Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or any of its characters. They are property of Rumiko Takahashi. However, this story and created characters are mine.
Chapter 4: Identity Exposed
The sun rose beyond the trees of the forest. Miroku emerged from the hut, rubbing his neck due to the uncomfortable sleeping position. He paused to the sound of deep breathing. His head twisted to see Tomi sleeping against the wall of the hut. Isamu, laying peacefully in the young girl's lap, lifted his head to Miroku. The monk smiled while the small cat gave a short meow. Hearing her friend's voice, Tomi opened her eyes and stretched her arms. "Good morning Isamu," Tomi greeting warmly as she petted the cat behind his ears.
"Good morning Tomi." She looked up at the sound of the voice. Miroku smiled nervously at her startled expression. She responded with a smile, which made Miroku relax a little.
"Sorry if it wasn't comfortable in there," she spoke quietly to the monk, detering her gaze in apology, "The hut isn't meant for so many people."
"Not at all. We are grateful for your kindness," Miroku said with kindness in his voice. His focus changed as others merged from the tiny hut.
"What a long night," Kagome stated while stretching her body.
"Whatever, let's go. We're wasting time. Naraku is out there collecting jewel shards while we're worried about some village."
"InuYasha!" Shippo cried, "We promised the villagers we would check the mountain."
"Feh! We found that the village is protected by this brat." He stopped short when Tomi clobbered him in the head. InuYasha, readying himself to confront the creature who punched him, met flaming green eyes carrying the expression of anger and rage.
"Who are you calling a BRAT!?" she screamed as the half demon backed away towards Kagome.
"And I thought Kagome was scary," Sango whispered to Miroku. He was thinking about Tomi and her earlier reaction to his age-old question. The monk thoroughly examined Tomi as InuYasha hid behind his woman. He must have promised him to her in the past, but could not remember. Never had he saw a woman with such wrath for his affection since he met Sango. He wanted to make amends with this young girl, but how?
Tomi took a deep breath seeing how stunned the others seemed; she may have scared them a little too much. With a long exhale, she regained her composure.
"The path to the mountain top is over there," she calmly stated while her finger aided with the directions, "you had better leave now so you don't have to stay in the meadow again." She turned to return to her home, only to see a demon smashing her hut.
"Dammit! I forgot to replace the barrier that you destroyed!" Of course, she emphasized the word "you" to InuYasha, who gritted his teeth in response. Unsheathing Gaia and Kitsu, Tomi charged at the one-eyed, blue in hue demon. As his yellow fangs flashed as he reached down at the hut. Tomi's Gaia slashed the torso of the demon, causing blood to splatter on the ground. The demon cried in pain as swinging his arms towards the young girl. Tomi jumped, missing the muscular hands of the sky-colored creature. This time, the blade Kitsu stabbed the demon's shoulder as Tomi floated in the air. Again the demon swung his good arm at her. Blood sprayed from his wound as she removed the blade, causing the creature to scream. Upon landing, Tomi turned to see a huge foot coming on top of her. She leapt quickly, rolling away from the crushing blow of the foot. Regaining her own footing, Tomi stood facing the demon, gripping her two blades. Her home in ruins and covered in blood, she was determined to kill this intruder.
The others had been watching the fight, wanting and fearing for entering the battle. Tomi seemed so serious that no one wanted to bother her, but she was so young that they feared for her life. Kagome clenched her bow, waiting for an opportunity to interfere. Sango readied her Hiratsu, in hopes of a clearing between Tomi and the creature. InuYasha, still angry about his bump on the head ignored Tomi's pain, but stood guard in case Kagome got involved. Shippo just wished that it would be over soon. Everyone prepared to help Tomi in any way, except Miroku.
Ever since the fight began, Miroku stared at the girl. Her fighting style was so familiar. Being dark the night before, he could not see how she fought. In the bright sunlight, he saw the two blades, a short sword and a dagger, each covered in the demon's blood. He saw her determination, her willingness to fight, her resemblance to her!
"Midori!" Everyone twisted their heads upon hearing Miroku's cry, including Tomi. The demon saw his chance. His hand swung at the young fighter. Realizing she let her guard down, Tomi quickly focused back on the battle, but it was too late. The hand struck with such force that the young girl flew into her crumbled house. Her teeth gritted as she tried to stand, but the creature was already heading towards her. Fear came to her face for the first time since the battle began. She had lost her swords while flying through the air. Tomi scrambled to escape the creature but had no exit. Only a thought came in her head as her stared into the demon's black beady eyes, Am I going to die here?
"Wind Tunnel!" Air swirled violently around the meadow. The demon shifted his sight at the monk, who seemed to control the wind. Realizing that he was being pulled towards the monk, he started to flee. The demon had no chance. The suction of the vortex was too powerful for the blue demon and he disappeared into the void. Tomi could feel herself being pulled towards the sucking air whirlpool and tried to brace herself. She began to fly in the air until the wind ceased, causing her to drop onto the floor, with her weapons landing next to her.
The young girl brushed herself off before grabbing her weapons. Tucking each blade into its rightful scabbard, she turned to face the monk. She could see it in his eyes. He had realized who she was which made tears gather behind her eyes. She saw Miroku walk up to her slowly, with an expression of hesitation, in fear of saying the wrong words. He halted gently in front of her. Each were staring into the other's eyes, waiting for the other to talk.
The sight caused Sango to cringe with jealousy, feeling that at one point in their lives, they may have been lovers.
"Midori," Miroku whispered as he placed his arms around the young girl. She followed his lead and clasped her arms around him. The embrace emitted a deep affection and long departure. Sango's eyes began to water at this sight. She knew Miroku had asked many woman to bear his child, but never thought he had ever fallen in love with any of them. Her fears seem to come true. Kagome, noticing Sango's grief, placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, once again comforting her in her time of need.
"Don't worry," Kagome whispered to her heartbroken friend, "He loves you and he won't leave you for her." Sango smiled to her friend, but only to reassure her. Inside, jealousy and betrayal consumed her soul.
Realizing the amount of kindness she was giving the monk, the girl pushed Miroku away, saying, "Don't think you're getting off that easily. I am still hurt for what you did to me."
"Midori, I…" A finger prevented him from finishing.
"You promised you wouldn't leave me! You promised never to leave me alone!" She shouted angrily at the monk. The anger in her voice caused the hoops in the golden staff to rattle.
"I'm sorry." His apology did not come as a shock. She knew he would try to ease over her pain.
"That won't work this time. You lied to me! You broke your promise"
As the conversation continued, Sango became more depressed, since the argument resembled a married couple having a typical squabble where the woman feels unappreciated while the man tries to soothe over his belittled wife. It felt like the dagger Kitsu had stabbed her heart, multiple times.
"I didn't want you in danger. I'm sorry." Miroku apologized again, pleading with his eyes for her forgiveness. She failed to cry, despite the pain her heart felt. Her pride refused her to cry.
"You could of said goodbye," she whispered, lowering her head to escape his soft stare.
"Look, you're not the only woman who Miroku hit on," InuYasha shouted at the arguing couple, "Just get over it girl so we can continue getting the jewel shards."
The young girl stood in shock at the half demon's words. Miroku gulped as she turned to face him. Her green eyes were full of fury, teeth gritted at the perverted monk.
"Wait Midori you don't…" Miroku raised his hands too late. Using her left hand, the young girl slapped the monk's scared expression.
"You jerk!" She pushed him with such force that the monk tumbled to the ground. He covered his face in protection, in fear of another assault attempt. Seeing his sad state, and feeling multiple eyes on her, she relaxed her body with a long exhale.
"Mushin always said that men are inconsiderate. I guess brothers are no different." Jaws dropped at the young girl's words. Everyone was speechless as "Tomi" crossed her arms at Miroku, stucking out her tongue.
"You're Miroku's sister?" Shippo asked with a surprised, yet innocent tone, breaking the silence. She looked at him, ready to give an explanation, when Miroku, recovered from the dynamic blow, answered the fox pup.
"Everyone, this is Midori, my little sister," the monk stated standing next to her. She stood proud as the others soaked in the new information. She was happy to be reunited with her brother, even if he failed to mention her.
"Miroku, why didn't you tell us you had a sister?" Kagome's words hurt Midori. She looked at her brother, her own flesh and blood, with eyes asking why he would deny her. Miroku felt everyone's eyes upon him, eyes which longed for the truth, which he was now prepared to give.
"You all know about the curse in my right hand," he began in a relaxed lecturing tone, "Well, the curse was only supposed to let our family have one male heir, which the curse passed on to." Miroku's voice became joyous as he continued his story. "When Midori was born, she did not have the wind tunnel. She was free from Naraku." Miroku shifted his eyes to Midori, ready to give his sister the answer she sought, "But Mushin feared that if Naraku found out about her, she would be in great danger." Miroku focused back at his friends, finishing his explanation, "I thought if no one found out about her from the outside world, then maybe she would be safe." He recalled the day he left.
Miroku and Mushin stood outside, drinking sake. The dinner of roasted fish and rice settled in their stomachs. Their discussion of women took longer than normal since Mushin received some extra scrolls in the past week.
"It is the fascination with women that has plagued your family, you know," Mushin added, adding an uninviting twist to the topic.
"Yes," Miroku replied solemnly. The demon, Naraku, had pretended to be a woman before placing a curse on his grandfather. He shifted the rosary that covered his right palm.
"I am just glad that Midori does not share my fate."
Miroku smiled at the peaceful girl in the small hut. Her short auburn hair slightly veiled her youthful face. With his eyes on Midori, he missed Mushin fiddling with his sake cup.
"It is a shame."
"What is Master Mushin?"
"That her life is in constant danger."
"What?" Miroku sharply questioned in a whisper. The elder monk looked at his pupil and adoptive son.
"She is a living piece of defiance towards Naraku. If he ever finds her, he will be furious." His gaze fell back on the sleeping girl. "He will probably kill her."
Miroku cringed at the thought. Never did he want to even think about what would happen if Naraku found out about Midori. He watched his sister sleep. Her face wore a small smile, signifying a happy dream.
"I can't let Naraku take her," Miroku stated aloud. He looked down at his right palm, staring at the rosary and cloth which covered his cursed hand. Midori had lived this long without pain, without a set fate. He turned to grab his staff and exited the small hut.
"Where are you going?" Mushin ran after him.
"I am going to get Naraku. I will not let him get Midori." He looked at Mushin, whose face was covered in worry.
"Why don't you wait until morning," Mushin suggested, hoping to delay his journey, "Then you can be rested when you leave."
"Every minute I waste is another minute Naraku is alive and able to get Midori." His sad yet determined eyes fell on his master. Mushin nodded, understanding his passion to leave.
"Be careful though," Mushin warned, "No one knows what Naraku looks like."
Miroku bowed his head. He quest already seemed hopeless and he had just begun. The enemy he was trying to find had no set shape and no known hiding places.
"Momma, Papa." The soft sleepy utterance of Midori reached the conversing men. Miroku lifted his head as he heard his sweet voice, building his confidence. Midori needed his help, his protection.
"Keep her safe," Miroku spoke softly. Mushin nodded. Miroku looked back at the hut. Pain entered his heart. His words the other day were about to be broken, his promise to her. He wanted to be there for her. The threat of Naraku on her life, though, was the greater of the two evils.
"Goodbye Mushin." Miroku spoke as he strolled from his home, his eyes and mind fixed on his goal.
"Goodbye, Midori."
"You did it to protect me?" Her voice brought him back to the present reunion. The questioning look on her face revealed the pain she had experience since he left her. He nodded and smiled at her, assuring her of his claim. Midori, feeling guilty about slapping and pushing her only brother, had tears forming in her eyes. She had thought he did not care, that he only thought about himself.
"I know you are upset at me for breaking my promise." Miroku placed his hands gently on his sister, shifting his eyes to stare at her eyes, "Midori I love you. I would do anything to protect you, even if it means lying about your existence."
"Miroku," Midori whispered as her grasped his body. She wanted to hold onto him forever, to help keep his promise now that they were reunited. Ever since their parents' death they were all they had. As they grew older, however, Midori became the odd one out. Mushin and Miroku would talk about women and wine, as well as spiritual rituals used to fight demons, leaving her alone. She could not watch their joyous conversations because of the pain they caused. To ease the pain she would go alone, practicing her sword skills by slashing greenery around the waterfall. Someday, she thought every day as her swords cut through the air, I will defeat Naraku.
She softly pushed him away at the thought of Naraku, the vile demon that cursed her family fifty years ago. He had to die. Somehow, she would kill him.
"Come on Midori, we have to get going," Miroku said with a smile, "I'm not leaving you alone, not this time." She was surprised by his response. Never did she think he would allow her to go with him. She turned to face him, making sure that his words were true.
"I want to know you are safe. Now that I know where you are, I want to keep my eye on you, even though I know you can take care of yourself."
Midori was hesitant, despite Miroku's brotherly words. She gazed back at her destroyed hut, then at Isamu, her one true friend. He leapt to her shoulder, comforting her with his support. Scanning her new companions, she nodded.
"Let's go," Miroku said, waving a hand in the air.
"It's about time. We're wasting daylight."
"InuYasha, Sit!"
The half demon slammed into the ground by the power of Kagome's command. Midori jumped as the ground beneath her shook. Leaning into Miroku, she whispered, "And I thought I was scary."
Miroku laughed loudly as he followed the other girls to the mountain top.
"Hey! Come back here!" InuYasha shouted from the ground, watching the rest of the group head towards the top of Mount Shen.
Author's Note: I will be on vacation next week so the next chapter will not be posted for two weeks. Sorry for any inconvenience.