Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, or anything associated with it. I have written this story solely because I enjoy writing.
Chapter 9: Return to the Feudal Era
"Run for it, Kaname!" Michiru cried out as he pushed himself for all the speed he could muster. "The whole place is coming down!"
If Kaname made any response to this, it was drowned out by the sounds of concrete breaking and steel beams bending. Chunks of masonry were falling everywhere, raising clouds of dust that found their way into Michiru's eyes and mouth, choking them both. They were pelted by bits and pieces of debris as cracks formed and multiplied at a horrific rate, spreading across the walls, floors, and ceiling like wildfire.
As Michiru ran, his arms pumping and lungs burning desperately for enough air to keep going, his eyes were locked on their only possible avenue of escape. "Come on, Kaname! We're almost there!" he cried out, culling forth whatever reserves were left to him as open air beckoned to them.
With safety only a couple of feet away, disaster chose that exact moment to strike. The floor beneath the twins cracked and heaved, knocking Kaname off-balance and sending her tumbling to the ground. Her cry of pain reaching him over the roar of the ongoing collapse, Michiru dug his heels into the ground and turned about, mindless of his own personal peril as he rushed up to his sister and hauled her back up to her feet. Not having the time to be gentle, he threw his arm around her shoulders and started running again.
C'mon, hold together! Just for a few seconds longer! Michiru pleaded the abandoned structure that they had been using for their practice grounds. Just a bit more! An ominous rumbling was the building's response to his silent entreaty, and he realized that they might even have seconds. Which was why, when the twins reached the barrier that would normally keep people from walking out into empty space, he didn't hesitate. He didn't stop to look and make sure that there would be a safe landing waiting for them. Instead, he bent down and grabbed Kaname by her legs before forcefully shoving her out into open air. A moment later, with the roar of collapsing rubble filling his ears, Michiru jumped as well.
As it happened, luck was with them that day. A convenient tree been standing right beneath them when they had made their leaps of faith. A tall, sturdy tree with wide, thick branches which caught them and held up beneath their combined weight, bending only slightly. And perhaps best of all, the thick, leafy boughs they found themselves in would keep them hidden from any prying eyes.
But it won't save us if the whole building falls down on our heads! Michiru realized. Fear spurring his recovery, the Kururugi boy invoked the power of his Light Shikigami. "Oh, brightly shining light!" he began, a pentagram appearing beneath him. "Give me your healing power! Protective Light!" With that, a dragon of light appeared and rose up above them before turning into a dome that enveloped the entire tree.
A moment later, Michiru realized that his spell had been just in the nick of time. For no sooner was the barrier of light in place that the parking garage he and Kaname had been using surrendered to the inevitable. With a huge roar, five layers of steel and concrete utterly collapsed, clouds of dust and debris billowing out from the destruction and enveloping them.
"Ugh!" Kaname coughed as the dust filled her nose and mouth. "Aw, man! Bro, that was way too close!"
"Yeah. Tell me – about it!" Michiru got out around a spat of further coughing. "I knew this – place was – condemned, but – I didn't think it – would give out – that easily!"
Nodding shakily, her eyes watering heavily, Kaname replied "Same here! I –!" She was cut off when another round of coughing forced its way out of her mouth. "Guh, I can't – breath in this!" she declared, waving away some of the putrid air, only for even more putrid air to take its place. Grunting in disgust, she shook her head before furrowing her brows in concentration. "Oh, overflowing – blue sky, fill this land – with your cleaning winds! Blue Sky – Purification!" With this, Kaname summoned her Wind Shikigami, which flew overhead before exploding into a swirling mass of wind. Within seconds, the offending dirt and detritus was swept away, leaving the air clean and breathable once more.
Heaving several deep breaths of the newly cleansed air, Michiru turned and smiled at Kaname. "Nice one, sis," he smiled as he started rubbing some of the dust from his tear-filled eyes. "You've gotten…pretty good at this…"
Nodding to this, Kaname answered by saying, "Yeah…I know." She gave one last cough as she turned and looked at their former training grounds. "I just wish I didn't have to prove it by taking out an entire parking garage!"
Wincing at this point, Michiru shrugged helplessly. "Hey, it's not your fault. You couldn't have known that your Chaotic Flame would take out those support beams." Shuddering at the memory of this, at the realization that the only things keeping the dilapidated parking structure had been reduced to pools of molten slag, he decided to try and make light of it. "Besides, you should have seen what I did to the store I'd been using for training."
"Actually, I think I did see it," Kaname returned with a wry smirk. When Michiru frowned his confusion, his sibling added, "It wouldn't happen to have been that place they showed on the evening news about a month ago, was it? The place that blew up for no reason, and there was nothing left but a crater that was twenty feet deep?"
Taken aback by this revelation, Michiru sighed heavily. "Uh…yeah. That's the one," he admitted, feeling his cheeks burning. Something that was intensified when Kaname started laughing. Chafing at this bit of humiliation, raised himself off the branch he'd landed on, and carefully placed his foot down on the one below. "C'mon. We better get out of here. The last thing we need is to still be here when whoever was supposed to be demolishing this place shows up to find out what happened!"
Her fun cut short, Kaname immediately sobered up. "Good point," she admitted, wincing somewhat as she started moving. "At least we don't have to worry about the police showing up!"
"Exactly. Nobody really bothers when this kind of thing happens in the Nerima Ward," Michiru grinned, indulging in a moment of smug satisfaction. "Why do you think I wanted to find someplace around here for training? Half the stuff that goes on here is so crazy that the tabloids are nothing in comparison!"
"Can't argue with you there." There was no further conversation as the twins focused on climbing down the tree. It was a long and unpleasant climb, made even worse by the bumps and scrapes they had picked up during their frantic escape from the doomed parking garage. It felt like hours had passed instead of minutes when their feet finally touched the ground, and when the twins looked at each other, they couldn't help but groan in dismay. "Ugh, look at us!" Kaname groaned in dismay, looking down at herself. Every inch of her body was coated in filth and grime, and Michiru was certain that he was in a similar state. "If Mom and Dad catch us looking like this, we'll be grounded for life!"
"I don't doubt it," Michiru grimaced as he looked at his own arms, which were now the same grey as the concrete from the building. "We better find a fountain or something to wash up in before we head home!"
"Right," Kaname nodded, and with that, the two of them darted away from the collapsed building, bypassing the surrounding fence as they started in the general direction of home. It took some time, with the both of them doing their best to avoid attracting any attention, but fortunately, they eventually found a gas station, and made use of the restrooms there in order to clean off the worst of the grime.
As Michiru finished washing off his face and arms, he looked hard at the mirror and evaluated his appearance. Nothing short of a trip to the wash was going to eliminate the streaks of dirt and grime that clung to his clothes, and there was doubt that he was in need of a nice, long soak in the tub, as well as some healing magic for the bruises that were already coloring his skin, but at least he didn't look like he had been at ground zero of the utter destruction of a building. Satisfied that he was clean enough to be tolerable by most people, at least enough to avoid the worst of the stares, he exited the men's restroom. A short time later, Kaname emerged as well, looking about the same as he did.
Looking over his sibling, whose hair was sopping wet from her attempts to scrub it down, Michiru sighed. "Well…at least we don't look like the Dirt twins anymore."
"No. Just the Kinda Gross twins," Kaname chimed in impishly. "C'mon, bro. Assuming our parents don't kill us, the first thing I'm doing when we get home is taking a bath! A really long one!"
"Just be sure to save some soap and water for me, sis," Michiru sighed as he led the way out of the gas station and back out onto the road. "Because you're not the only one who needs it!"
As the wearied twins made their way home, birds singing and flying about the only real sounds they heard that quiet afternoon, Kaname frowned as she studied her brother. "So…what do we now, bro?" she asked nervously. "Should we start looking for a new place to train and start again?"
Furrowing his brows, Michiru considered this idea before rejecting it. "No," he answered, shaking his head in negation. "I had enough trouble finding that last place. And besides, with the way your powers are developing…your attacks spells are getting too dangerous, Kaname. I don't see how we could find someplace that's abandoned, and yet sturdy enough to hold up for any real length of time."
"Then…what do we do?" Kaname wondered, frowning unhappily as she studied her brother. "We…we are gonna keep training, right?
"Yes, of course we are," Michiru assured her. "But…I don't think we can keep doing it here." An alternative quickly took shape in his mind, one that chased away all his fears and concerns. "Remember how I told you that I'd been working on a way to use the Bone-Eater's Well?" Kaname quickly nodded, something that made her brother's smile deepen. "Well, I think it's time we found out if Wyvern's theories about the Tree of Ages were right."
It took a moment or so for Kaname to realize what her brother was saying. And when she did, her face lit up with a combination of surprise, delight…and even a bit of fear. "You mean…you want to train back in the Feudal Era…?"
"Why not? It'd be perfect!" Michiru beamed, the simple thought of returning there brightening his mood. "Half the trouble we get into here is because we have to keep out of sight while we're training. And let's face it; attack spells aren't exactly indoors-friendly." This succeeded in getting a chuckle out of Kaname, bolstering his mood even more. "And besides, I'm sure the others would be happy to meet you."
Kaname's expression became thoughtful at this. "Well…I have to admit, I've been wanting to meet them as well. I mean, after watching the video and listening to all of your stories, I…I feel like I kinda know them already." But then her lips pressed tightly together as she asked, "But…what about all those demons you told me about? Do you…do you really think it'd be safe to go there now?"
Michiru recognized the legitimacy of his sister's concern, and looked at her reassuringly. "Don't worry about it. With InuYasha, Sango, and everyone else around, we won't have anything to worry about," he told her, speaking as confidently as he knew how. "Besides, most of the demons near Kaede's Village are really weak. And you're already more than strong enough to be able to handle them."
"Really?" Kaname replied, clearly surprised by this.
Nodding, Michiru then chuckled warmly and added, "Considering the fact that you just took out a parking garage, I don't think you have anything to worry about." He punctuated this statement with additional laughter, and was gratified when Kaname joined in.
"Okay. I guess you got a point there," Kaname decided. "So…what do we do? Do we wait for your friends to come back here, or…?"
"No. I think it'd be best if we went to Kagome's place and see if what I've got in mind will work," Michiru decided. "That way, even if InuYasha and the others haven't come back yet, I can at least see if we'll be able to use the Well, and maybe check in with Kaede, see what's been happening. And…if it doesn't work…" His heart sinking at the mere mention of the possibility of failure, he held his hands up helplessly. "Well…at least we won't lose any real time, and I can…go back and try something else."
Her brows furrowed, Kaname considered this for while before nodding. "Okay. I guess that makes sense," she decided. Then she flashed an impish grin before adding, "Besides, I know that you simply can't wait to see Sango again!"
The instant he processed this remark, Michiru's mind was thrown into utter chaos. His jaw clattered to the floor as his eyes bulged, an expression of dumbstruck astonishment that had Kaname laughing even harder. "I – uh – wha – ga -!" After these and several other botched attempts of coherent speech tumbled limply off his tongue, he gave a fierce shake of his head before shouting, "Kaname! How – how'd you know about -?"
"About the fact that you're totally in love with Sangooo?" Kaname asked, drawing out the Demon Slayer's name in as teasing a fashion as possible. "C'mon, bro! I've seen you sigh when you look at her in that recording! And of course, there's your habit of blushing whenever mention her name. You know, kinda like what you're doing now?" At this, Michiru realized that his sister was quite correct. In fact, judging by the way his cheeks were burning, he would not have been surprised if steam started rising up from his head. And Kaname, seeing that her teases had hit their mark, grinned and went for the kill. "Besides, remember last week? When I asked you to borrow your notes for a homework assignment? Well, when I was looking through your notebook, I happened upon some of your masterpieces!"
His face falling in utter humiliation, Michiru brought his hand to forehead as he realized what had happened. It hadn't been something he had planned, but during the months since his return from the Feudal Era, when the tedium got the better of him and he let his thoughts drift, he wound up doing simple sketches of his friends from that world. Images of InuYasha, Kagome, Miroku, Shippo, as well as Kikyo and Kaede, and even Kagura, Kanna, and Naraku himself littered the pages of his notebook. But more than anything else, the person he'd sketched was Sango. Sango in battle, Sango riding Kirara, Sango with Kohaku, Sango sitting amongst some flowers were just some of the images he had sketched out. "Ugh…I totally forgot about that!"
"I guess you did, bro," Kaname agreed, her grin practically splitting her face in half. "The same way you forgot about that one pic that had a heart beneath her. You know, the one that read 'Michiru + Sango, 2-Gether 4-Ever'?"
If it had been possible for a person to die of sheer embarrassment, then Michiru would have keeled over that very instant. His entire body was turning red, his heart was pounding in his ears, and his mind was so overloaded that he couldn't do anything but stand there like an idiot.
About half a minute later, Michiru's brain had still failed to reboot, and his blood was still boiling the rest of him alive. And while his conscious mind was presently overwhelmed, his physical senses were still active. Enough that he could see the look of amusement worn by his sister fading away, and being replaced by a much more contrite expression. "Uh…sorry, Michiru," she began, all teasing gone from her voice. "I only…I was just kidding you…that's all. I didn't mean to…"
Wincing at the guilt that was growing in his sister's eyes, Michiru returned to his senses. "No, it's…it's okay, Kaname," he replied, waving her concerns aside. "It's just…well…I guess there's no point in trying to hide it. Is there?"
Kaname opened her mouth, but then closed it as she cocked her head to the side. "Wow," she murmured sympathetically. "I guess you've really got it bad. I mean, I knew you had it bad, but…"
"Yeah," Michiru admitted as his sister trailed off. The emotions that the Demon Slayer stirred in him far closer to the surface than he was capable of admitting. Heaving a deep breath, he did his best to return his focus to the here and now. "So…you up for a trip to the Higurashi Shrine?"
Shooting her brother a rueful look, Kaname heaved a weary sigh before saying, "I am if you are." A smile of relief spread across Michiru's face at this, something his sister responded to by asking, "So…when do you want to go?"
"Tomorrow. Some time after noon, if possible," Michiru told her. Then a wry thought occurred to him, one he expressed by muttering, "That is, assuming we don't get grounded as soon as get home…"
Kaname gave a low chuckle at this. "Good point, bro," she admitted. "Then…assuming we don't get busted as soon as we walk in the door…we better get ready for tomorrow."
"Right," Michiru confirmed with a decisive nod. "I'll get everything I'll need together, and then I finish up the rest of the equipment I've been working for you. You know…just in case."
An affirmative sound echoing in her throat, Kaname replied, "Alright. Then…I guess…tomorrow it is." A muted snort of laughter escaped her lips as she stepped closer to Michiru. "Wow…it's kind of crazy. That…tomorrow…I might be in a whole different world." Shaking her head in amazement, the Kururugi girl smiled nervously and asked, "I mean…I dunno, maybe it's just nerves, but…just thinking about it…it's giving me goosebumps! !..."
"Don't worry, sis, I understand," Michiru assured her. "I don't know if I've told you this, but I was pretty freaked out when I landed there as well."
"Really?" Kaname replied, astonishment flickering in her eyes. Almost a moment later, however, this subsided, and was replaced by a more familiar, impish gleam. "Say, now that you mention it…why don't you tell about that? Just how freaked out were you when you landed back in time?"
"What, and give you even more ammunition to use on me?" Michiru snorted derisively. "As if!" Delighting in the stunned look that sent his sister's jaw falling to the ground, the Kururugi boy darted forward. "Well, c'mon, Kaname!" he called out over his shoulder. "First one home gets first crack at the bath!"
"What?" Kaname squawked indignantly. This lasted for just a moment, however, at which she shot after her twin. "No fair, bro! You've got a head start!" Michiru responded to this by laughing, a long, joyful sound that lifted his spirits…and that Kaname took as a challenge. "Why, you…!" she gritted, pushing herself even faster. "Get back here, bro! I'm gonna get you!"
"Sorry, sis! Not happening!" Michiru retorted as the two of them ran along the streets of Japan, a lone bird flying overhead as they ran all the way home…
Fortunately enough for the Kururugi twins, they were able to slip into their home without attracting the attention of their parents. And after both of them had bathed and changed their clothes, they began preparing for their journey. And so, the next day, after another bath and a hearty lunch, they made ready to journey to the Higurashi Shrine.
"Now, you two please be careful, alright?" Mrs. Kururugi told them as they stood just outside the house. "If there's any trouble, please, call us and let us know, alright?"
"We will, Mom," Michiru assured her, shifting the duffel bag that was slung on his shoulder as Kaname quickly seconded his sentiment.
As for Mr. Kururugi, his expression was one of stern concern as he studied his two children. "Now remember, I want you both back here in time for dinner," he informed them, invoking his voice of 'Do It, or Else!'. "And if for some reason, you can't get back in time, you're to find someplace safe, and then call me and let me know where you are so I can pick you both up." His expression then softened somewhat, and he shook his head at the twins. "And whatever you do, please don't give us another scare like the last time you went out." Glancing over at his wife, he smiled and added, "Despite what some people might have you think, but scaring the hell out of your parents is not a good idea!"
"I know. And don't worry," Michiru smiled confidently. "We'll let you know if it looks like we'll be late."
"That's all I ask," Mr. Kururugi confirmed. "Now, you better get going! The longer you two wait, the less time you'll have to spend with your friends!"
Smiling at this rare bit of humor from their father, Kaname waved playfully at her parents. "Okay, Dad! See you later!" With that, the twins started away, waving their goodbyes as their parents returned this gesture, and started down towards the street and made their way to the bus stop. Before long, the two of them were riding the bus that would soon take them to the Higurashi Shrine.
As Michiru stood there, gripping the support ring over his head and holding the strap of his duffel bag to make sure that it didn't slide off his shoulder, he couldn't help but wish that the bus would move faster, or that he had developed some kind of Shikigami spell that would allow him to teleport like Utsugi had been able to, or at least get to the Shrine faster than the bus could carry him. For then he wouldn't have so much time to think on the way there.
Despite the conversations and noises on the bus, despite the jouncing as they hit a pothole or took a turn too roughly, Michiru couldn't help but worry. No matter how hard he had worked on his plan to bend the Bone-Eater's Well to his will, there was still a great deal that could go wrong. He might not be strong enough to make the magic work, or the Tree of Ages could reject him for some reason. Then there was the fact that his plans were based entirely on a theory, and while Wyvern had made it sound quite convincing, it was still only a theory. And even then, even if everything went according to plan, there was a very strong chance that his friends wouldn't even be in Kaede's Village, that he would still be forced to wait for them to come back of their own accord.
And…even if they are there… Michiru frowned, thinking back to before. To the simple messages that InuYasha had given him on the day Kaname's powers had awakened. Sango…she sounded so distracted when she told me about Kohaku and herself. Like…she wasn't really there. Looking up and seeing his reflection in the window, he studied the person that looked back at him. A person that looked much like the scrawny, weak boy that he had been when he'd first fallen into the past. Is it…is it because of that thing I told her? That I dreamt of her after I came back? Does she think I'm crazy, or…?
His train of thought breaking up, Michiru was slowly inundated by all the little fears and what-ifs his mind conjured up. With everything from his plans failing utterly to being completely rejected by everyone he had held dear in the Feudal. Things that were completely impossible, and yet somehow plagued him, anyway. Things that swirled about him, pestering him, so much so that he didn't even notice the bus driver announcing that their next stop was the Higurashi Shrine. Instead, Kaname was forced to grab him by the shoulder, and call out, "Hey, bro!" Her voice accompanied by her nails digging painfully into his skin succeeded in jolting him back to awareness. "C'mon, wake up! This is our stop!"
"Huh?" Michiru muttered, his mind requiring a few moment to completely return to reality. When it did, he jolted up straighter, and gave his sibling a sheepish look. "Oh, right. Thanks." His cheeks burning, he felt Kaname looking at him as he pressed the signal buzzer. A few moments later, the bus drew to a stop and the two of them got off at the base of the stairs leading to Kagome's home.
"Whew! It's a much longer staircase than at our place!" Kaname noted as she looked up. "I bet the people here are in great shape!"
The corner of his lip quirking into a smile, Michiru turned and said, "If you think that looks tough, try walking for days on end in the Feudal Era!" Chuckling at the strangled squawk this drew from his sister, the Kururugi boy started up the stairs. "Well, let's go, Kaname!"
"Ohh…!" Kaname gritted, but after a moment's fuming, she ran up after her brother. Despite her annoyance, the two of them soon reached the top of the stairs. As his sister looked about the unfamiliar setting of the Higurashi Shrine, Michiru made his way over to her house and knocked on the front door. And suffered as he was once forced to wait about half a minute that had somehow stretched into an eternity.
Fortunately, before his mounting impatience and concerns could get the best of Michiru, the door popped open, and Sota poked his head out at him. "Oh! Hi there, Michiru!"
"Hello, Sota," Michiru greeted. "Sorry to drop by unexpected, but…"
"No, it's okay," Sota quickly replied. He then turned and looked back into the house, and then beamed at Michiru. "Listen, would you like me to tell Kagome that you're here?"
"Kagome's here?" Michiru got out, his heart leaping in delight. "Then…does that mean that InuYasha and the -?"
"Uh, wait! Hold on!" Sota jolted, his face falling as he looked off to Michiru's side. Following the little boy's gaze, he saw Kaname standing a short distance behind him. "Um…who's that?"
Realizing that Sota had freaked out because Michiru had been about to blab their secrets in front of an apparent stranger, the Kururugi boy smiled and reassured the youngest Higurashi. "Don't worry, Sota. It's okay," he told him confidently before gesturing at his twin. "Allow me to introduce you to my sister. Kaname."
"Hello," Kaname smiled, giving a tiny wave to the boy.
"Your sister?" Bolting upright, Sota gaped and pointed at the female Kururugi twin. "Oh, wow! Your sister? You mean – she's your sister? The one who has the same powers as you?"
"Well, considering she's my only sister, then, yeah, she's the one Kagome told you about," Michiru confirmed.
"Then…it's true? Kaname can use Shikigami like you? Really?" Sota exuberantly demanded.
"That's right," Michiru confirmed, shooting a glance at his sister. "Would you like a demonstration?"
"Really?" Sota grinned, practically exploding with delight as he drilled Kaname with his gaze. "Oh, wow! Would I ever!"
Blushing slightly as the two boys looked at her, Kaname smiled meekly. "Well…okay. Sure. Why not?" she finally decided, to which Sota let out a whoop of excitement. Tittering at the little boy's excitement, Kaname narrowed her eyes in concentration, and soon, a pentagram appeared at her feet. "Oh, overflowing blue sky, bind these evil demons! Binding Blue Sky!" Her Wind Shikigami then appeared and exploded into a series of green streamers that shot towards Sota and wrapped about his arms and legs, suspending him in mid-air.
"Whoa!" Sota cried out as he squirmed about in the grip of Kaname's spell. "Okay! Okay, you can stop now!"
Chuckling as Kaname dispelled her Binding Blue Sky, Michiru watched as Sota gently came back down on his feet. "So, anyway, Sota, Kagome and InuYasha gave me permission to tell Kaname about them, and about the Well and everything else," he explained softly. "So you don't have to worry about her. Okay?"
"Okay. I understand," Sota replied with a nod. "Sorry, Kaname. I just…wanted to be sure, that's all."
"It's okay," Kaname smiled. "You're just trying to look out for you sister and everything. I understand."
Satisfied that the two of them understood each other, Michiru returned his attention to the current situation. "So, anyway, Sota…you said that Kagome's here?" The little boy quickly nodded. "And…did she say if the others were in Kaede's Village?"
"Yeah, I think she did," Sota answered, his smile fading somewhat. "She just got back this morning, and…she was really out of it, Michiru. The first thing she did was head up to her room, and…I don't think she's been out since."
"Reall?" Michiru frowned, not liking the sound of this. "Is something wrong? Did something happen back in the Feudal Era?"
Shrugging helplessly, Sota shook his head. "I dunno. All I know is that she just came in this morning, said hello to Mom and Grandpa, and went back upstairs." The little boy sniffed loudly and then added, "Of course, that's what she usually does after she has another fight with InuYasha!"
"Oh," Michiru got out before lowering his eyes and shaking his head. Recalling all the times that he had seen InuYasha and Kagome get into knock-down, full-out arguments with insults flying every which way, the Kururugi boy couldn't help but say, "That sounds about right."
"Yeah. It's so stupid," Sota agreed. "Well, anyway, do you want me to go get here?"
"Hmm…no, that's okay," Michiru decided after a moment's thought. "If she's in bad mood, then I don't want to disturb her. Besides…I didn't actually come to see her."
Sota's eyes went round with surprise at this. "You didn't?" he frowned in confusion. "Then…what are you doing here?"
Michiru didn't answer right away, simply because he wasn't sure at first as to how to respond. "Remember…Mr. Wyvern's theory? You know, about the Tree of Ages?" he finally said, to which Sota nodded. "Well…I think we're about to see if he was right about it being the key to the Bone-Eater's Well."
"Huh?" Sota frowned. A few moments later, however, his face lit up with astonishment. "Wait a sec…are you saying that you've figured out how to use the Well?"
"That's what my bro says," Kaname replied, giving Michiru a look. "And…I guess we're about to see if he's right."
"Oh, wow!" Sota grinned, once again exuding excitement. Something that somehow fueled Michiru's nervousness.
"C'mon, Kaname. Let's go," Michiru told her as he started in the direction of the Tree of Ages.
"Hey! Can I come and watch…whatever it is you're about to do?" Sota wondered eagerly.
"Sure! Why not?" Kaname answered before Michiru had a chance to say anything. In an instant, Sota darted past them, and was soon standing right next to the fabled tree.
As the Kururugi twins came to stand before the ancient tree upon which InuYasha had once been imprisoned, Michiru looked up and breathed in awe of it. Now armed with the senses of his Wood Shikigami, he could see the mystical energies that surged through the Tree of Ages. Magical light that shone a brilliant blue, and coursed through every leaf, branch, and root. Light that separated it from the other nearby trees, a power that ran deeply through the tree.
Wow. Kagome's grandfather was right. This tree…it's magic is incredible! Michiru found himself thinking, his heart leaping at this discovery. Growing more and more certain that what he had planned would indeed work, he knelt down and placed his duffel bag on the ground. Alright…it's time for the moment of truth…
A wave of fresh jitters trembling through his body, Michiru dug out the things he had prepared. First he placed a holster on his belt, a holster filled with Shikigami cards like the one he's used before. Cards that were receptive and channeled that power of the various Shikigami. And then he took out the sword he'd transmuted and slid it into his belt. Then he dug out another set of these items, as well as a belt to hold them, and gave them to his sister. "Here. Put these on, Kaname," he instructed her as he once dug through the bag and brought forth his Shikigami Disk.
"Hey, what's that?" Sota wondered, looking inquisitively at the strange artifact.
"It's my Shikigami Disk. I found it back in the Feudal Era, on Asagiri Island," Michiru explained as he looked at the artifact. It looked somewhat like a thick discus that was mounted on an oversized bracelet and was inscribed with a pentagram. It's magic amplified Michiru's Shikigami powers, and reduced the need for lengthy invocations. "I think Utsugi left it there, hoping that I would find it and use to bring down Naraku."
"Oh." Then Sota frowned somewhat, and looked at the female twin. "But…why didn't you give one to Kaname?"
"Because this is the only one I have," Michiru confessed with a hint of embarrassment. "I was never able to find a way to make another one."
"It's okay, bro. I'm sure you'll figure it out, so don't worry about it," Kaname told him easily. "So…shall we get going?"
"Huh? Oh, right, right." Returning his focus to where it belonged, Michiru drew forth a small blanket and set it before the Tree of Ages. And on this blanket, he a dozen pendants, forged through his own magic. This done, he looked up at the tree, and heaved a deep, heady breath. This is it, he told himself, scared and excited beyond his ability to express. Here goes…everything. Rising to his feet, he brought forth one of his Shikigami cards, and placed it on the patch of bark that was the thinnest. The exact point where InuYasha had been bound, where Kikyo's arrow had buried itself deep into the wood. Kneeling back down, he clasped his hands together, a pentagram spinning into existence beneath him. "Oh, towering green wood, hear my words and answer my prayers," Michiru intoned, releasing the snake that was his Wood Shikigami. Channeling the Shikigami into the card, he then channeled its magic into the Tree of Ages, where it mingled with its own life and power. "Oh, Tree of Ages, I offer onto you these pendants, filled with the power of the towering green wood. Please, give them and those who shall bear them your blessings, and allow them to traverse the corridor of time which exists through your power!"
Several seconds passed as the Tree pulsated with mystical energy. Then the Shikigami card soon glowed with power different from Michiru's own, pulsating time and again, until finally erupting into a massive pentagram symbol. The pentagram radiated power upon the pendants, which started glowing with a new power.
Kaname and Sota cooed and gasped in amazement at pendants, which for a moment were shining as brightly as the stars in the sky. As for Michiru, tears of joy and relief were running down his face as the tree returned to normal, his card falling to the ground, completely spent. "Thank you!" Filled with new life and hope, Michiru gathered the pendants and jumped to his feet. "Here, Kaname! Put this on!" he said, handing her one of the pendants. "With these on, we'll be able to go through the well, just like InuYasha and Kagome!"
"Wow!" Sota gaped as Kaname placed one of the pendants about her neck. "Say, can I come with you?"
His joy turning to shock, Michiru jumped about to look at Sota "What?" he gaped, suddenly confused. It was one thing for him and his sister to go, but for a powerless little boy to join them? Scratching the back of his head, he muttered, "Uh…I dunno, Sota…"
"Please! Please! Please!" Sota pleaded, practically falling to his knees as he grabbed Michiru's side. "I've always wanted to see where InuYasha lives and everything! So, please, can I come along?"
While Michiru was trying to think of a gentle way of setting the boy down, Kaname beam and inquired, "Oh, c'mon, bro! Why not? It'll just be for a quick trip, right?" Still not thrilled with such an idea, he turned to his sibling, he gave him an impish look. "Besides, you're the one who said that the demons around the village are all wimps, right? We should be able to keep him out of trouble."
"Um…well…" Michiru hesitated. Glancing about at the people looking expectantly at him, he finally sighed and relented. "Okay, Sota. You can come along. But only if your mother says it okay with her, alright?"
"Yea!" Sota enthused before flying back towards the house so fast that he left a mammoth contrail in his wake.
To Michiru's muted dismay, Mrs. Higurashi readily agreed to allow Sota to join the twins on their trip to the past. After she made it clear that they were go directly to the Kaede's village and not off on some detour, she and Grandpa joined the three of them as they entered the Shrined that housed the Bone-Eater's Well.
"Here, take these," Michiru said, giving two of the pendants to the elder Higurashis. "That way, if for some reason you need to come get us, you can follow us through the Well."
"Thank you," Mrs. Higurashi smiled as she and Grandpa donned the charms. "As soon as you get back there, we'll tell Kagome about your pendants."
"Right," Michiru beamed gratefully. "And…thanks for not telling her right away. I…"
"It's alright. I understand. Still…I do think that you're worrying for nothing. Everything's going to be fine," Mrs. Higurashi told him. Then she turned towards her youngest child, and told him, "Now, Sota, be sure and come back before dinner, okay?"
"Okay! Bye, Mom! Bye, Grandpa!" Sota waved as Michiru guided them to the side of the Bone-Eater's Well. He took a moment to smile victoriously at the ancient well that had once scared him. Despite the lingering doubts he had, the fears and confusion, there was now a bright star of hope at his heart. He could now see the Well's magic with his Wood Shikigami. The same power that flowed through the Tree of Ages, as well as the pendants.
I've got it now! Michiru told himself. I can pass through the Well! I know I can!
"Good luck to all of you!" Grandpa waved from above. "May the Sacred Tree watch over you and keep you safe."
"Thank you, Grandpa!" Michiru replied before straddling the ancient Well. "Come on, you two! It's time to go!" Watching as they hesitantly prepared themselves for the leap, he smiled with understanding and encouragement. He knew how ominous the Well looked, and remembered how afraid of it he had once been. But as then he wrapped his arms about their shoulders, watched as they found their courage, and as one, they cast themselves into the well.
The past two times Michiru had taken this plunge, he had fallen straight to the bottom, and a tiny part of him expected that to happen again. However, as they fell, the pendants worn by the three of them lit up with brilliant blue light, and the Bone-Eater's Well responded. It's forbidding abyss disappeared, and in its wake, a brilliant wave of magical light erupted around them, even more amazing than in the video Michiru had seen. Their descent slowed as the magic surrounded them; it felt more like they were floating than falling, and the three of them gasped in awe and wonder.
Eventually, the magic released them to a soft landing, at which they found themselves surrounding by the stony walls of the Bone-Eater's Well. "Huh?" Kaname muttered as she blankly looked about. "Did…did it work?"
While Kaname and Sota looked about their side, Michiru simply looked straight up. At which his mouth erupted in a grin that threatened to overwhelm his face. "There's your answer! Up there!" The two of them looked upwards as well, and both broke out in their own grins. The shrine that had covered the well in the present was no longer there, revealing nothing but open, blue skies.
"Let's go!" Sota jumped, and with that the three of them began climbing out of the well.
When they had just about reached the top of the Well, they heard something approaching from outside the Well. "It's about time, Kagome!" a familiar voice growled crossly. "What took you – huh? What the hell?" Just as Michiru was getting his hand out of the well, he felt a strong, clawed hand wrap about his wrist and haul him up. As he rose up out of the Well, he came face-to-face with InuYasha
Grunting in pain, and trying to stabilize himself with his free hand, Michiru smiled as the half-demon's jaw fell in total shock. "Uh, sorry, InuYasha! Kagome's…not here right now!"
"Michiru?" InuYasha yelped, almost dropping his friend in his shock. "What the - how the hell did you get back here?"
"It's a long story, and if you'd help me and the others up, I'd be happy to tell you!" Michiru grunted, feeling like his arm was about to pop right out of its socket.
"Others?" InuYasha shouted as he helped Michiru out, then turned to lift Sota and Kaname up.
"Sota? What are you -? And – and - ?" InuYasha barked, only to stop when he looked into Kaname's face. "Wait…you're…!"
As InuYasha's voice failed him, he found himself staring in astonishment at Kaname. "Oh, wow!" she breathed, her eyes widening with delight.
"Uh…what is it?" InuYasha started, looking a bit panicked as Kaname went up to him. "Is…something wrong? Are you…?"
"You're so adorable!" Kaname gushed as she hugged InuYasha. The half-demon stiffened like a board, his hands sticking out rigidly like he didn't know what to do with them. "Oh, I've been wanting to meet you all this time!" Kaname pulled back a bit, releasing her deathgrip on the half-demon so that she could take hold of his ears. "And now…! Oh, wow! This is amazing!"
"I don't believe this!" InuYasha growled, more stunned and shocked than anything as he looked at Michiru. "What is it with girls from your crazy world that they have to keep touching my ears…?"
Despite himself, Michiru couldn't help but laugh at the half-demon's discomfort. "InuYasha, let me introduce you to -!"
"Kaname! Yeah, I know!" InuYasha grunted nervously.
"Huh?" Kaname squeaked out, her smile falling into a look of confusion. "But…wait. How'd you know my name?"
His throat clenching, InuYasha took a step back as he looked over at Michiru. "Well…Michiru told us all about you!" the half-demon sputtered out. "B-besides, you…you smell like him!"
"I…smell like him?" Kaname repeated, not exactly sure what to make of this statement.
"Oh, right. I guess I forgot," Michiru broke in, smacking himself in the head. "InuYasha's sense of smell is a lot more sensitive than a human's."
"Yeah, that's right!" InuYasha declared, some of his normal belligerence returning as he folded his arms in front of him. "I mean…you practically have 'Kururugi' written all over you! Who else could you be, but…!" Before the silver-maned warrior could complete this sentence, however, his ears pricked. As he fell silent, Michiru was able to hear it as well; a faint, feminine grunting that was echoing up from the Well. The four of them turning about, they watched as a slender hand popped out of the Well.
Just as Kagome was poking her head over the top of the Well, Sota bounced up to her. "Hey, sis!" he grinned right in her face. Looking up at her brother, Kagome went rigid for a moment. Then her eyes and mouth popped open and she let out a strangled cry of shock. Without warning, she lost her grip on the Well's top, and fell back down into its depths.
"Kagome!" InuYasha yelped, and the four of them went to the Well just in time to see the flash of light that indicated Kagome had been sent back through time to the present. InuYasha quickly jumped after her, disappearing as well.
After a few seconds, Kaname looked up at the others. "I'm guessing that this could take awhile…" she remarked as Michiru and Sota smiled ruefully. A few minutes passed, and soon enough InuYasha and Kagome were back, appearing suddenly as the half-demon leapt out of the well with the reborn priestess in his arms.
"Omigosh! Michiru, is that really you?" Kagome grinned as she landed on her feet. Running up to the Shikigami User, she threw her arms about his shoulders. "I don't believe it! You really did it! You found a way to pass through the Well!"
"Kagome's mom just told us about those pendants you made, Michiru," InuYasha smiled as he came up to his friend. "Damn, it's great to see you again! I knew that something like this stupid Well wouldn't stop you!"
While the three friends were busy delighting in their reunion, Sota frowned and asked, "Wait a minute, if Mom and Grandpa told you about the pendants, why were you so surprised to see me?" Sota asked.
Snorting in disbelief, Kagome gave her brother a dirty look. "Gee, I don't know. Maybe it's because a certain someone jumped right in my face and sent me falling back down the Well!" While Sota was wincing at this, recoiling with a blush, his sister looked about and spotted the other girl present. "Oh, my...Michiru, is that…?"
"Yeah," Michiru nodded as he gestured at his twin. "Kagome, let me introduce you to my sister. Kaname."
"Hi, Kagome," Kaname smiled shyly as she came to stand before her. "Nice to meet you."
"Oh, so you're Kaname?" Kagome beamed as she took the Kururugi girl's hand in her own. "It's nice to meet you, too!"
Watching as the girls shook hands, InuYasha turned and grinned at Michiru. "So, I see you finally decided to tell her about what you've been doing all this time."
"Yeah. My bro's told me all about you!" Kaname enthused before Michiru could open his mouth. "He's also shown me videos, and told me about all the adventures and everything you've had back here!" Giving them a bashful smile, she blushed somewhat before confessing, "You know…in a way, I still can't believe this is all happening to me. I mean, I'm here in another time, and I…I still can't believe it!"
Nodding thoughtfully, Kagome placed her free hand on Kaname's. "I know how that feels. Believe me, I know!" she told her emphatically. Then she turned towards Michiru, and asked, "But…what are you doing here, anyway? I mean, I never even called you to let you know we were back! So…why'd you…?"
"Hmm? Oh, right!" Michiru got out. Shifting about on his feet, he looked about at his friends, and finally said, "Well…it's kind of a long story…"
"Then hurry up and tell it already!" InuYasha grinned, clapping his friend on the shoulder before seating himself on the ground.
Wincing in pain and wondering not for the first time if InuYasha knew his own strength, Michiru looked about and sighed. "Okay, okay!" he smiled before sitting down as well. As soon as the others were seated, he started telling his friends about everything that had happened since he had last seen them. When he decribed the fate of their most recent training ground, InuYasha snickered loudly and Kagome gaped at the girl in shock.
"You blew up an entire parking garage?" Kagome gawked, her mouth hanging open as InuYasha and Sota laughed even more loudly.
"It was an accident! I swear it!" Kaname protested, her cheeks burning in humiliation.
"That's right. Besides…we didn't so much blow it up as we knocked it down," Michiru admitted with a shrug.
"Wow. Maybe you two should open your own demolition company!" Sota smirked.
"Damn, that's cool. You must be pretty strong to be able to do something like that, Kaname," InuYasha decided.
"Oh!" Kaname jumped, her face turning a deeper shade of red. "Um…thank you, InuYasha!"
Pausing just long enough to shoot a dangerous look at InuYasha, Kagome then returned her attention to Michiru. "Well, okay. But that still doesn't explain why you just came over to my place when you didn't even know I was there!"
"I know, Kagome. But…the thing is, I couldn't think of any place back home where we could train and not have anyone see us!" Michiru explained, holding out his hands helplessly before him. "And I hadn't had a chance to see if the pendants I was working on would actually work, so I figured I could try them out. And if they worked, then Kaname and I could come back here, and practice near the village."
"Huh?" Kagome started, her eyes rounding with shock. "You mean…you were going to train…here? In the Feudal Era?"
"Well, sure! Why not? After all, Kaname's already way stronger than I was when I first came here," Michiru explained, gesturing at his sister. "And besides, with Naraku dead, what is there to worry about?" The moment he said this last bit, however, he knew that he had said something wrong. Both InuYasha's and Kagome's faces turned grim, their eyes lowering to the ground. Feeling a chill running up and down his spine, Michiru looked back and forth between the two of them, and finally asked, "Um…is there something I should know?"
Nodding somberly, InuYasha growled, "You could say that." And with that, he began his own long story. One that sent Michiru's heart sinking into his toes.
"What?" Michiru howled as soon as InuYasha and Kagome had finished breaking the bad news to him. "Naraku is still alive? But how? I thought we killed him!"
"So did we," Kagome confessed, a dismal expression on her face.
"He popped up a couple days ago," InuYasha told them, his eyes narrowed with hatred and barely-contained rage. "It turns out he just put a small part of himself into Utsugi, so that he could control him. As if that wasn't enough, it turns out that Kagura and Kanna are still around!"
"What?" Michiru gaped, horrified by this revelation.
Kagome nodded sadly. "Naraku faked their deaths in order to fool Utsugi and us, and then he had launch a surprise attack in order to try and get our shards of the Sacred Jewel."
His mouth opening and closing as he tried to assimilate this horrifying revelation, Michiru looked hard at his companions. "W-what about the others? Are they okay? And what about Kohaku?"
"They're all fine. Everyone else is…alive," Kagome assured Michiru, her own expression becoming more and more sorrowful. "But Miroku…his Wind Tunnel is back again, and Kohaku…Naraku took him back from us as well."
As these words thrust clean and clear into his mind, Michiru felt as if someone had reached into his chest and tore his still-beating heart from it. Horror ripped across his entire body, leaving him numb with pain, his mind conjuring up images of his friends, his companions as their lives were again ripped apart by the monstrosity he had once thought dead. "No…." Michiru moaned, thinking of Miroku with death once again living in his hand. And Sango…he found himself flashing back to the desperate, agonizing moments in which Sango had been forced to choose between the life of her brother, and her friends. He saw that pain on her face in his mind, magnified a thousand times over. All because of an abomination that thought nothing of the many lives sacrificed for his evil ambitions. That still lived to torment them and others.
These images caused a pure, burning hatred to build up and flow through Michiru, moving and growing until it erupted in a cry of sheer rage. "Dammit! That does it!" Michiru howled, all his concerns in the modern forgotten as he unknowingly performed a good impression of InuYasha. "I swear, I won't rest until we bring down Naraku for good!"
"Yeah!" InuYasha grinned. "That's the spirit! Damn, it's good to see someone talking sense instead of moping around!"
While Kagome was fixing InuYasha with an accusatory glare, Kaname came up to her brother's side.
"That's right, bro!" she chimed in, clapping him on the shoulder. "Count me in!"
Turning about to look at his sister, Michiru was brought back to the present. "Kaname…" he faltered, his anger fading as she considered his twin, who had never once been in a battle. "No, Kaname…you shouldn't…"
Blinking rapidly, Kaname then grimaced when she realize what her brother was about to say. "Michiru, don't you even think of telling me to just forget about this and go back home!"
"No, Kaname! You can't come with us!" Michiru protested. "Coming here to train was one thing, but this…!"
"Michiru…" Kagome murmured, her eyes welling up with sympathy.
As for InuYasha, he rose up to his feet and glowered at the Kururugi boy. "Hey, what's the matter with you, Michiru? Didn't you say that you thought Kaname could handle herself?"
"What? InuYasha, are you crazy?" Michiru gaped as Kagome echoed this sentiment. "She can't stay here! Naraku is the most evil and dangerous demon of them all! You of all people should know that!"
"And that's why I should stay, bro!" Kaname retorted, her eyes narrowed as she went up to face her twin. "Listen, I know you just want to protect me, but that's why I want to stay! To be able to help protect you and your friends!"
"Kaname…" Michiru tried again.
"Listen, you and I know we have these powers for a reason, Michiru! We both think we are destined to fight for what's right. So I'm staying with you." Kaname then paused, giving her brother an impish look. "Besides, what do you expect me to do back home? Stay up late each night, worrying that you might be dead?"
Working his mouth, trying to say something, Michiru looked over at his friends. At InuYasha, who was coming up towards them and fixing him with a look of intense experience. Of sadness. And of understanding. "I know you how much you want to keep your sister safe…but you can't protect her forever," the half-demon told him. "She…she has her own mind. She has a right to make her own decisions."
"That may be," Kagome chimed in, a definite frown on her face. "But Kaname hasn't fought any demons before, let alone something like Naraku. Powers or no powers, she doesn't have as much experience as the rest of us."
"Yeah? Well I don't remember that stopping you when I told you to go home and stay there!" InuYasha grumbled good-naturedly. Then he snorted and grinned at Michiru. "Besides, I'm betting that Kaname knows how you made those pendants of yours. Right, Michiru?"
Blinking a few times at this, Kaname grinned at her twin. "That's right, bro! I know exactly how to make more of those pendants, any time I want!" she declared victoriously. "So even if you got rid of all of them, I could just make more any time I want and come after you!"
"But…!" Michiru fumbled out, only to groan in dismay. "Ugh…you're not going to take 'no' for an answer, are you…?"
Chuckling at this, Kaname shook her head. "Sorry, bro. I know you're just trying to do what's right," she told him. "But…I guess we just have different ideas about what's right for me."
Groaning heavily as he looked at his sister, and then his friends, Michiru watched as InuYasha smiled his sympathy. "Well, now that that's settled, let's get to the village!" he growled friendlily. "We still have to introduce Kaname to the others!"
"Yeah…I guess you're right," Kagome decided as she extended her hand to the Kururugi girl. "Welcome to the team, Kaname."
"Thank you, both of you," Kaname replied, bowing her head. "I promise I won't slow you guys down."
"Aw, relax!" InuYasha snorted. "Your brother never once slowed us down, so why should you?"
Her cheeks burning with embarrassment and pleasure, Kaname smiled as Michiru went up to his friend's side. "Thanks, InuYasha," he told him. Then he let some of his annoyance flash in his eyes before whispering, "But just so you know, I'll expect you to help me keep an eye out for her."
"Feh! Of course I'll be looking after her!" InuYasha grumbled good-naturedly. "Seriously! What do you expect with me around?" Michiru didn't say anything to this; instead, he simply smiled at how much it was beginning to feel like old times.
As the small group was conversing amongst themselves, a younger voice piped up. "Hey! InuYasha! What's taking you so long?" Starting at the voice, a voice he instantly recognized, Michiru turned and looked up above. Sure enough, there was Shippo, the mischievous young fox-demon, who was floating towards them in the form of big, pink blob.
"Hey, Shippo!" Michiru called out, suddenly unable to feel dour at the sight of his young friend. As for the fox-demon, his eyes widened in shock, exploding into a puff of smoke as he transformed back and fell to the ground. Crying out in surprise, Michiru darted forward and reached out just in time to catch Shippo before he hit the ground
"Wha-?" Shippo sputtered as he recovered. Then, after shaking his head a few times, the fox-demon looked dumbstruck at the boy who held him. "Oh, wow! Michiru? Is that really you? I can't believe it!"
"You better believe it!" Michiru laughed, holding up the fox-demon so her seated comfortably in his hands. "Because it's true! I'm back, alright!"
"Oh, wow! This is so great!" Shippo exclaimed, jumping up to wrap his tiny arms about Michiru's neck. The two of them laughed merrily as the fox-demon swung about him, finally causing the Shikigami User to fall to the ground.
"This is amazing!" Sota enthused, his hands clenched in his excitement as he watched the two boys laughing. "I can't believe I'm actually here!"
The sound of a voice he didn't recognize tore Shippo's attention away from Michiru. "Huh?" the fox-demon got out as he turned to face the speaker. When he spotted Sota and Kaname, he cried out in surprise around eyeballs that were trying to bulge their way out of their sockets. "Hey! Who are you two?"
"It's a long story, Shippo!" Kagome replied, looking somewhat exhausted now. "We'll explain it to you on the way back to the village."
"Right, so let's get going. Sango and Miroku must be wondering what's keeping us," InuYasha growled warmly, and it was at that point that Michiru's heart fluttered. Despite the horror that Naraku's revelation had brought him, the knowledge that they had lost so much of what they had won from him, he couldn't help but focus on what he had finally won for himself. He was really back with his friends. He was really back with everyone. And soon, very soon, he would be able to see Sango again.
With new enthusiasm, Michiru led the way back to Kaede's village.
Author's Notes: Finally! Michiru has returned to the Feudal Era, and is about to be reunited with Sango! Please, read and review! And maybe check out my other stories while you're at it!
Jetty, I don't know when Michiru and Sango will share their first kiss. It might not be for a little while. Remember, Sango has a great deal of emotional baggage to deal with, and has difficulty showing how she feels at times. Still, I will be including some fluff between them in the not-too-distant future, so be on the lookout for it!