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.

Chapter 40

Shizu's words sank in like an anchor. Kagome was left floundering for a reply. Yet there was no denying it. Whatever had passed between Inuyasha and Shiori was no coincidence. It took a few seconds for her voice to recover.

"I – sorry," she stammered. "I'm not sure I understand."

"Shiori... isn't like other airbenders." Shizu glanced down at her hands. They twisted in her lap. "She takes after her father."

"Father?"

Kagome couldn't keep the question from leaving her lips. It had been lurking at the back of her mind ever since she first set eyes on Shiori. Inuyasha's mother was human. His other half was nothing but a mystery. He hadn't even mentioned his father once.

Shizu took a sip of tea. Her eyes stayed fixed on her lap. "My husband was... well, there's no other way to put it." Her hands clenched tighter. "My husband was not of this world."

Shiori flinched. Kagome shivered. That would answer a lot of questions. And raise even more. Some of Grandpa's stories had mentioned spirits trapped in human form, forced to wander the world until their wrongs were righted. Yet even he had never spoke of them having children.

"We need more wood." Shiori's eyes were set on the fire pit. Her voice was nearly as strained as Shizu's face. "I – I'll get more."

Shizu held out her palm. "It's okay, Shiori. We don't-"

Shiori was already on her feet. She scurried past them and slipped out through the curtain.

Shizu let her go. She gave Kagome a smile that was aching to turn into a sigh.

"Sorry. Being around humans isn't easy for her."

"I-I see." Kagome still couldn't keep the frown from her face. Surely Shiori was at least half human. Did that really make her so different?

Shizu's smile fell. "It's... difficult for her here. Even the temple children don't want to play with her. She spends most of her time with the spirits."

"Spirits?" Miroku and Kagome spoke as one.

Miroku bowed his head in apology. "My pardons, Avatar. It would seem that more has changed in my absence than I realised."

"Oh, they've been here for a good long while," Shizu replied. "They often met with Tsuku- my husband. He was the only one who could calm them. That's why they let him stay. Until-"

A bellow came from outside. Miroku shot to his feet.

"Hachi!"

Shizu bolted upright. Miroku was already out of the doorway. Kagome scrambled to join them. She braced herself with a breath and ducked through the curtain.

She was met with a mob of fishermen thronged before the hut. Their glowers were darker than the sky. Hachi stood before them, braying and bristling. Some of the fishermen held him off with nets and spears. Their ringleader brandished a club in one hand. Shiori cowered behind Inuyasha. He was the only thing that stood between them.

Kagome's eyes narrowed. She squared her shoulders and strode towards the mob. She caught a snatch of their mutterings as she approached.

"… nothing but trouble."

"Keh." Inuyasha faced them with a scowl. "This ain't got shit to do with-"

"Shiori!"

Shizu pushed past Miroku and made a run for her daughter. Two fishermen blocked her path. She grabbed one by the shoulders.

"Please! She's only-"

The fisherman shoved her away. She fell back with a shriek. Miroku rushed to catch her. He helped Shizu back to her feet and fixed the fishermen with a hard stare.

He returned it without batting an eyelid. His features were as craggy and stolid as the cliffs above them. Miroku barely came up to his shoulder.

"Butt out, monk. This ain't your fight."

"You intend to fight a child?"

"Tch." He folded his rugged arms. "That brat's got a lot to answer for."

"What has this got to do with Shiori?" Kagome demanded.

The fisherman gave a bitter laugh. "See for yourselves."

Kagome turned towards the bay. A swarm of spirits hovered beside the shore. They swirled and seethed like a pot about to boil over. Small wonder the villagers were upset. Leaving port would be like sailing straight into a malestrom.

"Why are they-"

"Like you need to ask," the fisherman muttered.

Kagome stifled a comeback. "You know, I'd much rather we-"

"Hey, this is your problem. Avatar."

Miroku cleared his throat. "The Avatar is no more at fault than Shiori."

The fisherman snorted in reply. "Funny. I don't remember seeing so much as a whisp of those monsters before this mongrel showed up."

Inuyasha bristled. "This ain't-"

Miroku stepped between them before he could get stuck in. "Now, now, my good man. I'm sure we can-"

"I ain't your man, monk," the fisherman scoffed. "Your damn lot are as much use as a fart in a steamer."

"Sir!"

The fisherman's head snapped towards the cry. A boy around Souta's age rushed along the shore waving his arms. He stumbled to a breathless halt before the crowd.

"Sir!"

The fisherman turned to him with a frown. "Now what?"

"The gates," the boy gasped. "No good."

His frown tightened. "The gates? Speak up, boy."

"They're shut. Sir," he added nervously. "All of them."

"All of them?" His eyes widened a fraction before his face scrunched into a scowl. "I should've known." He pointed towards the spirits. "How many?"

"I – I'm not sure Sir. Dozens. Hundreds, maybe."

"Hundreds?" He sucked in his breath and shot Inuyasha and Shiori another scowl. "One's more than enough," he muttered.

"They – they won't come," Shiori spoke up. "Not while-"

"Speak when you're spoken to, brat," the fisherman growled. He tightened his grip on his spear. "Too soft-hearted for their own damn good," he muttered under his breath.

Shiori cringed. Inuyasha flexed his claws. Shizu bristled. She drew herself up to her full height and looked the fisherman full in the eye.

"She's doing everything she can."

"And what good does it do?" he spat back. "More and more of them every year. If the Temple had any damn sense-"

"I'll handle it."

Everyone turned to gape at Kagome. She met their stares with a lift of her chin. "I can calm them."

"Oh?" The fisherman raised his bushy brows. "Now you're telling us. Any reason why you didn't just do it already?"

Miroku laid his hand on Kagome's shoulder. "This isn't your fault, Avatar."

"No." She shook her head. "They're here for a reason." She turned to Shiori and offered her a nervous smile. "Is it okay if I ask you to show me something?"

Shiori led her down the narrow path towards the cave. It was near as treacherous as their descent down the cliff. The airbenders skipped down like lemurs. Kagome took a more measured pace. Inuyasha helped her over the rougher spots. She managed a breathless thanks as she stumbled off his back.

She would have missed the cave completely if Shiori hadn't pointed it out. It was half hidden behind a tangle of scrubby bushes. The entrance was barely higher than her waist. Even Shiori had to duck.

Inuyasha and Miroku both insisted on keeping watch at the entrance. She hadn't the time or the patience for an argument. She shook her head and crawled after Shiori.

When she got to her feet the shock almost knocked her back to her knees. The cave was far larger than any building she'd set foot in. Its walls echoed with the crash of waves. Its ceiling was lost in the shadows. The only light came from a solitary statue stood in the centre.

She rubbed her eyes and took a nervous step towards it. The figure clasped a glowing orb between its rough-hewn palms. They were clad in a general's armour but their hair hung loose down to their thighs. They carried no weapons. Their features were long worn away.

The sight made her shiver. She'd never set eyes on this person. Neither the villagers nor Shizu had mentioned them. Even Grandpa had never said a word about anyone like them. Yet somehow, they were as familiar as her own shadow. Somehow, she knew them.

She took another step towards the statue. She swallowed her nerves and cleared her throat. Shiori glanced back at her.

"Wha- what is this?"

Shiori blinked. She frowned at Kagome for a few seconds, as if weighing up whether she should trust her. Her answer was a mere whisper.

"The barrier."

"Barrier?"

"It keeps us safe. From them."

No need to ask who they were. Kagome pointed towards the statue. "Who is this?"

Shiori shook her head. Her face was completely innocent.

"She keeps us safe."

That seemed to be explanation enough for her. Perhaps the statue held a few more clues. Kagome gestured towards the orb.

"Can I?"

Shiori blinked again. She lifted her chin and held Kagome's gaze for a long moment. Finally, she gave her a slow nod.

"She won't mind."

"Thanks."

Kagome gathered her breath and approached the statue. Now that she got close, she was even older than her first impressions had suggested. Only the faintest trace of her features remained. Whoever she was she must have been here for more moons than she could count.

She reached towards the orb. Her fingers trembled. Moon knew what would happen. She could at least try. She closed her eyes and took the plunge.

Her vision flashed blue. The shock sent her stumbling backwards. She landed in a daze. When she lifted her head the cave was gone.

She was lying in a cavernous hall filled with statues. They showed a wealth of people from all corners of the world. Some were finely carved, others were roughly chisled. Some were tall and sturdy, others were small and slight. Some were stooped with age, others were little more than children. All of them were faceless.

She rolled onto her knees and staggered to her feet. Shiori was nowhere in sight. She called out to her in panic. There was no reply. She had only the statues for company.

She sucked in a breath and attempted to gather her bearings. The only familiar sight was the statue from the cave. It stood before her, as blank and imposing as ever. She gathered another breath and reached towards it.

I am not the one you seek.

The voice was completely unfamiliar, yet so close it could have been her own thoughts. She backed away with a gasp. The statue was as motionless as ever. Yet she had no doubts about where the voice had come from. No explanations either. She stared at the blank face as if in search of answers.

You must find your own path.

"How?"

A screech echoed through the chamber. She whirled round to face the darkness. Something shifted in the shadows. The light began to dim. A pair of lurid eyes blinked into view. Her shoulders stiffened.

Go.

Kagome had already turned tail. She broke into a run and fled along a corridor of statues. The spirits scrabbled after her. She hurtled onwards, her heart hammering in her chest.

Statues flanked her on both sides. The spirits were constantly at her heels. She ran until her lungs burned, her legs ached and her vision blurred with tears. It was almost a relief when her legs finally gave way.

She lay sprawled in a breathless heap. Another statue loomed over her. She glanced up between a couple of ragged breaths. Her eyes widened as a man's familiar features emerged from the gloom. They were so lifelike she swore she saw him wink. This was no stranger.

"Miro – no." She blinked away her confusion. "Avatar Lobsang?"

The monk smiled in reply. He knelt down and offered her a hand. His face was as open as his palm. She reached out and took it.

The scene changed in an instant. They stood in the midst of a forest of towering trees. Birds whistled overhead. The sun winked at them from a gap in the canopy. There wasn't so much as a whisper of another human. She hugged her arms to her chest.

"What is this place?"

Avatar Lobsang made no reply. She glanced over her shoulder. The monk was gone. She swallowed her rising panic and raised her voice once more.

"Hello?"

The wind whispered over her. She glanced upwards. Avatar Lobsang hovered above her. He was flanked by two figures, one small, dark and slender, the other tall, pale and elegant. She caught only a glimpse of their faces before they blurred back into the shadows.

"Wait!"

You must find your own path.

The voice could have been all of them or none of them. She reached towards Lobsang. He shook his head with a sad smile. A sudden gust of wind sent a cloud of leaves billowing towards her. She shielded herself with her sleeve.

When she opened her eyes again she couldn't help but gasp. She was back at the shrine. The Goshinboku towered over her. The moon burned bright between its branches. Sickly blue light poured from the jagged scar in its trunk. Lobsang and the others had completely vanished. Only a single figure remained.

A woman sat slumped beneath the tree. Her face was shrouded by a curtain of dark hair. Her body was bloodied and battered. What remained of her parka was little more than rags. There was still no room for doubt. That was one face she knew all too well.

"Wait."

The figure lifted her head. Her face was still half-veiled by shadows. Her eyes glowed with a baleful light. Kagome steeled herself with a deep breath.

"It's you, isn't it?"

There was no answer. Not that that mattered. There was only one possible. Kagome lifted her chin and looked her full in the face.

"Kikyou."

Constructive criticism is very welcome!