InuYasha Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Cry of the Wolf ❯ Examination ( Chapter 9 )

Cry of the wolf

Part nine: Examination

By

Lance the Flamesniper

 

The next morning the sun shone in from the large windows of Kouga's room. For the first time since he came to the city he'd actually slept well. The wolf prince's eye's fluttered open slowly. With a long leisurely stretch Kouga prepared to face the world.

 

Just then, a servant walked into the room and bowed slightly.

 

“Ohayo Kouga-sama. Makoto-sama asked me to bring this to you,” she replied as she set a tray of food on the table. “As you have slept through breakfast, she thought you might be hungry.”

 

“Oh.” Kouga replied as his stomach grumbled. “Domo arigato...”

“Is there anything else you would need Kouga-sama?” The servant asked as Kouga ate his meal.

 

“No... This should suffice,” Kouga stated. “But for putting up with me... I ain't got much but these shiny stones...” With that he tossed the servant a piece of jade.

 

The servant blinked as she looked at the stone she caught in her hand. “A-arigato.... If you need anything just call Niisa, Kouga-sama,” She stammered with a deep bow.

 

The Wolf Prince nodded to Niisa. “I'll remember that. Niisa-san? Do you know there Mizuno Ami's lab is?”

“Yes, Kouga-sama,” Niisa replied as she gave him directions.

 

“Thank you Niisa-san... You're dismissed,” Kouga said with the brightest of smiles.

 

Niisa merely bowed once again as she left, shutting the door behind her giving him peace to finish his meal.

 

Kouga finished his meal quickly then took off at sub-Sesshoumaru speed to Ami lab only stopping when got there. He took a moment to fix his furs and armor, run his claws through the loose part of his hair then knock on the door gently. It may have only been a check up, but it was always important to look one's best. Especially when the doctor was a potential mate. When his knock wasn't answered he knocked once more.

 

“The door is unlocked come in,” Ami replied as she typed away furiously at her computer.

 

With that Kouga walked in. “Ohayo Ami-san.”

 

“Ohayo Kouga-san. Did you sleep well?”

 

“As well as one can in a still unfamiliar place.”

 

Ami chuckled lightly at that “Mako-chan said you were probably very tired last night.” Though she wouldn't tell us why.

 

“Yes... I had a very rough day yesterday. The rest was most welcome.” With that said he placed a hand on Ami's shoulder. “What'cha working on?”

 

“Entering in new information retrieved from the satellite scans of what used to be North and South America.” Just then a monitor beeped and she rolled her chair to another computer. “This is wonderful...vegetation has taken hold...atmospheric conditions are improving...it won't be long before it's completely habitable for humans!”

 

“That's all well and good...But I'd think South America would also make a good home for Neko youkai. They really enjoy warm climates and sunlight,” Stated Kouga.

 

“That could be as well.” Ami saved the file she was working on and stood up. “Well I suppose since you are here now I could begin the testing perhaps we will even finish early.”

 

“Perhaps... I suppose the first thing you'll want to know is about any health conditions I have?”

 

“Yes!” Ami responded as she picked up a small device and held it close to him moving it up and down near his neck and chest.

 

“What is that?” Kouga asked.

 

“This? This is a mini x-ray,” She stared pointing to a screen where a picture of Kouga's skull has just appeared.

 

“ I see. Barring a few instances where I was badly injured in battle I have always been incredibly healthy. This examination is to learn about me right?”

 

“Yes.... Kouga-san have you had any blood transfusions in the past?”

 

“No. I don't even know my blood type.”

 

“Kouga-san, if you wouldn't mind I'd like to take a blood sample for a more detailed analysis do you mind?”

 

“Not at all!” Kouga replied as he slashed his palm with his claws. “Take all the blood you need.”

 

Ami gasped then quickly grabbed a bandage and pressed it into his hand. “No, no, no! Not like that.”

 

Kouga merely smirked as he pulled the bandage off just in time for Ami to see the wound heal before her eyes.

 

“Oh...my....”

 

“Shoulda taken the sample when you had a chance. We Youkai can heal quickly.”

 

“Please Kouga-san do not do that again...There are other ways to take samples. Besides the blood becomes contaminated once the air hits it,” Said Ami as she held out a small device no bigger than a pen. “May I?”

 

“Sure…” Kouga said giving her his best bishonen smile.

 

He was rewarded with a blush as the doctor pressed the device to his skin for about ten seconds. She then pulled it away and showing him the sample in the small tube attached. “See.”

 

“Impressive.”

 

“It's something I made... Chibi-Usa-chan like her mother is afraid of needles...so I created this to get rid of that fear…” Ami said with another blush.

 

“You must be a very smart woman then,” Kouga stated with a grin

 

Ami felt herself blush a deeper red at that. “It's nothing,” She relied as she placed the sample in the cooler for later examination.

 

“People say I'm pretty smart too,” Kouga stated.

 

At that walked over and placed a small device to his skin at the base of his neck. “This will monitor your heart rate through out the rest of the examination...The first thing I would like to do is give you an IQ test.”

 

“Okay… What's an IQ test?”

 

“Intelligence Quotient. It's a test to measure your potential for learning.”

 

“Okay…”

 

“Don't worry. It's given to all Children in Crystal Tokyo. Chibi-Usa-chan will take hers next year.”

 

“So now you're comparing me to a child?” Kouga asked while smiling teasingly.

 

“Ah!” Ami said as she blushed in embarrassment. This wasn't a good way to win points with a potential boyfriend. “No… It's just... I....”

 

“Relax Ami-chan....I'm kidding!” Kouga replied as he tried to calm the flustered doctor.

 

“Oh,” answered Ami, her cheeks reddened even more in embarrassment causing her to quickly find a crystal pad with the testing material on it. “Here...just tap the colored crystals next to the answer you think is correct. Once you're finished with each question tap this.” She said indicating another part. “Take your time ok?”

 

Kouga sighed then began to go through the test. Five minutes later he handed the pad back to Ami. “Done.”

 

Ami blinked “Uhm... You finished all the questions?”

 

“Well… yeah.”

 

“O...ok” the doctor replied as she took the crystal and inserted it into an analysis machine. “Just a few moments and...” He scored this high? That's barely below what I scored when I was 12! Though Ami.

 

“Well?”

 

“You did very well. Analysis shows you are a Visual Kinesthetic learner.”

 

“Which means...?” Kouga asked confusedly.

 

Ami smiled. “You learn through having people show you and through doing it yourself.”

 

“Ah...”

 

“Ok...next I would like to test your endurance.”

 

“My endurance?” Kouga asked raising an eyebrow at the suggestiveness of it. Something like that I'd expect from that Kitsune woman…

 

Ami blushed at how suggestive that sounded. “Well I… I mean your speed... I… I… I- I-I mean… How fast you run....”

 

“Okay....”

 

Ami quickly motioned to a treadmill while trying to calm her frazzled nerves. What is with you? She mentally chided.

 

Kouga for his part let all the implied slips slide since the girl was clearly very nice but also very shy. “Alright... Forgive me if I'm wrong but, you seem a little tense Ami-san...”

 

“I-I do?”

 

“Yeah... Relax a little; I want very much to be good friends with you. Can't do that if you can't be relaxed around me.”

 

“I… Would like that as well,” Ami stammered her cheeks pinking slightly at the thought.

 

Kouga merely smiled at that as he stepped onto the treadmill.

 

“If you would please, I would like you to run at your top speed,” Stated Ami.

 

Kouga looked at her with a half smile. “Are you sure that's what you want?”

 

“Yes,” nodded Ami.

 

Kouga started out at a light jog… or what for him is a light jog, not wanting to startle the poor doctor more than he had to.

 

“Oh my that is... quite fast...” Ami said as she watched the readings before noticing his heart rate hadn't gone up at all. “Kouga-san are you holding back?”

 

“Yeah... But, didn't want to startle you,” answered Kouga as switched to his version of a slow run.

 

“Uhm...Kouga-san...you won't startle me. Please show me your true speed.” She fired back while taping away on her computer.

 

“Okay if you insist...” Kouga said as he stopped moving. He set his feet as he called upon his youki then suddenly was encased in a mini tornado as he ran at his top speed.

 

Ami blinked as the readings began to go through the roof and the treadmill started to smoke and whine in protest of the abuse it was taking.

 

Smelling the smoke the Northern Lord stopped running looking only barely winded. “Well?”

 

“Amazing...” Ami breathed as she ran her hands through her now windblown hair. Now I see why he thought he was afraid of startling me!

 

“Thank you,” Kouga stated with a half bow.

 

“Even Haruka would have trouble keeping up with you...” Muttered the awe filled ice senshi then gasped, her hand flying to her mouth at having probably said something she shouldn't have.

 

“I probably could go faster... but the poor machine would have been destroyed. So Haruka's pretty quick?”

 

Faster!? “She's the Senshi of the Wind Planet.”

 

“I see. So what's the next test Ami-san?” Kouga asks as smiled in a friendly manner.

 

Ami led the wolf Youkai through several other physical tests, each one furthering her knowledge of what she is rapidly learning is a very interesting person from a very impressive species. Finally, she held out a hospital gown for Kouga. “Now I need to check your vitals and take some measurements.”

 

“My vitals?” Kouga asked while looking suspiciously at the gown. “What's this for?

 

“It's for you to put on so I can uh...Properly check your pulse and breathing....”

 

“I see... Turn around please.”

 

“The uh...opening goes in the back...” Ami added with a blush as she turned away.

 

Kouga shrugged as he slipped off his armor and waist pelts, only to drop the armor on the ground by accident. The sound reverberated through the room. It also caused a certain young doctor to turn around in concern.

 

“Are you all... GOMEN!” Ami exclaimed turned back around quickly, her face burning bright red at the memory of what she'd just seen. How… healthy. A little voice in her head replied as her blush deepened further.

 

“Err...sorry...” Kouga added embarrassedly as he slipped on the gown.

 

”You can turn around now Ami-san....”

 

Her face was still slightly pink, but she turned around and quickly walked up to him with her stethoscope pressing it to his chest professionally. “Ok...take a deep breathe.”

 

Kouga mentally shrugged then breathed deeply as asked. He had no idea what this test was for but he had promised that he'd comply.

 

Ami noted the results then repeated the process on his back careful to make sure the metal of the device was not cold on his skin.

 

As Kouga went the test he failed to notice the way his tail swished nervously as he breathed. But someone else didn't.

 

“Strong lungs... you...ha-have a tail?”

 

“Yes... Does that bother you?”

 

“No....It's just other than Youma I've never seen... well....” Ami responded with a blush. “Do all Youkai have tails?

 

“Some do...some don't,” Kouga replied as he swished his tail again this time with an amused smirk.

 

In spite of herself, Ami let out a childlike giggle. Personally she thought his tail was cute. “Are you the only Youkai left?”

 

“No... There are fire-neko, Inu, Bull and Neko youkai as well as handfuls of others around. All of them have different strengths and gifts.”

 

“Oh...” Ami stated noticing the sadness appearing in Kouga's eyes, she let the matter drop and pulls out a tape measure. She quickly began to measure his height, length of his arms with no trouble, though she did make a note to study his claws at a later time. When she came to his legs, however she paused and once again begins to blush.

 

Kouga for his part did as he was told only to blink when Ami stopped moving and stared at where Ami is kneeling. “Is something wrong?”

 

“Gomen... I'll be finished in a minute,” Ami stated hiding her blush and quickly finishing measuring his legs. Ami then goes to measure his abdomen, her hands shaking slightly as they get closer to his belly button. Images of what she'd accidentally seen of him playing havoc with her mind.

 

“Why are you so nervous Ami-san?” The wolf prince asked as he picked up on her nervousness.

 

Ami's blush intensified causing her to drop the tape measure in surprise at being caught thinking like that. Ami-chan no ecchi! So what if he's cute and well toned… you're a doctor! Start acting the part!

 

“Really now, Ami-san... you dropped your tape. Relax a little,” Kouga chided lightly.

 

“Gomen...” Ami apologized as she knelt down to pick up the tape then as she was standing slowly her hand accidentally brushed over a certain part of his anatomy.

 

Kouga let out a soft moan at her accidental contact with him. The sound sent a shock through the Ami's already overly charged up nerves and once more the tape clattered to the floor.

 

“G-gomen...g-gomen...” Ami said as she backed up, quickly turning around to hide her very beet red face. If this keeps up my face is going to be permanently stained red. Ami thought tartly, not daring to think what might be going through the mind of her patient.

 

“Don't be...” Kouga soothed with a gentle smile.

 

Ami could feel her heartbeat race inside her chest with that smile. “Gomen… I didn't mean....” She began again only to have her protests stopped by him putting a hand on her shoulder.

 

“It's okay Ami-san...I didn't take offense and I know it was accidental. If anything, that felt... rather nice,” Supplied Kouga.

 

As Ami tried to catch her breathe, her fingers shakily putting the tape measure on a nearby table. Her mind was racing with last bit of information. She was sure it had only been given to try to ease her mind, a flip yet flirtatious remark meant to calm her and perhaps make her laugh off away her nervousness. Unfortunately, her logical mind was currently at war with the irrational hormone-driven urges the dark part of her mind wanted to exercise.

 

“Are you okay?” Kouga asked in concern.

 

“Yes.... I just... Excuse me for a minute,” Ami muttered as she headed to an adjacent bathroom, shutting the door behind her. Once in the room she strode over to the sink and splashed cold water on her face. “Kami what am I thinking?”

 

That there's a good-looking wolf in your lab that happens to be engaged to you? That traitorous voice in her head responded.

 

Ami blinked then, shook her head and splashed herself again. “I'm hearing things...”

 

Quit denying it. After all how long has it been since you had a date? After all there's nothing wrong with admiring a handsome male, is there? That inner voice growled. You have a chance if you'll just go for it!

 

Ami was jarred out of her thoughts by a knock on the door and a voice laced with concern.

 

“Are you sure you're okay in there...”

 

“Just a minute!” Ami responded as she dried off her face, straightened her hair and took a deep breath before opening the door... and walking Kouga and falling top of him. Kouga landed on his back, his hands going around her waist as he tried to brace her fall.

 

“Err...Hi?” He tried weakly.

 

Once again Ami could feel her cheeks flush “Gomen... I should have looked where I was going,” Amy said as she moved to get up.

 

“It's okay.... by the way...you have pretty eyes,” Kouga said honestly.

 

“Arigato...” blushed Ami as she stood and began to dust herself off. She glanced at Kouga, catching a glimpse of where the medical gown had ridden up, then looked away before her hormone-addled mind could comment on the view.

 

“These things are a bit drafty...” complained Kouga. Not noticing Ami's blushing gaze.

 

“Gomen... those I didn't design...I… Just need to get one more measurement...then I'm finished....” Ami stammered all the while cursing her hormones to choosing now to wake up as she reaches for the tape again “Would you... Hold this at your.... Um....”

 

“At my what?” Kouga asked while blinking innocently.

 

“Y-your hip...at the inner thigh...” Ami said while blushing.

 

Kouga merely shrugged and did as he's asked. He liked the Blue haired girl. But she seemed incredibly skittish to him. Though he did like the sweet scent of honeysuckle that drifted around her.

 

Ami quickly brought the tape up then typed in the information “OK...you may get dressed now,” Ami said as she turned her back to him.

 

Kouga, not wanting to antagonize the overly charged woman, got dressed quickly. “Okay you can turn around now.”

 

“Arigato Gosaimasu” Ami said with a bow. “You've been very helpful.”

 

“I hope so. If you need anymore data from me, please, let me know,” Kouga added with a gentle smile.

 

“I'll… keep that in mind,” Ami stated shyly.

 

Kouga let her have yet another of his winning smiles before walking out of the room.

 

Once Kouga left Ami walked into the bathroom of her lab and began splashing her face again. What's gotten into me? I don't act or think like that! I mean Yes Kouga's handsome and I am attracted to him, but still… Ami looked herself in the mirror and made a vow. She would try her best to win the wolf Prince's heart.

 

 

Naratomoe's mansion looked normal from the outside. But then again once you discounted his blood colored eyes, so did Naratomoe. Like the person Naraku was pretending to be, the mansion was not how it actually appeared.

 

Inside the mansion was room after room of things that would make the Marquise de Saade cringe. Every torment was carefully designed to make sure that every ounce of fear, pain and suffering could be squeezed from his victims. Only then were they allowed to die, if they were lucky. Most weren't.

 

Naraku smiled behind his baboon mask as his body drank in the energy of his victims like a fine wine. Their screams were his symphony. Their suffering was his art. I suppose learned people would call me a connoisseur of the perverse. But then learned people would not know me for what I am: A TRUE demon.

 

His musings turned his mind back to the problem at hand. He'd hired Taijya to do what they were supposed to do best. Unfortunately they couldn't handle the task. Granted if Kanna's mirror was right, they'd ran a foul of Sango and one of the Senshi as well as the damned wolf. No matter. In the end they were merely a means to an end. Much like the poor soul Naraku had in the room with him.

 

If Naraku wished it, he could make the man scream with memories of what he did over five centuries ago. Or he could make the man kill innocents just as easily. That was what Kohaku did best. It's what made the undead man one of Naraku's favorite toys.

 

Naraku's face darkened as he recalled another of his “children”: Kanna's traitorous little tramp sister Kagura. Not only did the ingrate flee from the last battle with that damn Inu Hanyou, but also she refused to come now when he summoned her. There was also the matter of not being able to pull her heart back to him so he could force her to act. Most curious.

 

“Kanna. I wish for you to find Kagura. Find her and bring her to me,” Naraku seethed.

 

“Yes,” Kanna responded in eerie monotone before going to her task.

 

 

Makoto Kino was a woman on a mission. That mission on this day was to track down the taijya barracks. It should have been easy.

 

Key words being `should have been'.

 

In reality as she tried to track them down she found that no one really knew where the Taijya stayed. Though she did learn that on occasion the Taijya were called to Tokyo bay to deal with `demonic sea life' that had somehow survived the ocean freezing and would sometimes slip into the bay now that part of the ocean had thawed, or that they sometimes ended up out in the farming districts dealing with `demonic rodents' that insisted on wrecking fields and eating grain. Before she'd met a certain wolf youkai, Makoto would have dismissed these stories as alcoholic/drug induced fantasies.

 

The Taijya apparently only let a handful of people know where their training center was and those people, roughly three per district, would then act as go betweens. What they didn't seem to do is tell curious senshi the location of the barracks. However, by some sheer force of luck she ran into someone who was all too happy to help her: The chief of Guards, Inu Yasha. Not only did he know where they were but was also, at his wife's insistence, perfectly happy to give her directions.

 

The Taijya themselves were an eclectic group. From what she'd heard and learned of them, they were a S.W.A.T. Team for dealing with Youkai. Every one of them were second dan black belts in some form of martial arts who were chosen in their teens to join the group. From there it was training in what miasma works on what demon, advanced tactics, weapons use and maintenance, demonic lore and further martial training. All in all they were impressive. As many martial schools as there were in some wards, like Nerima, it was no surprise that there'd be a lot of Martial artists competing for spots in the Barracks.

 

None of that prepared Makoto as she came into sight of the Barracks. The barracks was a massive square building that looked like it could have been transplanted from the feudal era. At each corner was a watchtower and the walls most likely surrounded a courtyard. It seemed like a village inside the city complete with a massive gate to keep people out. Today, however, the gate was open, almost as if she was expected.

 

As Makoto explored the Taijya headquarters she recalled what little history she knew of the sect. No one knew where the first demon slayer came from but most guessed they began as a type of warrior-priest: the martial skill of a samurai with the knowledge of mystical and biological knowledge of a monk, miko or priest. According to the `Taijya no Iwaki'* as written by some monk named Miroku and `Koden no Shikon no Tama'** as written by Kagome, the Taijya were almost wiped out during the feudal era with only one survivor. The group seemingly ebbs and flows in enrollment and activity throughout the five hundred years between the events, spiking drastically during the Ruso-Japanese War, World War One and World War Two. In the Late Twentieth and Early Twenty-first century the group was once again almost extinct with only twelve practitioners. At least until the great freeze…

 

Makoto shook her head as she entered into the barracks dojo. There she found Sango standing in front of a group of teens ranging from thirteen to nineteen. They were a mixed group, both boys and girls and all clearly at various levels of training. The younger students were still clad in Martial arts gis while the eldest were in full slayer uniform. Standing at attention in the back of the dojo were the rest of the Taijya while their leader was preparing her lesson.

 

“Before we begin today, I would like to see how well your studies are progressing as well as assign the Taijya and senior students a task. Who here can name the four Taiyoukai, their species and which territory they hold? Shinta?”

 

There are four Taiyoukai? Makoto thought in surprise as a boy of about fifteen stepped forward.

 

“The four Taiyoukai are Kouga the wolf of the Northern Lands, Shippou the Kitsune of the East, Shiori the Lady Bat of the South and Sesshoumaru the Inu Youkai lord of the West.”

 

“Very good Shinta. Now onto the duty I must assign to the Taijya,” Sango replied gravely. “As we speak the Northern Lord is in the City. He is here with the Queen's permission and is not a threat to the city. It is entirely possible that you may see him in the various parts of the city in the company of various senshi as he has both envoy and court status. Which brings me to my assignment. Yesterday, three rougue slayers who were apparently hired to hunt him down attacked the wolf prince. My orders, by order of her majesty, are to aid in investigating the matter. I have reason to believe that another demon may be involved so your orders are to not only track down any leads to who may have hired the ronin, but also to be on the look out for demonic activity within the city proper. Taijya dismissed!”

 

Once the Taijya and senior students left Sango began her lesson the basics of weapon use and maintenance. Makoto listened intently while waiting for Sango to take note of her. The lecture was fascinating on many levels. Involved in it were aspects that were mystical, like how demons would forge weapons out of their fangs or horns since these would grow back in less than a day and how taijya weapons were made of purified demon bones and skins to ensure durability. Idly Makoto wondered about Kouga's sword and would have to make it a point to ask him. The lecture also came to the sharpening of such tools. After showing the trainees the proper way to sharpen a demon bone weapon using her katana as the example she then sent the students into a workshop to practice and be tested. It was only then, as she prepared to sharpen her Hiraikosu that she spoke to Makoto.

 

“Welcome to the Taijya barracks, sailor Jupiter,” Sango intoned with a friendly smile.

 

“You needn't be so formal Sango-san,” Makoto replied. “Makoto will do.”

 

Sango nodded at that as she began the sharpening stone's movement using a foot pedal. “So what brings you to visit?” And how much fun can I have if it has to do with Kouga?

 

“What is your relationship with Kouga-san?”

 

Apparently a lot if I want to be mischievous. “Whatever do you mean?”

 

“You two seem to know each other pretty well and work well together,” Makoto began. “I was just wondering if there was more to it.”

 

Sango looked over the senshi of lightning with a critical eye. “It must worry you a lot. Otherwise why confront me?”

 

“Well, one would have to be pretty dense to not see that you're a very beautiful woman and with how well you get along with Kouga…”

 

“It would easy to see us as lovers,” Sango finished. “Allow me to set your mind at ease. Kouga is handsome and can be as charming as he is dangerous. But he and I are not more than very good friends. Nor could we be anything other.”

 

“Oh? Why's that?” Makoto asked with an eyebrow raised. She could tell that Sango and she could get along well if this obstacle could be overcome.

 

“Quite simply, I'm already married,” Sango said with a grin.

 

Mako-chan no baka! You knew that! “You know, it completely slipped my mind that you were spoken for.”

 

Sango's smile became infectious. “All you saw was someone getting close to someone you didn't think they should get close to. But I don't mind and I'm actually flattered that you saw me, even for a moment, as competition.”

 

“Really?” Makoto replied still a little embarrassed about being jealous of one of Kouga's friends.

 

With a smile and a nod Sango soothed the younger girl. Then offered her a seat on a nearby bench. “I like your spirit Makoto. If there's anything my friend Kouga likes more in a woman it's spirit. If you want I can tell you more about him.”

 

“I'd like that very much,” Makoto smiled as the two newly made friends took a seat together on the bench.

 

 

Kouga had just finished his medical exam and was heading back to his room for a wolf nap, a luxury that he normally did not indulge in when he felt it. His danger sense flared up. Before he could react however, he found his arm locked in, for lack of a better term, a Kitsune woman death grip.

 

“Hey there handsome,” Minako purred as she looked up into his eyes.

 

“Uhm H-hello Minako,” Kouga stammer while his mind screamed at him to escape.

 

“Since you're not busy,” Minako said. “How about we go to a nice club and have some lunch.

 

Before Kouga could answer he was being dragged down the hall. Since he couldn't escape he merely sighed and accepted his fate. This is going to be a long day.

 

TBC

Author's notes:

I'd like to once again thank Silent Messiah for her help. Without her input I wouldn't be able to make this fic nearly as enjoyable as I hope people find it. I'd also like to thank my long-term fan and friend Kitty Lynne who has never failed to offer me good advice and inadvertent nudges in the right direction when I needed them.

Down below are some translations of words and phrases I used in the story.

*Taijya no Iwaki translates into the `History of the Taijya'

** Koden no Shikon no Tama translates to the `Shikon no Tama Legend'