The group ventured through the storm, following Serena, their only source of light. Nearly blown away from the strong winds, Kagome held Shippo tightly. Kirara stayed behind at the Inn, refusing to go out in such a storm; no one could blame her.
"I can't see a thing!" Miroku exclaimed. His robes fluttered in the wind.
"What?" Somewhere far behind, Kagome shouted.
"I said I can't see a thing!" Miroku replied as he shouted above the storm.
After a while of walking, or attempting, the group now stood in the northern part of town. Though, all they could make out was darkness and the fairy's light.
A sudden rumble halted the travelers, as thunder cracked harshly from above. Kagome screamed out of fright and Shippo cried in her bosom. The first thought that came to the group was that it was an earthquake.
While the ground trembled, a powerful gust of wind pushed them back. Inuyasha was the first to go down, followed by the rest.
"Hurry!" Serena called from somewhere on Inuyasha. She tightly gripped the fabric of his top. "Just up ahead, see!"
After what seemed like a second later, the earthquake stopped, but the rain continued to fall. Taking this chance, they ran toward a flickering light in the distance. Finally, after a few trips up a small hill, the group found themselves inside a cavern.
Kagome fixed her hair. "Sheesh, what was that?"
"An earthquake, I take it," Sango replied next to her. "But it was too fast for a normal one."
Whatever it was, it was lost to them as a soft melody drifted to their ears. This soft music resonated deep inside the cavern. As if by some strange magic, the group found themselves pulled further inside. Their footsteps reverberated off the stone cavern walls when they ventured further in to its darkening depths.
As if by magic, the torches that lined the walls of the earthly structure burst in to flame, revealing white marble flooring. While they stopped to admire both the floor and the fire, the music grew louder. Compelled by the soft, melancholy melody, Kagome led her friends through the passage until a dim light caught her eye.
Wary of the strange circumstances, Inuyasha quickly grabbed her arm to stop her. "Wait!"
Serena fluttered forward, not at all bothered by the phenomenon, but stopped halfway to look at the travelers. "The Great Fairy is up ahead. You don't have to be scared; she's not evil." She rolled her eyes at Inuyasha's protective stare; he did not believe her.
Continuing onward, a sudden calmness washed over the group. When they finally stood at the end of the cavern, they were beyond amazed. Words could not even describe the granger of the sight before them.
Two torches flickered around an immense sized fountain of sparkling clean water. Like fallen rain, shimmering lights of blue, violet, and silver illuminated the walls. Just as the marble that led them there, three steps of the same, led to the opening at the rim of the fountain. Columns with carvings of a cherub's face circled the fountain. Engraved upon the second step were three golden triangular symbols.
"So beautiful!" Sango and Kagome exclaimed in unison.
"I've seen nothing like this in my life!" remarked Shippo, who stood looking at the cave walls with wonder.
Before Inuyasha could get a word out, a ball of silver light appeared above the surface of the water. As it did, ripples formed from the center, turning the water in to a lovely shade of blue. A sudden whirlpool formed, filled with every color imaginable, until it finally settled down peacefully. Much to everyone's fascination, a figure ascended from the middle of the pool. Finally, the form floated above the surface, regarding the travelers with a serene expression.
Right before their eyes was a beautiful maiden. Luscious red hair fell over her pale, luminescent skin in soft curls. Her captivating blue eyes seemed to stare right in to their very souls. Vines and blossoms did little to hide her feminine assets, leaving a certain monk weak at the knees. Knee high Ivy green boots adorned her small feet.
For the first time in his life, Miroku seriously contemplated breaking the vow of chastity he'd made upon becoming a monk, his mind conjuring up vivid scenarios of ravishing the obviously divine celestial being… well, maybe not the first time. Remembering the image in Kagome's book, he thought the picture did not do this fair maiden justice. While the others' attentions were focused elsewhere, Miroku stood transfixed, the drool spilling from the corner of his mouth like a waterfall, his eyes as big as the woman's ample breasts. Surely, he thought, no eyes could be wide enough to take in the full vision of even one of them.
"Welcome to my spring, oh wary travelers," intoned the Great Fairy. Even her voice sounded like sweet, melodious music.
No one in the group knew what to say, stunned by her beauty as they were. Even Kagome, who was never at a loss for words, was rendered speechless in awe of this magnificent creature. She had never believed the existence of such a being to be possible, but then again, with all she'd seen since falling down the Bone Eater's Well and landing in the Feudal Era, who was she to question what existed?
Seeing this, Serena rolled her eyes and fluttered toward her mother, who greeted her. "Great Fairy, how are you?"
Delighted that her daughter was among these people, she welcomed Serena with open arms. "Fine, and how are you, Serena? It feels like forever since I last saw you."
"Sorry. I was kind of busy."
"You're forgiven. Now then," The Great Fairy turned her sights upon the group, who had yet to look away. "Who are your friends?"
"Well, they claim they were taken from their homeland by a strange light. They want to know how to return."
Intrigued by this information, she looked into each individual's eyes, but she did not detect any lies. "You wish to return home? I'm afraid I'm not entirely sure how to send you back. Whatever magic brought you here was not my doing."
As they listened, their delighted expressions fell except Inuyasha, who marched himself up the three steps to the woman defiantly. He wanted answers, and he wanted them now! "What do you mean you don't know how to return us home? Listen, we have to get back so we can destroy Naraku!"
Surprised by his words, the Great Fairy laughed, leaning back in midair as she acknowledged the man below her. "Such bravery and courage you have. You are heroes in your land, correct?"
Kagome blushed. "We wouldn't call ourselves heroes exactly. We're just defenders of justice, that's all."
"I see. Neither of you are selfish; you protect the lives of others. That makes you each a hero worthy of praise."
Miroku finally pulled himself from his fantasies, shaking the string of saliva from his face. He should feel ashamed of entertaining thoughts of this woman! Never mind that he was a monk. He had declared his love for Sango earlier that day! "Wait! How is it you know of our heroic deeds?" he asked, his companions having wondered the same thing.
"Hello!" Serena could not believe her ears. "The Great Fairy knows everything!"
"Even if we're from another world?" Kagome asked, receiving a nod from the woman.
"Yes. From just looking into your souls, I know exactly who each of you is," she explained. "I am the Great Fairy of Magic. You may know that my sisters live in the four regions, north, south, east and west."
"There's more Great Fairies?" Sango asked, surprised.
The Great Fairy laughed at this. "Oh my, yes! There are five of us. I'm the Great Fairy who protects Clock Town. Each of my sisters protects a certain place."
Fed up with the fairy woman, Inuyasha growled. "Listen, and you listen good!" he commanded, his golden eyes blazing. "We don't have time to piss around here while Naraku is still alive. Isn't there any other way?"
"Inuyasha!" the incensed monk exclaimed. "Watch your language! There's a lady present!"
Sango turned to glare at Miroku with a growl of agitation. A split second later, her giant beige boomerang collided with his head. The others in the group sweat dropped as the crack echoed in the vast space around them. The Great Fairy giggled.
All were silent for the longest time, and Inuyasha's left ear twitched.
Even though Kagome was annoyed and appalled at her friend's behavior, he had a point. If they could not get back, what would become of them in this strange land? Without a bone eaters well, Kagome could never travel back in time to see her family. She'd miss her annoying little brother, her senile grandfather, and her loving mother. By now, she knew her grandpa had probably run out of lists of ailments to tell her teachers and friends.
Both Sango and Miroku were frozen with regret and anguish. What would become of Kohaku now that Sango was in an unfamiliar land? Even though Kagome still had the power of the Shikon no Tama, Naraku would not be invincible. By that point, he'd probably be causing more mischief while they were stuck trying to figure out how to get back to stop him.
The mother fairy regarded the half demon, whose eyes burned with rage and fear. As she gazed into the hearts of the foreigners, she gained a vast understanding of each of their pasts. The memories of each individual seemed to fast forward in her mind. With this new insight, she slowly formed a plan, yet she knew it would take a great deal more thought to perfect.
Footsteps echoed from behind the group, instantly breaking them from their personal thoughts.
"There you are, Link!" Serena exclaimed with joy. "What took you so long?"
Shaking his head, Link continued walking until he stood next to Inuyasha. His expression was neither pain nor joyous. The youth was soaked from head to boot. Soaked golden blond hair lay plastered on his face.
"Welcome to my fountain, dear Link. How have you fared?" The Great Fairy asked as she gently floated toward the boy. "My, but what happened here?" Her gaze was transfixed on his garb.
Knowing that her mother would not receive an answer, Serena answered for Link. "Oh, another fight, I believe. And of course he's soaked. My partner is so careless, Great Fairy!"
Accepting the answer, she pulled away, extending her hands outward as they glowed. "Very well, I shall replenish your health. It's the least I can offer you."
A green light fell upon the boy, shocking the travelers. The warm light enveloped him, instantly healing the wounds on his legs, face, back, and arms. He was lifted a few feet in the air before he was slowly placed back on his feet. Link's wounds had vanished, but his tunic could not be salvaged; he didn't seem to mind though.
"Amazing!" Kagome could not believe her eyes. For the second time in her life, she had another glimpse at magic; the first was traveling five hundred years into the past. Lady Kaede had tried to teach her how to help others with some bizarre hocus pocus that Kikyo had mastered, but Kagome refused. No matter what the old priestess told her, she did not desire to be like the one person she envied.
Suddenly, the entire cavern shook with tremendous force, frightening the group. Rocks pelted them from above, but none were large enough to harm them. Shippo skirted around Sango's legs, his small arms flailing. He was just a little guy after all, and those tiny pebbles hurt his fuzzy noggin.
"What's happening?" Shippo cried, clinging on to Kagome as tight as he could.
As she held the kit close, Kagome could only close her eyes. "Another earthquake?"
No sooner had the earthquake begun; it abruptly ended, leaving the group baffled. Where had those tremors come from, and why? It was all strange, yet the Great Fairy didn't seem the least bit fazed.
"Damn, that's getting annoying!" Inuyasha yelled, agitated by the constant interruptions. "What the hell is going on?"
The Great Fairy merely shook her head with disappointment. "I'm afraid that was not a mere earthquake. We've had quite a dozen happen this year, and a strange storm always follows."
"Really?" Serena asked. "That's strange because Link and I have felt no earthquakes or seen any storms."
"Because neither of you has left the forest. Only Clock Town is plagued by this. I'm afraid, even as we speak, something foul has crept into the land," she explained, her expression sad. "The land is dying."
"Dying?" Kagome asked. "When did this all start?"
"Many years ago, before Termina came into existence," She replied solemnly. She turned her back to them. "Do you ever wonder about the land's name?"
"Termina?" Serena asked. "What about it?"
"Like its name implies, the land is destined for an end."
Kagome thought about this. The name sounded vaguely familiar. She could have sworn she heard Termina before, but she just couldn't remember where. "I'm sure I've heard about Termina somewhere," she muttered softly. Perhaps one of her professors at school mentioned something about it; if he did, she was probably half asleep.
"Termina is prophesied to perish soon, as it was meant to four years ago when the moon threatened to fall from the sky. Because the moon was stopped and returned to the heavens, peace returned, but for only a short time. A land destined for destruction will suffer, no matter how many times it's saved. Peace will not last forever, I'm afraid." As she trailed off, her expression only dampened more.
"That's terrible," Sango gasped.
Lights suddenly fluttered about the fountain, circling their mother, the Great Fairy. These lights were revealed to be little orange fairies. Each little ball of light circled the now speechless travelers.
"My children," The Great Fairy muttered, watching as each of her babies fluttered around Inuyasha and his companions. "They are curious. It's rare we receive company."
Kagome laughed as two brushed across her skin, tickling her. "Hey, come on now!"
A fairy tugged Shippo's tail, causing him to jump. "Hey!"
During this, Miroku and Sango both watched as a fairy sat on each of their shoulders. One danced around the monk's staff, causing the two to smile in amusement.
"Get off! Stop pulling!" Inuyasha; however, did not see the fun at all. Thrashing his arms around wildly, he tried to rid himself of the annoying fairies. Two of them had latched onto his pointed ears. "What's with everyone touching my ears?"
Seeing this, everyone couldn't help but laugh.
After a few minutes, the fairies relinquished their hold on Inuyasha and followed the rest of their brothers and sisters to the fountain.
As amusing as the group was, it was time for the Great Fairy to be serious. Struck with a brilliant thought, the Great Fairy gazed hopefully at the travelers. "There may be a way to return you all to your rightful land."
Instantly, the travelers were interested, especially Inuyasha, who grinned. Finally, they were getting somewhere!
"You must save the land of Termina from destruction," was her reason for their unexpected arrival. "If you do this, the Goddesses will grant you a wish, but be warned that the wish must be pure, and only the true savior must make it."
Inuyasha smirked triumphantly. "That's what I'm talking about! Just bring on the evil. Once he or she has had a taste of my Windscar, they'll wish they'd never been born!"
"I'm afraid your sword will be of no use to you here, Inuyasha," replied the Great Fairy. "So, I'll be taking that." With just a flick of her wrist, Inuyasha watched hopelessly as his sword vanished in midair. "Do not fret, it shall be returned the moment you save the land."
For a moment, Inuyasha was nearly frozen speechless. He regained his voice quickly, though. "What the hell? Give it back!"
Hearing this, she laughed.
"I'm freaking serious! Hand it over or else!" He waved his fist at her.
Alarmed and irritated by the rude man, Serena flew right in his face. "Don't you dare say such things to the Great Fairy! She's doing you a favor since your sword is utterly useless here!"
Tempted to slap the annoying bug, Inuyasha suddenly found his face yet again planted on the ground. He didn't have to guess twice to know who handled it. The first time he'd been subjected to the Beads of Subjugation that day was when he was simply seeking answers from the weird little brat that he had saved (Inuyasha was still waiting on a simple thank you).
The second time had been when he'd been trying to get home while his friends only cared about going to a damn festival; he'd been reacquainted with his friend, the dirt, several times. Now Kagome saw fit to punish him for demanding that this stupid fairy hag give him back his sword! What the heck!
"Sheesh Inuyasha! Just hear her out. I'm sure she has a reasonable explanation for taking your sword," Kagome glared with her hands fisted on her hips. "You've been such a pain all day, so give it a rest!" Sudden realization hit her. "Oh! That's right! Without your sword—"
"He becomes a full demon, unable to control himself," the Great fairy finished. "Do not fret, young one. He shall not be consumed by such darkness; I won't allow it."
Stepping forward, Miroku gave Inuyasha one glance before settling his eyes on the nearly naked woman before him. "You wish for us to save a land that will perish. Even if we somehow save the land, wouldn't it once again need saving?"
"You are correct, monk," she replied. "But as I stated before; only one with a pure heart can lift the curse forever. Now it is time for you to go forth on this new quest. If you can save the land, then that will be your soul's ultimate form of judgement."