"Who the hell are you?" Inuyasha said, disdain dripping from his tongue like honey. No emotion met the young girl's face as she repeated her last line.
"I've come for Kikyo's belongings."
"Who sent you to get them, then?" He tried. The girl stood silent with her arm out stretched. For a moment Inuyasha thought she would just stand there like that until her dry voice broke through the air.
"Tsukuyomi sent me for Kikyo's belongings." Inuyasha's eyebrows drew near.
"Tsuku..Yomi?" He asked, fingering his tetsaiga. The name rung a small chime in the back of his mind but he could not put his finger on where he had heard it before.
"Kikyo's belongings," the girls voice drew him out of his thoughts. What was he supposed to do? Give her the bow and be on his merrily way?
"Not until you answer my questions." The hanyou demanded rudely.
"All will be answered with time. But for now, the bow." Her voice never shifted, never changed. Inuyasha grabbed a hold of tetsiaga's handle. Inuyasha was careless as always, drawing the sword in a swift flick of his wrist.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." A voice, his voice, echoed in the dog's sensitive ears. "If you harm her, I will not hesitate to kill Kagome." Inuyasha gulped as he slid the blade back into its sheath.
"Tsukuyomi, right?" Inuyasha growled. "Why don't *you* come out from hiding and get what you wanted?" His attitude roared more then he himself did.
"I have come for Kikyo's bel-"
"Putta sock in it!" Inuyasha lashed out at her lowly.
"Inuyasha. Give her the-"
"Why don't *you* come and get it?"
A sigh came and went with a breeze, the full moon hovering overhead. Inuyasha stood defiantly, challenging the man to show his face. "Fine." Suddenly, the ground began to quake and Inuyasha was thrown off balance. He, however, did not fall as any human would. After the ground ceased to crackle and split beneath the hanyou's feet, a new sent met his nose. It was similar to the girl's, but distinctive enough that the mutt had no problem telling them apart. In a blink of an eye, a tall man stood to confront the curious amber eyes. He was dressed in an old fashioned ( even for Inuyasha! ) kamodo that was dyed the same color of the girl's who stood besides him now. His eyebrow was cocked in an irritated fashion as his long black hair tumbled in the wind. So this was Tsukuyomi, huh? "Now that you have seen me," the male mused, "I wish to take what is now mine." Inuyasha's ear twitched at his chosen words. He was about to bark 'Got to hell!' but a new face appeared- or shall we say- an old face.
"Inuyasha."
The silver haired half breed stood, in full shock, his sly remarks rolling off his tongue like water. "K-Kikyo!"
The women nonchalantly took a step towards the man whose jaw dropped to the ground. "It was Tsukuyomi who saved me."
Chapter 3: Tsukuyomi Friend or foe?
"I am not going to be bedridden!" Kagome screamed as Miroku tried to pin down the surprisingly energetic women's flaling hands.
"Kagome, you just need some more rest!"
"No!"
"Kagome! Calm *down*!" Sango helped the monk's cause by pushing her legs to the floor.
"I *just* got out of bed! I don't wanna go back!" She cried, kicking and throwing random punches everywhere. Was this tantrum needed? No. But Kagome didn't care. Sango and Miroku both tried to tackle the young women to her cot before abruptly ceasing and staring at Inuyasha who made his way silently into the hut, his face drained and pale. Kagome sat up, giving a quick "AHAH!" until she too noticed him.
"Inuyasha, you look like you've seen a ghost." Sango pointed out.
"K-K-K," he sputtered, not being able to grasp the words. The women he loved so long ago was back. *Again* How many times would her grave be disturbed before she was able to sleep in peace?
"Spit it out." Miroku said, patting the fraziled man on the shoulder in a reassuring matter.
Inuyasha parted his lips and sucked in a breath. "Kikyo is... She's back..." Miroku and Sango, after the news met their slightly yet slightly not surprised ears, both glanced over at Kagome to see how she would react. Inuyasha always was one to get... distracted and distant when Kikyo was around, never thinking about Kagome's feelings, so when Kagome smiled at the dog demon, it brought to them more surprise then the fact Inuyasha's former lover had risen from the grave.
"Really? Kikyo is back?" She asked, a forced smile playing her lips. Inside she felt her heart drop. Inuyasha's reaction to the fact that Kikyo being alive sung loud and clear that he still had feelings for her...
"Kagome..." Sango breathed as she heard the slight strain in the girl's voice. Inuyasha, being dense as always, didn't take into account what Kagome was thinking and nodded.
"I... he... the... and.."
"Inuyasha, take a breath and tell us what happened."
**"Kikyo!" Inuyasha exclaimed, letting the bow that was so tightly held in his hand fall to the ground. Inuyasha leaned forward. She smelt as the girl did, a strange kind of flower he did not know of, but behind the mask he smelt *her*. Kikyo stared at him, her still brown eyes looking him over.
"Inuyasha." Kikyo 's voice didn't waver. How could she always be so serious?
"But... How did-?"
"I asked Tsukuyomi to grant me one last chance at life." She explained, loosing Inuyasha completely.
"B-But. How? You were- and then you..." he swallowed, taking yet another step closer. Last time he had seen Kikyo, she died in his arms. Now... she was back- and he didn't understand why or how. Before she needed a number of soul collectors to be able to stand on her feet- but the air snakes were nowhere to be seen.
"I was dead, but that did not stop me from communicating to him." She spoke slowly as if explaining the most obvious thing to a small child. "Now please, Inuyasha, give me my bow." She was the one to step closer this time, her arm outstretched. Inuyasha did not hesitate to pick up the wood and place it in Kikyo's hand, his fingers lingering on her cold, pale, flawless skin.
She's real... Inuyasha couldn't help but feel relived. Kikyo is back...
It was too quick. Kikyo stepped back once more and all three of them were gone.**
"I wonder why Kikyo wanted to be brought to life once more..." Miroku muttered more to himself then the other three that sat near him. Still, he got a response.
"I don't know, but she's out there and breathing again." Sango sighed. Inuyasha didn't listen as they continued their conversation, asking all the questions that nestled in his own mind and coming up with theories. He just stared down at his hands. Kagome, didn't join the conversation either, she was also busy in her own thoughts. It had been almost six years since Kikyo died again, and now she was back... and Kagome couldn't help but feel distraught.
Without warning, Kagome stood. "I'm going for a walk." She announced, stepping passed Inuyasha who barely took notice in the change before reaching the door. The wind had picked up and now harassed the girl whom held a hand to her forehead. She let her feet lead her, and before she realized it, she stood in front of a tall tree that was painted with a scar that looked as if someone took a blade and slashed at its bark. She knew better though. It was an arrow that made that mark. The exact arrow that started her on this advenchure, the exact arrow that introduced her to Inuyasha... The arrow Kikyo shot...
She sighed and sat lonesomly at it's base. It seemed like she did this a lot. Over thinking situations and putting herself down. Maybe Inuyasha had gotten rid of the feelings he once had for Kikyo. Kagome snorted. Yeah right! Kikyo was his *first* love- in comparison between them, Kikyo was surely to come first!
She sighed. All she could do now is support Inuyasha in his search for Kikyo.
Unless...
A dastardly smirk danced on her lips. A smile that was able to give anyone who gazed upon her the chills. She'd need help for this one.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
The next morning Kagome went to Miroku's and Sango's hut, her arrival being met with two noisy early birds. The twins had woken up before their parents like usual and played with Shippo who had become the unofficial babysitter.
"Shigorning." She slurred her words together quickly as she shook Miroku awake. Shippo watched with a cocked eyebrow. Something important must've happened, Kagome was *never* up this early!
"Five more minutes, sweetheart." Miroku mumbled, tossing the other way in his bed.
"Miroku!" Kagome hissed.
"Mmm?" He asked, still not fully conscience.
"Oh my god, I can't believe she's naked!" Kagome tested, and as she expected, the lecherous monk sat up and looked around with a look that said "Who?" Once he realized it was just a trick, he rubbed his eyes.
"Whadya want, Kagome?" He groaned, feeling slightly hurt and betrayed by the tease.
"I need to talk to you." She said, her voice just above a whisper. "Privately." Miroku gave the women a questioning look before sighing and shoving the blankets off himself.
~•~•~
"What!" Miroku exclaimed. "Kagome, this can't possibly be a good idea! No one in their right mind would attempt it!" Kagome grinned.
"I know, that's why I came up with it! He won't expect a thing!" She laughed, sending shivers down the man's spine.
"Kagome, this isn't like you." He put a hand to the women's forehead. She didn't feel warm. Maybe she was under a spell or-
"Miroku, I can't just sit back and watch as Kikyo wins over Inuyasha. I at *least* have to try."
"But... But if you go through with this... well there's too many things that could go wrong."
"And too many things that could go right!"
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Inuyasha sat up and sniffed at the air. It'd been almost a week since he gave the bow to Tsukuyomi. The flowered sent was still nowhere, meaning Kikyo was nowhere. Another image of her flashed through his mind. Her flowing hair. Her cold flesh that Inuyasha wanted to take in his arms and never let go. But he couldn't. He couldn't have her. No matter how much he *wanted* her.
"Master Inuyasha! Master Inuyasha!" A small voice chanted before the hanyou felt a small prick on his nose. He brought a hand up and slapped his face, a lesser demon sitting in the middle of his palm.
"Whaddyou want, Myoka?" He groaned, not really in the mood for the flea.
"Master Inuyasha, I have heard that you and Tsukuyomi have crossed paths!" He stated bluntly.
"How the hell did you hear about that?" Inuyasha asked, his eyebrows drawing close together.
"I have my sources. But first- I need to talk to you and the others!" Inuyasha took a second to realize who he was addressing as "the others".
~•~•~
"So you know who Tsukuyomi is?" Miroku asked as he settled down in between Sango and Shippo.
"Yes, I do." They all watched, waiting for their questions to be answered.
"So who is he?" Kagome asked breaking the silence that Myoka let fall. It what was on all of their minds.
"Tsukuyomi is the god of the moon." His bluntness kept the group up to terms nicely.
"The.. God of the moon?" Sango repeated, trying to wrap her mind around it. She had heard something about such a god, but never put much thought into it.
"Yes, Tsukuyomi, or Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto as formally used, is a man of great power and one of great darkness." Myoka explained quickly.
"Great darkness. So he *is* evil!" Shippo slammed the side of his fist into his palm.
"Not exactly, Shippo." Miroku countered. "Just because one is known for great darkness does not mean that they're necessarily evil."
"The monk is right! Though Tsukuyomi can be dark, most of his intentions are pure."
"So is he good or bad?" Inuyasha barked, his patients drawing thin.
"Depends."
"There is no "depends" about it! Its one or the other!"
"I'm sorry, Master Inuyasha, but in this case, that is not how it works."
"So, if Tsukuyomi is the moon god, that explains why he has only come out at night!" Kagome said thoughtfully. That's also why he was able to lure me into the lake.
Myoka nodded. "Yes, he can only present himself when the moon is out, but when the moon is full he is at full power. Tsukuyomi is the creation of the night, and that , Master Inuyasha, is why we can not determine weather he is good or evil." Inuyasha gave a snotty "keh!" in response as he crossed his arms and turned his mug away from the old man.
"What do you mean, 'creation of the night'?" Sango asked.
"Well, it is more along the lines of *he* is the *creator* of the night." The group gave Myoka a questioning look. The creator of night? Myoka, catching their confused eyes, continued. "Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto used to live along with many other gods. He was the second of the three noble children. He had an older brother and younger sister. His brother, Onogoro, the first noble child, is the commander of the earth. His sister, Amateraso, the was goddess of the sun. When he lived with his brother and sister in Takamagahara, the sun, earth, and moon never separated. Then, great misfortune found Tsukuyomi when he killed the goddess Uke Mochi."
"Who is... Uke Mochi and why did Tsukuyomi kill her?" Kagome twirled a piece of raven hair as the information quickly overloaded her.
"Amaterasu once sent Tsukuyomi to represent her at a feast presented by Uke Mochi, the food goddess. The goddess made the food by turning to the ocean and spitting out a fish, then facing the forest and game came out of her mouth, and finally turned to a rice paddy and coughed up a bowl of rice. Tsukuyomi was utterly disgusted by the fact that, although it looked exquisite, the meal was made in a disgusting manner, and so he killed her."
Kagome and Sango shared a gasp. He killed her because...?
"So... he must be evil if he kills someone for that!" Miroku exclaimed. Myoka just shook his head.
"Amaterasu found out about her brother's act and became angered. In a spite of rage, she moved to another part of the sky, leaving Tsukuyomi in the dark. That was, until he realised that without his sister, stars surrounded him. That, is why we have day and night, you see." Sango, Miroku, Inuyasha, and Shippo all looked memorized, as if some great mystery of the world had unrivaled in front of them. Kagome, on the other hand, did not.
"Actually, Myoka, day and night were never together. They have always been separated due to tilt of the earth's axis. The axis is the imaginary straight line that the Earth spins around, just in case you didn't understand the term. That and the way the moon and earth's orbits. Oh! but you probably don't know what that is either! An orbit is the gravitationally curved path of an object around a point in space. You see, as the earth orbits around the sun, and-" Kagome was using her hands to diagram how it worked, using one finger to circulate another one, but, stopped abruptly when she was met with blank stares.
"Okaaay." Shippo said, changing the subject. "So Myoka, if he is neither good or evil, what do we do? He brought Kikyo back and-"
"What! Lady Kikyo?" Myoka looked overly surprised. "That's impossible! Without Shikon-No-Toma Kikyo can never be revived again!"
"Well she was. What happened to those "sources" you were bragging about? Huh, Myoka?" Inuyasha grumbled leaning against the far wall.
"Are you sure it was her and not just an illusion?" Inuyasha nodded as he remembered the iciness of the women's skin against his fingers. He sent hidden behind a flower that must be as elegant as she for it was able to paint its oder on her skin.
"Yeah," he looked away, a longing sigh caught in his throat. "It was her.." Kagome rolled her eyes. He didn't need to get like that! He needs to learn how to keep things to himself, jeez!
Sango cleared her throat loudly, everyone but Inuyasha getting the point it was time to move on.
"Myoka, is there anyway to get Kagome back home?" Sango butt in. Myoka shook his head.
"As I've told master Inuyasha many times, without the well, there is no way that she can go from this world to the next." Myoka explained.
"But," Miroku said thoughtfully, "Tsukuyomi told us something about an Amulet. Tsuku Amulet, right Inuyasha?" The dog grunted in agreement. Myoka tensed up, sweat sliding down the back of his head.
"T-Tsuku a-am-amulet...?" Inuyasha ears twitched on top of his head. In one swift motion, he picked the flea up and held him between his thumb and forefinger.
"Tell me, old man, do you know anything about this Amulet?" Inuyasha growled lowly, squishing Myoka like the bug he was.
"M-Master! I..." Myoka gasped. Inuyasha loosened his grip to let him talk. Myoka, now caught, ex hailed and in hailed, ready to explain. "Master Inuyasha, I have no such knowledge of this piece of Jewelery you speak of." Explaining, in times, meant lying your ass off, of course.
Inuyasha closed his eyes ever so slightly. "You sure 'bout that?" His tone did not ask more than it *warned* the bug. Yes, Inuyasha had grown considerably.
More sweat dripped off of Myoka like rain. "M-Master! You must understand that I did not tell you because if I did you would have no doubtfully put yourself through a great deal of unneeded danger to obtain it!" Myoka gasped, leaving a smug frown on Inuyasha lips.
"Thought so. Well, now that you have come *clean*, why not tell us more about this amulet?" Inuyasha seemingly spat. Myoka swallowed and nodded- he was caught so what was the point of lying? Sigh.
"Tsuku amulet is a very powerful object. It was once apart of Tsukuyomi. He washed himself of all of his sins as he bathed, and it is rumored that as his sins were clenched the amulet fell out of his right eye." A pause of silence fell over the crowd as Myoka took a second to draw a breath. "They say that it is shaped as a small, black jewel with a gold chain it was attached to. I guess you could say the jewel is similar to the jewel that granted Inuyasha access to his father's grave!"
"Let me get this straight. We're looking for something as small as a pupil?" Miroku queried. Myoka shook his head quickly.
"I advise you forget about this whole thing! Do *not* go looking for something that is good as myth itself!" Inuyasha huffed.
"Yeah right." Kagome felt her heart flutter. So there was a way to get home! But... what if Myoka was right?
"Anyway," Sango began, "if Tsukuyomi *told* Inuyasha about the amulet, then isn't it real?"
"He could have just been trying to trick Inuyasha into a dangerous journey." Miroku countered.
"Y'all think I'm weak!?" Inuyasha cracked his knuckles. "I'll show you! Myoka, where was this *amulet* last seen?" Myoka hesitated, not wanting to tell the dog demon.
"W-Well, it has quite the history. In one story it was used to grant luck to an evil demon who used it to make a great empire- but before he was able to finish his great act, he was slaughtered and the jewel was stolen. Next time it popped up, it was used by a priest whom tried to use its power to seal a weasel demon, but failed and the jewel was lost. I guess the last time anything was heard about this amulet was when it was seen with a spirit named Shiraha."
"Ah-" Miroku cut in with a goofy look in his eyes. "I recognize that name. Shiraha, the name that stands for white feather, was a women whose radiant white hair could memorize any should that laid their eyes on. Her eyes, such a lovely blue that people compared to the heavenly sight of the clear ocean. Her skin, so soft and flawless. Because of er beauty, many men asked her to marry them, but every time they got the same answer, 'No I am waiting for my true love.' One day, a man that goes by the name of Shiro asked her to be his bride, but like everyone, she declined. He quickly became enraged, and swore that if he couldn't have her, no one could!" Miroku finished off dramatically. Sango sat with her arms crossed,annoyed that Miroku had to go into such detail.
"Yes, that is also the rumor that I heard." Myoka agreed, nodding. "It is also said that after her death that this spirit was haunted by Shiro an used the amulet to ward him off." He finished. Kagome's ears were introduced to a laugh presented by Inuyasha.
"Well now that we have a lead! And since Miroku knows so much, we'll have to take him!" Sango gabbed.
"You are *not* leaving with him!" Kagome nodded. Though Miroku worked on his ways, Sango still needed to keep an eye on him.
"Then come with us." Inuyasha said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"But the kids!" She argued.
"Leave 'em with Kaede or don't come. I don't care." He stood and grabbed Kagome with a clawed hand. "Let's go." Kagome gave a whine of protest but Inuyasha didn't care. A moment later, Sango made up her mind. Shippo was on Inuyasha and Miroku's tail.
A new journey awaited the group.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
AN~•~ Hey. I see you there. The urge to review overwhelming your mind. Go ahead. Do it. I dare you ^•~