Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or any of its characters. They are property or Rumiko Takahashi. However, this story and created characters are mine.
Chapter 8: Truth be Seen
It had been quiet since Midori left the group without warning. Isamu, lonely since she left, shuffled along the ground, always waiting for his former master to come from behind, with her arms wide open for a hug. The constant anticipation, though, was slowly breaking Isamu's spirit.
Miroku kept his thoughts to himself, worrying Sango. At night, he would stare at the stars, hoping that she was safe. Isamu, keeping the silent promise he made with her, stayed by Miroku's side, protecting him. He could not fathom why she left, why she did not say goodbye. Miroku's taciturn stance worried Sango. She would watch from afar as he thought of his sister.
"Maybe we should go search for Midori," Sango suggested to the others as Miroku stood by the river that night, stroking Isamu.
"It wouldn't help us find the jewel shards," InuYasha stated, crossing his arms which held Tetsusaiga. His one-track mind always seemed to be on at the wrong time.
"InuYasha, Miroku needs our help. He has been down ever since Midori left," Kagome scolded the half-demon.
"Maybe he's better off without her. You don't see me hanging out with my brother."
"His sister is not trying to kill him," Sango inferred, hinting at his dumb comment.
"Why are you giving so many excuses?" Kagome looked at him with a questioning look. He deterred his gaze away from hers, signaling to everyone that he knew something.
"I told you what I know, she left. She never gave me a reason. Besides, it might be better for her not to be with us, with Naraku on our tail."
Kagome's eyes widened. She looked at the stars, she knew exactly why she left. Their conversation from the night before played in her head, bringing sorrow to her heart. She promised she would not say a word to Miroku. Midori wanted it this way. But what if the truth helped Miroku? She shifted her eyes to where Miroku stood only to find that he was gone.
Miroku wandered farther from the group with Isamu following him. His thoughts were on Midori. She left without warnung, without saying goodbye. Why did she leave? He looked to the sky, recalling the happy yet painful memory of his past.
Miroku knelt in the cool damp grass. The setting sun allowed cold air condense on the warm blades. Placing his golden staff in the soft bed, he bowed his head. Every so often he would come and pray, showing respect to his late father. It had been nine years since his father met his fate, the fate was passed on to him.
His train of thought was interrupted by a familiar presence. He smiled to himself. His sister was one thing in his life that made him happy, besides women. Despite the hard times, they had each other. He was glad, even with his cursed hand, for she was free from the wrath of Naraku. He asked for his father to continue watching over her until his task was complete.
"Rest well Father," Miroku said aloud after he completed his prayer.
"Miroku, time for dinner," the young girl stated as her brother came to a stance. His dark blue eyes stayed fixed on the gravestone for a second before turning to the auburn haired pre-teen, "Alright Midori, let's go." Miroku said cheerfully to his sister. He dropped his cheerful tone when he noticed her staring at the gravestone. Her jade green eyes were deeply fixed, filled with grief upon the departed. Seeing his sister in such a depressing state, Miroku walked slowly towards her. He ended standing in front of her and placed his rosary covered hand on her shoulder.
Feeling the smooth beads on her shoulder, Midori's eyes lifted slowly to meet his calm eyes.
"Don't worry, I will avenge our family." Miroku reassured her. The smell of roasted fish and rice made his stomach grumble, enticing his body to move towards the source. He passed Midori, knowing she would not be far behind. The smell dissipated as Miroku felt Midori's fading aura. He turned his head, only to see his sister frozen by the crater. Her eyes once again focused on the gravesite.
"Come on, Mushin is waiting." He called over his shoulder. Silence followed his command. Not even a slight nod was returned. The monk became more concerned. "Midori?"
He observed as Midori faced him. Her eyes focused on the ground before his feet. Worried for his only sister, Miroku met her in stance, waiting for a response.
"Promise me you won't leave me." Miroku did not make a sound. His silence only provoked her.
"Promise me you won't leave me," she repeated, this time looking straight at her older brother, "I don't want to be alone." Miroku continued to stand in silence, staring at his little sister. The monk showed no emotion in his eyes. He tried to think of why she would ask such a question. She was his flesh and blood, his only living relative. She should know that he would always protect her, that they would never be apart. Returning his thoughts to the frustrated girl, he saw her head drop. Miroku frowned at himself, making his sister feel ashamed of herself. Midori stared at her tattered sandals. The wind cut through the siblings, creating a dividing line. Miroku crossed the line and headed towards the humiliated girl. All he wanted was to protect her, to keep her safe, and to keep her happy.
"I promise," Miroku said, causing Midori's head to rise. His sincere smile repeated what she heard. A happy grin spread across her dirty face. His word was now her comfort, her security for the future.
"Now let's go eat," Miroku said with a twist of the heels. "Kay," Midori replied, following right behind him, "Thank you for promising. I don't ever want to be alone."
He thought about his conversaion with Mushin later that day, when the truth of Midori's unknown future was revealed. The day he made the promise was the day he left. He bowed his head, ending his stride. Was it her way to get back at me for breaking my promise? Pain gripped his heart. He was the reason for her leaving. He looked down at Isamu with sorrowful eyes, apologizing to him for focusing his master to leave. The oversized cat rubbed his leg, forgiving him. The pain they shared was punishment enough. Miroku relaxed to Isamu's kindness. He looked to the sky, staring at the clouds.
His concentration was broken by Isamu crawling underneath his legs. The cat raced over the terrain as Miroku held on tightly to his fur. Something was driving Isamu to move. Miroku lid up at the idea of what provoked Isamu.
Isamu stopped suddenly, allowing Miroku to dismount. He scanned the horizon, staff in hand as Isamu sniffed the air. His eye caught the sight of a young girl in the distance, her hands crossed in front of her face. Sliver blades shimmered in the sunlight. Scanning with his blue eyes, he knew it was her. He began running again, running to say he was sorry.
Midori breathed heavily while searching for the next strike. Her pupils shifted rapidly as her hands protected her face. The intensity in the eyes made her fail to see the monk or her former companion approaching her.
"Midori!" Miroku shouted, running to his younger sister. Her head twisted quickly to find her brother had come to her. She gritted her teeth as he reached her.
"Why are you here?" The minute the words escaped her lips swirls of wind came rushing towards them. The siblings narrowly escaped from the thrashing wind blades. Isamu lashed at the wind witch, biting her leg. Kagura screamed in pain. She waved her fan, striking the cat demon's neck.
"Isamu!" Midori shouted as her friend hit the ground, blood pooling around his lifeless body. Kagura kicked the dead beast, enraging Midori.
"Come now, Midori. We don't want to keep Naraku waiting," Kagura stated in annoyance.
"What do you mean?" Miroku questioned the wind witch, now next to his little sister. Fear began to envelope his heart. Does Naraku know about Midori!
"Dance of Blades." Crescents of winds shot from Kagura's pink and white fan, hurtling towards the two. Too slow to escape, Miroku and Midori were forced back by Kagura's power attacks, ramming into a rock bed. The wind witch smiled at the sight of the fallen monk.
"It's about time you came with me," she commanded lightly as she approached the siblings. Miroku stood in front of Midori, shielding her from Kagura's grasp.
"Foolish monk." The fan rose again, preparing to strike. Miroku removed the rosary covering his right hand.
"Wind Tunnel!" A vortex formed, engulfing the scenery surrounding the wind sorceress. Kagura leapt, escaping the swirling winds. Out of nowhere several Saimyosho appeared, flying into the winds. The winds stopped as Miroku replaced the beads over the cursed palm.
"Smart move monk." Miroku's heart filled with fear as his eyes moved towards the voice. A white baboon with a blue gray face stood a few feet behind Kagura. She gritted her teeth, scorning the newly arrived guest silently. The swarms of insects gathered around their master, creating a protective barrier.
Midori, free from the boulders, stood hunched over behind her brother. Scarps dappled her skin. Blood trickled above her right brow. Her swords, however, had not left her hands. Wiping the dust from her eyes with the back of her sleeve, she saw her opponent and the large figure, covered in white. She position herself once again, ready to fight.
"Naraku," Miroku hissed at the ugly beast. A low chuckle, muffled by the mask, was heard from the man. Midori gasped at her brother's claim. The man who cursed her family fifty years ago, Naraku, was standing before her. The shock ebbed away as her fortitude grew. I will keep my promise. Midori tightly clenched her weapons. Now carrying a bellicose expression, she sprinted towards the despicable being that got joy from her family's pain.
"Midori!" The sound of Miroku's passed by the young girl's ears. Her intend was to kill this thing, this thing that plagued her family for years. Her heart pounded with determination. She knew this was the moment.
Naraku smiled and chuckled again as he saw the young girl approach him. This, he knew, was the result of humans and their cumbersome emotions. These desires that drive humans to the brink of detsruction were of no use to him personally. He knew just how to use these feelings against the weak. The thought of this young girl's futile attempt to slay him forced him to chuckle loudly.
Midori ignored the sinister laughing. This was her time to keep her vows. She knew that she would not disappoint herself. With Naraku dead, we can all be happy. She watched as his arms opened wide, inviting her strike. Her teeth gritted at his mocking behavior. The gesture infuriated the young girl. Leaping, she saw a detailed smirk just above his chin. Fire burned inside her as she stabbed the white baboon fiercely in the chest. Twisting her blade, she expected to hear the wrenching cry of Naraku's pain, the same pain that she felt. All she heard was the sound of Kagura gasping, followed by the shouts of Miroku.
"Midori! Get away from there." Miroku cried, racing towards his sister. His pursuit was cut short as blades of wind whizzed passed him. He turned to see Kagura, ready to strike again. Raising his staff, the monk prepared himself to thwart the onslaught of blades. The wind witch, smiling at his patheic stance, released her assault. Bracing himself, Miroku attempted to block the wind blade. With no luck, he was flung backwards into the rocks. Pain shot through his back. Despite the slight agony, he freed himslef from the pile of enlarged stones. With Midori's safety on his mind, Miroku stood, ready to attack again. I will not lose her again. Kagura, in fear of Naraku punishing her, prepared herself to retaliate the monk's actions.
"My goal today is not you monk." The battling rivals converted their attention to Naraku. His disguise faded, relieving a body with multiple demon extremities. With the disguise gone, Midori saw the true appearance of Naraku. An angelic face from hell, she thought. Gritting her teeth, she glared at him. Suddenly, her blade Kitsu shot from Naraku's chest, grazing the young girl's cheek. A small scream escaped her lips, making Naraku laugh.
"You are scared because of a small scrap?" His voice cracked into a chuckle. "I will give you something to fear."
His words pierced her heart, raising a sense of trepidation inside her. The hole made by the sword began to engulf her right arm. Midori struggled to free, her hand now was wedged into Naraku's chest. Every tug caused her arm to become more snug within his flesh. Fear began to consume her thoughts. She felt her arm being pulled into his fleshy tissue. Pieces of his flesh began crawling slowly up her arm, drawing it closer to death. Midori wiggled vigorously, attempting to free herself. Naraku chuckling as he felt her futile efforts. Grabbing her chin, Naraku forced Midori's eyes to gaze into his.
"I told you I would reclaim my flesh." He smiled deviously at the girl. Tears streamed from her polished green eyes. Her body felt like it was being crushed by rollers as it entered the demon's flesh. She tore from his grasp, turning her head towards her brother. She saw Miroku, restricted by Kagura's presence, with clenched teeth and damp cheeks; there was nothing he could do. With her free hand she reached desperately to him.
"Miroku! Miroku!" She screamed his name, the words distorted from the sobbing. She wanted to tell him that she was sorry, sorry that she never told him the truth. She felt the cold flesh creep forcefully up her neck. The truth of her death sank into her mind. Her soaking wet cheeks felt inflammed as the foreign skin planted itself on it. I'm sorry, Miroku. No other words came from her, for her voice was silenced as her face was absorbed into Naraku's patchwork body.
Miroku watched helplessly at the proceding murder. No longer struggling, he witnessed the hanging arm of his sister get sucked into Naraku's body. Her fingers, still reaching for him, disappeared in a river of mutt-like tissue. With the task complete, Naraku smiled at the monk, knowing the pain he was causing him. Miroku, left in a state of shock, observed his mortal enemy depart with his puppet following on a white feather. Rage filled his soul.
"Naraku! I will kill you!" Miroku's rang loudly through the sky. Emotion overcame him. He collapsed to the floor, red hot tears poured from his sad blue eyes. His sister was gone, gone from this world. He began to regret leaving her, never saying goodbye.
In his despair, he failed to notice his friends coming from behind. Kirara went to her newest companion, who now laid dead upon the cold ground. She cried as the others gathered around the sullen monk. Unaware of what happened, they let him cry, waiting for an explanation.
Miroku never explained everything. He told his friends that Midori was gone, but the gruesome details of her death never left his lips. Every day, he silently reinstated his vow. He would avenge his family, and his sister, Midori.
Naraku smiled as he entered his castle. A new plan was brewing in his mind. InuYasha will meet his demise.
"Kanna," Naraku cooed to his incarnation, "Go and find Kagura. It is time to meet your new sister." Kanna nodded before heading out the door. Naraku, now alone, opened a clay jar. His smirk grew as he stared at the blob of his own flesh which rested at the bottom of the jar. A whisper passed his lips before closing the lid.
"You will now pay for your parents' insubordination."