Chapter 4: Modest temple, hidden castle

Koga drops Rose off at the Torii gate in front of the temple, saying, "You sure about this? That idiot will probably follow you here if he's so set on keeping you."

Rose smiles and gives Koga a grateful kiss on the cheek as he sets her down on her feet, "Don't worry, Koga. The temple is only a meeting point. The Goddess's castle is hidden behind a special barrier that only lets in those who mean no harm to those within the castle walls. Bankotsu couldn't enter even if he found the barrier."

"If you're sure. I think I should go warn dog-breath that his niece has been brainwashed, though."

"I wish you wouldn't call Inuyasha that. Oh, and if you see Sesshoumaru, could you warn him as well? I'll be more likely to run into Nadeshiko's father than you, so I'll tell him what's happened."

"Will do. I'll get going now."

"Bye, Koga."

Without another word, Koga kicks his whirlwind up again and rushes off to find the inu brothers. Rose watches until the whirlwind is out of sight, then heads inside the temple, making sure to stir the wind chime as she goes inside. Within minutes, a young girl with golden hair, eyes, and clothing comes to meet Rose, saying, "It has been a while since you visited, Miss Rose. Lady Cousana was beginning to worry about you."

Rose bows in apology to the shikikami before her, "I'm sorry for that, Tachikara. I have a feeling that I will be coming here more often because of recent events."

"I saw that someone has activated your curse. May I ask who, Miss Rose, tries to be your master?"

"Bankotsu of the Shinshitai. He thinks to keep me as a pet, because he met me when I was ookami. I seek temporary shelter in the castle."

"Very well. I will take you to the barrier."

"Thank you, Tachikara."

The two of them leave the temple and head towards what appears to be a dangerous area of the forest. They head right through the barrier and find themselves in front of a pair of large western style gates. Both Rose and Tachikara take a deep breath and call out over the stark white stone wall, "Haku! Dosa! Two to enter!"

The gates are immediately opened far enough for both of them to enter and quickly shut behind them by the twin hanyou gatekeepers. As soon as the gates are closed, several children of various origins come rushing over to greet Rose with big hugs, including a few teenagers, such as the newly resurrected Thunder Brothers, who each clap her on the back in greeting, though Monten's appearance has changed drastically since Inuyasha and his companions saw the brothers. Their younger sister, Souten, launches herself into Rose's arms while a young wolf and bird of paradise demon each wrap themselves around her legs as she tries to walk towards the main building, calling out, "Cousana! I've returned for a short while, cousin."

A young woman steps out of the building, her hair the same shade as Rose's. In fact, the woman could pass for her cousin's twin were it not for her golden eyes and her choice in clothing. The woman, Cousana, rushes to greet Rose as the children did, but slows to a stop a few feet away when she sees the collar around her younger cousin's neck, saying, "Who is it that seeks to lay claim to my beloved cousin?"

Rose smiles a little at the tone of Cousana's voice, "He is a mere apparition who happened upon me during my transformation. He fancies himself a warrior because he was chosen by the treacherous hanyou to be revived along with his six comrades, one of whom has already fallen a second time. I only regret that he is incredibly stubborn and thwarted my earlier attempt to return here. I would have been here days earlier if he had not caught up to me when I stopped to retrieve the chain so it wouldn't snag. As it is, I owe my return this soon to the Southern Lord. Naraku has also managed to ensnare the granddaughter of the former Western Lord, playing upon her loyalty to family with his illusions."

"Neither the apparition nor his master shall set foot near you while you are here, Rose."

Rose nods her understanding as she sets Souten down on her feet and pries the two boys from her own legs before going to meet her cousin with a hug. The two who could be twins head inside to Cousana's chambers, dropping their formal speech patterns as they enter the sitting room with the walls covered in mirrors similar to the one Kanna carries.

"What's his name, Rose?"

"Bankotsu."

"Is Nadeshiko really under Naraku's control?"

"Yes. He exploited her apparent role as a messenger for the mysterious Lady Nadeshiko and embedded a Shikon shard into her forehead. She perceives those under Naraku's command as her siblings, possibly Naraku himself as Rashun. She even used Dragon Rampage on Koga, of all people! According to what Kanna told Bankotsu, she's to travel with them until Naraku needs her for anything. I examined her when no one was watching, and if the jewel shard is removed, we will need Tensaiga to save her, as it did her twin."

"Thank you for the news, Rose, even if it is bad. I assume you won't be staying long, though."

"You assume right, Cousana. I'm here mainly to gather my wits and my strength, before I set out to find and warn Rashun. I will need my bow and quiver for this journey, as I left my belongings with Bankotsu when Koga helped me escape. I have a feeling that I will be seeing more of the Shinshitai in the days to come, and that when he catches up to me, Bankotsu may have altered my kimonos as he did the one I'm wearing now."

Rose turns in a full circle to show her cousin the torn away sleeves and carelessly ripped edge where the lower half of her kimono's skirt once was. The kimono was once used for formal occasions, but now it could no longer be used for such things.