DISCLAIMER: Inuyasha and all of the canon characters featured in this fanfic are the property of Takahashi Rumiko, Sunrise, Viz and all other respective copyright owners. I do not lay claim to these characters in any way, shape or form.

Author's notes: Sorry this one took forever – November wasn't a good month health-wise. Things are improving, so I'll see if I can catch up with my writing over the Christmas holidays.


Chapter 35

Mrs Ikeda's face paled in shock. Her hand flew to her mouth.

"Mayu?"

Mayu's reservations broke like a dam. She rushed forwards and threw her arms around her mother's waist. Mrs Ikeda gasped in reply.

"Mayu... "

Her voice choked into a sob. There was nothing more to say. She sank to her knees and enveloped her daughter in a massive hug.

Mayu's frown crumbled into tears. Her body shook with relief. She buried her face in her mother's shoulder to drown her sobs.

"Mum!"

Satoru scrambled down to join them. He clung to his mother and sister with trembling arms. Mayu could only sniffle in reply.

Kagome blinked back her own tears. The lump in her throat stifled any possible reply. Moon knew how they'd done it but they'd got everyone out alive. Her own exhaustion was the only thing that kept her from breaking down to join them.

Satoru was the first to find his voice again. "H-how did you-"

"Oh, it was easy enough to follow our ears."

Kagome's gaze shot towards the unfamiliar voice. A tall, spare man offered her a thin smile through his salt and pepper beard. His face sparked a memory from the previous morning. He was one of the villagers who'd stood by Mrs Ikeda. There was no guarantee he'd be a friend but at least he wasn't another foe.

"Oh. Uh, thanks." She nodded in respect. She wouldn't risk a bow just yet. "I'm-"

"The Avatar." He offered her a deep bow. "It is an honour to meet you."

The other villagers followed him up with a chorus of bows. Kagome's cheeks burned. She waved them away with a nervous chuckle.

"Please. Just Kagome is fine." She couldn't help but frown. "How did you know-"

"Well..." He glanced around the cavern with a wry smile. "Pardon me for saying but you've caused quite the ruckus, Avatar."

Well, that was certainly one way to put it. It still didn't explain anywhere near enough for her liking. "No. Uh, sorry," she added, as the villagers' smiles began to waver. "I mean, how did you know about me?"

She received a soft yip in reply. A small brown fox peered at her from behind the man's legs. That figured. She turned to Hikari for answers.

"You told them?"

It seemed the best course. Hikari's face and voice were as placid as a pond.

"It-" She stifled her protests with a sigh. They were hardly going to turn back now."I see." She turned back to the tall man. "Sorry, I didn't catch your name?"

"Ryosuke," he replied with another bow. "No need for apologies, Avatar. We would be honoured to help however we can."

She suppressed a groan and offered him a smile. "Thank you."

"No thanks needed, Avatar," he replied. "Ours is by far the greater debt."

Guess he wasn't going to drop the formalities any time soon. Well, she'd won enough battles for one day. That brought up another question.

"The guards-"

"Nothing we couldn't handle," Ryosuke reassured her. "These tunnels are an open secret. Why, half the island's riddled with them. We just needed a chance. And as luck would have it..."

Lucky indeed. That was far from the only thing nagging at her though. "And the ship?"

The brown fox gave another yip. She glimpsed a touch of pride in its eyes.

Ryosuke chuckled. "Oh, that's just kindling to the likes of Kaen."

Kindling. Her stomach twisted at the word. Kaen's little stunt had kindled more than just flames. Ryosuke's attitude was even more unsettling. He'd stood by Mrs Ikeda's side while her son shouldered the blame. She fixed the pair of them with a stare. The fox stared back without a trace of regret.

"Just how long have you been-"

"Keh. Took you long enough," Inuyasha scoffed. He stared down from Hikari's back with folded arms. Ryosuke bristled at the interruption.

"I don't recall asking-"

"Please, Ryosuke. The children need a healer." Mrs Ikeda's voice was soft but steady. "There'll be time to talk later."

He shot her a look of surprise. "Himari... "

"The children wouldn't have made it out without them." Her gaze was as steady as her words. "The least we can do is offer them a place for the night."

Kagome's shoulders sagged in relief. "Thank you. Somewhere to rest will be more than enough."

"Of course, Avatar," Ryosuke replied. "You would be most welcome to stay the night."

Of course she would. Kagome bit back a sigh. "All of us?" she prompted him.

His smile began to strain. "You are more than welcome, Avatar. We only ask-"

"We?"

Her voice was sharp enough to make him cringe. "Please understand. We are truly grateful. But we can't shelter the Raiju's underling."

"Underling?" The very word caught in her throat. "He – he killed Hiten! How-"

"Maybe so," Ryosuke admitted. "But to allow a firebender-"

"And Mayu?" Mrs Ikeda put in.

"Mayu?" he replied with a frown. "She's-"

"A firebender. And a child," she retorted. "The Avatar and this boy saved her life. Surely you can grant them some lodgings?"

"A firebender," Katashi spat. Trust him to find his voice at the worst possible moment. He fixed Mrs Ikeda with a scowl that could curdle baiju. "Is there anything else you'd like to tell us, Himari?"

"Ryosuke and I can settle the matter ourselves, thank you."

Katashi's jaw tightened. Ryosuke held up his hand before he could spit out a reply.

"Enough. There'll be time for talk later." He offered Kagome a thin smile. "Our offer remains open, Avatar."

"Thanks. But no thanks."

She turned her back on the villagers' gasps and mutterings. Katashi would rather break than budge, and knowing him, he no doubt would. Ryosuke was hardly any better. They'd have to take their chances in the forest. At least they'd be spared the sight of Katashi's miserable face.

"Hey."

Something tugged at her sleeve. She glanced down at her lap and found Shippou seated there. He gazed up at her with pleading eyes.

"You left some stuff in the storehouse. Just thought I'd let you know before you go."

"Oh." She blinked. "Thanks. It must be getting late though. We'll drop by tomorrow."

"You sure about that? We've got plenty of room. If you want it, of course." His cheeks pinked as she weighed his words.

"Really? Thanks Shippou!"

Katashi cleared his throat. "That's not for you to decide, young fox."

Kagome's temper frayed another inch. Inuyasha gripped her shoulder.

"Oh? It's the foxes' shrine, isn't it?"

Ryosuke waved them both down. "Avatar, please. Think-"

"He saved you too!"

Katashi's hands trembled with rage. "He-"

Will be more than welcome at the shrine.

Hikari's voice was iron. Their eyes blazed like coals. None of the villagers dared mouth a word in reply. Even Katashi thought better of it.

Kagome dipped her head in an exhausted bow. "Thank you."

Inuyasha released her with a grunt. His only reply to Hikari was a small shrug. That would have to pass for thanks. She'd done her best. Maybe that was all she could do.

Shippou patted her arm. "Uh, sorry to bug you but we better get going."

"Oh." She gave him a small smile. "Yeah."

Hikari brushed past Ryosuke without another word. Katashi turned away with a scoff. The Ikedas followed them astride the copper fox. The villagers stumbled out of their way. They were too stunned even for goodbyes.

She didn't look back once.


The next three days passed like a dream. Kagome drifted in and out of sleep like a leaf caught in a backwater. Her companions came and went like fireflies. She was too exhausted for anything but rest.

Mrs Ikeda made sure she was bathed and fed. Inuyasha and the foxes brought whatever they could forage from the forest. On the third night he returned with a whole pheasant squirrel. He even lit the firepit so they could roast it. He didn't stay for thanks.

He wasn't the only one who was keeping himself scarce. She'd barely glimpsed Katashi the entire time. He'd spent most of his time in the shrine tower, busying himself with repairs and grumbling. The only company he cared for was Kaen's. He wouldn't even join them for meals. Not that she minded too much. It wasn't like they needed his scowls souring their supper.

She drifted off again after dinner. The others left her in peace. Her eyes opened to a small red fox sat beside her bedroll. A small red fox with eyes like sapphire stars.

"Hikari?"

The fox gave her a nod. Avatar.

"How long-"

Long enough. Hikari laid their tail over her shoulder. We have much to discuss, Avatar.

No kidding. They hadn't really talked since they'd left the caverns. Sleep had swallowed her as soon as she'd dared to relax. The other foxes had taken much of Hikari's time and most of their patience, if Shippou's gossip was anything to go by. Of course, finding the time was one thing. As for finding where to start... well, best begin with the obvious.

"Sorry. I didn't realise you-"

Some things are easier in this form.

"I see." She pushed herself into a sitting position. Even that was enough to make her wince. "So, you wanted to talk?"

If you wish. Hikari's tail gave a twitch. Unless you would prefer to attend to other business first.

"Other... business?"

Hikari's tail gave another twitch. They closed their eyes and opened their mouth. A small leather pouch dropped into Kagome's lap.

She blinked in reply. "Is this-"

This is yours, is it not?

She nodded slowly. Hikari tilted their head in response. She reached into the pouch. Her hand gave a slight tremble as she drew out its contents. A carved blue stone winked up at her. An icy hand gripped her throat. She managed another nod.

"Y-yeah... "

Her eyes were still fixed on the necklace. It hadn't even crossed her mind since Hiten sent Mayu hurtling into that pit. Yet the sight of it made her stomach yawn deeper than the chasm.

"How... "

That is for you to decide.

She held back a sigh. Of all the things. Still, she was going to have to face up to this sooner or later. "I – I guess so."

Hikari watched her with unblinking eyes. You seem... uncertain.

She shook her head. There was no hiding anything from this lot.

"Guess I'd better see to it then."

As you wish.

Hikari got to their feet without a sound. They flicked their tail towards the doorway.

I can wait.

"Thanks," she mumbled. No doubt they would. She rolled out of bed and reached for her tunic. She sure had some catching up to do.


The grove was as still as the sky. There wasn't so much as a whisker of a fox about. The Ikedas were long abed. She had only her lantern and the spirit tree for company. She settled down below it with a groan.

Sleep certainly wasn't finding her any time soon. Her mind had been racing ever since she got up. The necklace weighed heavy on her heart. Now that she finally had a breathing space, the shock of the last few days' events threatened to choke her.

She tried a deep breath. Manten wasn't a good man. She'd had no choice. Ryosuke and company had been asking for trouble long before she showed up. Not that that did anything to lift the weight in her chest. Her arrival had only fanned the flames. There was no way the Fire Lord could ignore this.

She couldn't just leave Mayu and her family to face this alone. But what on earth could she do to help? She'd lost the other villagers the moment she stood by Inuyasha. Maybe they were better off without her. Besides, someone had to be searching for her. Any other possibilities didn't bear thinking about.

A faint rustle interrupted her thoughts. She glanced up at the branch above her.

"Inuyasha?"

He answered her with a soft grunt. She craned her neck to make out his face. Only darkness met her eyes.

"Is that you?"

He muttered something under his breath and dropped to the ground beside her. She shuffled across to make room for him. He hunched into his customary crouch and peered at her with a frown.

"Keh. Shouldn't you be asleep right now?"

"You're telling me?"

"Don't need it," he grumbled. "Go back to bed."

"I-" She cut herself off with a sigh. "I can't."

His frown stayed put. She swore there was a faint shadow under his eyes. "Why?"

"It's... it's a lot." She turned away to face the waning moon. It was little more than a sliver. "I just need some time to think."

"Keh," Inuyasha muttered."You're going home now, right?"

"Well... "

"Well?"

"I... I don't know," she admitted. Her eyes strayed towards his face. It was as surly as ever but his ears were still pricked towards her. "I'm not sure if I can any more."

"Keh. You're the Avatar, right?"

"Well... that's kind of the whole problem."

His only reply was a deeper frown. The moon was as silent as ever. She shook her head.

"Is... is this really okay?"

"Manten's been asking for it for months." His voice was as gruff as ever. Yet there was a hint of tightness in his throat. His eyes were fixed on the moon.

She risked a question. "Did Hiten-"

"Keh. Him too." He still didn't look her in the eyes.

Say no more. She knew better than to push him by now. Hiten had turned on him as swiftly as a mink snake the second he'd raised a hand against them. Yet Inuyasha had reached for him all the same. Whatever he'd done in the past he was no killer at heart.

He didn't ask for a reply. He still wouldn't meet her gaze. She wouldn't even attempt to bring up Akitoki. Yet somehow Inuyasha's company was enough.

They stayed in silence until her legs began to cramp. She straightened them out and wriggled them with a wince. He gave her a sideways glance.

"I don't know." She shook her head. "Can I really just leave them all like this?"

Inuyasha shrugged. "That lot can pick their own battles."

Well, he'd certainly picked more than his fair share already. He'd find no more allies on this island. The Water Tribe were hardly going to welcome him with open arms. Not that the Fire Nation would be any friendlier. He'd burned his last bridge back in that pit.

"Well." She slowly reached for his shoulder. He made no move to push her away. "If you'd like-"

"Kagome?"

The question made her jump like a scalded frog. Her head snapped up. A pair of glowing green eyes stared at her from the shadows.

"Oh!" Kagome forced her face into a smile. "Shippou! You startled us."

Shippou hopped down from the tree and dusted himself off. Inuyasha didn't even try to hide his disgust. Shippou straightened up and fixed the pair of them with a frown.

"You two sure are out late."

"Oh, I... just needed some fresh air. That's all." Kagome's cheeks had to be scarlet. She rubbed at the back of her neck. "I mean, I've been in bed a lot and-"

"Keh." Inuyasha was no more convinced than Shippou."What's it to you, runt?"

Shippou scowled. "I wasn't talking to you."

"Oh?" Inuyasha retorted. "And just how long have you been sticking your nose in-"

"Okay." Kagome held up her hands before they could really get stuck in. "What's going on?"

Shippou turned away from Inuyasha with a scoff. Inuyasha didn't bother with a reply.

"Someone's here to see you."

"Oh?" She peered over Shippou's head. Her eyes found only gloom. "Who-"

A soft clunk came in reply. It was followed by a low cough. Someone stepped out from behind the tree. She glanced up and met a familiar face.

"Miroku?"


Constructive criticism is very welcome!