InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Children of Light ❯ Chapter 19 ( Chapter 19 )

Chapter 19

Inu Yasha stopped the car. Everyone stared on in surprise and awe, no one knowing what exactly to say. There, nestled among the trees of Inu Yasha' forest, hidden from view and most likely, long since forgotten, sat a temple?

In mute silence, everyone carefully exited the cramped corvette. Miroku, too stunned by the appearance of the forgotten temple, barely noticed as Sango crawled over his lap from the back seat in her haste to get out of the car.

"What do you think it is?" A wide-eyed Sango asked her silent friends as she stood next to Inu Yasha and Kagome, who were already standing at the bottom of a flight of stone steps that seemed to lead upwards, towards the structure.

"It seems to be some kind of temple, or shrine most likely." Miroku replied in awe as he finally caught up to his friends. "But it looks pretty old."

A silent shiver ran down everyone's spine.

"It's weird," Kagome slowly made her way to the first step, gently laying her hand on the old stone handrail. She could feel the tiny imperfections of the stone under her palm as it scratched softly against her skin. "But it feels familiar here somehow."

Little silent nods from behind her would have told Kagome that her friends agreed, had Kagome turned to gauge their responses. But Kagome was too enthralled, lost in her own emotions, as she slowly began to climb the weathered steps.

"Kagome," Inu Yasha's soft, uncertain voice reached out to her from behind.

She turned briefly to smile reassuringly at her mate. "It's okay Inu Yasha. We're okay here."

Inu Yasha and the others weren't sure why, but they knew Kagome was right. There was something about this place that simply radiated peace and calmness. It brushed against their senses, like a whisper caught on a wind, trying to reach out to them, trying to tell them something.

Inu Yasha had already scented the air several times and scanned the perimeter of the shrine with his senses. The place was deserted. Except of course, for the unknown demon that had led them here. And why had he done that? They had lost sight of him the moment they turned onto the road leading to the well concealed shrine.

Slowly, everyone began to ascend the stone steps. Upon reaching the top, they immediately noticed the small house that sat back in the distance. Only the roof had been slightly visible from the bottom of the steps.

"Who do you think lives here?" Miroku asked as they made their way towards the house, slowly sliding the front entrance open.

To their surprise, they stepped into what looked like a modern kitchen, combined with old style Japanese furnishings.

"I don't think anyone lives here." Inu Yasha stated as he wiped a finger across the low kitchen table, his finger picking up a thin film of dust. "At least not anymore." He wiped the dust from his finger and looked around the room, noticing an opening that led from the kitchen into a larger living room type area, with stairs ascending to a second level.

"I can't even pick up any old scents. It's strange, but no one's been here for a while."

"Everyone, quick!!" Sango's heightened voice carried in from outside, where she had been looking around the yard. The three friends rushed back through the kitchen and back to where they had originally entered.

Sango was standing next to a small shed of sorts, peering into the semi-darkness before her, as she waved them over. "You guys have got to see this!"

"What is it Sango?" Kagome rushed to her friend's side, Inu Yasha and Miroku right beside her. Her gasp caught in her throat as they all took in the site before them.

"The old well." Inu Yasha's surprised voice confirmed what they were indeed all seeing. The old bone eaters well. The same well that they themselves had used over 500 years ago to dispose of demon parts when Miroku was unable, or unavailable, to simply use his wind tunnel.

But that could only mean that this place was the exact location of their old village.

"I… I can't believe it's still here. The well, this place…" Sango clutched her shoulders tightly as a cold shiver ran through her body.

"Man, I can't explain it, but this well gives me the creeps."

"I know what you mean Sango." Kagome couldn't explain it either, but she didn't want to be anywhere near that well. Would old demon bones still be buried there? What if something came through the well? Kagome didn't feel like finding out.

"Come on, let's go."

They all turned to go when Kagome felt Inu Yasha reach for her arm, as feelings of surprise mixed with sadness, exhilaration and uncertainty coursed through their bond.

"Inu Yasha?"

But he wasn't paying attention. He was starring in the direction of the wooded area. His face was raised towards the sky, as his wide, golden eyes flashed a brief glimmer of red, taking in the sight of the tallest, oldest tree, in Inu Yasha's forest.

He had known that there was a possibility it would still be there, especially if the well had remained in tact, but it was still hard to see, to remember, this icon from their past. Here, now, not just the memory of it, and not just anything, but this! The same tree that had watched over these forests, his forest, for a millennia. The same tree that had carefully, lovingly, held Inu Yasha's weakened form to its heart, as Inu Yasha's life seeped from his body. The same tree that had watched over a love, a love tried and tested through battles and deceit over the ages, this icon that still stood in the distance, beckoning to him, calling to him.

Through change, aging and time, the God Tree still stood, and it was welcoming him home.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~Flashback~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Don't worry, you'll be fine." Miroku laughed at his nervous, twitching friend.

Inu Yasha mumbled under his breath, as he ran his clawed fingers through his hair and adjusted his sword at his side for the umpteenth time. "I don't understand why I have to do this. Kagome's already my mate! This is stupid!"

Inu Yasha continued to sulk as Miroku patted his friend on the shoulder, his monk's staff jingling lightly in his left hand.

"Because you love her Inu Yasha, and this is important to Lady Kagome. This is for her."

How could Inu Yasha argue with that? He would do anything for Kagome. She had rescued him from a life of loneliness and pain. Had accepted him for who he was, when no others would. He had grown up in a cold, harsh world at a young age with the loss of his parents and disownment by his half brother, who wanted nothing to do with him. As a hanyou, he had been hunted and persecuted. Living off scraps of meat and garbage as a child, before he had become big enough and strong enough to fend for himself. And when he had gotten older, he had made a name for himself in the blood of the demons that hunted him for his human heritage, and stayed away from the humans that shunned him for his demon blood. Caught in the middle, in a dark lonely void he feared he would never escape, he learned to keep to himself. To wish for exactly what he had. Nothing. Nothing, except the rusty blade his father had left him, which he didn't even know how to use.

But all that had changed the day he had rescued this gift from the heavens from a crazed centipede demon. He didn't even know why he had rescued her, only that he knew he had too. It was then too, that he had learned the secret of his father's sword and had learned that it was in fact, more then just a rusty blade. But even more surprising was that afterwards, this precious gem hadn't even been afraid of him like so many others were, even if he had helped them. Instead, she had wanted to become his friend, to know him. She spoke to him as if he were her equal and not some lowly half-breed. She had loved him for who he was, just the way he was. She had unknowingly brought him the gift of his fathers sword, had brought him love, joy, happiness and acceptance for the first time since he had been a young pup in his mothers safe embrace. She had brought him the world. And that was why he was standing here, under the God Tree, waiting for Kagome to make her way down from one of the huts where the village women had been fusing over his mate all morning. To be united with the woman he loved unconditionally, with all his heart and soul. She was his mate, his life and his heart. She was his very soul.

It was then that he saw her, and his mouth fell open in awe. She was dressed in a simple white kimono that trailed behind her a ways, which Sango carried gently in her hands as she walked behind her best friend, dressed in her own soft pink kimono. Kagome's dark raven hair was swept up in a bun, fitted with lotus blossoms, as soft tendrils of hair framed her face. Her lips were touched with a deep rose color and her cheeks were lightly softened a warm, lazy pink. She carried a delicate gold and white fan clasped tightly in her nervous hands. Her smile lit up her face, her eyes. She was breathtaking.

Miroku coughed lightly and Inu Yasha quickly snapped his mouth shut, realizing he had been gaping at her, his mouth wide open, like some imbecile. Inu Yasha turned red-faced to look at his friend, who gave him a reassuring wink as Miroku straightened himself, preparing himself to wed together his two best friends under the watchful loving gaze of the God Tree.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~End Flashback~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"It feels like a dream."

Inu Yasha wrapped his arm around his mate's waist, as she leaned her head against his shoulder. "Yeah, it does, doesn't it?"

Miroku stood just off to the side of the tree, looking up into its branches. It was amazing how many memories they had all shared around this tree.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~Flashback~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Houshi, we shouldn't be out here this late." Sango whispered as she darted her head in every direction, checking to see if anyone had seen them come into the forest.

"My beloved Sango," Miroku whispered softly in her ear, sending an erotic shiver down her spine, as he clasped her hands in his own. He looked deep into her eyes, his own speaking volumes of the love he felt for her. "How many times must I tell you beloved, please, call me by my name. At least when we are together."

Sango shivered lightly. Not from the cool breeze blowing through the forest this late at night, but simply being this close to him always made her legs weak and her heart tremble within her chest, as she looked into the eyes of the man she loved.

"Miroku" She whispered quietly, a faint blush tinting her cheeks as she tried to avert her eyes.

But Miroku quickly lifted her chin with his hand, as he pushed her with his body against the large, impressive tree. Sango's breath hitched in exhilaration and anticipation as she felt Miroku's hard body press against her own. It was getting more and more difficult to breathe, as he lightly traced the side of her cheek with his palm, his lips edging their way closer to her own.

"You are so beautiful Sango." He whispered softly, as he tilted her head to the side, cupping her face in his hands.

"Miroku, we should g…"

But before she could finish her sentence, Miroku had pressed his firm, yet soft lips against her own. Sango nearly moaned into his mouth as he pushed his tongue past her lips, tasting every part of her, as his body pressed her firmly to the tree.

There was no way out, but Sango had not intention of leaving.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~End Flashback~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Miroku turned his head as he felt Sango's hand quietly slip into his own. She looked up into his eyes, speaking to him with her soul, the words she could not speak with her mouth.

Miroku smiled, nodding, as he squeezed her hand. They both understood. Nothing needed to be said. He simply raised her hand to his lips as he gently kissed the back of her hand.

"Beloved." He whispered quietly.

Sango gave a shy little laugh. "Houshi," she remarked, as she and Miroku laughed together at what would now always be, their own private little joke.

"What the hell!?" Inu Yasha's surprised voice carried from the other side of the tree.

"Inu Yasha, what is it?" Miroku asked as he and Sango hurried over to them.

"There's something buried here." Inu Yasha began digging into the earth, at the base of the God Tree, before the words had even left his mouth.

"What are you talking about?" Sango inquired.

"There was a marker, a small one, but Inu Yasha saw it." Kagome clarified as she stepped back to give Inu Yasha more room to dig. No one wanted to make any comments about how funny the scene looked. Inu Yasha, digging in the dirt, like a common dog digging for a bone. Of course, that didn't keep the evil smirk from gracing Miroku's face as Sango jabbed him in the stomach, quickly squashing any potentially dangerous remarks.

"Oof! Sango! Why'd you do that? I was just going to say…"

"Can it Miroku." Sango glared coldly at him. Miroku sighed in defeat and peered down at the sizeable hole Inu Yasha had already dug.

"Wow Inu, I didn't know you were such a good digger."

Kagome stifled a giggle as Sango smacked Miroku on the arm.

"What?" He asked innocently. "He is."

But Inu Yasha was oblivious to the bantering. That or he just didn't care enough to respond, as he finally came upon his buried treasure.

"What the?"

"What is it Inu Yasha?" An eager Kagome was looking down into the large hole Inu Yasha had dug. "Wow! He is a good digger! I'll have to remember that. Maybe I can get him to weed out my foster mom's garden sometime."

Inu Yasha lifted an extremely large bundle from the earth. It was covered in an old cloth that had been cast with a preservation spell to keep it from rotting.

"What is it Inu?" Miroku was peering around his shoulder, trying to get a better look at the `bone' he had dug up.

"I dunno. It's all wrapped up. Hang on a sec." Inu Yasha quickly unwrapped the large bundle as everyone gasped in complete and utter shock at what Inu Yasha had uncovered.

There, laid to rest beneath the watchful eye of the God Tree, was a bow with a quiver of arrows, a monk's holy staff and an extremely large and awkward looking boomerang.

All three were broken in half.