Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, or anything associated with it. I have written this story solely because I enjoy writing.
Chapter 5: Sango's Heart
After Michiru and the others spent the night soundly asleep, they were awoken by the delightful scents of breakfast cooking under Mrs. Higurashi's watchful eye. And this was quite fortunate in the Shikigami User's opinion, because the ravenous appetite he had garnered the previous night was still with him, and required two additional servings before it was finally sated.
"My goodness. I have to say, I can't imagine how you can keep your pantries stocked with such big eaters present," Wyvern commented as he enjoyed his morning coffee.
"Well, it isn't often that Kagome brings her friends over," Mrs. Higurashi admitted as she gathered up the dirty dishes. Then she looked over at her daughter and added, "Though I don't mind. I don't see enough of her as it is."
Looking at her mother in a way that betrayed her guilt, Kagome said, "I'm sorry, Mom, but at least with Naraku out of the way, it shouldn't take too long to gather up the rest of the Shikon Jewel Shards. Especially now that we have this compass."
Nodding at this, Michiru frowned as something else occurred to him. "Um, excuse me?" he started, looking over at where Grandpa sat, newspaper in hand. "Is there anything in there about what happened last night?"
"Hmph! Is there ever! That mess at the prison has been plastered all over the first ten pages!" the old shrine priest grumbled as he flipped through it. "They don't have any explanation as to what happened there. All they know is that they've found some bone fragments in the debris, and that's about it!" He then gave Michiru a coy look and added, "I tell you what, though. If it had been me talking to those featherbrained reporters, I'd certainly have given them a better excuse than, 'no comment'!"
"Yeah, I know. You'd have probably gone through everything from evil spirits to the common cold as possible causes before saying that!" Kagome commented with a roll of her eyes. While her grandfather was sniffing haughtily at this, she changed subjects. "What about the curfew? Are we going to have to worry about that again?"
"Well, it doesn't look like it," Grandpa reported. "The police haven't found anything to indicate that any kind of terrorist group or whatever is on the loose. Nor have they found any sign that any of the prisoners managed to escape."
"What's it matter anyway, Kagome?" InuYasha asked around a mouthful of food. The half-demon was once again garbed in his fire-rat fur kimono, which Wyvern had dearly wanted to study firsthand. Fortunately enough, he had had enough sense not to make such a request of its owner. "We have to get back to the others, so it's not like we have to worry about any dumb curfew."
"Yeah, I know," Kagome muttered, clearly not as keen on the subject of returning to the hunt for the Jewel Shards as InuYasha was.
As for Michiru, the knowledge that he was once again to be cut off from his friends by the Bone-Eater's Well hung heavily over his mind. But even so, he tried to keep it away from his friends, and instead looked over at his fellow modern warrior. "By the way, Kagome," he murmured as he pulled out the digital recorder Wyvern had given him. "I…finished recording a message for everyone back there. Could…could you play it for them once you get back? Please?"
Broken from her own dour mood, Kagome reached across the table and accepted the recorder. "Of course," she smiled. "I understand…what it's like." As she said these words, Michiru somehow knew that she was thinking of her own situation. Of all the times she had watched InuYasha and Kikyo together. How she wanted to be by his side, despite the feelings he still had for the undead priestess.
The quiet moment of friendship was then broken by the sound of a cell phone ringing to the tune of some old-fashioned song in Japanese. "Oh! That would be for me!" Wyvern said even as he brought forth his phone. "Yes, Wyvern here." The person calling said something Michiru couldn't make out, but had Wyvern promptly smiling. "Then you're here? Already?" Something else was said. "Excellent! Then please, start bringing everything up." The American then folded up his phone and beamed. "Well, it's here."
"What's here?" Sota asked.
"Why, the supplies I ordered, of course!" Wyvern declared as he rose to his feet. "Remember? I arranged for them to be delivered here last night."
"Wait. They're here already?" Kagome demanded, her eyes ballooning at the American.
"Indeed," Wyvern confirmed. "Just give me a few minutes to make sure that everything is in order, and I'll have everything brought up here." He was about to leave the dining room, but then paused to look at the resident half-demon. "Um, InuYasha, I'm sure that I don't have to say this, but…"
"That's right. You don't," InuYasha broke in. The glare he shot at Wyvern capable of stunning an attack dog at a hundred yards. And more than capable of leaving the American several shades paler, and with a large drop of sweat rolling down the side of his head.
"Ah. Ah ha," Wyvern sputtered out nervously. Loudly clearing his throat, he turned about to face the door. "Um…Kagome, would you be so kind as to join me in looking over the goods. Just to make sure that everything is in order?"
"Uh, sure. Right," Kagome muttered, shooting a sideways glance at InuYasha as she stood from the table. Coming up alongside Wyvern, she looked over her shoulder and mouthed the words 'sit, boy!' at the half-demon before the two of them left.
Groaning heavily, InuYasha muttered, "I hate it when she does that." Turning towards Michiru, the half-demon tugged hatefully at the Beads about his neck. "It's not bad enough she can smash me down with these things whenever she wants! Oh, no, she has to rub it in every chance she gets!"
"Sorry, InuYasha," Michiru murmured gently. "But…it's not like there's a lot we can do about it . I already tried to remove the Beads once, and…"
"You tried to take off InuYasha's necklace?" Sota broke in.
"It's not a necklace! It's a goddamned collar with its own leash!" InuYasha snarled bitterly.
Wincing at the hateful voice with which his friend spoke, Michiru smiled sadly at Kagome's brother. "And to answer your question, Sota, yeah, I did try to take them off. Back in the Castle Town, after Kagome gave InuYasha three sits in a row." Then he grinned helplessly and added, "Just do me a favor and don't tell her that, okay?" When this set Sota laughing, the Shikigami User got to his feet. "Anyway, while they're taking care of that, I better call my dad and let him know I'm ready to be picked up. Unless I want to be grounded until I'm ready to graduate…from college!"
"Whoa! Just look at all this stuff!" InuYasha grinned as he surveyed the boxes that were presently piled up just outside of Kagome's house. His foul mood completely forgotten as he rifled through them and discovered loads of instant noodles and potato chips, as well as several boxes of canned goods. Meat, fish, soup, fruits and vegetables, both canned and dehydrated, portable water purifiers, as well as several packages of medical supplies were laid out before them.
"Whew! If only we'd run into a long time ago! I can't tell you how much trouble we've had, trying to get what we needed back in the Feudal Era!" Kagome commented as she surveyed the numerous boxes.
"Considering what I've learned about some of the problems faced back then, I don't doubt it," Wyvern agreed candidly. "Now, there is one other thing I wanted to mention. I'm going to be in Tokyo for another week before I have to leave. If you could come back within that time, I'd be happy to show you some of the other items from my collection of artifacts. Perhaps if we're fortunate, you will find something else there that you might be able to use on your journeys."
"What?" Kagome gaped. "Really? Are you sure?"
Wyvern shrugged at this. "Of course. As with the compass, I'd rather have these be put to use than just sit around," he explained. Then he smiled in a mischievous way. "Besides, if I give them to you, then there's every chance I'll actually be able to see those artifacts in action, something that is presently impossible. A win-win proposal for everyone, wouldn't you agree?"
Frowning somewhat, Kagome wrinkled her nose as she pondered these words. "Well…I guess that makes sense," she finally decided. "I just hope your collections came through Ryokage's rampage okay!"
"As do I!" Wyvern declared with an almost theatrical flourish. "But before I'm forced to go to the civic center and try and put a number to my losses, why don't I help you get these things to the Well?"
"Eh, don't bother! I can handle this!" InuYasha snorted. Not giving anyone a chance to protest, the he picked up several boxes at once and started forward.
Rolling her eyes at the half-demon's bravado, Kagome turned to the others and said, "I better make sure he can see where he's going."
Chuckling as the reborn priestess started after InuYasha, Michiru and Wyvern made their way to the Bone-Eater's Well. There they watched as InuYasha made multiple trips back and forth across time, carrying the boxes of supplies with him.
It wasn't long before the last of the supplies was safely in the past, and the time to say goodbye had come. "See you around, Michiru," Kagome told him as she held up the digital recorder. "And don't worry. I'll make sure that everyone hears this."
"Thanks, Kagome," Michiru returned. "I guess I'll see you in a week."
"Good journeys to you and your friends," Wyvern said.
The two of them nodded before the half-demon looked squarely at Michiru. "Just be sure to take care of yourself, okay?" InuYasha asked in his usual cocky manner. "Try not to run into any more demons before we come back."
Nodding, Michiru answered, "Sure thing, InuYasha. And take care of yourself." Then, with a sad smile, he added, "And…give Sango my best."
"Sure thing," InuYasha told him with a look of understanding. Then he turned to Kagome and wrapped his arm about her waist. "Let's go, Kagome. The sooner we find the rest of the Jewel Shards, the better!"
"Right!" With that, the half-demon effortlessly lifted Kagome up before plunging into the depths of the Well. A flash of magical light was seen, and then they were gone.
Sighing despondently as he was once again cut off from his friends, Michiru turned about, and with Wyvern following a polite distance behind, exited the shrine. The two of them made their way up to the Higurashi residence and entered the living room, where they found Mrs. Higurashi, Grandpa, and Sota. "I take it that Kagome and InuYasha have left, then," she said in a way that made it clear that it wasn't a question.
Seeing the unspoken fears and concerns that hovered about Mrs. Higurashi's face, Michiru nodded. "Thanks again for letting me stay the night," he told them earnestly. Shifting about on his feet, unsure of how to say goodbye while still suffering from the previous ones spoken, he eventually said, "Um…my dad's going to be coming by soon, so I…I better get down to the curb and wait for him."
"Before you go, Michiru, there's a few things I'd like to take care of first." Turning about as Wyvern came up behind him, Michiru watched as he picked up a box, one much smaller than the boxes of supplies InuYasha had carried back into the past. "I'd like for you to have this."
"Uh, okay," Michiru responded as he accepted the box and looked inside. "Oh…are these your books?"
"Not all of them," Wyvern answered. "I had some books brought here that deal with all the various legends pertaining to the Shikigami. I thought that there might be something in one or more of them that might help you in mastering your powers."
"Wow, thanks," Michiru replied as he studied the box's contents before accepting the package. The box was fairly heavy, causing him to frown somewhat as he took its weight. "I…I really do appreciate it."
"It's no problem whatsoever. Also, I've been giving some thought to the things you and your friends have told me about the Bone-Eater's Well." Pausing just long enough to let Michiru and the Higurashis focus their full attention on him, Wyvern sat down at the table and said, "And I have a theory as to why only InuYasha and Kagome can use it to travel through time."
So great was his shock at this declaration, Michiru very nearly dropped the box squarely on his own feet. As it was, he squawked in surprise, fumbling with the box and almost falling over as he somehow managed to recover his balance. "Really?" he gasped, clutching the box to his chest, which had somehow doubled in weight. "Wh-what is it?"
"Well, bear in mind that this is only a theory, but I believe it does fit all the facts available," Wyvern cautioned him.
"Well, a theory is a good deal more than what we have right now!" Grandpa informed him. "Now, what are your thoughts on this matter?"
"Well, as you've already told me, the Bone-Eater's Well is governed by the sacred Tree of Ages that grows here," Wyvern began, talking partly with his hands. "Now, five hundred years ago, InuYasha was pinned to that tree by the Sacred Arrow of the priestess Kikyo, Kagome's previous incarnation. I believe – and as I said before, this is only a theory - that when this happened, both InuYasha's blood and aura must have infused the tree. This infusion created a connection between the two of them, and it's this connection that allows him to traverse the Bone-Eater's Well."
"Of course! In essence, InuYasha and the Tree of Ages have become linked!" Grandpa smiled, snapping his fingers. "That is why he can make use of its power!"
"But what about Kagome? She wasn't stuck to the tree!" Sota pointed out.
"True, but the Sacred Arrow of Kikyo, which held some of her spiritual power, was affixed to the Tree of Ages, and during those years, if I'm correct, then some of its power must have sunken into the tree as well," Wyvern responded. "Of course, it wouldn't have as much power as Kikyo herself, which would explain why Kagome needs to have a Sacred Jewel Shard on hand to use the well. The Shard amplifies her link with the Tree of Ages, making it possible for her to use its power."
"My, my, it sounds like you've have it all worked out. That's quite a clever deduction," Mrs. Higurashi complimented Wyvern.
"Well, I have no proof, of course, but it would certainly seem to fit all of the facts on hand," Wyvern confessed modestly. "Still, this would seem to be well within the rules of magic. At least, as I understand them."
As for Michiru, he was processing everything Wyvern had just said. And when he was done, his heart immediately sank straight into his toes. "Are…are you saying that I'd have to be pinned to that tree for fifty years in order to use the Well?"
Wyvern immediately waved his hands in negation. "No, no, no, you're missing my point!" he told him, staving off the despair that had hit Michiru like a fist. "What I mean is that the two of them forged a connection with the Tree of Ages, which I believe is the secret behind using the Bone-Eater's Well. Now, if you could find another way to create a similar connection, then you would also be able to use it."
A clue. A possible key to accessing the world he had been reborn in, as well as the woman he loved. "To forge a connection with the tree…" Michiru repeated slowly, his mind already spinning into overdrive with thoughts of the Tree of Ages, the Well. These things combined with everything he had been studying about using Shikigami power, as well as the materials that he had gotten from the Kururugi Shrine.
While Michiru was losing himself in the intensity of his own thoughts, Sota asked, "But why does the Well link these two times? And why did this all start with Kagome's fifteenth birthday?"
"Well, I'd say that is because that is the age Kikyo was when she passed away, which is why the Shikon Jewel appeared in Kagome's body at the same time. A form of spiritual karma linking her soul to the Jewel, I'd wager," Wyvern continued, clearly warming to the subject. "As for the why these two times are linked, I'd wager it's because InuYasha and Kikyo wanted to be together, despite Naraku's trickery, and when their energies sank into the Tree of Ages, so did that single, overwhelming desire. That desire helped to shape the Tree's power, so that it would fulfill that wish by allowing Kikyo's reincarnation to return to the time in which the man she loved still lived."
"That makes sense," Mrs. Higurashi nodded. "But…why did the Well send Kagome back to fifty years after InuYasha had been sealed?"
"Well, that's a tricky question, and I have to admit that I'm simply guessing at this," Wyvern admitted, seeming to be almost embarrassed by this confession. "But as I said, I have to believe that that's because it took that long for the Tree's power to be shaped for that particular task."
"But what about Michiru?" Sota pestered. "Why did Utsugi choose him, instead of some earlier descendant? Utsugi must have had lots of descendants who lived closer in time to him!"
"I'm not entirely certain. For that matter, I can't really explain why he didn't simply go after a descendant of his that was living in the Feudal Era." Fingering his chin in thought, Wyvern eventually shrugged. "Perhaps he didn't want to alienate Kakuju by stealing the soul of her child or grandchild. Perhaps it's some other reason altogether." The American shrugged again before going on. "But to answer your question, the first thing you have to remember is that Naraku was helping Utsugi, and he was probably aware of the Well and its powers. And if that's the case, then I think it's likely that they found it easier to bring somebody back from this time because there is already a link between these two worlds, namely the Bone-Eater's Well. Furthermore, since Naraku knew of the Well, then I think it's likely that they were able to…"
"That's it!" Michiru screamed from completely out of the blue. Completely heedless of the looks leveled at him by the others present, he whirled about on his heel, the box in hands now as light as a feather. "I've got it, I've got it, I've got it!" he grinned, enraptured by what he had thought. "I've got you now, you stupid Well!"
"What is it?" Mrs. Higurashi asked.
"I've got it! I've really -!" Michiru began again. Before he could say another word, however, the sound of a car horn blaring cut through his delight, and froze him in place. "Omigosh!" he gasped in realization. "That must be my dad! I have to get going!" He turned to rush out the door, but then swung about managed a polite bow. "Oh, thank you all very much, but I've got to go now! I'll see you later! Bye!" And with that, Michiru departed so quickly that clouds of dust rose up in his passage. His mind already focused on his plans.
While Michiru was getting into his father's car and returning to the Kururugi Shrine, plans rapidly forming in his mind, five hundred years in the past, InuYasha and Kagome were making their way out of the forest that was home to the Bone-Eater's Well in the past. Kagome was smiling slightly, imagining the looks on everybody's faces when they saw the supplies given them by Wyvern, while the half-demon was carrying the many boxes of supplies.
Keeping a careful eye on him the entire time, Kagome winced when InuYasha stumbled slightly, tripping on an exposed root. "Hey! Be careful with those!" she told him crossly as the half-demon staggered off-balance. Rolling her eyes, Kagome snorted, "I told you that you didn't have to carry all those boxes at once! It's not like it would have killed us to make two trips!"
"Hey! I told you I can handle this!" InuYasha countered as he regained his balance, somehow shifting the boxes about in his hands so that they rested a little better. The top ones were resting against his forehead, but they still looked a less like to go flying off somewhere.
"Handle it? You can't even see where you're going!" Kagome countered, pointing at the top boxes he was keeping in place by bracing them with his own head. "How do you expect to make it to the village without crashing into a tree?"
Snorting loudly, InuYasha countered by saying, "Hey! It's not like I need to see where I'm going to get there! Now can we just get moving already? I'd like to get back to village sometime today!"
Kagome opened her mouth to say something to this, but ultimately groaned in exasperation. Why do I even bother trying to beat some sense into that thick skull of his? she asked herself, massaging a throbbing headache that had appeared from out of nowhere. I swear, how can anybody be so stubborn?
Thinking that it would be nice if there was some way to beat the half-demon's less endearing traits out of his head with a sledgehammer, Kagome continued to walk alongside him. Her thoughts regarding his pigheadedness and inability to admit it when he made a mistake slowly shifting and changing course. "Anyway, I really do wish you wouldn't encourage Michiru the way you have been."
InuYasha was sufficiently taken aback by this statement that the pile of boxes in his hands once again jostled ominously. "And just what's that supposed to mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean," Kagome informed him wearily. "I heard you and Michiru talking last night, when you came up with the idea of sending messages back with us."
"So? What's wrong with that?" InuYasha demanded.
"Look, if it were just a case of Michiru missing the others and wanting to keep in touch with them, I wouldn't have a problem," Kagome explained, trying to keep her voice level. "But…this thing he has for Sango…you know it's only going to get him hurt."
"Why? Because he can't use the Well?" Snorting derisively, InuYasha was forced to abort an attempt to sneer at her, lest he send his burden flying all over the place. "So what? If Utsugi could find a way to bring him back here without it, then you better believe Michiru can figure it out, too!"
"That's not what I meant," Kagome frowned. "It's just that…I know he has genuine feelings for Sango, but he has to face facts! She's got a good thing going with Miroku, and if he -!"
"A good thing?" InuYasha snapped, all caution forgotten as he jerked at these words. And soon paid the price for it as the boxes he had just sent flying rained down upon him, with a couple landing squarely on his head. Grunting in pain, he brought his hands to his head and massaged the injury, keeping one eye fixed on Kagome. "And just what's that – ow! - supposed to mean?"
"Oh, great! Now look what you've done!" Kagome grumbled, quickly surveying the boxes that had landed all over the place before placing her hands to her hips and fixing the half-demon with a dangerous scowl. "I told you not to try and carry everything at once!"
Growling deep in his throat, InuYasha bent down and began gathering the many boxes back up again. "Well, it's your own fault for saying something so stupid!" he declared savagely, not even bothering to look at Kagome as he worked. "What's this about Sango having a good thing with Miroku, anyway?"
Wondering not for the first time just how much granite had gone into the construction of InuYasha's skull, Kagome sighed wearily. "Look, it's like I've told you. Sango and Miroku…they're perfect together! All you have to do is look at them, and it's obvious how they feel for each other!"
"Well, it's obvious how Miroku feels about Sango's butt!" InuYasha snorted. "Besides, Michiru told her that he loved her! And that's a lot more than she's even gotten out of Miroku!"
"C'mon, InuYasha! Just because they don't come out and say it doesn't mean they don't love each other!" Kagome tried again. "You've seen the two of them together, haven't you?"
InuYasha looked up from his labors just long enough to give Kagome look that asked, 'How can you possibly be so stupid?'. "Yeah, and I've seen the way he goes on with the ladies right in front of her! Oh, yeah, that's a real display of love there, Kagome!"
"Look, I'm not saying that they don't have their problems now and again…" Kagome tried again.
"Now and again? More like every time we hit a village!" Having more difficulty as more boxes piled up in his arms, InuYasha scooted about, struggling to grab the last few without spilling the rest again. "It never fails, Kagome! As soon as we get to a town, Miroku starts in with his fake fortune telling, or picking up some pretty girl!" Letting go another fierce snort, InuYasha began reaching for another box, grunting with the strain of trying to keep another spill from occurring. "And how many times have we found him all beat up because he grabbed some girl's ass?"
Snorting as she was forced to silently concede this point, Kagome decided to try a different tact. "Maybe, but that doesn't change the fact that Sango…she just doesn't feel that way about Michiru!"
"Yeah. She doesn't slap him every time he looks at another girl!" InuYasha chuckled.
Feeling what little patience she had slipping away, Kagome decided to try a different tact. "Look, it's just that…even if Michiru is somehow able to find a way to use the Well, who knows how long it'll take him? And with Naraku dead, I'm sure things are going to start picking up between Sango and Miroku. They might even be married by then!"
"Married?" InuYasha growled, his sudden ire very nearly resulting in another avalanche of boxes. "Get real, Kagome! Those two, married?"
"I'm serious!" Kagome retorted firmly, trying very hard to keep the word 'sit' from escaping her lips. "And if Michiru keeps going after her like that…I'm just afraid that he might get hurt. And I know that you don't want that."
"And what do you want me to do? Tell him to just give up and stay where he is?" InuYasha snarled as he tried to grab up the one last box. A task that had been barely manageable and level pavement proving to be nearly impossible in the midst of the woods. "He's my friend, dammit! Why would I do that to him?"
Pressing her lips together, Kagome studied the intractable half-demon. As much as she was grateful for moments in which he admitted to having certain feelings, such as that of friendship, such things weren't making things any easier. "Because it'd be the right thing to do," she told InuYasha matter-of-factly. "Just as it would have been the right thing to do to tell him the truth about your transformation."
As soon as this was said, InuYasha's attempts to secure the final box halted. His free hand falling to the ground, as if it had been forgotten in the wake of more important things.
Turning about to completely hide his face from her, InuYasha muttered, "Don't even go there, Kagome."
"Why shouldn't I?" Kagome persisted, wanting to get this other issue out in the open. "After Ryokage possessed you, you told me not to mention your transformation to Michiru. You made it clear that you didn't want him knowing about it…and the Tetsusaiga." Glancing at the heirloom blade that hung from InuYasha's waist and thinking of the dread secret that it kept hidden from the world, just as it kept the mindless, full-blooded demon that would attack friend and foe alike locked up inside of him. "Don't you think that Michiru deserves to know about it?"
"Look, he doesn't need to know about this!" InuYasha growled irritably as he returned to his efforts to reclaim the final box. "He'd just worry if he knew! And he doesn't need that on top of everything else!"
"Look, he wouldn't be scared of you. You do know that, right?" Kagome countered, knowing what InuYasha was really worried about. Moving up to him, she bent down and picked up the box that had so thoroughly eluded him. "Michiru's your friend, and you should be willing to trust him," she said as she stood and looked him in the face. "And do what's right for him."
InuYasha remained crouched for a time, his face taut with emotion. Finally, he rose up and frowned at Kagome, his expression more of confused fears and other emotions than any real anger. "Yeah, well…I guess we have different ideas about what's right for him." The tone in his voice making it clear that he no intention in continuing this conversation, he started towards the village once more.
Sighing her exasperation, Kagome rolled her eyes before following. Why does he have to be so impossible…?
Dammit! Why is Kagome always so impossible? InuYasha grumbled inwardly as he made his down towards the village. Shifting the boxes about in order to keep his eyes clear, he frowned heavily as he avoided various holes and roots that would cause him to once again send his burden flying through the air. It's not bad enough she doesn't have a clue about Michiru and Sango! No, she just has to go and drag up that mess with that bastard demon! Giving another loud snort, InuYasha found himself in a very familiar, and very unpleasant position in regards to the modern priestess.
On the one hand, there was no doubt in his mind that Kagome meant a great deal to him. She had stuck with him over the course of their hunt for the Sacred Jewel Shards, had been at his side during their confrontations with Naraku and other threats, as well as more peaceful times. He knew, deep in his heart, that she had helped him trust again after Naraku's treachery, and that he wouldn't have met and kept his other friends if not for her. She had grown and developed as a person and a warrior since he had first met her, and in those quiet times when it was just the two of them, their other worries forgotten…he found himself happy in a way that he had only been during his time with Kikyo.
But as InuYasha thought of such times, other times were also remembered. The way Kagome delighted in tormenting him with the damnable Beads that hung from his neck, and had even tricked him by putting them back about his neck after they had been blasted apart in battle. The way she was so quick to blame him for the most ridiculous things, such as when Shippo made a brat of himself. The jealous tantrums she would throw when it came to Koga or Kikyo, and the way she kept going on about really stupid things back in that crazy world of hers, often taking off whenever she felt like, leaving them helpless to continue their quest until she came back.
Why do I put up with this…? InuYasha asked himself, despite the fact that he already knew the answer to the question. Deciding to change mental subjects before he became embroiled in things far too painful to think about, he conjured up another image. Dammit, why can't she be sensible like Michiru about this kind of thing? It'd sure make things a hell of a lot easier!
Snorting softly, InuYasha found himself smiling at the thought of the modern magician. When he had first happened upon Michiru, his powers were barely apparent, and certainly hadn't hinted at the potential he had demonstrated in this most recent battle. He had been very much as whiny and troublesome as Kagome had been when she had first shown up, but like her, had matured rapidly into a consummate fighter. He had grown even more quickly than she had, in fact, and had proved to be a person he could easily talk with about many subjects, and had even tried to help him rid himself of the cursed Beads that were the bane of his existence.
I sure do hope he can find a way to use the Well. And not just so he can get back together with Sango. I need someone here I can actually talk to without having to worry about being slammed into the ground, InuYasha thought. And this gave rise to another thing that InuYasha found admirable about his friend; he had been honest with Sango. Had actually confessed his feelings for her before returning to the modern world, something that he knew must've taken a great deal of courage after everything that had happened. And I know he'd be a lot better for her than Miroku ever could be…
As if thinking of the monk had somehow tempted fate, InuYasha's thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice. "Why, Kagome! InuYasha! Welcome back!"
"Hi there, Miroku!" Kagome responded, speeding past InuYasha in order to greet the monk. "Sorry we had to be so brief when we stopped by last night, but…"
"That's alright, Kagome. It's perfectly understandable, given the circumstances," Miroku returned. As InuYasha shifted the boxes about to look at the two of them, he suffered a momentary pang as he looked at Miroku's right wrist, which no longer bore the sacred beads that kept his Wind Tunnel in check.
Right, right. I keep forgetting. The Wind Tunnel's gone, InuYasha reminded himself. It disappeared when we killed Naraku. As he stood there, watching as Kagome interacted with the monk, the differences that had appeared in Miroku's behavior since he had been freed of the generational Wind Tunnel curse the demon had placed on his family became apparent once more. He smiled almost nonstop, and was especially carefree, particularly in his interactions with beautiful women.
"So, Miroku, where is everyone?" Kagome wondered.
"Well, I think Shippo is playing with some of the village children. As for Sango, she's probably taking care of Kohaku," Miroku replied. "He really has gotten a lot better since Naraku was defeated, but still, he does need his rest." As Kagome nodded happily to this, the monk turned towards the half-demon. "And what are all these you're carrying, InuYasha? Some kind of packages?"
"Supplies," Kagome replied. When Miroku turned to say something, she held up her hand in negation. "I'll explain everything later, okay. But could you go see if you can find everyone and get them to meet us at Kaede's house? Trust me when I say it's a long story!"
Pausing to consider this, Miroku smiled and answered, "I see. I gather that this has to do with events you hinted at last night?" Kagome opened her mouth to say something, but the monk lowered his eyes. "Say no more. I'll go find the others."
"Thank you," Kagome told the monk as he left to carry out her wishes, leaving them to continue to Kaede's home.
After a few minutes, they reached the home where the elderly priestess resided. As they approached, they saw Kaede gingerly sweeping in front of her simple dwelling before she looked up and spotted them. "Oh! Kagome! InuYasha. Welcome back, you two!" she beamed, her one eye sparkling with delight.
"Hello, Kaede!" Kagome returned before setting down her lone box.
"I must say, I'm glad to see you back so quickly!" Kaede told her. "You came and left so quickly, barely leaving a clue as to what was going on! And what was this about some lord from your time?" Frowning somewhat, the elderly priestess watched as InuYasha carefully set down his own burden. "Does that have anything to do with those packages there."
"Uh, yeah. And I'll explain everything just as soon as the others get back here!" Kagome told her.
Fortunately enough, it seemed that Miroku had no trouble tracking down the rest of their companions. A few minutes later, he along with Sango and Shippo appeared, both expressing delight at seeing them again, something Kagome was eager to return.
"Welcome back, Kagome!" Shippo grinned as he went up to her. "Wow, it sure is boring without you around!"
"Well, thanks, Shippo. I think." Giving a mild chuckle, Kagome stood up and greeted the Demon Slayer. "Hey, Sango. How's Kohaku doing?"
"He's resting right now. He's still recovering from…well, you know." As Kagome nodded knowingly at this, Sango took a step back and looked her over quickly. "Umm…you don't have that…camera thing of yours, do you?"
This time, Kagome laughed more loudly as she answered, "It's in my backpack, and don't worry, I'm not going to take it out right now." She laughed once more when Sango heaved a heavy sigh of relief. "Listen, I'm sorry to disturb all of you, but InuYasha and I have something important to tell all of you, and…well, I'd rather not try and tell it more than once."
"It's no trouble, Kagome," Miroku told her gently. "And judging from what you mentioned last night, it sounds as if whatever happened is rather complicated."
"Ugh! Like you can't believe!" Kagome groaned. "Listen, why don't we go inside and sit down! Trust me when I say that this is a long story!" The others were quick to agree, and as one, they entered Kaede's place and sat themselves down. And as soon as Kagome made herself comfortable, she told them about how they had found out about the Jewel Shard Wyvern possessed, and proceeded to the point where Ryokage had broken free of his urn and attacked them all.
"What?" Shippo yelped as Kagome related to them the destruction the demon of darkness had caused. "You mean there are still horrible demons like that in your world, Kagome?"
"Apparently so," Kagome admitted. "I have to admit, I was surprised as you are!"
"It's too bad we couldn't have come with you," Sango murmured, looking at her with concern. "It sounds like you could've used our help."
"Hey, don't worry, Sango!" InuYasha grinned before looking pointedly at Kagome. "It wasn't anything the three of us couldn't handle!"
"What?" Kaede frowned. "The three of you?"
"Oh, that's right! I almost forgot!" Kagome groaned abashedly. "Remember how I told you that we ran into Michiru when we got back to my place? Well, he decided to come along with us. And believe me, I'm sure glad that he did!"
As Kagome spoke, InuYasha looked towards Sango, whose cheeks colored somewhat at Michiru's mentioned. "Oh, of course. I should have known have known he'd be willing to help," Sango smiled, obviously delighted at hearing Michiru's name. "So how's he doing?"
Grinning in triumph at the obvious caring Sango displayed, InuYasha answered, "He's doing okay. Turns out Michiru's been doing some serious training since he got back. He's way more powerful than he was when we destroyed Naraku!" He then told them about the massive battle that had consumed the prison in Kagome's world, and the role Michiru had played in it. "I swear, Mcihiru could probably even take Utsugi now!"
While Sango's smile was broadening at this declaration, Miroku frowned in thought. "Hmm. So, he's still in training…"
"Is something wrong, Miroku?" Shippo asked.
"Well, it just seems strange," Miroku explained in an offhand fashion. "After all, since he's back where he belongs, there doesn't seem to be any real reason to keep practicing."
"Really?" Sango broke in, frowning at the monk. "I think it's great that he's kept up the hard work."
"It's good thing, too," Kagome admitted ruefully. "I don't want to think about what would've happened if Michiru hadn't stunned Ryokage with his Light of Judgment."
"Well, whatever the case, I'm just glad that all of you came out of this whole thing safely," Miroku told them. "Now, what about this lord that you spoke of last night? The one who promised to provide us with supplies if we brought back specimens for him to study." Turning his head towards the door of the house, the monk continued, "Seeing as you brought quite a few boxes back with you, I gather that he is living up to his end of the agreement."
InuYasha found himself growling at this shift in subject. While it was true that Wyvern had so far proven himself to be an honest, willing, and valuable ally, his various mannerisms had already proven to be quite grating. Something that wasn't helped when Kagome got to her feet and said, "That's right! Come take a look!" Leading the way back outside, the reborn priestess made her way over to the boxes they had brought back with them. "All these boxes are full of food and medicine! And Wyvern's promised us even more later!"
"Really!" Miroku marveled as he and the others joined Kagome. Opening up a couple of the boxes, the monk's pleased expression became more and more pronounced as he took in the various foodstuffs to be found. "My, my! There's quite a bit here!"
"Sure is!" Shippo agreed as he rifled through the various canned goods. "Did you bring any sweets with you?"
"Uh, yeah," Kagome reported after a moment's searching. "There's some canned pudding over here, Shippo, and some other packages as well." While Shippo was bounding his way into the indicated boxes, the raven-haired girl focused on the others. "And it gets better. Remember the compass I showed you last night?"
"Ah, yes, of course," Miroku confirmed. "I must say, while I've heard of such artifacts before, that was the first time I've ever actually seen one."
"Well, Wyvern said that if we can come back in seven days, he'll let me go through more of his collection, and that he'll let me keep any magical artifacts I might find!" Kagome grinned enthusiastically.
"Well, we certainly should be grateful for this lord's generosity," Miroku stated as he examined the canned foods. "After all, our journeys are difficult, and any assistance is quite welcome."
"But what about all that stuff the jerk wants in return?" InuYasha complained.
"Now, now, InuYasha! I don't think he's being unreasonable in wanting a small something in return for his aid," Miroku said soothingly. "Besides, didn't you tell us the other night that he just wanted us to use that strange device to make a record of our journey, as well as any unusual objects that we might come across?"
"I have to admit, this sounds pretty good to me," Sango decided. "But what about the Shikon Jewel Shard you told us about? Where is it?"
"I left it back home," Kagome answered. "I figured it would be safe there for a while, and that I could get it and show it to you later."
"That might be a good idea," Miroku agreed. "Still, if the amber and the wards on the Shard are strong enough to make it hard for you to sense it, then it might be a good idea for you to keep it back at your home. Especially given that there are far fewer demons in your world."
"Right, good point," Kagome admitted. "Still, I'll let you have a look at it later. Just to be on the safe side."
While Miroku was agreeing to this, InuYasha turned towards their resident Demon Slayer. "Oh, hey! Sango?" When she turned to look at him, the half-demon glanced over at Kagome and grinned. "Michiru told me to give you his best. Whatever that means."
Sango blinked rapidly at this, soon afterwards her cheeks once again burned tenderly. "Oh…thank you for telling me."
Out of the corner of his eye, InuYasha could see Kagome shooting him one of her patent scowls. Hmph. So Sango's not in love with Michiru, huh? he thought, taking a gentle sniff of the air coming off the Demon Slayer. Well, her scent says otherwise, Kagome! Enjoying this moment of personal triumph, the half-demon looked over at the reborn priestess. "Hey, that reminds me. Kagome, are you gonna play that message or what?"
"Message?" Kaede repeated blankly.
"Huh? Oh, right! I almost forgot!" Her annoyance momentarily forgotten, Kagome shed her backpack and started rummaging through it. "Michiru, he…he recorded a message, and he asked me to play it for all of you."
"He…recorded a message?" Sango repeated, narrowing her eyes in confusion. "What does…?"
As Sango wrestled with the unfamiliar concept, InuYasha couldn't help but sympathize with her. He remembered the first time he had appeared in the world that had spawned Michiru and Kagome, and the bizarre sights and sounds of the city they called home. Even now, there were plenty of things that took him by surprise, such as those funny boxes through which people could see strange events and things that had never really existed. And he couldn't help but enjoy it when Kagome was stuck trying to explain what was a normal part of her life. "Uh…it's like he wrote a letter, only with his voice, rather than ink and paper," she told them. When neither Sango nor anyone else showed any sign that this made sense to them, Kagome shook her head and held out the recording device. "Look…maybe it'd be simpler if I just played it instead of trying to explain it."
"Most likely," Miroku agreed, looking at the device with obvious interest.
Without further ado, Kagome hit the play button. There was a couple seconds of silence, and then Michiru's voice came from the recorder, crystal clear as he himself was there speaking. "Hello, everybody. I guess InuYasha and Kagome have told you how I'm doing back here, and I'm glad to hear that all of you have been doing well. I'm sorry I never had the chance to properly say goodbye after the final battle with Naraku, but I'm not going to say it now. I've been studying the texts left in the Kururugi Shrine, and I hope I can find a way to return to all of you someday."
"As for me, when Utsugi's magic faded, I was returned home to the exact instant I'd been taken away," Mcihiru's voice continued. "Now, InuYasha and Kagome told me that's not how the Bone-Eater's Well works, so while you haven't seen me in a couple days, it's been more than three months for me." There was a tiny snort at this. "I have to admit, I was totally shocked when I found that out. But…well, I don't know what else to say about that, except that…I miss all of you. More than I can ever say."
A hushed gasp was heard from Sango. "Three months?"
"Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I'm doing my best here, and with a little luck, I'll be able to find a way to come back, and soon," Michiru's voice told them. "Kaede, I never got the chance to thank you for the advice and wisdom you offered me when I came to your world. I just wanted you to know how grateful I am for that. Shippo, I know you want to get stronger, so that you can fight more with your friends, to be able to protect them. That's something I understand all too well. Just take it slowly. Real strength comes with patience and understanding, and I'm not just talking about physical power. Miroku, do yourself a favor and stop going after everything that's female, attractive, and has a pulse!" A light chuckle emerged from the recorder, at which point the recorded voice added, "Because if you don't, one of these days, that's gonna get you killed!"
"Now, hold on!" Miroku protested, his voice heavy with indignation.
"Why? He's right, you know!" InuYasha needled.
"Boy, I'll say!" Shippo seconded, much to Miroku's consternation.
"Sango," the recording continued despite everything, "I told you once before that I loved you, and I meant every word of it. No matter what, I want you to be happy, and I hope Kohaku and Kirara are also doing well."
"Oh, Michiru…" Sango said slowly, a slight smile appearing on her face.
There was a nervous chuckle in the recorded voice before it continued. "You know, I…I've been wondering if I should even mention this, but I…I guess that it couldn't hurt. Shortly after I got back home, I was looking around the Kururugi Shrine, watching this festival we have here, and I…I could have sworn I saw you again. You bumped into me from behind, and you just stood there smiling for a moment before you disappeared." At this point, Sango's smile disappeared as her eyes widened. "Yeah, I know, sounds pretty crazy. Then that night, I dreamt I was back with you in the Feudal Era. We were walking through this grassy area, and I came up behind you and put my hand on your shoulder. You looked so surprised to see me, and then I told you not to worry, that I'd come back some day."
"What…?" Sango gasped, her mouth hanging slightly open. "It…it can't be…!"
"Well, that's just about it for now," Michiru's voice continued. "Just remember, I promise I'll do everything I can to come see all of you again. Until then, I wish you only the best. Goodbye for now...and thanks for everything."
"No! Wait! Michiru! Michiru, come back!" Sango shouted, moving over to Kagome, where she stared at the recorder like she could actually see him through it.
"Sango…it's just a recording," Kagome told the suddenly frantic Demon Slayer. "It's like a letter, only with your voice. Michiru can't actually hear you."
"But I have to ask him –!" Sango started, only to fall silent. The Demon Slayer looking as if she had encountered a ghost as she looked up from the recorder. "Kagome…can we talk? In private?"
Kagome looked at Sango for a time, visibly as confused as any of them by the Demon Slayer's outburst. "Uh…okay. Sure."
Nodding shakily, Sango started away from them, Kagome close behind her. "Sango," Miroku began, his expression unreadable as he looked at her, "what's going on?"
Pausing in mid-step, Sango turned just long enough to say, "I…I don't know." Then she continued onwards, quickening her pace and forcing Kagome to dash a short distance in order to keep up.
What the…what the hell was that all about? InuYasha silently demanded. And as he looked about at the others there, he knew that variations of that same question was being asked in all of their minds.
A thoughtful noise sounding in her throat, Kaede then said, "Well, then, everyone. Let us get all this food inside. No use leaving them out here."
"But what Sango?" Miroku wondered, a decided frown on his face.
"I think it'd be best to leave her be for the time being," Kaede decided, her voice that of sage wisdom. "It would seem that something that we don't understand is ailing her, and it might be best for us not to interfere."
"Yeah, I guess," InuYasha agreed grumpily. Moving over to the boxes, he was about to pick up one of them, only to find that Shippo had taken up residence in it, and was happily gobbling down some of the canned pudding. Deciding that it would be a waste of time to growl at the little fox-demon, he moved to another box and hefted it up. "I just wish I knew what that was all about."
Looking off in the direction the girls had disappeared in, Miroku frowned heavily. "As do I…"
What's going on here? Kagome wondered as she followed Sango past the edge of the village. The Demon Slayer hasn't spoken, hadn't even looked at her the entire time they had been walking. Had just kept moving like she had to. Like she was either desperate to get somewhere…or get away from something.
Finally, the two girls arrived in a secluded place just beyond the various fields of crops, bordering the forest that was the home of the Bone-Eater's Well. Sango stopped next to one of the trees and leaned against it, her face haunted and filled with confusion. It was this face, worn by a friend that almost never let her fears and concerns get the better of her, that really and truly drove home how bad a state she was in. "Sango…" Kagome began uncertainly, moving a bit closer to her friend. "What's wrong? What'd you want to talk to me about?"
Sango didn't say anything right away. Instead, she continued to lean against the tree in silence, as if the ability to speak her concerns was still beyond her. Eventually, however, she slowly turned towards Kagome, her eyes rife with various emotions. "Kagome…" she nervously began, "you…you heard what Michiru said in that message, right?"
"You mean, about how he saw a vision of you after he got back home?" After Sango nodded to this, Kagome frowned perplexedly. "Why? Is there something wrong?"
"I…" Sango began, only for her mouth to clamp shut. A slight tremble running through her, she took a deep breath before forcing out what she needed to say. "Kagome…the same thing happened to me. Shortly after we buried Utsugi at the Kururugi cemetery."
A hushed gasp escaping her lips, Kagome looked at her friend in astonishment. "What?" she gaped, unsure if she had heard Sango correctly. "A-are you serious?"
"It happened exactly as Michiru said in the message!" Sango burst, shaking her head as she spoke. "We were heading back from Kururugi Village when Michiru just…appeared from out of nowehere! He put his arm around me and said that he'd be back some day before he disappeared!" Pausing to collect her thoughts, she forced a greater measure of control into her voice before continuing. "Then…that night I dreamt I was in a strange place. There were a lot of people dressed in clothes like you wear surrounding what looked like a bonfire with a priest next to it…and Michiru was there as well! I bumped into him, apologized, and when I saw his face…I woke up."
Now it was Kagome shaking her head in disbelief. "Sango…" she muttered, unsure of what to make of this. "I…why didn't you tell us this before?"
"I thought it was just a dream! That it…it didn't mean anything!" Sango explained, her eyes downcast. "And as for…before…" Practically biting her lip to keep just anything from rushing out, the Demon Slayer visibly gathered her strength before continuing. "I don't know. Michiru had just…disappeared, was back in your world…I thought I was just imagining things. That maybe…I just didn't want to believe that he was really gone…forever."
Kagome automatically nodded her understanding, but then stopped when her friend's words truly registered with her. The fact that Sango was so upset over Michiru returning to his time that she could possibly think that she would delude herself in such a fashion was an even larger shock than her current behavior. I mean, I know we were all upset when Michiru disappeared…Shippo started crying like crazy, and InuYasha…he was such a grump until I told him that Michiru was at the Well…but this…! Shaking her head in disbelief, Kagome quickly considered the matter. She knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Sango was in love with Miroku, that there was no real reason for her to be this upset about Michiru or these visions. At least…that I know of…
With this thought twisting in her mind, Kagome cocked her head to the side and asked, "Sango…did something happen between you and Michiru?"
"What?" Sango got out, then giving a quick shake of her head. "No, of course not!"
Kagome was not satisfied by this. "Really? You're sure?"
"I'm telling you, nothing happened!" Sango insisted. Then her face faltered with uncertainty. "Except…"
"Except?" Kagome persisted, pouncing on this word like a cat.
Sighing, Sango just looked at her friend with a face filled with unresolved conflict. "Do you remember what happened back on Asagiri Island? You know, when we got caught in that explosion?"
"How could I forget?" Kagome asked incredulously. "We all got separated getting away from there, and you got really hurt saving Michiru from the blast!"
Sango nodded slowly before continuing to speak. "Well, after that, I was so banged up I couldn't move. Michiru was trying to heal me with his magic, but…it was taking time, and…while he was helping me, Utsugi and Kagura showed up." Sighing wearily, Sango looked straight at Kagome. "I…I couldn't move, so…I told Michiru to leave me. To try and find the rest of you, but…he wouldn't listen to me. Instead, he…confronted Utsugi and Kagura. He was going to fight them, all on his own!"
"What?" Kagome squawked, briefly wondering when these shocks would come to an end. "B-but he…!"
"Didn't stand a chance?" Sango concluded, to which Kagome dumbly nodded. "That's what I tried to tell him, but he just wouldn't listen! He just…stood there, ready to fight…for me." Smiling fondly as this memory played itself out before her eyes, the Demon Slayer then returned to the present. "Fortunately, Kikyo showed up and drove them off, and she gave me some medicine that got me back on my feet. But…before the rest of you found us…"
"Yes?" Kagome prodded, not liking where this was going.
"Michiru…he held me in his arms," Sango continued, her eyes lighting up with fondness. "It was like he'd…he'd become someone totally different, and I hadn't even noticed. He'd been so strong and brave, and I…my heart felt so strange…like…" As she tried to put her feelings into words, her face collapsed with sorrow as other memories came to the fore. "And then when…when Utsugi died and Michiru…started returning to your world…I didn't want him to go, Kagome! I know! I know that the whole point of trying to track down Utsugi was to get him to send Michiru back where he belonged, but I didn't want to lose him! He…"
"None of us did, Sango," Kagome assured her softly.
"He saved my brother, Kagome. And he saved me from killing Kohaku, and…" Words failing her once more, Sango shook her head miserably. "And before he disappeared…when he said that…that…!"
"That…he loved you," Kagome concluded. "Oh, Sango…"
"Kagome, I don't know what's going on! I don't know how this is…even possible!" Sango let out, her expression like that of a little girl, fear and confusion written across her features. "What am I going to do? What…what am I supposed to do?"
"I…I don't know, Sango," Kagome admitted somberly as she went up to her friend. "I really wish I did." Sango didn't say anything to this. Instead, she wrapped her arms about the reborn priestess, and allowed her confusion to run down her cheeks. The two of them stayed like that for a long time, with Kagome conveying as much comfort to her tormented friend as she could.
Later that day, as the sun was setting across the horizon, Sango went to the house where she and Kohaku were using while they were staying in Kaede's village. Her tears had all been shed, and her fears and confusion, while still with her, had been shoved out of the way for the time being, allowing her to keep going. To deal with more immediate issues, such as her brother and his recovery.
As Sango looked at the tiny house that was currently abandoned, left to let when its former occupants passed away during one of the many attacks by demons on the village. And while the house hadn't been maintained since then, it made a perfect temporary residence for herself, Kohaku, and Kirara. A perfect place for Kohaku to rest and relax as he slowly recovered.
There were still many concerns Sango still held about her brother's path to recovery, both physical and mental. The Shikon Jewel Shard that Naraku had placed in him remained where it was, with all its evil spells and power still in place. It was only the absence of its master that kept Kohaku from once again becoming a slave. But at the same time, they didn't dare remove the Shard; as much as Sango didn't want to think of it, her brother was physically dead, with only the Shard's power keeping him at least partially alive. Then there was the many evil things that her brother had carried out under Naraku's command, horrors that she knew her brother would eventually have to cope with when his memories returned in full.
Still, even with all these fears, as well as her concerns about Michiru and her feelings for him, when Sango entered the tiny house, she was able to relax. Her heart warmed by the sight of her gentle brother playing with Kirara, who was as glad as she was to have him back.
"Hey, you two," Sango beamed as she approached.
"Oh, Sango!" Kohaku greeted her warmly. For a moment, Sango frowned inwardly, wishing that he would call her 'sister' once more. But with his memories still hazy, he felt uncomfortable referring to her that way. While she was thinking of times past when they had lived in the Demon Slayer Village, more innocent times, Kohaku looked at the objects she held in her hands. An odd look on his face, he asked, "Uh…what is that stuff?"
"It was getting late, so I brought us some dinner," Sango explained, setting down the items on a table. "And…well, this is food from Kagome's world."
"They eat metal there?" Kohaku protested, looking at one of the strange objects Sango had. "And…whatever those other things are?"
Smiling, Sango well understood her brother's confusion, having been flustered by some of the strange things she had seen Kagome bringing with her through the Well. "Well, in Kagome's world, they use sealed metal objects they call cans in order to store meats and vegetables. Apparently, that helps them stay fresh for much longer. According to Kagome, fish stored this way can last up to four years if necessary."
"Four years?" Kohaku repeated disbelievingly. "That's impossible! Um…isn't it?"
"I'm not sure, but Kagome is," Sango replied, herself having had a hard time believing some of the things Kagome told her about these strange items. "They also dry out all kinds of food, which she said helps as well. Then all you need do is add boiling water and let it sit for a few minutes."
Leveling a skeptical eye at his sister, Kohaku asked, "You're kidding me, aren't you?"
"Well, why don't you try some for yourself?" Sango asked as she handed her brother one of the cups of noodles that InuYasha simply adored. While Kohaku eyed the noodles dubiously, Sango placed the small can on the floor and used a strange artifact Kagome had called a can opener to pry open the sealed metal. Sango had seen InuYasha try to pry one of these things open with his claws alone, and hadn't gotten very far. He had gotten so frustrated with it that all he had succeeded in doing was making a big mess. That was how she had learned that some cans needed to be opened with one of these strange devices. With surprisingly little effort, the lid of the can peeled away, and the moment Kirara smelled the fish inside of the can, she jumped over to it and started eating.
While Kirara was devouring her meal, Kohaku was hesitantly sampling his noodles. "Wow! This is good!" he declared, his face lighting up in surprise. Before he dug out another helping, he looked up at his sister. "But…isn't this supposed to be for while we're traveling?"
Sango smiled at her little brother, despite this reminder that he would once again be facing danger. When he had learned that they would soon be leaving to search for the remaining Jewel Shards, he had volunteered to join them. And despite the fact that this meant that they would remain close during their journeys, the terror of losing her brother to some demon hungry for a Jewel Shard was still lurking in the back of her mind. "Don't worry about that," she told him, putting the more unpleasant things to the side. "This Lord Wyvern sent us plenty of food. It's no problem."
"Well…if you're sure!" Kohaku then proceeded to eat to his heart's content as Sango continued to smile. As she watched her brother, she found her thoughts wandering somewhat to someone else entirely. To someone whose kindly, gentle heart reminded her in many of ways Kohaku, someone she had enjoyed spending her time with. Someone she had practiced and had helped train to become a stronger fighter, and had helped to salve her heart when she had been hurting.
When Sango had first met Michiru, she had found him to be a nice enough person, despite his apparent weakness of body. Then when they had traveled to Tsuzumi Village, he had gone off on his own and stumbled upon Kohaku, and had almost been captured by Kagura and Kohaku while Sango had been helpless to do anything but watch. She had gotten closer to Michiru after that, and at his request, had begun training with him frequently, and she had watched him try so hard to become stronger, to hone his powers to a finer edge. Kirara had liked him, too, which was unusual, seeing as the demon cat didn't get close to people easily. Even the incident where Michiru had caught her taking a bath seemed funny now. It had been Sango's own fault for telling Michiru she was just going to be doing the laundry, not wanting it to become public knowledge that she intended to take a bath. After all, if Miroku had found that out, he would most certainly have come peeping. Michiru would have respected her privacy, Sango knew that, but she had gotten used to keeping her bath times a secret from the others. So when Michiru had come to help carry the laundry…
"Um, Sango?" Kohaku interrupted her thoughts. "Is something wrong?"
Startled from her thoughts, Sango jumped and looked at her brother. "Huh?" she started before recovering. "Oh, it's nothing. I was just…thinking of a friend…"
"You mean Michiru?" Kohaku asked innocently.
Again, Sango jumped, her self-control taking another hit. "W-what?"
"Well, he's the only friend of ours I know of who isn't here in the village," Kohaku told her earnestly. "He's in that other world, right?"
Blinking a few times as she realized that her concerns weren't so readily on display, Sango slowly settled down. "Oh…right! Of course…"
Frowning somewhat, Kohaku asked, "You think he's okay?"
"Well, InuYasha and Kagome said he's doing well," Sango answered, the various feelings she tried to keep under control rising up once again. "Why?"
"Well…I kind of remember…hurting him before," Kohaku admitted, his voice heavy with shame. A shame that Sango understood all too well; she had helped tend the sickle wounds that Kohaku had inflicted on Michiru herself, wounds suffered while Kohaku was under Naraku's control. Wounds suffered when Michiru had been forced to stop Sango from killing her own brother in the defense of her friends.
"Don't worry," Sango said, as much to herself as to her brother. "I hear the doctors in his world are very skilled. I'm sure Michiru is fine."
"It's just that…I'd like to see him again, and tell him I'm sorry for what I did," Kohaku confessed as he looked up at her. "Do you think he'll ever come back?"
Her heart beating strangely, Sango allowed herself to think of the times she had spent with the Shikigami User from the future. "I hope so, Kohaku," Sango told her brother, something that was a little truer than she could admit. Thoughts of how they had flown on Kirara together, of the time on Asagiri Island, the painful instant of their separation, the visions she had seen all dancing chaotically in her mind. "I truly do hope so."
"Ten powers," Michiru muttered as he looked through the books and scrolls that currently decorated his desk. "Ten aspects of nature…I know it's in here somewhere!"
Grunting in frustration, Michiru flipped to the next page of the book Wyvern had given him. It was late in the day, and a wearisome one since he had returned home. A day in which he had been forced to field a great many questions from his family, as well as reassure them, time and again, that he was completely fine, that he had never been in any danger, and that he hadn't fallen in with the wrong element. And a day that had doggedly kept him from exploring the inspiration he had been struck with until well after dinner.
"Come on, where is it?" Michiru fumed as he continued to search. Looking from the picture he had discovered in one of the books given him, and comparing it to various images contained within the texts gathered from the Kururugi Shrine. "I know I saw it in here before!" Shaking his head, he set aside the one scroll he was looking at and reached for another one. But even as he was opening it up, someone began knocking on his door. "Oh, come on, I -!" was the angry words that tore their way free of his mouth. But even as he spoke, his conscious mind caused him to smack himself in the face, pain spurring on guilt as he turned towards the door. "Uh…I mean…who is it?"
"It's me, bro," came the gentle voice of Kaname. The door to his room slowly opened, revealing the sad face of his twin. "Umm…I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you, but…"
"No, no, it's okay!" Michiru apologized, feeling like a first-rate heel for snapping at his sister, who had been worried about him since last night. Shaking his head tiredly, he rose up from his desk and went to her. "I'm sorry, Kaname, I…I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm just…tired, that's all."
Looking hard at her brother, Kaname slowly shook her head. "No, it's just that," she told him, meaning every word. "What happened out there, Michiru?"
"I…" Michiru started, confused by the question. But then he forced a smile onto his face and asked, "I already told you about what happened. I got out of the civic center before things went crazy, and then…"
"No, bro. I mean what really happened to you." Her face taut with worry, Kaname moved in closer to Michiru. "Look…I know there's something going on with you, and…if you want to keep it to yourself, then…I guess that's your business," she told him, her manner making it clear just how much this admission cost her. "But I saw what happened on the news today, bro. And more importantly, I saw how you looked when you got back this morning."
"Kaname…" Michiru began.
"You were a mess, Michiru! You looked like you'd tried fight off a dozen sumo wrestlers or something!" Kaname persisted. "And your clothes were all ripped and dirty…what happened out there, anyway? Did you run into a gang…or is it something else?" Looking hard at his sister, Michiru struggled to think of something to say to her, some way of soothing her fears. But even as he tried to think of the right words to do so, she moved passed him, shaking her head as she went up to his desk. "And this stuff you're looking at…what is this, anyway?"
"Uh…just…research!" Michiru got out, panicking as Kaname studied the titles of the books he had been reading, as well the scrolls he had gotten. Knowing full well that he would likely have even bigger questions to answer if his parents found out about this, he decided it would be best to get Kaname out of there as quickly as possible.
"Research?" Kaname repeated incredulously.
"Um, yeah," Michiru tried again. "I was…trying to learn more about the history of our Shrine, and…well, I found some pretty interesting stuff." Doing his best to spin doctor his story into something more believable, he added, "Anyway, it turns out that, back in Feudal Japan, our family was renowned for their mastery of Shikigami."
This took Kaname by surprise. "Shikigami? For real?"
"Oh, yeah!" Michiru smiled, glad to be able to inject some truth into his tale. "They were famous for it." Doing his best to downplay the significance of what he was doing, he shrugged and flipped through a couple pages of one of the books. "Anyway, I was just curious, and…"
"But…why this sudden interest in ancient superstition?" Kaname demanded, picking up one of the books and leafing through it. "You've never really cared about this stuff before…so why now?"
Groaning as he was once again forced to fake it, Michiru took the book from Kaname's hand. "Well…it's like this," he stalled, making it up as he went along. "Kagome – she's a friend of mine who lives at the Higurashi Shrine – her family has a…lot of history to it as well." Looking this way and that, looking anywhere except for into his sister's eyes, he continued to hem and haw. "And, well…we did some talking, and…I just decided that I should…learn more about our family's history, too. That's all."
For the longest time, Kaname stood there, a cruel look of suspicion on her face that cut deeply into Michiru's heart. But even as he tried to think of something else to say to her, she gasped and brought her hand to her mouth. While Michiru was wondering what exactly had caused this reaction, he was taken by surprise yet again; his irate sister, who had been suspicious of him for time now, leaned back and smiled. "Oh, I see…!"
Her smile broadening, Kaname took a step back and giggled. Which was about as far south of things Michiru had expected her to as was possible. "Uh…you see what?"
"Of course! Why didn't I think of it before?" Kaname wondered. "Your going out late at night, these friends of yours that you never discuss! It all makes sense!"
"It does?" Michiru squeaked out.
"Sure! You're seeing someone, aren't you?" Kaname declared gleefully. "I don't believe this! You've actually got a girlfriend!"
Michiru's jaw plummeted right to the floor as his mind emptied out in its entirety. On the one hand, he was overwhelmed with relief that he wasn't going to have to deal with the guilt of upsetting his sister again, not to mention that she had reached a conclusion that was sane, rational, and basically wrong. On the other hand, however, if she mentioned this to his parents and they started calling the Higurashi Shrine, asking questions…!
"Uh, nonononono! It's nothing like that!" Michiru protested.
"Hey, it's okay, bro! I understand! You just want to impress your new girlfriend!" Kaname grinned, her good mood growing by leaps and bounds. As Michiru sputtered helplessly, trying to come up with something else he could tell her, his sister went on obliviously. "I have to admit, I'm kind of jealous of you, though. Why, just the other day, Reina from our school? We were on the bus heading home, and she was teasing me about my not having a boyfriend yet!"
You, too, huh? was the first thing to pop into Michiru's head, recalling a similar conversation he had just before he had been plunged into the Feudal Era. Then he shook his head in an attempt to get it back into functional order. "Kaname, it's not…I mean, we're just friends! That's all!"
"Oh, right, right. Whatever you say, bro," Kaname smiled teasingly. Then his sister turned on her heel and started out the door. "Well, I guess I shouldn't keep you from your research. Especially after your…long day." And with that, she gave him once last smile, winked impishly, and closed the door behind her.
As for Michiru, he stood there, unblinking, completely in shock as he tried to make sense of this confrontation with his sister. "Uh…did that really happen?" he asked aloud, too numbed to think to himself.
Sighing loudly, Michiru finally decided to sit back down. Does Kaname really think that I've got some kind of secret girlfriend? he found himself wondering. I guess that's better than her finding out the truth about what I've been doing, but still...maybe it was some kind of joke? Shaking his head, he found himself thinking back to when he and his sister had been younger, and given to a great deal more foolishness. There had been a time when such joking exchanges and teasing had flown between them with a great deal of frequency. And while those pranks weren't played with the frequency that they had been, they still happened every now and again.
Maybe it's just her way of getting back at me for not telling her the truth, Michiru thought as he looked down at his desk. That sounds about…right…for…what? Practically throwing himself forward over his desk, Michiru stared down in amazement at what had crashed his train of thought. Somehow, at some point, either him or Kaname must've knocked one of the scrolls, and thus caused it to open up to the critical section that Michiru had been searching for. The section that listed the various powers of nature that could be called upon by the Shikigami.
"That's it! The ten powers!" Michiru gasped, everything else forgotten in his sudden delight. Whipping back to the book he had been studying, he compared the different pictures. Images of the ten spirits found within the pentagram that was at the heart of his family's magic. "Let's see here…fire, water, wind, light, thunder – wood! That's it!"
As quickly as he could, Michiru double-checked the information before him, and the triple- and quadruple-checked it, just to be safe. And each time he read it, his heart leapt with delight. "Yes…I've got it!" he gasped, barely able to believe that the answer was now before him. And it was so simple. So unbelievably simple.
Of course, in his mind, he knew that this was only the beginning. Learning of the particular Shikigami he needed to awaken, as well as some of the spells that it could perform, were only the first part of his challenge. He still needed to call forth this particular Shikigami, and master its power before he could return to the Feudal Era.
And yet, in that moment, he couldn't have cared less.
"Yesss! I've got it! I've got it! Michiru cried out in delight as he leapt from his seat. He spun about and did a crazy dance of joy that left him twirling and bounding about his room, until at last he fell down on top of his bed, still laughing. He laughed and cried, he asked himself time and time again if this could possibly be a dream. He did all of these things until at last the tidal surge of emotion settled down…and its wake, a precious face smiled down upon him once again.
I'm coming, Sango… Michiru thought, unable to restrain his delight. I'm finally coming back to you…!
Author's Notes: Everything's in place for Michiru's return! I hope that Wyvern's theories make sense to everybody out there! Please, read and review!
I suppose some of you out there may be wondering why I came up with such a convoluted plan for getting Michiru back to the Feudal Era. Now, it's true, I could have saved myself some trouble by bringing in Belldandy from Oh, My Goddess!, or have Michiru discover Happosai's magic mirror from Ranma ½. But to be truthful, I honestly didn't like the idea of having Michiru rely on luck or out-of-this-world circumstances to help him. I wanted him to be able to find a way back to the others using his own power. And while Wyvern may have given some help, from here on in, Michiru's going to have make his way on his own steam.
As for how exactly Michiru manages to get back…you'll just have to wait until next time to find out!