi asked her, "Where was the wind tunnel on Miroku-sama's body?"
"His right hand." she told him.
He frowned. "I...I've been feeling a twinge in my right hand...near my palm..." he told her. He glanced at her face. "What does that mean?"
Kagome immediately held out her hand. "Show me where." she said.
"Hai." Takashi held out his right hand. He pointed , but saw that there was no need. He looked in shock. "How did that bruise get there?" he asked himself.
He looked up at Kagome. He blinked back shock as he saw tears falling. "I need to speak with your father tomorrow." she said standing. She pulled her friend to his feet. She reached a hand up and touched his chest. "I'm sorry, Takashi-kun...I never wanted this. For any of us." she quickly wiped her tears. She called out, "Shippou!"
a few seconds later he stood before her. "We're done. She picked up the bottles, and Shippou took Kagome in his arms. Leaping from rock to rock they reached the cave. He went back for Takashi.
Kagome spoke to Totosai in a low tone. He stood and the two retreated into the tunnel. When Shippou brought Takashi back he slunk to a dark corner and sat, resting his chin on his hand.
Haruhi looked at Mitsukuni, "I wonder if he's okay?"
"I'll go ask." he stood and ran toward his cousin.
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"It is true. His wind tunnel is forming." Kagome told him. "Can you reinforce Miroku's staff? I can have it brought here." she said.
"That will be fine. I can also have your bow and arrows done within the week." he told her.
"Thank you. I suppose I am going to have to teach him how to fight with his spiritual powers...I know he has them. They aren't as strong as Miroku's were, but if I teach him properly, it shouldn't matter." she turned and faced the center of the volcano. "I'll need to make some prayer beads, to hold his Kazaana as well..."
"I will forge them as well, all you'll need to do will be to put the enchantment on them."
"Yes...I remember how." she said. She sighed. "I wish that bastard would stay dead." She confided. "After all the trouble, and pain he's caused over the centuries..."
"I'll tell Inuyasha to bring the things to you when I finish." He told her. "It's getting late. You'll need to leave soon if you want me to get started."
"Yeah..." She said. "I'll go tell the others." she hugged the old man before leaving the room.
She could hear the happy chatting voices of her friends as she made her way through the glowing tunnel. When she finally reached them she stood until she had their attention. "We need to leave now. I have several important things I need to do to prepare for the upcoming problem, and I have to start tomorrow." she nodded to Shippou who began to take people down the wall.
When it was just her and Haruhi waiting she said, "I'm sorry, Haruhi...but it might be better if you forgot about your feelings for Takashi-kun."
She felt horrible, having to tell her cousin this. "He has other obligations, which are more important." she said coldly.
Haruhi was beginning to get mad. "Now wait just a minute!" she said angrily. "Just two days ago you told me to go for it! Now you're changing your mind? I want to know what's going on!"
Kagome turned to her, "I told you about Naraku didn't I?"
"Hai." she said.
"He's back."
"You killed him." she argued.
"Apparently not well enough, 'cause he's back. Inuyasha bringing fangs to Totosai proves it. He's getting stronger, and I don't know when he'll attack! Takashi-kun needs to train."
"Why does he need to do that! It's not his fight!" Haruhi said pleadingly.
"Unfortunately, it is. He is the descendant of one of my closest friends, he has the mark of Naraku's evil on him, and unless Naraku is killed for good, Takashi-kun will die!" Kagome yelled. "Now do you understand? Not everything is all fine and dandy! This is serious!" she took a deep breath and calmed herself. "The baby is due any day now, and when Naraku returns completely, I need to be able to fight without worry. You will take the baby, and go into hiding, along with my family, and your father. Do you understand?"
Haruhi stared at her. "...Kagome..."
"Trust me, it will be that much harder for him to fight, knowing that you love him. He will be worried about you, and will not concentrate on the battle. Please, unless we defeat Naraku, keep your feelings hidden." she pleaded with her.
Haruhi let a tear fall, "Yes...I understand."
Kagome hugged her, "I'm so sorry, Haruhi...I wish..."
Shippou leaned into the room, "Kagome, are you ready?"
The girls wiped their tears. "Yeah, lets go."
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Authors Note: Thank you for reading, and as always, please review!
Voting:
Inuyasha: 2
Koga: 5
Sesshoumaru: 43
The voting is now closed. Sesshoumaru is the winner! ;) Like you thought he wouldn't be. Haha.
~Kiera
