InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Finding My Family ❯ A Cloaked Savior and a Hidden Past ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter Two: A Cloaked Savior and a Hidden Past

 

“FOX FIRE!” screamed a husky voice as a wave of blue fire struck the creature, making it scream with pain as it scrambled to escape its attacker. Another wave soon followed and the demon soon caught fire, rolling about on the forest floor and screaming in agony until there was no life left within it, leaving its meal behind and intact. Kioko let out a huge sigh in relief, and tried to stand, but found her legs to weak to let her do so. Then she remembered that someone had saved her from the horrible fate that she escaped. Looking around for her rescuer, she saw the being come falling down from the sky with fluid grace, then landed in a crouch with one hand on the ground for balance.

 

The person wore a long, flowing cloak of dark green that matched the forest greenery and had been embroidered with blue flames that resembled the fire she had seen killing the giant spider. She tried to catch a glimpse of their face, but it was shrouded by the hood of the cloak, that along with the shadows of the forest, hid it from view. The person, a man as far as she could tell, stood up and wobbled slightly as if injured, before he walked over to where she still kneeled on the ground and extended a slender hand with claw-like nails, much like her own. She hesitated a moment, examining the hand and determining whether or not she could trust them, and when she decided that all was well, she took hold of the hand, which clasped hers firmly.

 

The stranger gently pulled her to her feet and kept a hold in case her knees gave out and when they didn't, released her hand before he bowed respectfully. She bowed in return and looked up, ready to thank the mystery man for rescuing her from the awful creature, only to watch as he collapsed and fell hard to ground before she could catch him.

 

“Oh, my goodness!” she exclaimed, her mouth dropping in worry for him as she rushed over the man to see if he was alright. She kneeled down beside him, rolling him onto his back and carefully pushing aside the hood of his cape so she could see his face. She was quite surprised by who she saw. He had to have been at least five or six years older than her, had pointed ears, and long dark auburn hair that had fallen across his face after coming loose from the tie he had held it in. She brushed it aside and saw that he was quite handsome. If the situation had been different, she might have flirted with him. However, she felt that she should check and make sure that he was alive and well. With that thought, she brought an ear near his mouth and could hear his shallow, but even breaths. She sighed lightly in relief that he was living.

 

“You there, girl! Are you alright?!” called a feminine voice from behind her. Kioko turned, slowly and stood, not knowing what she should expect to see behind her. It was a small crowd of people, about an even dispersal of men and women, who all wore outfits that looked like the attire of demon slayers, like she had seen on a trip to a museum when she was younger. In the front were two girls about her own age, one dressed in the clothes of a miko and another dressed similarly to the rest of the group, who seemed to be in command. They looked like they were twins, or sisters with a very close resemblance. From this distance, Kioko couldn't be sure. The girl in the miko clothing called out in the voice Kioko had heard before. “Hello there! I said, are you alright?!”

 

“I…I'm fine!” Kioko stuttered out, surprised by the people there and not sure what to be saying to them. Everything where she was seemed so odd and she felt terribly out of place. The priestess and her sister approached, confirming what Kioko had thought before. They were indeed twins. The young miko knelt beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder, examining her with an astute glare. Meanwhile, her sister stood guard over Kioko's fallen hero, who still lay motionless on the ground.

 

“I sensed a powerful and threatening demon in the area and came to investigate.” the miko explained, helping Kioko to her feet once more.

 

“Whatever you did, though, you took care of the problem.” said the slayer, nudging the mans body with her foot.

 

“Demon? What?” Kioko asked, puzzled by their behavior. Then she pointed towards the burnt body of the spider and said. “Do you mean that, that spider thing? If you did, then I didn't kill it. He did.”

 

“I believe this, Ina.” said the miko as she turned to her sister, who scoffed at the idea. “I do sense a stronger demonic aura around that burning…thing, than around him.”

 

“You're the one with spiritual powers Mina.” said the slayer, looking down at the man again. “No loss, anyway; two less demons in the world.”

 

“I can agree there.” said Mina with a sigh as she adjusted the bow and quiver she was carrying. “Lets be rid of these bodies now.”

 

“Wait, as for you, strange girl.” said Ina, directing herself towards Kioko. “You don't look very human either. That hair looks awfully familiar. I haven't seen that since we saw that dog demon of the western lands pass through four or five years ago. Check her out Mina.”

 

“I already did and she is of no threat.” Mina told her sister. “She does have a faint demonic aura, but she also has a stronger, overbearing human aura.”

 

“A hanyou?” asked Ina.

 

“No, less than that.” Mina replied. “Could be one's child, but there hasn't been a hanyou around these parts in years. Now come on, help me carry this body to a place where it can be destroyed.”

 

Kioko, not knowing what else to do, stepped in their way. “He isn't dead. He's just hurt, I think.”

 

“Well, then he must be taken care of immediately. A demon like him poses a threat to our village and can't be left unchecked.” Ina said, drawing a katana from a sheath at her waist and holding it over his heart. Her sister stood nearby, an arrow already knocked in case he was faking his injury.

 

“He saved me. Don't kill him. Please.” Kioko pleaded with them, at first not expecting them to believe her, seeing as how the slayer seemed to be disgusted with these demons, as they had called them, though she thought such things were just mere legends. Instead of ignoring her like she had thought, both girls lowered their weapons and returned them to their proper places. With a flick of the hand, the rest of the group was summoned over to them.

 

“Take care of what's left of the burning body. We shall take the girl and the man back to the village. Danji, you are in charge.” Ina instructed with an air of leadership. “After that, I want you all to return to the village.”

 

The others bowed to her and went about their task as Mina turned to Kioko and smiled. “Come then, we'll take you back to our village. It's safe there and we can tend to your rescuer.”

 

Kioko simply nodded and waited as the two girls carefully gathered the man in their arms and lead the way to their village. All the while, Kioko was in amazement at everything that had happened to her within just that morning. The well, the attack, and these strange girls who seemed to think that she was the one that was out of place. Kioko wouldn't object to that, though the world around her now, with its wide open spaces and smog-less skies seemed oddly familiar.

 

---At The Village---

 

“Okaasan! Otousan!” called the girls in unison, as they wearily trudged into the village, Kioko close behind. She felt as though she had fallen through a time warp, seeing all the crude huts and people dressed like peasants from the Warring States Era. As the girls called their parents again, a woman in a white and pink top and green skirt, followed by a monk in black and purple robes came out of a larger hut near the center of the village. People had come out to see what was going on, but didn't intrude in the girls' business. As the couple got closer Kioko could see interest in their faces at what their children had to tell. However, the woman stopped abruptly, causing the monk to stumble into her and look to see what she was gawking at. Kioko realized that the woman had her eyes locked on her, and having followed the woman's line of sight, the monk also stared at her, both of their mouths falling ajar for a brief moment.

 

“Girls, what's going on?” questioned the monk, moving past his wife and over to her. He examined her, much like the young miko had earlier, but it wasn't in wonder, but in recognition, as if he had seen her or someone like her before.

 

“We found this demon and this girl in the woods.” Mina explained, motioning her head towards both as they all began making their way to the hut where the couple had come from. Once there, the girls set the man on a futon bed and Mina continued with her story. “She says that he saved her from the demon that we had sensed. She thinks that he is hurt.”

 

“I see.” spoke the monk as he rubbed his mouth with one of his hands. “I'm Miroku, head monk of this village.”

 

“Konnichiwa.” Kioko said, bowing to him.

 

“Ah.” Miroku said as if remembering something, and then motioned towards the woman, who was tending to the man, and then to the girls. “This is my wife Sango, and our daughters Kaminari and Inabikari who you've already met, and you are?”

 

“Higurashi Kioko, Miroku-san…Sango-san.” she replied respectfully, bowing again to the monk and then to his wife, who paid no heed at first, but a small turn and nod of her head as she bustled about in the hut. However, when the name clicked in her mind, she stood quickly and turned to the girl.

 

“K…Kioko-chan?” the woman said warmly, pressing her hand to her mouth as her eyes glistened with tears.

 

“Hai?” Kioko said to her, glancing up at the woman, then at the ground.

 

“Oh, goodness.” the woman said in a whisper as she stifled a cry before lunging at the girl and holding her in a fond embrace. Kioko was a bit taken aback by these actions, but returned the hug to console the emotional woman.

 

“You don't remember us, do you?” Miroku asked, approaching from where he had stood and gently placed a hand on Sango's shoulder. She looked up at him with a careworn face as she backed away a few steps from the girl. Kioko was surprised by the question, as she couldn't recall ever being around such odd people, so she simply shook her head and stared blankly at the two with her warm brown eyes. Sango held two hands to her chest and let out a sad sigh at the gesture, looking solemnly at her and then at the ground.

 

“I'm sorry. I've never met you and I've certainly never been here before.” she spoke nervously, using her hands to signify the village and the hut around her. She bit her lower lip hesitantly, watching as Miroku nodded to her statement and then turned his attention to the injured man.

 

“Who do you think he is?” Miroku asked her as they knelt beside the fallen man. Kioko used that time to look him over again, this time in better detail. He was pale, like he had been living out of the sun for years or at least in a place where it shone very little. His handsome features seemed to have been wind-worn and his lips were cracked and scabbed a little, as if he had been living in the far north where it was winter year round.

 

“I've never seen him before, but, he does seem oddly familiar.” Kioko replied at last, looking over at the monk. “But, perhaps I'm just confused.”

 

“I don't think you are.” Miroku told her. “I feel as if I've know this man as well, though his face is unrecognizable to me. Come, let's walk as I have things, many things, in which to tell you.”

 

Kioko nodded and followed as Miroku stood and left the hut. She was at the door, and glanced back to see Sango and her daughters returning to their care of the man. With his cloak removed, she could see now what poor condition he was in. He seemed far too skinny, as if it had been some time since his last proper meal. He also looked as if he hadn't slept in quite a few days. She turned back and left, catching up with the monk as the walked along the river that ran past the village and supplied it with water for their rice paddies. They said nothing, not until they came to a large tree near the waters edge. Miroku sat in its shade and motioned for her to join him, which she did.

 

“I have things to tell you that you might not be able to understand just yet.” he told her, his expression blank. “However, you must listen and take heed, for you've found yourself in dangerous times. Do you understand?”

 

“Hai.” she said with a nod, looking over at him, and then down at her hands.

 

“You don't remember being here, in this village or in this time, but it is your true home. You were born in this village and lived nearby with your parents.” he told her. The mention of her parents had sparked her interest and she now stared at him with great attentiveness. He continued on, recounting his adventures with her mother and father from the time he had joined them on their quest. He told of their arguments and their hidden feelings, he told of undead lovers and unwanted lovers, as well as their great enemy, Naraku, and their final battle. He told her about her parent's confession of love and of their blissful marriage and even her joyous birth.

 

“Then, one day, it happened.” he said, his once cheery voice taking on a gloomy undertone as he sighed and stared at the sky.

 

“What?” she asked, wanting to know.

 

“It was the day that your parents died or disappeared. We were never certain.” he told her. “It was summer and a pleasant cloudless day. You were almost four and your mother had just visited us here in the village. However, I sensed a terrible evil presence approaching fast and coming from the direction of your home. We worried, since your father was off helping the villagers cut lumber for new huts, so I went to investigate. The sky grew dark and foreboding. Before I could reach you and your family, all that was left was your empty home. Your parents, you, and Shippo, were all gone. We searched for days. I took flight on Kirara and extended the search area, but you all were gone. To this day, we had not known what had become of you all, until you returned to us.”

 

“So, what do you think happened to them? How did I get to my Baachan's?” she said, perplexed by this.

 

“Like I said, we do not know what became of them. I had always thought that you had all managed to make it through the bone eaters well. As it seems, you were the only one to do so.” he replied, turning his head when he heard footsteps.

 

“He's starting to wake up, I thought you'd like to know.” said Ina, bowing to them as she approached them quickly. Kioko looked at Miroku who nodded. She stood quickly and raced off ahead of the other two who followed at a slower pace. She slowed when she came to the hut and entered quietly. The young man was groaning slightly and just beginning to sit up. Sango and Mina were helping him to do so. He smiled lightly at both of them and then at her. She could see he had twinkling green emerald eyes that seemed to show the even brighter smile he wished to give them all. It seemed, also, as if he recognized them all.

 

Miroku and Ina entered the hut a few moments later, as Mina fetched the man a bowl of hearty stew, which he gladly accepted and ate quickly, a satisfied look on his face when he finished. Sango went to fetch the bowl from him, and as he did, that look of recognition flashed in his eyes once again. She gave him a puzzled look, but took the bowl away and returned with some water. He took that happily as well, downing it and letting out a sigh of relief when finished.

 

“How are you feeling?” she asked him when she returned again and sat down beside him. Kioko watched as he flashed a boyish grin her way that struck a cord with not only her, but Miroku and Sango as well.

 

“I'm much better now.” he said in a quiet voice. “Arigato Sango-san.”

 

“Have we met she asked?” she asked, furling her brows in confusion. This was a man she was sure she had never met before and he had been unconscious earlier when Kioko and she had become reacquainted.

 

“You are Sango the demon slayer, are you not?” he asked in response.

 

“Hai.” she told him nervously.

 

“Then we have met, though I doubt you would recognize me after all of this time.” he said with another sly, boyish smile. “I'm Shippo.”

 

“Shippo-chan?!” Sango said a bit loudly and her voice cracking, loosing herself for a moment as her face filled with surprise. Miroku and Kioko were also shocked by this discovery. Sango bent down and gingerly hugged him, and Shippo returned the embrace with more strength that would be expected of a man in his position, looking as if he were about to cry, for the expression on his face made it look as if no one had shown him this kind of affection in years.

 

“Hello, old friend.” Miroku said, walking over and placing a gentle hand on his arm, smiling down at him. Shippo smiled at him and brushed a strand of his long hair from his eyes.

 

“Shippo-chan, where have you been for all of these years?” Sango asked, her eyes full of questions that had waited ages for answers. “Were Kagome and InuYasha with you? Do you know what happened to all of you?”

 

“I will tell you everything, soon, Sango-san, but I'm quite exhausted and would much enjoy a rest.” he said, taking her hand and giving it a friendly squeeze. His eyes began to grow heavy and he tried hard to stay awake.

 

“Okay.” Sango said in a whisper as he laid back onto the futon, slipping back into a weary sleep. All the while, Kioko watched him. He knew things that no one else did. Surely, he would know what happened that day when her parents had disappeared from her life. He was the only one who could give her some piece of mind about all the questions that had come about that day. However, the man was asleep and she herself was feeling tired from all that had happened. Besides, he had said that he would tell them everything, and that reassured her enough.

 

“Kioko-chan, perhaps it is time that you return to your home. I'm sure that you will worry your family if you do not return before nightfall.” Miroku said to her, getting her attention by placing both hands on her shoulders.

 

“Hai.” Kioko said with a gentle nod as she pulled away and went to the door, but stopped and turned back. “Could someone accompany me? I don't know the way, and I afraid to go by myself.”

 

“Certainly.” Sango said, calling out and summoning a small yellow cat with yellow fur, black markings, red eyes, and two tails. The cat mewed and looked up at her master. Sango gently pointed to Kioko. “Kirara, please take Kioko to the well, and then return.”

 

“Kirara is a cat demon.” Miroku said when Kioko gave a puzzled look, examining the cat. “When she gets outside, she will surround herself in flames and become much larger. She had the ability of flight as well. Just climb on her back and she will take you safely to your destination. Also, you are more than welcome to return her again and see how Shippo is faring.”

 

Kirara mewed again and skittered over to Kioko, rubbing against the girl's ankles, before prancing out the door. Kioko and Sango followed after as the cat demon transformed into her larger self. Kioko's eyes went wide as she saw the animal stretch its limbs and then lean down so she could climb on. Reluctantly, she approached, gingerly placing a hand on the cat demon. Her fur was soft and silky and she purred a little bit, turning her head to look at the girl. Finally, Kioko climbed up onto her back and grasped a few handfuls of fur lightly.

 

With a great leap, she ascended into the air flying high above the dark treetops. Kioko glanced down and saw that the village was now a tiny speck in the distance behind here. When she looked ahead, she could see the clearing where the old well was. It was surprising, as it had taken her twice as long to walk from the well to the village than it had taken to fly there on Kirara's back. Gently, the cat demon descended back towards the ground, landing a few feet away from the well. She leaned down again and Kioko slid off of her back.

 

“Arigato gozaimasu. Thank you very much.” Kioko said, bowing to the cat before she turned and went over to the well. She stared into it, at first unsure of what she had to do to return home. When I came here, I just floated and ended at the bottom safely. If I do it again, maybe it will be the same way going home. With that thought, she climbed over the edge and jumped down, closing her eyes tightly and praying she didn't get hurt.

 

She opened her eyes a moment later and found herself floating again in the void and glanced down, waiting to touch the bottom of the well again. She saw it approach slowly beneath her and she landed gently. She glanced up, and saw the darkness of the roof above her. I'm home. She felt along the walls of the well for the ladder and climbed up out of it, back in her own familiar time. She slowly slid the well house door open and stepped out, shutting it behind her.

 

There in front of her, the family shrine was painted warm orange as the sun began to set. She breathed deeply, welcoming in the familiar world around her. She smiled to herself and walked across the grounds to the front door. Inside, she took off her shoes and slipped on her house slippers, following the smell of her grandmother's home cooking into the kitchen. The woman sat at the table, eating her dinner quietly. Kioko said nothing and served herself some dinner as well, taking a seat across from her grandmother.

 

“And where were you all day, Kioko-chan?” the woman asked with an upset tone, not bothering to look up at the girl.

 

“I went out and spent some time with some new friends.” she replied, lying and hoping that her grandmother wasn't able to see through her mask of deception. Her grandmother nodded slightly and took a sip of her drink.

 

“I see, and you couldn't have bothered to have left a note for me?” asked the woman in a scolding manner. “I came home around noon to find the house completely empty. Do you know how worried I was. I thought something horrible might have happened to you.”

 

“Gomen-nasai, Baachan.” she apologized, eating the rest of her food hastily, cleaning her dishes, and retreating to her room. Once there, she slipped into her pajamas and flopped onto her bed, taking in everything she had experienced that day. What hurt her most was the fact that she had always thought that her parents had died in a terrible car accident. Her grandmother had lied to her and Kioko was sure that she had to have known about the secret of the well, at least, it sounded so from the stories Miroku had told her. It was almost to much. However, she was too tired to care at the moment, exhausted from the day, and fell asleep.