InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Confrontation ❯ Answers ( Chapter 13 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Disclaimer: I don't own any of them, well Miebi Kokushi and Jouyoku are mine!!

Chapter 13: Answers

It had been 3 days since they had found the girls, in that time neither Miroku nor himself allowed either one of them to wonder off more than 20 feet. When he would go hunting the monk would pace one side of the clearing while Kirara paced the other. Shippo of course remained at the girls' side since no matter how much anyone told him that it wasn't his fault he still blamed himself for what happened and what could've happened to one if not both women.

The morning after the abduction they sat around the fire and ate while Sango and Kagome explained the previous night events. He had to admit that when they talked about how Kagome stood up to the two men, he felt proud but also upset; she shouldn't have to fight like that, after all hadn't he promised her years ago that he would always protect her no matter what. Still he was happy that she knew enough hand-to-hand fighting to get herself out of that situation. He couldn't entertain the thoughts of what might have taken place, had she been too weak to fight.

What really didn't sit right with him was the youkai that saved them from the Worm Youkai. He'd smelt a faint scent of something on both the girls but he couldn't place it, it was unlike anything he had ever scented before.

When Kagome started talking about how the mysterious demon rescued them he sensed a spike in Sango's scent, which was something that he had never noticed from her before, but it was however similar to the way Kagome's scent changed whenever she was aroused. Of course they smelled different, but the change in her scent made him feel like she was in heat, he also noticed that her heart began to race and her body stiffened slightly. Was it the mention of their rescuer, or was she entertaining thoughts of something or someone else, either way he figured he wouldn't say anything to Miroku about it for now but he would watch her more closely.

He hoped that Jouyoku hadn't been the youkai in question, but if he was, why didn't he just take the girls with him? Why would he allow them to just…just leave? It baffled him, but it also led him to believe that maybe it wasn't the perverted lust bag after all.

Looking up ahead he could see the village, their reason for this journey, come into view. `Finally we can get some answers' he thought as he picked up his pace just a little, figuring that the faster he got there the faster he could get some answers about the hentai freak running loose on the countryside.

He had been debating on whether he should send Kagome back to her time for a while; at least until he was able to kill or either maim Jouyoku, he didn't really care which it was. All he knew or cared about was keeping her safe, and if that meant sending her home for a while then that's what he would do. Of course he knew she would fight him tooth and nail about it, but if what this hag told them wasn't good news then that's exactly where she was going.

“Great, we're almost there!” The miko exclaimed from behind him. She had been walking along side Sango since they started out that morning. “I hope we don't have any trouble finding Miebi Kokushi.” She stated to no one in particular. Since being reunited with the guys she had felt more like a prisoner, not to mention the fact that she hadn't taken a bath in nearly 4 days. She was hoping that what ever this lady was able to tell them would appease Inuyasha in a way that would make him relax a little bit more.

“Lady Kagome, I don't think that will be a problem if she is as well known as Kaede mentioned, then we should be able to locate her whereabouts easily.” Miroku replied following the girls.

Perched on his shoulder Shippo sat tall and proud as he peered around their surroundings as if he alone would be able to detect trouble that Inuyasha could not, “I think the coast is clear.” He whispered.

Smiling at the Kitsune in a humoring way the monk nodded, he noticed that they were entering the gates of the village, which meant he would of course do the talking as far as finding the old lady.

Upon entering the village the group stopped and waited for Miroku to come to the front. Immediately he noticed several men and children walking their towards them, but he wouldn't ask any of them for directions, he would wait until he was blessed with the presence of one of Kami's most beautiful creations since in all his travels he learned that they were always more helpful, especially to a monk such as himself.

Looking around him he saw his pray approaching slowly carrying a basket full of freshly picked vegetables. Smiling handsomely he said, “Excuse me” as he bowed, “I would be forever in your debt my lady if you would point me to the residence of Miebi Kokushi?” He asked with a brilliant smile.

Blushing furiously the lady bowed in return as she pointed to a hut that sat alone at the far end of the village. “She's there.” The girl said giggling a little but she did not make a move to step away from the monk.

Watching the girl flirt with Miroku, and him enjoying every minute of it, got to Sango. Did she have a right to say anything? Hadn't she acted the same way with the youkai the other night? Seeing the girl grin from ear to ear at what the monk was saying she snapped, “Houshi-sama, if your done here we'd really like to get going now!”

As if someone had just scared him he looked at Sango then back at the lady in front of him. Bowing quickly he said, “forgive me but I must leave, my friends and I have an urgent matter that we must attend…”

Before he could finish his statement Sango grabbed onto his ear and dragged him in the direction that the others were already walking, “I swear Miroku, you'll never change!” She hissed as she released him and stomped away.

“Sango, please I was simply thanking her that's all!”

“Yeah right!” Sango snapped. She wasn't really sure why she was so upset; it wasn't like he had really done anything out of the ordinary or unexpected. He was Miroku and he would always be Miroku she could either accept it or end what ever was suppose to be happening between them. The sound of knocking brought her out of her reverie.

“Yes” came a voice from inside the hut.

Sticking her head inside the door of the hut the miko stated, “We need to see Miebi Kokushi. Lady Kaede sent us.” At first she couldn't see anything because of how dark the hut was even in the middle of the day, but eventually her eyes adjusted enough so that she was able to make out a small frail figure sitting on a mat in the far corner. What she could see with out trying was the long snow-white hair that laced the figures head. “Are you Miebi Kokushi?” She asked as she pulled the mat that hung to the door a little further away.

“Kaede, you say…Please come in.”

Filing into the humble household behind the young miko the group sat in a semi circle around the mat that the old lady was sitting on. No one commented on the darkness of the room, or the old moldy smell that seemed to ooze out of the cracks in the walls. What was really amazing was that not even the calloused hanyou commented on it.

“How is Kaede?” Miebi asked.

“She is doing well.” Replied Kagome, who sat beside Inuyasha with Shippo in her lap. Looking at the old lady in front of them she noticed that her eyes were as white as her hair, `is she blind?'

“That's good to hear it's been so long since I've spoken to her.” Smiling thoughtfully she asked, “so why did she send you all to me?”

“We need information about a demon called Jouyoku.” The hanyou responded impatiently.

Frowning as she lowered her head Miebi seemed to loose the little bit of life that kept her body moving at the mention of the youkai's name. “So he has returned, has he not?”

“Yes he has.” Answered Miroku. “We need to know how to stop him. Is there anything at all that you can tell us?”

Turning her head so that she would've been looking at Kagome had she been able to see, “he is after you, Miko.” Which was said as a statement not a question.

“H…how did you know I was a Miko?”

“The same way I know that you travel with an Inu hanyou, 2 other Youkai, a monk and a human woman. I may not be able to see through these eyes but my minds eye allows me to see all including your auras, and yours my dear is the strongest I have seen in any Miko, next to Midoriko. It is that reason that Jouyoku will chase you to the ends of the earth if he has to.”

“What do you mean, he'll chase her? Why her? I thought he was only after virgins?” The monk asked. He was now totally confused. The stories he had heard never mentioned Jouyoku being a power hungry youkai, this was definitely something new.

“Hey, I am a virgin!” Kagome yelled defensively. Realizing what she had just admitted, she tried to hide her beet red face in the sleeve of Inuyasha's haori.

Ignoring the out burst Miebi stated, “Jouyoku is many things my children and nothing at all.” Closing her eyes she seemed to be remembering something, as she slipped into what appeared to be a state of meditation. “What you must understand is that he is older than the oldest demon, he has walked this earth for over 1000 years. No one really knows exactly how long because he disappears for 100 years and resurfaces for 90 moons to do as he pleases. He is what some call a myth a story told to young girls by their fathers and mothers so that they don't wonder off at night, or if they wish for them to marry quickly.”

“Jouyoku has one purpose and that is to feed on the sexual desires of women, not just any woman but only the purest and the strongest. If he does not feed he will cease to exist. When he awakens he uses human virgins to gain his strength back from such a long sleep. Once he has restored himself he is practically unstoppable, he will feast on the desires of the strongest female demons be she a child or an adult, he holds no prejudice as long as she has never been touched by any man.”

Looking in Sango's direction she continued, “when he beds you, you will experience sheer pleasure a feeling unlike anything you've ever felt before, I've heard that it is euphoric. When he leaves, he also takes a piece of you with him, something that you will never get back, something that leaves you emotionally broken. As the months and the years slip by so does your mind. Eventually you will be merely a vegetable unable to move, speak, smile, or even think. Any man be he your father, brother, uncle or son will send you into hysteria…it's hard to explain…being in the presence of a man that is not Jouyoku is like having scalding hot water poured over every inch of your naked body. This goes on until the day you join the earth from which you came.”

Still facing the taijiya she continued, “you child…why do you do this? Why do you…?” `She calls to Jouyoku unknowingly…she craves his touch, but not his touch…she will succumb to his call.' She thought sadly. Refusing to finish her statement she turned her attention to the monk sitting beside the girl. “You, must protect her at all cost, or she will go to him should he call her.”

Sango gasped, placing her hand up to her mouth, `what in the hell is she talking about? I would never…ever go to him willingly…this lady is crazy!' To afraid to glance over at her companions because she knew they were all staring at her, she lowered her head and prayed that she would just disappear.

“Why do you say such things?” Kagome asked her fingers now interlaced with Inuyasha's.

“My child, I only speaks what I see. Your friend needs to embrace her feelings or Jouyoku will. This is how he finds his victims. You on the other hand crave only the touch of the hanyou beside you; it is only then that you emit the scent that even at this moment oozes off your friend in waves like a beaconing light in a storm.”

“Whoa!” Miroku blurted. “What are you saying, that Sango is calling this man…that she wants him to bed her? That's not possible she is…is…my…Sango's not like that!” He yelled. This was unbelievable she was describing her like she was some kind of tart or…or a whore.

“I am not trying to embarrass her or shame her in anyway, but this is simply a warning, you may choose to ignore it or heed it, it is up to you.” Miebi replied nonchalantly.

“Feh, so Sango's a closet lech that's fine, but how do we kill this…this bastard!” Inuyasha exclaimed. He was tired of hearing the woman embarrass his friends and Kagome, even though she was probably speaking the truth. If he was honest with himself the scent he smelled coming from Sango earlier was probably what the hag was talking about.

Sango couldn't bear to hear anymore, her face was the color a ripe tomato and sweat was beading up on her forehead. She knew that the woman spoke the truth to a certain extent but other than that she really had no idea whether it was a lie or something that was happening subconsciously.

“Kill him you say. He will not be that easy to kill, if he has been feeding for 5 days or more he is now at his full strength. I suppose though if you want to go after him then beware that he has the strength, smell and hearing of an Inu youkai such as yourself, but the agility and claws of a Neko youkai. Don't ask me what type of demon he is because I do not know, for when he came for my sister I was merely a girl of 9 years old.” Smiling at the memory that flashed in her head Miebi continued, “I do remember he was or looked human. His long magenta hair flowed unhindered, and his glowing auburn eyes seemed to mesmerize even a girl as young as myself. He was a beautiful man, his aura was clean…it harbored no hatred or ill will. I believe that is why he has been able to live as he has for so long.”

Both women gasped in unison. But Kagome was the one to speak, “y…you said ma…magenta?” Scooting closer to Inuyasha she looked over at her friend who sat with her head hanging and her bangs hiding her eyes.

“I…I think he sa...saved us.” She said looking at the hanyou beside her.

Placing an arm around Kagome's waist he pulled her close, but he didn't say anything since he already thought as much.

“Of course he would save you if you were in danger, you would serve no purpose to him dead, my child.”

“But he didn't take us…” Sango finally spoke with out lifting her head.

“It wasn't your time…he has something bigger planned for you and the miko, but rest assure he will come for the both of you before he sleeps again.” Inhaling deeply she said, “I've grown tired, but before you continue on your journey there is one other way that may help you…it won't kill him, but it will deter him.”

Until Next Time…(Please review!)

Special Thanks to Darkmikokikyo.