InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Desert Rose ❯ Tree of Years ( Chapter 19 )

Hey, everyone. I'm still alive, and things are fine for now. I know, it's been months but the sad truth is, that after I wrote the last chapter, my mind just went blank. I didn't know what to write for the next chapter, and I've been having much more inspiration for my other fanfic, Bad Influences.

 

I hate to say it, but my heart's not that into this fic as much as it used to be. Looking back, I kind of realized how much I sucked in the beginning. I will finish it though, don't worry.

 

 

 

Chapter Nineteen: Tree of Years

 

 

 

“Inuyasha?”

 

Kagome wondered what was wrong when he suddenly pulled away from her, looking out sternly through the forest, his ears flicking toward a noise only he could hear. At first he didn't say anything, just looked out through the forest his eyes and ears scanning the area to check for the intrusion he could feel approaching.

 

He then released Kagome and said to himself “Why are they here?”

 

“Who?” Kagome questioned.

 

“The army from Base-Point. Why would they suddenly return?” Without another word, he leapt toward the upcoming warriors, leaving Kagome confused and alone back at the base of the thousand year old tree. She found a moment's relief from Inuyasha, knowing that she could keep the secret of the silver to herself a little longer. She knew it was truly unjust for her to keep information about Inuyasha's beloved daughters to herself, but she couldn't bring herself to tell him, and if her had held on to her longer in his torturous interrogation, she had been certain she would blurt out everything she had seen.

 

Thinking that she couldn't accomplish anything by staying in the forest clearing, she turned her heel and heading in the direction of the castle. Try as she might, her thoughts kept wandering to the silver and the guilt of keeping her a secret immediately following. She hated the fact that she was keeping things from Inuyasha after he confided in her so much about his past.

 

“What should I do?”

 

She entered the castle and brushed by someone, but only when a thud reached her ears was she able to concentrate who she had just bumped into. Kagome had turned to see Jordan on the floor rubbing her bottom.

 

“Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't see you there.” She said offering her aid, but then took notice of the bloody bandages on Jordan's hands.

 

“Oh right, your hands, are they-”

 

“I'm fine Kagome, this is nothing compared to the wounds on my heart. I'm glad I caught you. I'm not feeling too well, but I don't think I can go to rest without asking you a favor first.” She said, looking wistful. “Please?”

 

Kagome shrugged, “What is it?”

 

“Please just hear me out to the very end. If something happens to me-”

 

“What are you talking about, nothing will happen to you!” Kagome shouted, her heart speeding up.

 

“Please, Kagome listen. If something happens…”

“Nothing will happen!”

 

“But if, anything does I want you to promise me something.”

 

“Jordan.”

 

“Please Kagome…”

 

She sighed then asked, “What is it?”

 

“This letter,” Jordan held out a sealed letter, drips of crimson bleeding into the parchment from her wounded hands. “Beyond Northern Domain lies a series of islands called the North Shore. It's so powerfully protected by currents there, that there is no way the desert spell could reach them. If anything,” Kagome winced but Jordan continued, “should ever happen to me, I want you to take my people there, and give this letter…To a man named Giana.”

 

“Giana?” Kagome repeated.

 

The beating in Jordan's chest skipped, followed by a powerful burning when her heart pulled her other muscles. She yelped and sank to the floor, clutching her chest as droplets of her blood fell from her clenched hands. She could barely hear Kagome worried voice as she breathed in, trying to cool the ache in her chest. She sighed; even after all these years, the mention of Giana's name had the blood rush to her head.

 

“Are you okay?” Kagome's voice finally reached her ears.

 

“Yeah, I'm fine.” Jordan said, using Kagome's shoulder to bring herself to a standing position.

 

Kagome took the letter from Jordan's hand, promising that she'd do as Jordan had asked. Jordan breathed in a heavy sigh of relief and turned her heel to go rest. Having nothing, better to do, Kagome found that she was somewhat at a loss, her mind wandering back to the silver and what she had to tell Inuyasha.

 

It was all still hard to believe and Kagome was having a hard time adapting to all the information Inuyasha had shared with her. She kept wondering about Ayla and Silva. From what Inuyasha told her, it didn't seem likely that they would survive, so then, how was she able to see the silver, or, as she kept asking herself, what was the silver?

 

“He really loved them, why else would he agonize about it years later…” Kagome mumbled, staring outside a window she had just passed. Her mind then shifted. He once had a family, a wife and children. Was there a place in his heart for her?

Kagome felt her face heating up, not knowing where the thought came from. She covered her mouth with her hand, looking out the window and hoping no one could see her. Inuyasha said his grief had only felt new, as if his tale of woe had just happened. Did…does he still love his wife? Kagome wondered, feeling her face pale this time. She sighed deeply; looking at the letter that Jordan had just given her.

 

“Wait, what does it matter to me? He's free to love whoever he wants…” But does he love me? Kagome shook her head, scolding herself. This was not the time to get caught up in her worries, there was a war, and this is the their last stand, she had no time to worry about her own feelings, not yet. What was important was finding out what the silver really was.

 

Was she another one of Naraku's tricks? After hearing how he had been trying to manipulate her mind, Kagome was sure that perhaps the Silver could be another one of his plans to get close to Inuyasha, but two things didn't make sense. How would Naraku know of Inuyasha's past in order to use the silver against him, and, if, the silver was a trick, why was she helping them? Why did she warn Kagome that day in Northern Domain?

 

Kagome shook her head nervously. It felt like nothing made sense anymore. Inuyasha said that Ayla and Silva both died, she even saw their deaths through his memory. There was no way that they could survive, could they?

 

“Why couldn't I find answers instead of more questions…” Kagome mumbled gloomily.

 

()()()()()()()

 

It won't be long now. She knew this. The more time they put her in the dark, the less time she had left. It was cold, and everything moved so she didn't know which way to go. It was clear that they didn't want her to leave now.

 

“Papa…”

 

Her voice went unheard, echoing in the darkness. This time, she won't be able to get out into the light. There was only one chance left, but she would have to leave her behind if she saved herself.

 

()()()()()()()

 

“Kanna.” Naraku called as the girl crept into the room. Her eyes did not show any feeling, the same as her stale face, as she waited for his orders.

 

“She is weakening, Master.” She whispered, the mirror in her hands coming to life and showing the dark room. “It won't be long now…”

 

“I see.” Naraku stated dryly. “Once she can no longer resist, I trust you know what to do.”

 

“Yes…Master Naraku…”

 

“It's amazing how much you have changed.”

 

Kanna said nothing, watching him with empty eyes.

 

“You may leave.” Kanna bowed and left the room.

 

()()()()()()()

 

“Kagome?”

 

“Huh? What?” Kagome looked over her right shoulder, tearing her vision away from the view of the window to see Sango giving her a cautious look. Turning completely away from the window, Kagome faced a nervous looking Sango.

 

“Is something wrong?” She asked.

 

“No, I'm fine, Sango. I just have a lot on my mind.” Kagome said as she turned back to the view.

 

Sango leaned forward, her elbows on the ridge of the window, next to Kagome, watching the view with her. For a little while there was silence between the two friends, until Sango said, “A lot has happened since you first came here.”

 

“Yeah.” Kagome mumbled, barely hearing what Sango had just said.

 

“More than half a year, and things have taken a turn for the worse.” Sango said quietly, feeling Kagome nod at her side.

 

“It must have been terrible…” Sango muttered under her breath. For a moment, Kagome thought she had been talking of Inuyasha's tragic past, then she remembered the other loss that had recently occurred.

 

“You mean, Levion?” Kagome asked tentatively.

 

“I knew him. I remember Inuyasha talking about him and I had met him a few times. He was a really kind man. It never really felt like he was blind to me…he was so full of life.” Sango muttered solemnly.

 

“So full of life…” Kagome remembered Inuyasha saying the same about his daughters.

 

“I wonder what Jordan will do now that she has her heart back…” Sango muttered.

 

“What do you think she will do?”

 

“I don't really know; it seems to me that when people's hearts return, all they feel is sadness. I see the tears in Jordan's eyes many times, and when Inuyasha's heart returned, he seemed so gloomy. It makes me wonder…Listen, I don't mean to sound cruel, but we don't have time to mourn or worry. Kagome, you and I have to be our strongest, especially now! That bastard Naraku won't wait until we are ready to defend ourselves. You must be alert!” Sango warned, looking at Kagome with intense eyes.

 

“I know it's unfair of me to ask you to just make sure you're ready, after all that's happened but…I'm sorry.” Sango rose and walked away.

 

Despite herself, Kagome found that Sango was right.

 

()()()()()()()

 

“Their army won't need to cross the desert anymore. We need as much defense here as we can manage, now that the only non-desert is this land. My warriors and the castle guards can only do so much. We need all the armies to return and constant protection in the outskirts of the forests.” Jordan said as she sat across the table from the two brothers.

 

“Also,” She said, looking up for the first time since the meeting began, “We need power. With all those hearts at his disposal, the desert spell has gotten exceedingly strong. It won't be long before your control over it slips. Both of you.” She added, getting a sense that it wasn't just Inuyasha who was protecting this place.

 

“Despite how strong you are, forgive me Sesshoumaru, you can't keep the spell from taking the lives of your people. And Inuyasha, you won't be able to hold back the desert forever. Only demon power can stop a demonic spell…this is a conundrum. If only there was a place we could evacuate our citizens when your power wanes…then we could escort them there safely should the spell reach up before we can defeat the enemy.”

 

“To escort so many people would take time…” Sesshoumaru spoke. “Not to mention soldiers for their safe arrival…and we cannot afford to let anyone go at the moment. That is assuming that there is such a place that is both protected and hidden from Naraku to take our people to.”

 

“There is a place.” Inuyasha spoke for the first time, both pairs of eyes watching him intently. “Once, I remember running as far away as possible. I ran past Southern Domain, and over the water across the sea. It was an island, a large island far off the coast, completely covered in forests and ruins from a city long dead.”

 

“Are you sure that only you know about this place?” Jordan asked.

 

“I've been there many times, and I don't think I ever saw anyone from the south there, it was in their land after all, let alone, enemies from the east.”

 

“But, to send all our citizens to an uncharted island…still, we have little choice now, the problem will be getting them there.” Sesshoumaru sighed.

 

“What about the Tetsusaiga?” Inuyasha suggested.

 

“I'm not so sure it can take all our people with one transport. That's not the only problem. The people will need provisions, and to leave them there to fend for themselves…”

“I'll assign my two best soldiers to watch over and keep things in order there. Also, I'll ask some of my warriors to go and protect them from anything that might do them harm.” Jordan said suddenly.

 

“As for food, there's a river that runs through the entire forest, there's plenty of fish and vegetation. I'm sure they can adapt. We can also send building materials.” Inuyasha suggested.

 

“I'm almost surprised that you came up with that all on your own.” Sesshoumaru stated.

“Shut up!”

 

“In any case,” Jordan interrupted, “if we are to go along this plan of relocating the people, then we must do it and get it done soon.”

 

“Very well then…I shall tell Nazuna to inform the people.” Sesshoumaru looked across the table at Jordan.

 

“Then I will send for Sarina and Suzuna to watch over them along with some of my soldiers as well. I'll also go ask the people to prepare food and materials they will need.” Jordan answered.

 

“Then I'll get ready to transport the things they need. Once that is done, I'll take the people there.” Inuyasha finished.

 

“The sooner this is done, the better, I don't know how long it will take the desert spell to reach us…” Jordan looked down at her bandaged hands.

 

()()()()()()()

 

“So the army came back to protect this place?” Kagome asked from across the room. Shortly after meeting with Sango, Inuyasha had come back, looking rather wary and fatigued, asking her to call Miroku and his wife, saying that he had something important to discuss.

 

“Yeah, we need them to watch the desert for any signs of movement and to keep guard while Miroku, Sango and I escort the people out of here.”

 

“What! I'm staying here!” Kagome suddenly shouted.

 

“I need you to stay here. If something goes wrong, you will be able to get the news to me fast enough. It would be just like those bastards to attack us right in the middle of this thing.” Inuyasha explained quickly.

 

“Oh.” Kagome suddenly remembered that Inuyasha had accidentally shattered all of the barriers that kept her from him, so that meant that she could communicate with him from across a great distance again.

 

“I'm a little worried about sending Kohaku so far away…” Sango sighed. Miroku placed his hand on her shoulder and said, “It's for the best, he'll be safe there and help the people restart their lives.”

 

Still looking a little worried, Sango nodded and said, “You're right.” Miroku, however, could tell that she still felt uncomfortable about being so far apart from her younger brother, especially after what happened to Jordan.

 

“You should worry more about leaving him here in the desert's wake.” A new voice came into the conversation as Jordan herself came into the garden.

 

“Your advisors have agreed to the plan.” She told Inuyasha. “We are starting this operation tomorrow. We are to evacuate women, children and elderly first. I suggest, that the three of you get as much rest as you can. We start at dawn tomorrow.” Once finished with what she had to say, Jordan turned and exited without another word.

 

“I think I will go to sleep now…” Inuyasha suddenly spoke. “It will take me a few hours to fall asleep. Be ready tomorrow.” He said to Sango and Miroku, who nodded knowingly. Realizing that they could leave, Miroku and Sango rose from their place and exited like Jordan, without another word.

 

“I guess everyone is tense now.” Kagome sighed as Sango and Miroku left.

 

“I guess so,” She heard Inuyasha reply tiredly.

 

“Inuyasha,” Kagome began shyly, without looking at him, “Are you alright?” She chanced a look at him, to see that he was looking at her both annoyed and weary.

 

“What are you talking about? I feel fine.”

 

“No, I mean…”

 

Inuyasha took in such a powerful breath that Kagome noticed that his chest rose and fell with great force. “I don't have the right to mourn. I've had sixty years.” He looked away sadly. “Jordan lost her brother little over a month ago, and she's still going forward with all she has, making sure that her people are safe and that things are getting done. And I've been caught up in my damn dilemma, letting things slip by and just living without a real meaning…”

 

“You're an idiot.” Kagome sighed, sending a heavily, grumpy look his way when his face snapped back to look at her incredulously.

 

“What?” He glared at her.

 

“Do you really think that Jordan is over her brother's death so easily?”

 

“No, of course n-”

 

“She still cries you know, but that doesn't mean she's not trying to make things right. I think she doesn't want to see another life lost like his: a heart stolen to fuel a terrible spell. I'm not saying it's a bad thing to mourn, but life moves on, just like yours did.” Kagome said fiercely. “Life has no real meaning, you don't need a reason to live. That's what I think so. Life's what you make it. I know it's hard to live after someone you love is gone.” Kagome's voice couldn't help breaking, as her lost father's face appeared in her mind. “ But, the sun still rises the next day.”

 

“What?” She asked when she noticed he was wearing a weak smile.

 

“Nothing,” He shook his head, “Just wishing that I could accept things as easily.” He stood away from the wall he had been leaning against. “I'm tired.” He said weakly.

 

“Let's go Kagome.” He walked back toward the castle, Kagome following him, thinking of the powerful changes he had undergone.

 

There were moments where his face was blank, his eyes beyond what others could see. Kagome almost couldn't believe he was the same cold person that threatened to send her home before she found his heart a month ago. It had been as though he was distancing himself more and more from everyone around him, slowly becoming colder and colder.

 

Before, when only two emotions came up in him, he was either in an angry or annoyed rage, or he was teasing her. Kagome couldn't help realizing how forward he was then. He seemed braver, and more affectionate maybe. He seemed to like watching her reactions.

 

Now though, with his mind and heart torn in different directions, he was tired, sad, stressed, and wistful at the same time. And somewhere Kagome could sense a deep anger that had permeated him. He had been right: she couldn't understand what he was going through, even though she could feel his sadness.

 

A sound like something hitting a solid object reached her ears, and, turning her head to look forward, she had a second to realize that Inuyasha had hit his head against a lamp that had been hanging dangerously low from the ceiling. Too shocked from the sudden, accidental assault, he had stumbled and fallen to the floor with a rather loud “thud.” A fraction of a second later, Kagome had bent next to him.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

“Damned castle is starting to fall apart.” He exclaimed, eyes closed, rubbing his abused forehead.

 

“This is bad.” He opened his eyes suddenly, quickly rose to his feet, and crossed the hall. As fast as she was able, Kagome moved to follow him, as he ran past the halls and into a stairway that led to one of the towers. He began jumping the steps two at a time, Kagome struggling to keep up as she ran behind him. Soon he stopped at the top of the tower, and when Kagome reached him, she took a moment to wonder why he rushed up this long staircase only to stop at a dead end.

 

He ran his finger along the stone wall, before placing his palm against it and closing his eyes. Kagome watched as the wall suddenly swung backward, opening like a large door. Inuyasha stepped inside and as Kagome slipped inside after him, the stone wall closed again. Turning, she gasped at hidden room. There were no windows or doors, the room was one giant sphere, its walls glowing blue. The ground was covered with grass and in the center, the place where the amazing sapphire glow sprang, was a small tree, its shimmer dimming then lighting up again, like a heartbeat.

 

“Where are we?” Kagome heard herself asking as she stared mesmerized at the glowing tree.

 

“We're in the silver tower.” Inuyasha explained as he crossed the room, kneeling next to the tree and touching one of its leaves softly.

 

“And this place, that tree?”

 

“You know about the mirror of memories right?” He asked, eyes still on the tree.

 

“Yes.”

 

“Each domain has a special item of its own. Southern domain had a giant pearl known as the Ocean's Eye. This is the Tree of Years.”

 

“Years?”

 

“It's an ancient tree, older than the Thousand year old tree, which it this tree's son. No one knows how old this tree is, but it has power. This tree, works with its son to protect this place. Both trees provide the energy that makes these forests so old. They make the plants grow and give the forest life. It's how I've been able to protect this place against the desert spell.” Inuyasha explained as his eyes watched to the tree.

 

“I give the tree some of my power, and the extra boost, gives the tree the strength to create a strong barrier against the desert, but the tree has been getting weaker. The border where I found you was once a meadow that slowly became the desert in Eastern Domain. The tree has been getting smaller as more of our land became desert. That was before I figured out that it needed more power to protect the land. But now…”

 

Kagome came closer to the tree, looking at its leaves. She saw the faint yellow creeping along the edges of the leaves.

 

“My strength is running out. I can only give the tree so much power, but as it grows weaker, and I, giving it less energy every time, it won't be able to give the barrier that protects against the desert. Also, it won't be able to recognize Sesshoumaru's power, so it can protect the people.”

 

“Sesshoumaru gives the tree power too?”

 

“Yeah, our demonic power is different from the tree, but only demon power can stop a demon spell. The tree reacts to me because of my demon and sorcerer power, and in turn reacts to my ass of a brother because of the extra sorcerer power I give it.”

 

“It won't be long now, the tree's leaves are starting to dry out.”

 

“So, then the desert will reach here?”

 

“It will, unless we stop Naraku before the desert spell is completed.” He touched the tree's trunk, closed his eyes and took a deep breath, and Kagome could feel power seeping into the tree, but only a little.

 

“Is it resisting?” She asked.

 

“So you can feel it too.” Inuyasha sighed, taking his hand away from the tree.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“The tree is tired. It's resisting me because it thinks that now I am the desert spell. It can't tell the demon energies apart, not since Southern Domain fell. With all those hearts in his hands, that bastard is now confusing the tree! Because the desert is now stronger than ever, the tree cannot tell which power is which. No wonder he went after that damn Lord Sin first. He knew he would be the easiest to fall.”

 

“Wait, Inuyasha, the Mirror of Memories, did it-”

 

“Yeah, it also protected the north. But I told you, demon power stops demon spells. I bet it was easy to confuse the mirror with all the memories of the people who died in the south. Damn it!” He hit his fist into the ground.

 

“I wish I could figure out Naraku's plans before it was too late. He goes after the south first because it was the easiest to conquer, then he uses his power from those people to melt the ice up in the north, now he is using the power of the spell to confuse the tree. I might lose even more people that I care about…”

 

“Inuyasha…” She placed a warm hand on his shoulder. “You should get some rest. Tomorrow, the relocation starts. While the tree still has power to resist, you should move the people to where they are safe. That's what's most important now.”

 

“You're right.” Touching the tree one last time, he stood up and opened the secret door that led outside. Kagome followed him out.

 

()()()()()()()

 

The next morning, Inuyasha was gone when Kagome had woken up. Though she hated the fact that she may not see him for a while, knowing that he had to transport the people and make sure they are settled before coming back to escort more citizens away, she kept alert in case something happened while they were escorting the people.

 

Three days after the operation started, Kagome hadn't seen Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, Jordan or Sesshoumaru, but she kept herself busy by asking around the soldiers or guards about anything out of the ordinary. So far, things were proceeding fine.

 

As less and less people inhabited the towns and the castle, Kagome found that things became quieter and quieter. She learned that Jordan and Sesshoumaru were spending time together making battle preparations and that Inuyasha was making certain that the people who were being transported were safe.

 

By the tenth day, all the women and children were safely taken to their new homes. It was night, and Kagome was feeling odd about being one of the few women who were still in the area. She sat at the bed in the golden room, looking beyond the curtains and out into the open balcony. It was really quiet.

 

Rising from the bed and going across the room, Kagome closed the glass doors of the balcony. Finding herself unable to sleep, she left the golden room and headed down into the garden. A little over a week ago, this place would be filled with children who had snuck out of the cities to play in the garden at night. Now though, there wasn't even a cricket making a sound.

 

Something moved from behind her, making Kagome's heart jump, as she swung around to see what it was, instantly alert.

 

“Oh it's just you.” A voice called from the darkness.

 

Kagome squinted. “Inuyasha? Is that you?”

“Yes, it's me.”

 

“I thought you still had people to escort?”

 

“I can't exactly escort people at night.” He came out of the darkness. “Much less in this condition, the sword doesn't work for me now.”

 

Kagome watched as Inuyasha emerged, violet eyed and black haired, from behind the garden wall. She turned to stare at the moon, its small semi-circle in the sky. Kagome felt slightly nervous as she looked back at Inuyasha, remembering the circumstances of the last time she saw him turn human.

 

“How are things going with the people?” She asked shyly.

 

“A few people were upset to leave their homes, but we got them there fine.” He said as he walked into the clearing that Kagome was standing in, staring at the moon.

 

“I hate this night.” He growled.

 

“How come?”

 

“It just makes me feel,…depressed.” He sat down in the grass, crossing his arms and legs, staring gloomily at the moon.

 

“Where are Sango and Miroku?” Kagome asked, wondering why the couple hadn't returned with him.

 

“Back with the escorted people. Sango wanted to stay with Kohaku, and Miroku is working to keep everything in order there. Though, I think Sarina and Suzuna can manage without him. I just hope that Sango doesn't see him eyeing the ladies. I don't have any use for an incapacitated monk who can't carry his own weight. I'm so tired.” He gave a rather tired yawn. “I could use a bit of rest.”

 

He stood up and walked into the castle. Kagome followed him as he went back into the golden room. He went to the balcony, staring again at the moon. Coming to stand next to him, Kagome asked, “Something wrong?”

 

“It just feels weird. Suddenly changing again every month. My demon half had all the control for over sixty years…it just feels…odd to suddenly turn human again.”

 

“Why don't you go to sleep?” Kagome asked when he yawned again.

 

“I never sleep when I'm human.”

 

“Nightmares?” Kagome teased.

 

When Inuyasha said nothing, Kagome asked, “Do you really have nightmares?”

 

“Yeah, it's always the same. I see Ayla and Silva playing one moment, dead the next.”

 

“I'm sorry…”

 

He stared blankly ahead. Kagome shared the silence with him before he said, “You should get some sleep.”

 

“No thank you.” Kagome protested.

 

“You'll regret it tomorrow.” He gave her an annoyed look.

 

“Nope, if you can stay awake then so can I.”

 

“Yeah, but I don't need as much sleep.” He insisted.

 

“So what. Stop making it like I can't handle thing because I'm human.” She countered. “And, in case you haven't noticed, you're human now too, so we should be on the same level. If you're staying up, then so am I.” She finished, watching as Inuyasha opened his mouth to say something, then stopped, having no counter argument. Kagome smiled.

 

“Fine. Don't blame me if you're tired tomorrow.” Exasperated, he returned to look at the moon.

 

“Hey, Inuyasha?”

 

“What? Are you getting sleepy?”

 

“No!” Kagome snapped. “I was wondering, if you could tell me more about…about Ayla and Silva.”

 

A grimace passed his face but he said, “They were really energetic kids. It was so hard to keep track of both of them.”

 

“How come?”

 

“Well for one thing, they both loved to explore. Kikyo said that they would suddenly vanish from under her nose, running around all over the place. They were also really hard to tell apart sometimes. I could tell who was who by scent, Kikyo would tell them apart by aura. One day though, they got lost in the forest. They couldn't find their way back because every trail they took felt the same.”

 

“When I found Ayla in the forest, I had to make her tell me which twin she was before I had to go find her sister. They also loved to get in trouble and trouble seemed to follow them everywhere.” Inuyasha laughed. He seemed to love talking about his daughters. “They would break things, go to places they weren't supposed to go, forget to behave themselves, have tantrums…”

 

“Kind of like you?”

 

“Keh!”

 

“Silva was really shy. She would hide behind her mother whenever she would meet new people. I think she had a little trouble because she was a hanyou also, but she never said anything about it. It would take her a while to trust others, but when she did, she was a friendly as ever.”

 

“Ayla though, was a little more reckless. She would charge into things without thinking, but she was also afraid of a lot of things. She didn't like hearing strange noises at night, didn't like being left alone.” He suddenly felt a little guilty.

 

“I wonder, what they would be like if they grew up.” He asked himself, going silent again.

 

“You really loved them, didn't you?”

 

“More than anything.”

 

 

They stayed up talking all night. Kagome was surprised how passionate Inuyasha was about his daughters. He spoke of them with such fondness, that Kagome felt a little strange in his fatherly presence. She found it a little hard to believe that both girls were so active, even though they were blind, but then again, the silver could walk with ease too.

 

Though he seemed nostalgic and a little sad about talking about them, Inuyasha seemed to like reminiscing about his girls. Kagome was glad to see that he wasn't speaking of them in the pained way he had done before. At least, she knew that he was slowly getting better about losing them.

 

When the sun came up, Kagome watched as Inuyasha became his usual self. The moment he turned to tell Kagome he should leave, the entire tower shook, as though it had been struck from the side. Kagome lost her balance and was about to fall to the floor, had Inuyasha not caught her around the waist. He was holding the balcony with his other hand, keeping himself from falling.

 

“What's going on?” Kagome said breathlessly.

 

“An earthquake?” Inuyasha breathed, steadying himself. Releasing Kagome, his eyes widened and he suddenly became alert.

 

“Enemies.” He said, sniffing the air and growling. “Shit! Not now, there are still people here!”

 

He grabbed Kagome's wrist. Kagome, suddenly feeling the whirling feeling of transport, appeared in the entrance to the castle with Inuyasha. The next moment, the two of them were outside, rushing toward the oncoming battle.

 

Bangs and booms could be heard in the distance and it became obvious that the battle had started from afar, in the edge of the territory, just as if had been for the north. Suddenly, a bright blue light erupted before Kagome, so bright, that she immediately had to shut her eyes. Once the flash had cleared, she and Inuyasha realized that it was Jordan who had materialized before them looking grave.

 

“You must go back to the castle!” She ordered.

 

“What! Fuck no! I'm going to go fight!” Inuyasha snarled, going forward.

 

“NO!” Jordan stood in front of him. “ Sesshoumaru and I are going to take care of the enemy at the edge of the forest! You have to return to the people in case they pass us! This battle is a diversion! They are going for something in the castle and they are willing to hurt anyone in the process!”

 

Kagome's eyes widened. “Inuyasha! The tree of years!”

 

“The tree of years can't be touched by anyone outside the royal bloodline!” He protested, still moving forward.

 

“We have to go back!” Kagome countered. “We have to protect the people!” Kagome grabbed his arm.

 

“She's right. I don't have time for this!” With another wave of light, Jordan vanished. A second later, a great howl was heard at the place of the battle.

 

“Sesshoumaru.” Inuyasha said.

 

With a reluctant growl, he turned to rush back to the city, Kagome right behind him. The forest became a green blur as they rushed past, Kagome's eyes traveling in every direction. Silver flashed amongst the sea of green, catching Kagome's attention out of the corner of her eye and stopping her in her place.

 

Kagome's heart banged against her ribcage, her blood rushing through her veins. It was the silver, standing between two trees, but this time, she was not staring at Kagome as she had done in the past. In fact, Kagome watched her as her small hands were holding the sides of her head, her body wobbling from side to side, as if she couldn't hold her balance.

 

“No!” She cried.

 

She was holding her head, shaking it and screaming, as if her skull was breaking apart. Her body shook and, cringing in pain, she fell to her knees. Kagome moved to rush to her, but suddenly her shaking and screaming stopped. She rose slowly to her feet, her face veiled by her silvery hair. Then, suddenly, she stood upright and wide, empty, trancelike eyes stared unseeingly at Kagome.

 

Her face was lost of all emotion.

 

“Kagome!”

 

Inuyasha's voice called from the distance, and Kagome was shocked out of her frightened trance. Horrorstruck, she turned to see Inuyasha running back toward her

 

“What the hell are you doing!? We have to-” He stopped, for his eyes had suddenly found what Kagome had been staring at.

 

His skin went pale, his eyes widened and his body shook as his breathing suddenly increased tenfold.

 

His voice broke as he took two steps toward the girl.

 

“S-Silva…”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DUN DUN DUN!!! Ooh! What will happen next! I hope you're happy with this chapter. I worked so hard on it! It was really hard because I didn't know what exactly was going to happen next. I knew, what was going to happen in the long run, but not right after that last chapter.

 

Anyway, please REVIEW!!! I love you guys!!