InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Feel Like Makin' Love ❯ Awakening ( Chapter 8 )

Chapter 7

 

Awakening

 

In the first few years of InuYasha's long sleep, Miroku, Sango and Shippo built the Shinto shrine over his resting place. They told people who wondered about the activity up in the Kiso Mountains that it was dedicated to a kami who dwelled there. The honden of the shrine, where the body of the kami was said to reside, was built to cover the entrance to the cave where InuYasha slept. When the day came for InuYasha to wake, the wall that covered the cave would be torn down. In front of the honden was the haiden where the public could enter.

 

After its construction was finished, three years later, Miroku and Sango moved their family, which now included two more children, to the shrine. They built a house next to it, on the grounds of the shrine. Shippo came to visit every so often, and as the years passed, he brought his children as well.

 

On a warm spring day, Miroku and Shippo assembled their children in the honden, in front of the wall, which closed off InuYasha's resting-place. The wall had a large scroll on it with a picture of the kami - which looked eerily like a certain ex-hanyou. They ranged in age from twelve to five, and some fidgeted, some sucked their thumbs, some looked bored and impatient as their fathers tried to get them to pay serious attention.

 

“This is important, children. You know why we are here right?” Miroku said, his hands clasped behind his back as he looked searchingly at the motley crew before him.

 

“To look at the pretty picture?” chirped his five-year-old daughter, Momiji, smiling.

 

“Papa, I have to pee,” said a red-haired little kitsune boy, tugging on Shippo's suikan.

 

“Not now, Shinji,” Shippo said, loosening the child's hands from his clothes. “Just hold a few more minutes.”

 

“This is stupid!” Twelve-year-old Daitaro said, crossing his arms. “We all know the story!”

 

“Well, then I think you should tell us what it is,” Miroku said challengingly to his son.

 

Heaving an exasperated sigh, Daitaro glanced at his father and frowned. But then the adolescent began talking.

 

“On July 2, 1997, our descendants are to close the shrine,” said Daitaro. “Then they are to take down the wall and wait for the kami to emerge.”

 

“Not a kami, really, but a youkai like Shippo and his children,” corrected Miroku gently.

 

“A kitsune?” Keiko asked shyly.

 

“No, an Inu Youkai,” Shippo said with a smile. “If all goes as planned, I and my children will have survived to be there - that's why you two are supposed to be listening too…”

 

Shaking his head, Shippo took the toy top from his son and daughter who were playing with it on the floor. They looked up guiltily at their father, and then smiled as he laughed at them. He could not stay mad at them - they were kitsune children - and his after all. And they took right after him….

 

~*~

 

If I had those golden dreams of my yesterday

I would wrap you in the heaven

But they lay dying on the way

 

Feel like makin'

Feel like makin' love

 

- Bad Company

 

~*~

 

And so the time passed, and generations of Miroku and Sango's descendants tended to the shrine of the Mountain Inu Kami as he became known. The kitsunes always made sure to make appearances, and to reinforce that the story of the kami's awakening was no mere story - and must be told faithfully to each generation of shrine keepers. They survived famine and war, earthquakes and political upheavals. Their remote location served them well.

 

The morning of July 2nd, 1997 dawned warm and breezy at the Shinto shrine in the Kiso mountains known as the Shrine of the Mountain Inu Kami. Tatsuya rose early, and gazed at his wife, Miho, for a moment. He was filled with a mixture of anxiety and expectation. This was the day that was foretold about, that generations of his family had told each succeeding generation for hundreds of years. And he and his wife Miho were the only ones tending the shrine at this time. He was the only shrine keeper left, everyone else had moved on. But he wondered who would return today. He and his wife had made the decision to let their children sleep - they were young, and he did not want anything to scare them.

 

“Good morning,” Miho said sleepily, bringing Tatsuya out of his reverie. “Shall I make us some tea?”

 

“That will be fine,” said Tatsuya, and smiled. “But then I must go directly to the honden - the kami wakes today.”

 

“So it will truly happen?” Miho said in wonder.

 

“Yes, it will,” said Tatsuya solemnly. “My family has been here for generations only for this one purpose - to protect the kami until he wakes.”

 

“Is he truly a kami?” Miho asked, her brow furrowed in concern as she unconsciously brought the bed sheets closer to her chest.

 

“No, not really,” replied Tatsuya, getting out of bed and putting on his slippers. “He is an Inu Taiyoukai - named InuYasha.”

 

Miho looked thoughtful and a little concerned. After all, she had not grown up with the story of the waking of the kami as he had. Tatsuya took her hand gently in his and smiled.

 

“Don't worry,” he said. “All will be well.”

 

Miho smiled back, and then got up to make their tea. When they were finished, Miho went to check on the children, and Tatsuya got some tools and left to go to the honden. He took deep breaths of the warm air, and a breeze ruffled his short dark hair. His nerves were on edge with anticipation, and he almost missed the two figures that stood under the Torii gate of the shrine.

 

Tatsuya was startled - the shrine was closed on this day. The hair rose on the back of his neck and he almost dropped his tools - they were obviously not human. Their long, white hair flowed out behind them, and they wore elegant, but simple, suits of white and silver. They regarded him impassively with unnerving, golden eyes. Tatsuya licked his lips nervously, and tried to think of the story of the Inu Kami. They had to be part of it, somehow - how else to explain their looks and strange markings on their faces?

 

Not sure what else to do, Tatsuya bowed.

 

“I am Tatsuya, the shrine keeper. I am on the way to the honden for InuYasha's awakening, Lords,” said Tatsuya. “Will you follow me?”

 

The older-looking, more regal youkai inclined his head slightly, and walked through the Torii gate towards the shrine. Tatsuya fell in behind them as they made their way to the honden. They waited for Tatsuya to open the door and followed him in. When they got to the wall with the scroll, Tatsuya carefully removed it. Then he began to take down the wall.

 

A puff of ancient air and dust came out of the cave opening, and Tatsuya waved a hand in front of his face, coughing. The two youkai did not react to it, just stepped through and into the cave. Light streamed in from the honden, but Tatsuya followed with a flashlight anyway. This was it - his heart was racing and his mouth turned dry. He went and stood beside the two youkai, who stared expectantly at a back wall of the small cave.

 

The lower part of the cave wall shimmered, and then faded away. Tatsuya gasped as he laid eyes on the figure lying there. He was perfectly preserved, his clothes bright red and un-faded, with no layer of dust to dull them. His eyes were closed and his face serene. Tatsuya held his breath, waiting to see what would happen next.

 

“InuYasha, we have come,” said the tall, older youkai next to Tatsuya.

 

The brows of the youkai in the cave niche furrowed slowly, and then his eyes fluttered - and were suddenly open. Eyes of bright gold looked upward a moment, and then he slowly turned his head to look at them.

 

“So you came, Sesshomaru,” said InuYasha. “And not alone.”

 

Then InuYasha saw Tatsuya and smirked.

 

“You one of Miroku and Sango's descendants?”

 

“Yes, I am Tatsuya,” he stammered and bowed to InuYasha reverently.

 

“So where is the runt?” InuYasha said, picking up Tessaiga from where it lay at his side and getting up out of the niche. “I don't see Shippo anywhere.”

 

“Hey, I'm no runt,” said Shippo, walking into the cave with another kitsune girl. “And I told you to wait for me - and I'm here aren't I?”

 

“Yeah, about time,” InuYasha grumbled, but he was happy to see him.

 

“This is my daughter, Emiko,” said Shippo, and the pretty, slim red-headed girl smiled at InuYasha.

 

“I am Kitomaru,” said the younger Taiyoukai standing next to Sesshomaru.

 

Quirking an eyebrow, InuYasha gave him an appraising look. He looked just like Sesshomaru, only younger and with different markings - in fact, more like InuYasha's.

 

“I take it you are a relative of mine,” said InuYasha.

 

“He is my son,” said Sesshomaru quietly.

 

`So he did not marry Rin after all,' thought InuYasha, and felt a twinge - and then got a bit worried and angry.

 

“So what became of Rin?” InuYasha said challengingly, giving Sesshomaru a steely glare.

 

“She was taken care of,” said Sesshomaru dismissively.

 

“What the hell do you mean by that?” InuYasha snarled.

 

“Don't worry, InuYasha,” said Shippo. “Not long after you were sealed, Kohaku sent a go-between to ask for her hand in marriage.”

 

`Kohaku!' InuYasha thought in astonishment. `Why did I never think of Sango's brother?'

 

“Good, I knew you would never think about Rin's future,” said InuYasha, looking ruefully at Sesshomaru, and stalked out of the cave.

 

Everyone followed InuYasha, as he walked into the honden. He snorted a moment as he took a cursory look at the shrine, and then went out the door into the morning sunshine. This was it! He was going to see Kagome again! Every nerve in his body sang for him to take flight and get to her as fast as he could. A shaking and trembling came over him, and then he felt a hand on his arm, startling him.

 

“I have everything set up for you,” said Shippo, smiling smugly. “The Kitsune Society network will get you to Kagome.”

 

“What the hell is that?” InuYasha said irritably, wanting to shrug off Shippo's hand and jump into the air.

 

“You can't just fly to Kagome,” said Shippo with a laugh. “This is modern day Japan - the humans are dominant. Youkai stay hidden.”

 

“I have fulfilled my obligation to you,” said Sesshomaru, and turned to leave with his son.

 

“That's it?” InuYasha said, watching them walk off.

 

Why did he even think his brother would help him - or have anything more to do with him. Obviously, almost five hundred years had done nothing to change his brother. InuYasha snorted, shook his head, and turned with a sigh of exasperation to Shippo.

 

“So what did you have in mind?” InuYasha said, crossing his arms. “Whatever it is, it better be fast - I've waited too damn long to see Kagome, and I can't wait anymore.”

 

All this time, Tatsuya had watched and listened to them in awe. It seemed so unreal, a piece of his family's past had come to life. Countless members of his family schooled in the story of the sleeping kami, and now the very reason for the shrine's existence had been fulfilled. But no one had told him what to do now…..

 

The shy kitsune girl saw Tatsuya start to look forlorn, and smiled at him. He caught her looking at him out of the corner of his eye, and flushed.

 

“What is the matter?” Emiko said quietly, tilting her head at him sweetly.

 

“It's okay,” said Tatsuya. “My family has fulfilled its promise to InuYasha and….”

 

“I see. You don't know what to do next, do you?” Emiko said sympathetically.

 

“Yes, you are a smart girl,” Tatsuya said and smiled.

 

“I am a lot older than I look,” said Emiko, a twinkle in her green eyes. “And don't worry. What would you like to do now?”

 

Tatsuya shrugged and sighed. “Being a shrine keeper is all I know.”

 

“So, continue to be a shrine keeper,” Emiko replied. “Even though the kami is gone, there is no reason not to keep the shrine open.”

 

With a sigh of relief, Tatsuya knew Emiko was right. Nothing had to change. This kitsune girl was smart, and he smiled at her gratefully.

 

“Thank you,” said Tatsuya. “I will take my leave of you now, but if ever you should need me and my family, InuYasha, we will be here for you.”

 

Hearing his name, InuYasha broke off his conversation with Shippo and turned to Tatsuya. What could he say to someone he hardly knew, but whose family had guarded him for hundreds of years? He felt honor bound to say something, and searched for the right words.

 

“Yeah, thanks, Tatsuya,” InuYasha said. “I owe you and your family a great debt, and if ever you should need me, I will be here for you.”

 

“The Kitsune Society will let you know where InuYasha is,” said Shippo. “We will stay in touch with you.”

 

“I am grateful,” said Tatsuya, with a bow. “I wish you all the best of luck.”

 

They watched the shrine keeper leave, and then got back to the matter at hand. They had been discussing their next move, and InuYasha had been trying to fight his impatience and growing irritation.

 

“Put this on, InuYasha,” said Shippo, handing Inuyasha a device that looked like a watch.

 

InuYasha took it from him and frowned. He had seen watches before in Kagome's time, but what did he need one for? It looked like just a plain watch to him.

 

“Do I have to?” InuYasha said wryly.

 

“This is no ordinary watch,” said Shippo with an air of pride. “We in the Kitsune Society have put spells on them to hide a youkai's true nature.”

 

“But then how will Kagome know it is me when she sees me?” InuYasha said suspiciously.

 

“You just take it off,” replied Shippo, and took the watch from InuYasha's hand and put it on his right wrist.

 

As Shippo and Emiko watched, InuYasha's dog ears, claws, fangs and markings began to disappear. He still had his striking coloring, but at least he did not look like a youkai anymore. Only he was dressed hundreds of years out of date…

 

“Maybe you should change your clothes,” said Shippo, looking at him appraisingly. “People don't normally go around in suikan and hakama in modern day Japan.”

 

“I don't care about that!” InuYasha spat. “Can we just leave now?”

 

Shippo rolled his eyes and shook his head ruefully. He realized that some things never change - InuYasha was quickly losing what ever patience he had. Memories of the pummelings he had gotten as a child rose to his mind and he sighed. InuYasha's expression was coming dangerously close to the one he used to have in the old days just before Shippo would get it. And there were no more beads of subjugation or Kagome to defend him.

 

“Okay, let's go to my car,” said Shippo, turning to leave.

 

“Car?” InuYasha said, baffled. “You drive a car?”

 

“Of course,” said Shippo, grinning. “Don't worry, it is a fast model.”

 

“Better be,” InuYasha muttered. “But I'd get there faster if I could fly.”

 

“Don't worry, InuYasha,” piped in Emiko. “My father is an excellent driver, you will be there before long.”

 

`Guess I have no choice,' thought InuYasha as they left the shrine. `Kagome, I'm on my way, don't worry, girl.'

 

~*~

 

At the Higurashi shrine, a blue light shone out of the well in the shrine's well house. It went out, and slowly a figure of girl climbed out, a huge, almost empty yellow backpack across her shoulders. No one was there to see her, and only a dim light came in through the boards of the old building. But Kagome reached for her flashlight in her pack and turned it on.

 

`Oh, InuYasha,' Kagome thought with a heavy heart. `Why did you feel the need to change? I know you could have found another way, you did not need to do it.'

 

Kagome slumped against the well, as images of her hanyou were transposed by images of him changed in to a youkai. A youkai, with none of his human heart left. Did he not realize that he had given up an important part of himself? And what else would the physical change do to him, in time? Was he really going to stay the same InuYasha she had fallen in love with, after such a change?

 

`God, I'm so confused,' thought Kagome, putting her hand to her face. `Yet despite it all, I miss him already.'

 

As Kagome stood there, her mind spinning and heart aching, a tear slipped out and between her fingers, landing on the edge of the well. A well she did not realize yet would never open again….