Disclaimer: I do not own the Characters, only this plot line and all its insane little twists.
A big thanks to The Invisible Author for proofing this! XD
Chapter sixteen:
A/N:The Japanese name Tomi means= riches.
Meanwhile at the shrine:
Sora and her father walked into the kitchen. He sat at the table while she poured him some tea and filled him in on everything she had learned that morning.
He nodded, rubbing his withered chin and said, "Hm, it's possible of course. But do you really think it could be him? I mean, he did disappear quite a few years back."
Sora said, "Yeah, I know. In fact, I think Tomi is still hoping to find him." with concern and sadness in her eyes.
Chuckling, Hiromasa agreed, "Yup, that old coot simply refuses to give up."
Sora said, a little cheerier, "At least he and Kagome seem to have already grown close, so if Tomi does decide to push the union it won't be so hard on the kids."
Hiromasa sighed heavily, reminding her, "Our families bonds do go way back, daughter. Every second or third generation has been this way since the old alliance."
She said, "Yes, Father. I'm just glad it won't be such a stifling situation for them. This way they've at least had time to fall in love on their own, so it was be so heartbreaking when they find out about their betrothals."
Hiromasa agreed, "True, but we don't yet know for certain that it is him either." trying to reassure his daughter. She nodded and they both released long, drawn-out sighs.
Hiromasa suggested, "Why don't you go relax a while and take your mind off this for the time being until we have absolute answers either way?" Remembering her favorite show from the weekend had been taped, he suggested, "Go watch your show. The kids are out for the day and we can both relax."
She nodded, saying, "Okay, Father, and don't push yourself too hard in that shed. Be sure and nap a while."
He replied, "I'm done out there for the day. I think I'll enchant some sutras in here a while since the kids are out of the way and I can focus better. You go relax while you can." knowing she had a habit of pushing herself too hard.
Sora nodded and walked into the living room, popping in her tape from the weekend and began watching the movie. Halfway through the movie there was a news flash.
"This is B. N. K. News bringing you live footage from Ryuusan manor, one of the few remaining castles in Japan. We are here with Tomi Ryuusan, multi-billion dollar proprietor of the illustrious and very lucrative 'Ryuusan Weapons Incorporated'. As you all know, Ryuusan Weapons Incorporated has been Japan's long-time, leading weapons company since it began in the early beginning of the seventeenth century."
Inhaling a deep breath smoothly, she continued, "Even after all these years, Tomi Ryuusan still hasn't given up the search for his great-grandson, who went missing a little over six years ago."
Many pictures of a much younger-looking Bankotsu, emphasizing his mischievous smirk and intense blue eyes, flashed on the screen in a mini slide-show as the reporter walked into a room where an old man was sitting up in a wheelchair.
Sora and her father, who had walked into the room as soon as he heard the name 'Tomi Ryuusan', scrutinized each picture carefully. They noticed the unmistakable and rather unique, colorful eyes of their house guest in the pictures and gasped.
The slender woman in a beige business suit placed the microphone by the wizened old man's mouth and urged, "Tell us, Mr. Ryuusan, after all these years of struggling to locate your great-grandson, who is the only heir to your vast fortune, how can you not think he would be dead or far beyond reach by now? Especially given the lack of any trace of him being found?"
The old man snorted derisively, stating with complete conviction, "Because he is a Ryuusan and we are a tough, stubborn breed."
The woman nodded, asking, "So, even after six long years with no sign of him anywhere, you still strongly believe that he is alive?"
The old man snorted, "What are you, deaf? Of course the boy is alive. The Ryuusan bloodline is a very potent and ancient blood line. If he were dead I would know! I feel it in my bones, the boy is alive, I tell you."
Eyes filling with sympathy for what she figured were the desperate words of a senile old man, she asked in a little softer tone, "What would you like to say to our audience watching tonight?" placing the microphone into his leathery old hand.
He held up the microphone, taking a big breath, and stared into the camera with a look that would make everyone watching think he might peer straight into their souls. Gathering all of his courage and shoving his pride aside, he said, "My time is running out child. I realize we had some horrible arguments and that you probably left hating me."
Voice cracking slightly, he continued, "Over the years of your absence, I've come to recognize that maybe I was a tad too harsh with you and unfair to you."
Eyes filling with the years of loneliness due to the absence of his boisterous grandson, he said, "I only wanted the company to continue to flourish after my passing. I wanted you to take over and carry on the traditions we Ryussans have maintained for over thousands of years. I see now that I only ended up pushing you away."
He removed the microphone to release a few sickly coughs and wheezed a bit. His personal nurse came over, checking to see if he was okay, and he waved her off, growling, "Back off, onna and let me finish," sending her an admonishing glare.
Eyes widening, she backed away. He hacked and coughed a few more times before shocking the audience by saying, "Forget the company, kid." Eyes dimming further he explained, "I am an old man who doesn't have much time left, and I only wish to see my heir one last time before I pass on. Please boy, come home to me, even if it's just to visit once and to make amends."
To conclude his desperate attempt to reach his heir, he shocked the captivated audience even further by choking back tears and sent out a final heartfelt plea of, "Let this old man leave this world in peace after having seen you just one last time, lad. Don't make me go to my grave burdened with regrets of how we left off. Come home, Bankotsu." ending with a few genuine tears of utter misery slipping down his withered old cheeks.
Raising a hand to remove the moisture from her own cheeks, Sora clicked off the TV and sighed. "Even after all these years, he's still searching for him." Turning to her father, she said, "When they return, I think it is time we tell Kagome about her betrothed and his disappearance."
Hiromasa released a heavy sigh and agreed, "It's time the child learns the truth of his existence and our two family's deeply entwined histories as well." clasping his daughter's hand in his own and squeezing it lightly.
Staring straight into her sad eyes, he added firmly, "It's time they both learned the truth." Seeing the pictures flashed during the broadcast only confirmed what they had been suspecting for most of the day now. Hiromasa said, "It's a good thing you recorded that broadcast while they were gone. It'll help them adjust to the shocking news easier."
She nodded, adding, "I'm so glad he has returned. I'm also grateful and relieved that he is more easy-going than his great-grandfather. I do hope he will agree to visit Tomi at least once afterwards; they've already spent too many years apart."
Hiromasa said seriously, "That will have to be his decision." giving her hand a fatherly pat. Sora nodded and gave him a sad smile.
She walked into the kitchen to begin dinner preparations. Bankotsu and Kagome would be returning from their day at the beach soon and would no doubt be hungry. She would let them eat and then tell them and show them the tape.
She pulled out the roast and stuck it in the pan. She pulled out the carrots and potatoes and peeled then diced the carrots and chopped the potatoes up. She spread them in the pan and added two inches of water to it. Carefully she placed the large pan in the oven and started it. She set the timer and started working on the rest of the meal.
She pulled out the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and cheese, making a large tossed salad. She carefully covered it with saran wrap and placed it in the refrigerator. Finally, she retrieved two jars of fresh sun tea and added the honey to those, mixing them and setting them inside the fridge. To complete the kitchen duties, she washed and rinsed the dishes, setting them in the strainer to dry.
She was a little nervous, wondering how the kids would react to the bombshell that was going to be delivered once they returned. She had been spared the nerve-wracking situation of explaining to her daughter of her betrothal since birth because the guy had vanished one night with virtually no trace.
But now that he was back, she was somewhat relieved as well. Over the course of time he had been staying under her roof, she had gotten to know the kid and found him to be nothing like his great-grandfather. She genuinely liked Bankotsu and was somewhat glad he had gone missing so he would have time to become his own man and make his own decisions.
The betrothal didn't worry her so much anymore because she was fairly confident the teens had already fallen in love and just needed time to come to the realization themselves. She was still going to tell them about it though and leave the final decision to the two of them.
Deep in her heart though, she hoped the two would go ahead and marry. She already felt as if the boy were her son. She had grown rather fond of the somewhat rustic kid who had fallen into their lives and wouldn't mind in the least having him as the father of her grandchildren- they would definitely be adorable kids.
Smiling, she entertained herself with the exciting possibility of becoming a grandmother while she was still young enough to enjoy having them around. Whistling a happy tune, she finished preparing dinner and went to do the laundry.
As she finished her rounds in the house of changing the linens and cleaning out the hampers, Bankotsu and Kagome walked into the door holding hands and talking together. One look at them told you how crazy they were about each other and to someone who knew what to look for, the deep, everlasting, love between them was obvious, which brought a smile to Sora's face.
Knowing this had already been put off for far too long, Sora took a deep breath and walked downstairs, saying in a serious manner, "Come sit in the living room, you two…we need to talk."
The startled teenagers blinked, nodding and set their stuff down. They walked into the living room, and sat down together on the couch, curious as to what was happening.
Hiromasa walked out of his room and cleared his throat loudly before announcing, "Mom and I were talking and we've decided that it's time you both were informed of some things." staring at the shocked teens with wise, gray eyes.
Immediately, Kagome frowned, asking, somewhat scared, "What's going on?" hand automatically reaching for Bankotsu's as her nerves kicked in to high gear. The last time she'd had a talk that started out like this with them, she was informed of her father's untimely demise.
Eyes widening, she blurted out in fear, "Wait! It's not Souta, is it?" as her eyes started to fill with tears.
Sora assured, "No dear, Souta's fine. He's taking Hitomi out after school." trying to soothe her daughter's nerves.
Kagome sighed, relieved and asked, "What then?" staring at them, confused.
Bankotsu's strong hand lightly squeezed hers and he asked, "It's something to with me, isn't it?" immediately sensing the tension in the air thicken a bit.
Sora said, "Well, partly yes." eying the boy. She encouraged, "Go ahead, Father."
Hiromasa nodded and said, "Long ago, the Higaurashis were a family of spiritual healers and guides. It was our duty to help exorcise troublesome demons from the surrounding villages. Our family was full of many talented priests and mikos. All were powerful and taught from a very young age the ways of our traditions."
Kagome frowned. "Grandpa, what has that got to do with anything?" utterly baffled as to why he was going off on one of his historical narratives. He sent her a stern 'hush and you'll find out' look, and she bit her tongue, allowing him to finish his tale.
He nodded and continued, "As I was saying, our family were some of the most powerful spiritualists because we descend from one of the most famous mikos of all time. The priestess warrior Midoriko, who fought countless battles against demons alone, coming out on top time after time and growing more powerful with each victory."
Kagome blinked then chocked out, "Wait!" asking, "You mean I'm a descendant of the Midoriko!?!" unable to wrap her brain around that tidbit.
Hiromasa said, "Yup. I have the scroll here proving it." as he pulled out an ancient tattered scroll and unrolled it very carefully pointing to the name.
Bankotsu blinked and read over the ancient text informing her, "It's right there, and this is an authentic scroll too. See?" showing them the barely visible watermark with the authentic royal seal at the bottom.
Hiromasa snorted, "Of course it is." secretly please it hadn't been trifled with over the years.
Bankotsu grinned, adding, "Bet the mutt would have shit his hakamas if he had known this, huh, Kags?"
Kagome's eyes widened, and she said, "No kidding." still absorbing the shocking revelation of her ancestry.
Hiromasa carefully folded the scrolls, informing them, "Our family weren't the only mikos of the time. There were two other families back then, who also possessed spiritual powers- the Hidaka's and the Koji's. The Koji's however, were eventually cursed with wind tunnel in the palm of their hands; which passed down to the males of the family for many generations."
Kagome said, "Miroku." thinking of his wind tunnel.
Bankotsu's frowned asking, "You mean the lecherous monk you hung around?" not liking the thought of a lech like that hoshi near his innocent Kagome.
Kagome nodded. Hiromasa explained, "During the Sengoku period, a group of youngsters including a monk, a priestess, and a demon slayer, teamed with a hanyou to defeat an evil demon and finally lifted the curse from the Koji males."
Kagome said, "Uh duh, Grandpa, that was Inuyasha, me, and the others." giving him a 'figure it out already' type look.
Hiromasa ignored her rudeness and continued, "Before that, back in the life span of Midoriko, the Kojis were of no help in the fiercest battles, nor were the Hidakas. Oh, they were good, but most longed for the life of ordinary people and slacked in their spiritual duties."
Kagome frowned, "So I'm not the reincarnation of Kikyo then?" feeling even more confused now.
Hiromasa said, "No. Kikyo was a Hidaka, a distant cousin to the Higaurashi's. She was however, entrusted as the guardian of Midoriko's soul's manifestation- the Shikon no Tama. But as her family was prone to do, she yearned for a different life- that of a normal woman and fell prey to the follies of slacking in her spiritual duties."
Remembering the sordid past of the miko and hanyou, as well as Naraku's vile treachery, Kagome nodded.
Hiromasa cleared his throat, "Anyway, back to the story. One day, Midoriko came across her most powerful demon opponent yet, and was in the middle of battling it, when a mighty warrior from the legendary Ryuusan clan happened by."
Taking a deep breath he continued, "Knowing she would not be able to defeat this particular demon alone, she beseeched him for help and together they were victorious. Once it's body had been rendered to pieces by their combined efforts, Midoriko purified the evil spirit and sealed it into the black abyss of hell."
Kagome asked, "So, who was this warrior?" interest now piqued. Bankotsu, as well, sat listening, eager to learn of the warrior.
Hiromasa replied, "He was the strongest warrior ever born to the Ryuusan clan. They were very powerful and talented warriors, much like the demon slayers, but they didn't focus just on demons. Anyways, Midoriko and Ryuujin swore a blood oath to always aide one another however they could."
Taking a deep breath, he continued, "The two sealed it with ancient scrolls containing their combined bloods, and signatures. The scrolls were passed down to each new generation. Every second or third generation the oldest male from the Ryuusan's and the oldest female from the Higaurashi's ended up betrothed to one another, thus renewing that sacred oath. It's a tradition that has been passed down, along with the scrolls, and the tale since way back then."
Kagome frowned, asking, "Didn't they ever get to at least know about each other before being forced to marry?" not liking the sound of it.
Hiromasa answered defensively, "No, back in those days, arranged marriages were the common thing."
Bankotsu said, "Yeah, women were seen as a means of pleasuring men and having babies to carry the family lines." in an amused tone.
Kagome huffed, "Well, things are different here." sending him an annoyed glare.
He smirked assuring, "I know." Defending, "Besides, I was just saying that back then no one had the freedom they do here. Even men had duties that honor bound them to their families, whether they liked it or not." suddenly remembering a deep resentment of being in that very position.
Sora, who had sat by silently until this point, said, "Actually, arranged marriages are rare these days, but they do still happen." staring at her daughter, trying to judge what her reaction would be.
Kagome threw up her hands, saying, "Wait a minute- back up. Didn't you say the Higaurashis and the Ryuusans have upheld that tradition even today?" not sure she liked where this was heading.
Bankotsu concluded, "Which would mean that you're trying to tell us that Kagome is in one of those 'arranged marriages', huh?" frowning as the possibility brought out his jealous nature.
Kagome shrieked, "Say what? You can't be serious!?" standing up, only to have Bankotsu yank her into his lap, assuring in a voice that brokered no arguments, "Don't worry, Kags, nobody is going to take you from me." eying the older two with a 'don't even try it' type of look.
Swallowing apprehensively, Sora said, "Actually, that's only part of it." eyes darting between the upset teenagers.
Not one for ever beating around the bush, or to tolerate being left in the dark for long, Bankotsu's eyes narrowed at the adults and he blew out an agitated breath. His arms closed protectively around the girl clinging to him as he demanded, "Out with the rest of it- now!" feeling his patience beginning to wear dangerously thin.
Sora stood up, saying, "Have a look at this, it will explain it better then we can." and played the news broadcast she and her father had watched earlier.
The mounting tension in the air thickened again as the two teens watched with their eyes glued to the TV until the broadcast finished and realization finally dawned in their eyes.
For probably the first time in his entire life Bankotsu was completely speechless as reality punched him hard in the gut. Kagome was also speechless as his true identity finally came out. Both teenagers sat there clinging to each other and staring at the TV, not sure how to react, as all of the day's revelations began to slowly seep deep into the minds and take root.
A/N: Okay that's sixteen. Enjoy! XD