Love and War
Disclaimer: I do not own, or make any money from, the stories of Inuyasha.
All Inuyasha characters are the sole property of Rumiko Takahashi, Sunrise and Viz
All original characters belong to me.
Chapter Twelve
The Portal
Inuyasha hopped out of the well,
"Well, old man, you made it through.", he said, as he knelt to let the man off his back.
"Welcome to Feudal Japan, Grandpa.", said Kagome.
Her grandfather looked all around,
"It's amazing. This is where our shrine will be?"
"Yup.", answered Kagome, "This is how it was before Tokyo was created."
"Amazing. Simply amazing.", he kept repeating.
"Well, old man, you can keep admiring everything on our way back to the town.", Inuyasha said, "I'll take both of you on my back."
"Are you going to jump like a madman again, demon?"
Inuyasha sighed, "Old man!"
"Jii-chan, it's alright. I ride on Inuyasha's back all the time. He's never dropped me.", Kagome assured him.
"Get on.", Inuyasha commanded them.
Kagome helped her grandfather onto his back before getting on herself,
"We're ready.", she said.
Inuyasha sped off and jumped high into the trees, jumping from tree to tree,
"Kagome, I thought you said the village was near the well.", her grandfather asked.
"That village was destroyed by the man causing this problem. We're staying at an old Heian era town where Inuyasha was born."
"Heian era? Are you saying Inuyasha was born in the Heian era?", asked jii-chan.
"Yes, he was.", she told him.
"But, that's over 700 years ago.", jii-chan replied.
"Well, from this time, it's a little over 200 years, but, yes, Inuyasha is over 200 years old. Demons age slower than humans.", she advised him.
"Amazing. Simply amazing.", jii-chan repeated again.
To this Kagome giggled and Inuyasha groaned. They landed softly inside the old town. They weren't on the ground 5 minutes before three children ran up to them, screaming,
"Mama! Daddy!"
Kai and Shinta jumped onto Inuyasha as the slowest one, Izayoi, reached up to her mother to be lifted. Jii-chan stared,
"Mama? Daddy?", he asked.
"Yes, jii-chan. These are your great-grandchildren. This little girl is Izayoi. She's 4. And Inuyasha is holding Shinta and Kai. Shinta is 8 and Kai is 7. The littlest one is Shiori. She's about 8 months old.", Kagome informed him, "Kids, this is my grandfather. Your great-grandfather. You can call him jii-chan.", she told the kids,
"Are you from the future like mommy?", asked Kai.
Jii-chan laughed, "Why, yes I am. Would you like to hear some stories?"
"Yea!", shouted Kai.
"Sure.", said Shinta.
"Otay.", said Izayoi.
"C'mon, kids. Let's show jii-chan where we live, ok?", Kagome said to them.
The kids readily agreed and jumped down to take jii-chan's hand,
"C'mon jii-chan, we'll show you where we live.", said Shinta, "And, Shiori is there with Shippou."
Kagome smiled as the three started pulling their great-grandfather in the direction of their home. Inuyasha just huffed,
"Good. They can keep him busy for a while."
"I'm surprised they're up so early.", Kagome mused.
"Actually, they've barely slept while you two were gone.", said Miroku, walking up behind them and rubbing his eyes.
"Hey there, Miroku.", said Inuyasha, "So, I guess you didn't care for dealing with 4 half-demons, didja?"
"Two days with 4 half-demons was like a year with you, Inuyasha.", Miroku commented, wryly, "So, who was that man?"
"That was my grandfather, Miroku.", Kagome answered him, "We found out that my grandfather and some other people remember the way the world was before Nishimura changed it."
"And he was able to get through the well?", Miroku queried.
"Duh!", said Inuyasha, his arms crossed, "Can we take this conversation inside? My stomach wants food!", he complained.
Miroku smiled at his friend's complaint, "Sure. Sango's cooking breakfast now. She left Shippou with Shiori because she was sleeping."
"Inuyasha, let's get jii-chan and the pups and go get breakfast.", suggested Kagome.
"Yea, ok.", agreed Inuyasha, "We'll see you back at your hut, Miroku."
"Sure thing.", Miroku acknowledged, as he walked away.
--
They group sat down to a huge breakfast feast. Kagome and Inuyasha told everyone what had happened in the modern era,
"So, what we need to do is find Nishimura's portal. We may need to enter it and see where he's from.", explained Kagome, "We may have to set things right there."
"How would we do that, I wonder?", inquired Inuyasha.
"Actually, I've been thinking. Hideki said that the stories of Harry Potter are real. That a wizarding world actually exists. In one of the stories, Hermione Granger uses an item called a Tme Turner ... to turn back time. Maybe, we can locate Hogwarts in Nishimura's era and talk to a wizard. Maybe we can get a Time Turner to use.", Kagome suggested.
"Will this Hogwarts place be there in Nushimura's era?", asked Sango.
"Judging by his weapons, I'd wager he's from the late 19th century. Hogwarts, according to the stories, was formed a thousand years ago.", Kagome informed them.
"So, yes, we should be able to get to Hogwarts, right?", asked Inuyasha.
"Weeeell, that's the one part that will be hard.", Kagome said, twisting a towel in her hand.
"Whaddya mean 'hard'?", Inuyasha looked at her.
"What I mean is, according to the stories, Hogwarts is hidden with a magic spell so Muggles can't see it.", she explained.
"Muggles?", Sango, Miroku, Kaede, and Shippou chorused together.
"Non-magical people.", Inuyasha explained.
"Oh, of course.", said Shippou, "I knew that."
BONK!
"Ow Ow Ow Kagome! Inuyasha hit me!", Shippou complained.
"I'm sorry, Shippou. I'm afraid you deserved that.", Kagome told him.
"Ok, so how do we go about finding this place if it's hidden from muggles?", Inuyasha turned his attention back to Kagome.
"Kagome has the sight. Maybe she will be able to see it.", suggested Kaede.
"Possibly.", Kagome said, "I don't really know. I'll have to see when I get there."
"Greaat!, Inuyasha groaned as Kagome shrugged her shoulders.
--
A couple days later, Myouga showed up, landing on Inuyasha's cheek and promptly getting slapped,
"So, Myouga, whaddya got for us? Any sign of Kohaku yet?", Inuyasha asked him.
"Not yet, sire. I'm still searching.", the flea told him.
"By the way, do you happen to know where Nishimura's portal is?"
"Hmmm. No I don't, as a matter of fact.", replied his vassal.
"What the hell good are ya?", Inuyasha bitched to him, "Well, listen, I need you to stay with Nishimura at all times. We need to know where his portal is."
"Why, Master Inuyasha?"
"Because Kagome and me need to find it and travel through it, that's why."
"Huh? Why do you need to do that, Master?"
"Because we need to find out more about Nishimura. Now stop asking questions and get moving!", Inuyasha picked up his retainer and threw him far away.
Inuyasha walked into his house. He saw Kagome sitting with Sango. Shiori was asleep on a blanket beside her mother,
"Where's the old man?", Inuyasha wondered.
"With Kaede and a few other elderly people. Why?", answered Kagome.
Inuyasha shrugged his shoulders, "No reason. I was thinking. I want to check out Nishimura's castle some more before we go through the portal."
"Do you know where the portal is?", asked Sango excitedly.
"Not yet. But, I just saw Myouga and I sent him to follow Nishimura and find the portal. In the meantime, I'd like to explore his castle."
"Mind if I come along?", Miroku asked, as he walked in the front door, "Sorry for not knocking, but, I heard your conversation."
"S'alright.", Inuyasha said, "Sure. I wouldn't mind the company."
"Can I tag along too, Inuyasha?", asked Kagome.
Inuyasha looked at his wife. He was about to say 'no', but, he could tell by her expression, that it would only start an argument. He sighed,
"Whatever. We'll leave tomorrow morning."
--
Jaken and Rin stood a fair distance away as Sesshoumaru fought his latest battle. Jaken was very concerned because he knew that his demonic powers were waning. He could only assume that his lord's were as well,
"Bakusaiga's not doing anything, Master Jaken.", spoke a worried Rin.
"No. It seems all that Lord Sesshoumaru can do is battle them in a true sword fight.", agreed Jaken, thinking, 'Whenever he tries to use his vine-whip or another demonic attack, it's evident his strength diminishes.'
As the pair continued to watch, Rin began to realize that Sesshoumaru was weakening,
'We must get him back to demonic grounds so he can recover.', she thought.
Her heart raced as she watched her lord kill some of the humans, their blood staining the ground. She realized that Sesshoumaru was moving slowly backwards, trying to get closer to the energy given off by the demonic grounds,
"LORD SESSHOUMARU!", she screamed, as another soldier came up from behind him and managed to get a slice in on his legs. Fatigued by the drain on his powers, Sesshoumaru fell to the ground on his knees,
"Now it's time for your death, demon.", one soldier said.
As he lifted his sword to finish off the weakened demon, Sesshoumaru felt blood splash on his face. He lifted up his head and was surprised to see the human with a sword sticking out of his chest. What surprised him even more, was the wielder of the sword,
"Rin!", he spoke, weakly.
Rin pulled out the sword and brandished it,
"I know how to use this! I was taught well! If anyone else wants to join him in death, just try me!", she told them.
Quick as lightning, she swung around and hit a soldier behind her, killing him,
"Try to sneak up on me, will you! HA! That'll be the day.", she laughed.
A couple of soldiers teased, "Looky here, the little girl wants to fight."
"Yea, let's show her who's boss here."
"Rin!", urged Sesshoumaru, "Get out of here."
"No! I won't back down. Kohaku taught me how to handle a horde of demons. Humans are just that much easier.", she said, as she began swinging and thrusting the fallen soldier's sword.
The soldiers were shocked when she easily slew 20 of their comrades. A few decided they may have bit off more than they could chew,
"RETREAT!", one of them called out and the others listened.
As soon as they were out of sight, Rin turned her attention to Sesshoumaru,
"Master Jaken, get Ah-Un. Lord Sesshoumaru must get back to the demon grounds to regain his strength."
Sesshoumaru stared at the girl. He couldn't believe what he had just witnessed,
'When had she become so strong?', he thought, 'And, when did she grow up so much?'
"My lord, I wish I could accompany you to the demon grounds.", Rin told him.
"I'll be fine, Rin. Just find a place to relax until I can come for you.", he told her.
She smiled, "Sure. I'll wait for you just beyond the demonic grounds.", she told him.
Ah-Un landed, "My lord!", called Jaken.
Sesshoumaru got up on Ah-Un, "Take care of Rin, Jaken.", he said before Ah-Un flew off.
Rin follwed then in the sky until she could no longer see them,
'Take care, my lord.', she thought, her heart racing wildly.
--
Kohaku found some time late one night to visit Nara and her mother. Along the way, he came upon a thicket with a couple of bucks. He killed one to take to the women. He also picked some pretty tiger lilies for Nara. Arriving at the old town, he saw the one hut that Nara had fixed up. He lightly rapped on the wall,
"Nara? Are you awake? It's Kohaku."
Nara opened the reed door, "Kohaku! I'm so glad to see you!", she gushed, wrapping her arms around him.
"I've got a buck here for you.", he told her, as she pulled away, "Where do you want me to take it?"
"There's a hut behind here that we put all the game in. I'm so glad you thought of us. Thank you for the meat, Kohaku."
"Oh, these are for you.", he said, pulling the flowers out from behind him. Nara's eyes lit up,
"Kohaku! They're beautiful!", she said, as she took the bouquet. She buried her nose into the petals,
"Let me take this around to the hut.", Kohaku said.
Kohaku returned and found Nara sitting on the ground. He sat beside her,
"How have you been?", he asked.
"Pretty good. We're very grateful for what you did. We know you risked great harm doing what you did."
"It's ok. I've managed to stay one step ahead of my commanding officers. They're pretty stupid anyway."
They talked for a while more before Kohaku told her he had to get back. She threw her arms around him,
"Never forget me, Kohaku.", she whispered, before placing a kiss on his lips.
He kissed her back, deeply and passionately. But, his mind wandered,
'Oh, Rin. What am I to do?'
--
Inuyasha, Miroku and Kagome raced to the castle. Inuyasha sniffed the air,
"There's even less people than the last time.", he told his companions.
He knelt down to allow Miroku to get on his back with Kagome. Leaping from a tall tree, Inuyasha entered a room,
"No guards.", he told them, "And Nishimura's not here either."
They began searching rooms. Most rooms were empty. A couple of rooms they came upon had people in them. Prisoners, tied up,
"Why are you here?", asked Kagome.
"We are here awaiting execution when the lord returns.", they all replied to her.
Inuyasha began slicing their bonds,
"Good People. Follow me to a back room. We'll get you away from here.", Miroku told them, leading them away.
"That explains where the people are all going.", said Inuyasha, "He's killing the ones who can't fight for him."
"How horrible.", Kagome said softly.
Walking into another room, they stopped and stared. Inuyasha took a closer look,
"What the hell are these devices? Do you know, Kagome?"
Kagome couldn't drag her eyes away,
"They're torture devices, Inuyasha. From Europe's Middle Ages ... basically this time just in Europe. That one is the rack ... and, that one, I believe is called the Iron Maiden. I'm not sure what the others are called."
"How do they work?", Inuyasha asked, mainly to himself.
Kagome explained what she could remember to Inuyasha. The half-demon shook his head,
"I'll never get over the ways humans decide to hurt each other."
"Man's inhumanity to man.", Kagome said softly.
"Kagome.", Inuyasha spoke softly, "We have to go. Nishimura just rode up"
He grabbed her hand and they walked quickly to the back room,
"Okay people,", Inuyasha announced, "We don't have much time. I'll carry as many of you on my back as I can and get you to safety. Miroku, how many do we have?"
"17, Inuyasha.", Miroku told him.
"Ok. Let's get going.", Inuyasha said.
Miroku and Sango helped 5 people get on Inuyasha's back. He leapt away and soon returned. This happened two more times. When he returned, there were just two more people left plus Kagome and Miroku,
"Let's go.", Inuyasha urged.
Landing on the ground outside of the castle town's walls, Kagome instructed them,
"We'll lead you to our town. It's hidden and safe.", she told them.
Arriving back at the town at mid-afternoon, the other refugees made the newcomers feel welcome. Kagome, Inuyasha and Miroku were about to get out of the heat and have lunch when Myouga showed up,
"Sire. I have the whereabouts of the portal."
"Where is it Myouga?", asked Miroku.
"It's north of Nishimura's castle town. Its entrance is an old tree."
"Whaddya think we should do Inuyasha?", asked Kagome.
"It's too late to do anything today. We'll head out at first light.", Inuyasha told her, "Myouga, stay around here. You're taking us to this portal."
"Yes, my lord.", Myouga bowed.
--
The sun had barely cracked the surface of the horizon when Inuyasha and Kagome set out with Myouga. Miroku met them at the edge of town,
"You wanna come, monk?", Inuyasha asked him.
"If you don't mind.", Miroku answered him.
Inuyasha just shrugged his shoulders and knelt down,
"Hop on. I ain't takin' all fucking day to get there."
Inuyasha hopped away with the three passengers. Myouga directed him,
"There it is, master.", he pointed out to Inuyasha.
Inuyasha landed beside the tree,
"Looks like an ordinary tree.", he mused.
"And the well looks like an ordinary old well.", Miroku reminded him.
Inuyasha ignored his comment, "How does it work, Myouga?"
"Nishimura just walks right into it.", Myouga explained.
"Let's find out.", said Kagome, as she walked towards the trunk of the tree. Instead of hitting the trunk, a light appeared, engulfing her.
"Ok. I guess I'm next.", said Inuyasha. He walked towards the trunk and ...
WHAM!
Inuyasha fell backwards on his butt,
"What the hell?", he said, rubbing his temple, "Why didn't it work?"
Miroku stared at the tree, "Maybe you have to be spiritual or something to work it."
"PFFT! Yea! Like Nishimura is spiritual.", Inuyasha scoffed.
"Either way, it looks like it won't let you through.", Miroku told him.
"I don't want Kagome alone where ever this portal goes. Miroku, if I can't get through, then you try it.", Inuyasha said.
"Ok. If I can get through, I promise you, Inuyasha, that I'll protect Kagome with my very life.", Miroku told him.
"I'll hold you to that, monk. Now go."
--
Kagome looked around, "Where am I? That portal led to an alleyway ... but an alleyway to where? And where is Inuyasha?", she turned and stared back at the wall she had emerged from.
As if in answer to her question, she saw the wall shimmer. A second later, Miroku came through and stopped beside her,
"Kagome!", he said, relieved.
"Miroku. Why are you here? Where'e Inuyasha?", she asked.
"The portal won't let him through. I'm figuring it's because of his demonic powers.", he answered her, "So, where are we?"
"I don't know yet. Let's head out to the street.", Kagome said.
The two walked up to the end of the alley. Kagome stared at the clothes,
'Victorian?', she thought.
Amidst stares, they started walking down the street,
"Kagome, what language are they speaking? I don't understand what they're saying.", Miroku whispered to her.
"It's an old form of English. I know modern english, but, I can understand enough of it to know what they are saying.", she told him.
Kagome stopped. Up ahead of her, she saw a small building. A boy stood beside it, yelling,
"PAPERS! GET YER PAPERS 'ERE!"
Kagome walked up to the boy. In her best english, she asked him,
"May I look at one, please?"
He handed her one, "Where ye from, miss? Ye have a strange accent."
"I am from a country far away. A country called Japan.", she informed him.
"Ah. That tis a long way away. Ye traveled a long time, eh miss?"
"Uh, yes, I did.", she smiled at him.
"I'll tell ye what I'll do. Since ye came from so far away and because ye are so pretty, I'll let ye 'ave that copy fer free.", the young boy told her.
"Thank you so very much.", she told him, before turning to Miroku, "Let's go back to the alley."
Heading back around to the rear of the alley, Kagome opened the paper,
"This is the London Times. It's dated April 6, 1860! Miroku, Nishimura is from 1860's England!", she said to him, amazed.
--
A/N: Chapter 13 will be up by Saturday evening. Thank you for all the reviews! I love every one of you. See ya soon!