InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Hidden Past, Hidden Self ❯ Thunder Brother ( Chapter 16 )

I do not own any of the InuYasha characters in this fanfic. But I do own the main character and her soon to be boyfriend; the other made up ones belong to my friends. Steph owns Mika, Nicky owns Michi and Ori, and Danielle owns Yuki (coming soon).

Last time on The Hanyou's Little Sister

"Kane, is everything all right?" Michi rubbed her eyes and stared at the sweating, distressed hanyou.

"Uh…yeah, I-I'm fine. I just need to, uh go out for some fresh air." Kane uncovered herself from her sweat-soaked sheets and stood. "I'll be right back."

Michi reached over and poked Mika in the ribs. "Mika? Hey Mika?" Then she shook her a little more. "I think something's wrong with Kane."

"You don't need to mention anything; I heard her crying in her sleep and your conversation with her." Mika opened her eyes. "She was either remembering something from her past or she saw something in her dream that deeply disturbed her."

"Should we talk to her?"

"Iie, let her come to us….

***

Kane sat up and the noise stopped. Thinking nothing of it, Kane returned her attention to the front of the room. When it started up again, Kane looked over her back and towards the window. She saw…Mika staring at her and tapping on the glass with her finger nail.

Turning around as quickly as possible, Kane swore mentally, saying that she'd get her revenge on Mika after school. Then she looked up at the window above the chalkboard. Michi was waving at her with her other hand holding out a peace sign. Kane let a sweat drop fall from her forehead.

`Time for drastic measures to be taken.' Kane took in a deep breath, stood up, and said, "Sorry to interrupt." Her hand flew up to her mouth and she ran out of that room in a panic, pretending she had to puke really bad….

***

"We wanted to see what you did here." Michi said, and then shivered when she saw the angry look on the hanyou's face. "It was all her idea! I just wanted to go back and she wouldn't listen to me!" She pushed the blame on Mika.

"Thanks Michi; anyway, we're registered here now and we have to attend or…"

"Are you insane?!" Kane interrupted. "What about your powers and your claws?!"

"You should talk; you have powers, claws, not to mention DOG EARS! Besides, my nails are retractable." Mika pointed out.

Kane desperately tried to think of a way to get them to go back to Kagome's, but to no avail. She sighed heavily, "All right, you can stay. Just don't embarrass me or pull any tricks with your powers." They gave each other a high five before entering the class room….

***

"HOT!!!" Kane yelled as steam poured out of her dog-ears. Mika was rolling on the ground in laughter. She stopped the instant Kane glared at her. "Holy shit!" She laughed as she struggled to get up.

"You little wolf! You deserve way more than a subduing command!" Kane sprinted out the door, grabbing the bowl of `salsa'.

Kane chased her around the kitchen and set the bowl down on the table. "Come back here Mika!"

"Like I'd want to!" Mika stuck out her tongue….

***

"It's just too easy to kill Naraku by putting a ball around him and shrinking it into nothing. Even so, something doesn't feel right about this." InuYasha glanced around his surroundings, trying to smell Naraku or Ren-Tao; it came up negative.

"Now what? If Naraku is defeated by Ren-Tao, does that mean that he's our new enemy?" Kagome asked as she tried to wake Sango up.

"I don't know," He knelt by her and took her little hand in his; their affection for each other heightened by fear. "I honestly can't say."…

***

Chapter 16: Thunder Brother

She was running in the forest, running for some unknown reason. Her mind was panicking, every cell in her body burned from so much sprinting and jumping. `What am I running from?' As suddenly as the forest trees had been around her, they disappeared from her sight and into the dark void. From behind her, she could feel eyes looking at her every move as she tried to escape this `enemy' that she couldn't even see. "Who are you?! Go away!" She screamed as they narrowed and attacked.

Sprawled on her belly, she cried out, "Somebody, anybody; help me!" She then saw two figures on both her right and left sides. To her right, Setsuna; and her left she saw her fiancé, Trowa. But they had no sooner appeared than did they disappear from sight. The ground gave way from under Kane's body and she began to fall into nothingness.

Kane sat up suddenly, panting and sweating immensely. "Oh God, what the hell was that?" She whispered, trying to keep the noise down to a minimum.

Setsuna opened his eyes and stared at her. "Kane-Sakura-san, are you okay?" His green eyes twinkled in the moonlight.

Kane's breathing was still abnormally shallow, but she managed to say, "I'm fine; all I need is a glass of water to calm my nerves." She glanced at the clock as she stepped out of her sweaty bed. It read 2:12am.

Upon her leaving, Setsuna got up and sat beside Mika, who had happily curled up on the end of the bed. "Hey wolf girl." Setsuna poked Mika with his finger.

"Don't bother fish-breath…" Setsuna cut her off by knocking her on the head. "Itai! What the hell was that for?!"

"I don't appreciate being called `fish-breath'." He stood and walked over to the window and looked out into the moonlight in sadness.

"So, what's eating you?" Mika stretched out her arms in an attempt to get the knots out.

"This is the second night in a row that Kane has had a nightmare bad enough to wake her so suddenly. I have a feeling that she's seeing something very disturbing." He closed his eyes. "And I think I know what it is."

Kane drank her glass of water in the still air of the kitchen. "Why do I keep seeing such horrible visions? And why are they so violent?" The water had calmed the hanyou's nerves somewhat, but her adrenaline level was still at a high. "I hate these dreams; they're too real."

"What makes you say that? How can you know what she's dreaming about?" Mika asked Setsuna.

"She keeps squirming, almost like she's repressing an old memory. I've also heard her scream a few times. But there is something important you should know. I was sent here by her brother because there's another demon that showed up, claiming he wanted revenge on Kane for a past sin she committed against him." Setsuna frowned. "I have to keep her here so that she's safe."

"Another demon wants to kill her?" He nodded solemnly.

Kane walked back into the room just as Mika had said, "…kill her?" She looked over at Setsuna and saw him nod his head in agreement.

"Who's…trying to kill me?"

Regret covered their faces as she flipped on the light to see better. Michi rolled over, squinting her eyes in the bright light. "Do you guys know what time it is?" She said groggily. But when she saw the tears forming in Kane's eyes and the panic that covered her face, right away she knew it wasn't good.

"Tell me, who's trying to kill me now." Kane demanded.

"Kane, who said…?" But she wasn't going to tolerate it. Kane ran from room, down the hall, and out of the house towards the well shrine.

"Kane, come back!" Setsuna got up and dashed after the hanyou.

"What's the deal with Setsuna? Doesn't he know that Kane's engaged?" Michi asked Mika, who closed her eyes and lay down again.

"Yeah, but he really likes her; perhaps even loves her."

Kane's feet dangled over the edge of the well as she prepared to jump into the darkness below her. `My answers lie in the Feudal Era; I have to go back.' Tears landed on the wood as she pushed herself off of the ledge and plunged into the shadows. She no sooner had left the edge than did a hand reach out and grab her outstretched left one, jerking her body to a halt.

"Kane, don't go back there; not now. InuYasha will come when things have settled down." Setsuna held Kane with one hand while with the other he dug its claws into the wooded planks of the well to keep himself stable.

"I need to go back! If nobody here will give me answers, then the only choice I have is to go to the Feudal Ages!" Kane punctured his soft skin with her own claws to try and pry herself free of his grip. He grimaced in pain, but he didn't let go.

"I…I'll tell you. I have the…answers you're looking for." Single-handedly, he pulled Kane out of the Bone Eater's Well. He collapsed onto the floor from sheer exhaustion and began to tell her what InuYasha had told him. "This demon…his name is Ren-Tao. He's out for revenge on you because of something you did as an infant. Apparently, you killed all of his comrades in a battle."

"Me? I killed a whole army?"

"That's what he had told your brother who in turn told me. He and Ren-Tao had met earlier and battled. InuYasha had lost with a stab to the chest and then I showed up. I'm here because he wants to protect you by keeping you here." Setsuna stood and offered a hand out to Kane. "Shall we go back into the house?"

"Iie! Did you say that InuYasha was stabbed by Ren-Tao?"

Setsuna nodded. "He should be fine now…"

"I don't give a damn. That Ren-Tao almost killed my older brother. Now I have something against him." Kane turned back to the well. "Are you coming with me?"

"Are you insane?! He almost killed your…!"

"What; are you chicken? I know cats like to eat chicken, but I never thought they could turn into one." Kane jeered. "Ren-Tao doesn't deserve to live if he's gonna go around killing others to find me. I'll find him first, even if it kills me." Kane looked deep into his emerald eyes. "Say you'll stand by my side."

After a momentary pause, he nodded. Taking Kane's hand, he fingered the scar which had been left by Sesshomaru. "I'll never leave you; even in death I'll stay by your side."

They looked into the well's empty chasm as they stood on the edge. `…even in death I'll stay by your side.' Played over and over in Kane's head as they leapt into the darkness and were enveloped in beautiful blue light.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`

When Kane and Setsuna never came back, Mika and Michi set out at 4:00am to look around the shrine grounds. They met at the well house, both unsure of Kane and Setsuna's whereabouts.

"Where else could've they gone? We've looked everywhere!" Michi sobbed.

"I have one idea where they might be." She pointed at the well house.

"But we already looked in there and there was nothing."

"Not in the house itself; they went back to the Sengoku Jidai through the well."

"But why?"

"Kane probably dragged the story out of Setsuna and convinced him to go back with her." Mika glanced over at the well house. "That dumb ass is too deeply in love to even consider the worst consequence of going back. We must stop them!"

Michi nodded in agreement. "You're right; Kane's our friend and we need to save her."

"Keh! It's not because I care about her that I'm going back; it's the fact that InuYasha will have our heads if we don't even try." Mika shrugged. "Come on monk, we've gotta save that mutt-face before her brother finds out she came back."

Mika dragged Michi by the collar to the well house. They perched on the edge for a moment. Then, with a jingle of Michi's staff's rings and the sound of nails against wood from Mika, they were gone.

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After stopping in Kaeda's village to grab her Teretsu and feudal clothing, Kane and Setsuna set out to find Ren-Tao. The sun was just beginning to rise in the east by the time they had reached an open dirt path in the middle of a swampy field, following a rumor of this new foe.

Kane stared at Setsuna, who was sauntering in front of her and looking down at the ground the whole time, and observed his strong thighs and how well they carried his… Kane shook off the thought. `I'm engaged for god's sake! Get your mind off of this man!' Then she asked, "Do you know where we're going?" At the sound of her voice, he stiffened and looked as though he was going to leap into the nearest tree. "What; are you nervous to meet Ren-Tao or something?"

"N-no, of course not." He replied.

"To which question? No, you don't know where you're going or no, you're not nervous?"

"The second one you said." He fiddled with his hands.

"So, do you know where we're going or not?" Kane-Sakura leapt next to him and matched his long strides.

Not looking at her, he replied, "I-in a way I-I do." He stuttered.

Kane huffed. "What are you so nervous about? It's me, Kane-Sakura, the dog-girl you met a few months back." Kane slowed her pace and stayed behind him.

"I know; it's just, well, when was the last time we were alone like this?" He turned and walked backwards, blushing as he looked at Kane.

Kane blinked at him. "Huh? What does this have to do with being nervous?" Kane swore mentally at how hot he looked when he blushed.

"Don't you get it?" He stopped walking, putting himself in Kane's path of walking. "You make me…"

"Setsuna," Kane interrupted. "We don't have time to stop and talk. We need to find Ren-Tao." Kane stepped around him and continued to walk, her face getting hotter and hotter.

"Come on; let me finish what I have to say." He complained from behind her.

Kane kept her eyes on the ground. "Please, we need to keep going; this subject can be discussed at a later time." Kane had been so `interested' in the ground that she didn't notice two things. One was Setsuna watching the sway of her hips as she strolled; the other was another guy who she ran right into. "Oof!" Kane plowed him over, landing right on top of him. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry; I didn't see you standing there!" Kane allowed him to sit up.

"No harm done, my lady. The only damage may be that my tunic is a little dusty." The man said as he brushed himself off. Kane gazed into his illustrious red eyes highlighted by black hair on his head, pulled back into a long braid in the back. He wore an array of colors on his armor, but it wasn't really the body armor of a warrior.

"Kane, are you all right?" Setsuna asked as he rushed to her side. He lifted her up off the man, holding her hips and lightly grazing her butt. She slipped out of his grasp and slapped his right cheek with her left hand. Setsuna reeled and landed flat on his ass.

"Hentai! Keep your hands to yourself!" Kane yelled as a red mark appeared on his cheek.

"Pardon me, but I don't believe we've been properly introduced. My name is Ori, and I'm the last of the Thunder Brothers." He winked at Kane, making her shiver.

Setsuna put himself between Kane and Ori. She stared at his broad shoulders as he stared this Thunder Brother down. "Ori, don't interfere; we have a very important mission that doesn't involve you."

"I wouldn't have meddled if this lovely lady hadn't run me over." He winked at her again as Kane peered over Setsuna's shoulder. She tuned a bright cherry and ducked back down.

"Will you stop that?!" Setsuna yelled.

"Stop what? I'm just being nice." Ori turned his back to him and crossed his arms.

"Exactly; stop being so nice!"

Ori glanced over his shoulder. "Oh, should I throw a lightning bolt at her instead? She's a woman; you shouldn't do her harm, but compliment her and give her respect." Ori pointed out and smiled at Kane.

"I show her respect!"

"Not earlier; you touched her improperly. Now, is that how cats show they reverence to a lady?"

Setsuna gulped; Kane snickered behind him. "Ori, it's okay. I just overreacted." Kane came from behind the Neko and patted him on the cheek that she hadn't slapped. "You didn't mean to touch me there, did you?" She smiled really big.

"Well…" He looked the other way, his eye twitching slightly. "…if that's what you want to think…"

"HENTAI!!!" Kane pummeled his head; he was on the ground after three punches.

"Excuse me, but could I ask a favor of you?" Ori asked as Kane straddled Setsuna, ready to launch another round of punches. Even though he was unconscious beneath her, he knew Kane was on top of him and his arousal made itself known between her legs. Her vein twitched in anger.

"Get control over yourself; you'll just end up disappointed!" Kane stood as she spoke and to show she was serious, she stomped on his excited part when she said `disappointed'. He groaned in pain as she approached Ori. "How can I be of assistance?" She smiled sweetly, but Ori didn't buy it.

"Not that I don't like you, but I'm looking for someone else. I was wondering if you could help me." He looked into her eyes.

Kane's temper stopped short. "Give me the name and maybe I'll recognize it."

"Her name is Michi; she's a Buddhist monkess…" He paused. "…Or maybe a nun; then again…"

"You're looking for Michi?" Kane asked monotonously. "You are looking for Michi? Man, do I feel sorry for you." She laughed.

"So then you know her?"

"Girl with a Kazaana in her right hand and is a fire apparition? That's her."

Ori smiled. "Do you by any chance happen to know where she is at this time?"

"Yeah, she's in the fut…" Kane stopped, remembering that Ori probably didn't know of the Bone Eater's Well and it's power. "I mean, she'll be back sometime in the future. She should be in Kaeda's village soon."

"An important mission perhaps?"

"You could put it that way." Kane grinned.

Ori bowed in respect and gratuity. "Domo arigato gozaimasu; I hope to see you both again." He said as he almost stepped on the Neko. Once he had gotten a good distance between them, he shouted, "I hope the two of you have a fruitful future!"

"Well that was odd." Still recovering from Kane's anger, Setsuna's voice was almost two octaves higher than usual.

She giggled at his voice. "Come on, we've got more important matters to attend to." Kane offered her hand to help him up. He took it and she fluidly pulled him up. He gave an extra little squeeze before letting go. "For God's sake, I'm engaged to Trowa! Get it through your thick skull!" She yanked her hand away and continued to walk ahead of him. For the rest of the duration of the walking, Setsuna remained quiet. Kane enjoyed while she could.

Things were going to get very difficult.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`

Ori arrived in Kaeda's village just after Michi stepped out of the old Miko's hut. He looked at her in awe and amazement. "She's even more beautiful than when she was an adolescent." He observed her curves with a hungry stare. "Mmm…delicious."

"Mika, we need to hurry!" Michi yelled into the hut, taking no notice to the man staring at her from afar.

"I know we do, but I want to finish eating!" Mika stomped out of the hut, holding a fish with its head already bitten off.

"But Kane…"

"She's with cat-boy! He'll save her if she does something stupid." She crossed her arms and leaned against the hut's wall.

Michi put her hands on her hips. "Fine! I'll go by myself and find her!" With a great STOMP of her foot and an angry HUFF, she charged off in the direction Ori was standing in.

She came closer to the top of the hill leading outside of the village, scared of the consequences she might face while alone in Feudal Japan. Not even taking one look up from the ground, she almost ran Ori over. When she didn't knock him over, like Kane had, she said, "Excuse me." And tried to get around him. Instead, she found herself wrapped in this person's gentle embrace. Intrigued and very flustered, Michi stuttered, "Who are…What are…?"

"My love, do you not recognize me?" Michi's eyes widened in disbelief at the sound of Ori's voice.

"Oh my God, Ori, is it really you?!" She pulled away to look into his smiling face. "It is you!" She squealed and returned the hug.

Mika's jaw hung open at the sight of the two hugging. "Whoa, Michi's got a boyfriend." She smirked and took another bite of her fish.

"Michi, it's been so long since we last saw each other, and I have to say that you've grown to be a beautiful woman." He smiled charmingly at her.

Admiring his muscular body, she said, "You don't look half-bad either. Is there a reason you came to find me after all these years?"

Ori's smile turned into a frown. "You don't want to see me?"

Michi gasped. "Oh no! Of course not! It's just that you arrived so unexpected that I was a little surprised." She eased his grief. "But we can talk later; we need to find a friend of ours right now though. She left with a cat-demon…"

"A cat-demon? His name doesn't happen to be Setsuna, does it?"

Mika cocked an eyebrow. "You ran into them?"

"If your friend's name is Kane-Sakura, then yes I did."

"Mika, we've got to hurry and catch up!" Michi turned around just as she finished her fish.

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to go now. Thanks Ori." She grabbed Michi by the collar and began to drag her past the Thunder Brother.

"Mika, can he come too?" Michi asked, despite her predicament.

`Persistent, ain't she?' "I don't care. The more the merrier." Mika snorted as she let go of the monk.

Ori took Michi's hand as he and Michi walked behind Mika. He kept complimenting her and stuff like that and one glance back at them made Mika say, "I think I'm gonna be sick."

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Another Chapter done! Sorry it took so long, but school's been rough and the play just started. Wish me luck with Eau Claire Honor's Festival coming in October.

I'd like to thank Queen of Cuteys for e-mailing me her support. I'll keep writing and thank you for the compliment.

BTW, much later in this story, I'm gonna take a break from it and make a `movie' for it. I think all of you who read this will thoroughly enjoy this movie to be called `Freak out'. I'll keep you posted.