InuYasha Fan Fiction / Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Minds, Shattered Hearts ❯ Explanations ( Chapter 3 )

—Miroku POV—

 

I can't say that I trusted him much either. But we had no good reason to refuse his aid.

 

“Are you aware of the origins of the jewel?”

 

“Something about a priestess trapping demon souls in it,” my companion replied.

 

I studied him before I continued. Black hair, much like my own, strong build. He looked like he was almost twice my age. He wore a sword at his hip, shorter but broader than Inuyasha's Tetsusiaga scabbard. Corwin wore the strangest clothes—a greyish, loose-fitting long-sleeved shirt with cuffs in black, pants that were significantly more form-hugging than Inuyasha's hakama, and they flared out after the knees instead of closing around the ankle; however, they were made of a very durable fabric. His shoes were stiff-looking, and probably uncomfortable. Also, he sported a black cloak, clasped at the neck with a silver flower of some sort.

 

It was his eyes that caught me off guard—emerald, and they seemed to burn of a fire all their own.

 

“You are aware of its effect on demons then as well?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Since its creation, a single priestess has been guarding it. When she dies, her reincarnation takes her place.” I sighed, then glanced about to ensure certain ears were not eavesdropping. “Fifty years ago, a woman named Kikyo was guarding it. Inuyasha fell in love with her, but since he is a half-demon, it could not be.

 

“She wanted him to purity the jewel by wishing on it to become a full human, so they could live together in peace.

 

“During this time, however, Kikyo nursed a bandit, Onigumo, who had been badly burned. Onigumo fell in love with Kikyo, and swore she would be his. So, he sold his flesh to demons, and became Naraku.” I could not help the blatant distain dripping on that last word.

 

Corwin simply nodded, urging me to continue.

 

“Naraku tricked both Inuyasha and Kikyo into believing they had betrayed one another. Naraku killed Kikyo, but not before she sealed Inuyasha to Goshinboku, the God Tree. He remained there for fifty years, while the Jewel was buried with Kikyo.

 

“That's when Kagome passed through the well, and stumbled upon the unconscious hanyou. She freed him.

 

“Kagome and Kikyo look much alike, due to Kagome being Kikyo's reincarnation. Kagome was born with the sacred jewel of four souls inside her.

 

“When Inuyasha saw her, he thought she was Kikyo and tried to kill her. Kaede, Kikyo's younger sister, put the Katadoka rosary on Inuyasha to save her. It only responds to Kagome. I'm sure you saw its power already?”

 

He nodded, and chuckled.

 

“I am uncertain of how exactly the jewel was shattered, but I understand it was from one of Kagome's arrows. She and Inuyasha have been searching for the shards the longest. All of us in our group have something against Naraku, except for Shippou. He was orphaned by the Thunder Brothers. Sango came from a village of demon exterminators, but Naraku controlled her little brother and slaughtered them all, save for her. And it wasn't from lack of trying, I can assure you. The scars on her back testify to that…”

 

I had to breathe, to calm down. Just the thought of what Naraku had done to Sango out me in a rage, though I dare not show it, especially to this stranger. After a few moments, I continued. “I myself was cursed with my Kazaana.” Involuntarily, I stared at my right palm.

 

“Wind tunnel?”

 

“Yes. While it is a great weapon, someday it will suck me in, just like my father's did, and just like my grandfather's did.”

 

It had been bothering me for some time, now. Something about this man was different. He seemed somehow familiar, but I was certain I had never met him. Corwin emanated pure power, and I was glad he was not my enemy. I wondered how strong he truly was.

 

I felt him studying me as I did the same to him. He seemed satisfied, though, and nodded.

 

“Kagome said as much, except about your wind tunnel. Tell me more about this Naraku character.”

 

“He is sly and devious, and uses his puppets and incarnations,” Corwin raised his eyebrow, and looked confused. “The puppets are not real, but they can do a lot of damage. He uses them, while he hides in his castle. The incarnations are a part of himself, which he controls.

 

“Now, I've told you a lot. I am curious about you.”

 

The man smiled. “I come from a very distant place, where my brother is King. What all do you want to know?”

 

I thought; this man seemed loathe to reveal much about himself except the vague specifics. I would have to ask the right questions.

 

“Why are you really interested in the jewel?”

 

He seemed to measure his words carefully. “It relates somehow to my family. I don't know how yet, but I'm here to find out. I know only what you and Kagome have told me about the Jewel.”

 

“How does it relate to your family?”

 

“I don't know, exactly. However, it is somehow intertwined with something I call the Pattern, sort of a family heirloom.”

 

I could tell he was either lying, or holding back a significant amount of information. I decided to not probe further with the pattern. It would not do any good to aggravate him.

 

“I see you carry a sword on you. You are a fighter?”

 

He chuckled. “In a manner of speaking, yes. I am skilled, and I have killed many men and other things, but I am not a hunter by profession.”

 

I wondered why the king's brother would be doing such work. If he was royalty, why was he here, `investigating'?

 

 

 

“We should rest. Tomorrow will not be easy.” I watched him walk into the hut again, then I followed suit.