InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Lavender and Roses ❯ And That Was How They Met ( Chapter 7 )

The Past Unveiled! Part 1! Enjoy! Read and Review!

Lavender and Roses

By: Rini

Chapter 7: And That Was How They Met

Inuyasha and the others had been running for a while now. They stayed at the edge of the forest they had exited earlier and stopped to watch the bright lights of the battle. Kagome felt her heart quicken and Inuyasha was torn between his new friend and his brother.

"They have such strong auras. I wonder who will walk away?" Sango said.

"Either way, this is a lose, lose battle," Miroku replied.

Kagome let go of Inuyasha and walked to the top of a nearby hill and fell to her knees and watched the lights fade back and forth.

"Arioch. I've never seen eyes so filled with hate and anger. How can someone like her ever hold such eyes?" Kagome whispered.

Inuyasha put his hand on her shoulder as the others joined him and sat on the hill.

"This is something Arioch has to do. She had enough sense in her to tell us to get away. She cared enough about us at least."

"But why?" Kagome cried.

The group watched the lights of battle with heavy hearts, neither knowing who or what was gonna end this. They watched as the lights fought for power until they moved farther off and into the distance. Sango stood and strained her eyes to try to make out where the lights went, when a huge dome of energy crackled and burst into light.

Inuyasha stared with disbelief as his sword started to pulse at his side," Tetsaiga?"

Miroku shook his head," Tensaiga. Sesshomaru used his sword."

"But I've never seen the Tensaiga create such a power before," Sango added.

"It's protecting him," Inuyasha started, " The Tensaiga protected Sesshomaru's life. If Arioch was anywhere close to that, I'm not sure what would be left of her."

A cry escaped Kagome's throat as Sango rocked her friend back and forth. Inuyasha could take no more. He stood up and pulled Kagome into his arms and helped her onto his back.

"We've wasted enough time here. Let's go help Arioch!" Inuyasha yelled as he took off for the forest he saw the dome originate from.

Sango, Miroku, and Shippo hopped onto Kilala and took off after the half-breed. They followed him as they flew past the ruined remains of the plain they once stood in. Miroku held Sango's hand as a frown slipped onto her face. They finally entered the dense forest and Kilala was forced to transform back. They trudged through the deep overgrowth and finally came to a small clearing. It was there they saw a form against a tree barely awake.

Kagome took a few cautious steps forward and willed herself not to believe it was Arioch.

"Why do you tread so lightly?" a familiar voice called out.

Kagome's eyes shot open and she ran to her friend's side. Kagome saw her and another cry erupted from her throat. Inuyasha and the others saw her and cringed.

"Arioch," Miroku said as he went to her side.

"Don't worry monk. I'll live."

"If you suffered this much and the anger you possessed, I'm sure Sesshomaru is barely in one piece," Sango tried to joke.

"I left my mark alright," Arioch tried to smile, but winced.

Kagome went to her side as well, "Arioch, we have to clean those wounds or else they could get infected."

Arioch grabbed her wrist as she reached out to touch her," You don't have to worry."

"Stop being an arrogant ass and accept help!" Inuyasha yelled.

"Just watch."

The group backed away a little and saw the moonlight shine down and cover the clearing in a warm silver light. Arioch closed her eyes and lifted her head up to the forgiving moon. Her body started to glow purple and her body grew lighter. Her skin turned ivory again and her cuts and burns disappeared. Her kimono shined navy and in a flash was once again whole and covered her frame. Arioch opened her eyes and looked at the group with her bright violet eyes, which warmed into a smile.

"How did you ever do that?" Sango asked.

"No demon has those powers," Inuyasha added.

"The soul in me won't let me die until I have finished my task. Therefore, the moon restores my health every time I am attacked until I fulfill her promise."

"Whose promise?" Kagome asked.

"Yeah. Why did you attack Sesshomaru with such hated?" Miroku questioned.

"It's such a long story, filled with betrayal and longing. I have only the heart to tell it once."

Inuyasha and Sango took seats opposite Arioch as Kagome and Miroku remained by her side.

"There was in a faraway town a noble woman who had married herself to a great warrior samurai. Her husband and her had given birth to a daughter they named Kira. Time had passed and Kira was 18 years old, which is when the story starts, 50 years ago.

Kira was the daughter of rich parents, and so lived her life in wealth. She was a charming girl with dark black hair she often sported tied up in a high ponytail with bangs that framed the side of her face. Her eyes were a unique shade of violet. Her father had trained her since the age of 8 how to use a sword and was the best swordsman in the village, next to her father of course. Her mother was thought to be the most beautiful and gentle woman in the village.

Though Kira was rich and trained how to be a proper wife and daughter, she spent much of her time away from her home. She preferred to spend time with the fellow servants and kids of the village. She was spirited and never could be tied down by any problem. She was too carefree. "

Flashback

A young 16-year-old human girl ran the streets of a quaint village. Her ponytail bobbed on her head and flowed out in the wind. Her shining violet eyes glowed with mirth and happiness as she ran from her dear friend, a boy her age with blue eyes and dark brown hair.

The girl ran into a barn and climbed up on the hay loft and hid from her chaser. The boy ran in after her and climbed the loft as well. He tackled her playfully and they both fell to the ground below on soft barrels of hay. The girl had him pinned beneath her.

"I win again Marius!" the girl laughed.

"Alright, you win Kira," Marius smiled.

Kira got off him and dusted herself off.

"Don't you ever take anything seriously? I mean you're an 16 year old woman running around with a servant boy playing tag."

Kira turned to him with warm eyes, "I have my whole life ahead of me. I can see an exciting life that this town can't offer me here. I know my path will be a long one, but it won't keep me to this town. My destiny it out there."

Marius stood up and ruffled her hair, "Let's go then dreamer."

End Flashback

"Kira was a wonderful girl, so much life and so much to offer. Her father was called off to war just before her 18th birthday. He left her with words of keeping the village and her mother safe. Her mother and herself watched with heavy hearts as he rode off into the sunset, and away from their lives.

Word hadn't come from her father since he left. Kira was doing her best to lead the village. She was keeping true to her father's words. Her mother however, didn't leave her bedroom often. She stayed indoors and kept herself seated on the porch when not in her room, looking to the same sunset her husband walked off into.

Word finally reached them, about 4 months since he had left. He died in a great battle and was buried along with his fellow men. Kira took the news hard, but was determined to remain strong. Her mother, took a dive."

Flashback

An old graying man walked out of the room and closed the doors. He turned to Kira and shook his head.

"I am afraid she is losing her light. She will not last much longer. She hasn't eaten in days and will not touch anything. She just remains in bed. There is nothing I can do."

Kira hung her head and felt tears sting her eyes as the old man put his hand on her shoulder and walked off.

End Flashback

"Her mother grew ill after hearing the news. She was beyond help and died only a month after she heard the news of her husband. She had faded away with the pain of a broken heart. Her once graceful beautiful faded and she became an empty shell. She was buried after a week.

Kira was left in charge of the estate. She was also left to stay in charge of the village. Her family was the richest in town and her father was the town leader. With both of her parents absent, Kira took over. She tried her best, but she was only a little older than 18. She was alone, but fought hard.

Her thoughts would not last long on the fate her parents were handed. A band of demons, disguised as humans, pillaged the town. They came and burned all the crops. They killed countless people and captured those they deemed useful. They stole everything worth value. Kira tired to fight them, and killed a few. Yet she was overpowered. She was beaten near death and then carried off with the others.

The demons were leaving the town and making way through the Sacred Forest, a place held as legend to the townspeople.

Flashback

A young girl of 8 crawled onto her mother's lap and sat down.

"Tell me the story mommy."

"I told you it last night Kira."

"Tell me again."

"Well there was once a handsome young boy. He was a servant and fell in love with his lord's daughter. He went to the girl and the girl instantly fell in love with the young man. The boy went to her father and told him of their love, but he grew angry with the boy. He beat the boy and sent him far off in the fields to work.

The boy was resilient and he went to visit the girl often. When her father found out he was seeing her again, he beat the boy even more and had him dumped deep in the forest. The boy laid there, an inch from death, and got to his feet, determined to see his love.

He walked through the forest and finally came to a clearing he never heard of before. He fell to the ground, exhausted and badly hurt. It was then that 3 gorgeous young woman came to him and nursed him back to health. The young man found the fabled heart of the Sacred Forest, where the 3 Spirit Guardians dwell.

The 3 girls took pity on the man and, seeing his pure heart, gave him the strength he needed to stand tall and claim his love. The boy thanked them and returned to the village. When he was there, he used his power to overcome the father and proved his love for his daughter. The father, fearing his life, gave the boy and his daughter land of their own.

The boy and girl were married and lived off their huge estate together. The boy turned to his wife and told her he needed to go back to the Sacred Forest to thank the Guardians for helping him claim his love. The wife begged him not to go, for many that searched for the Guardians never returned, but the man claimed they blessed him.

He left the next day and was never seen from again. The woman cried rivers of tears and finally died of a broken heart. Her husband came back the day his wife died and saw her fail frame and cursed himself for ever leaving. He laid with her in his arms and fell into a deep sleep. He never awoke again, for his heart had broken as well and he too died, with his wife in his arms."

The woman looked down at Kira, who was fast asleep.

End Flashback

"Kira was able to crawl away and made a break for the Forest. The demons feared going inside and claimed her as another dead human. The girl clawed her way through the forest, but much like the man, she fell to the ground and gave one last plea for help."

Flashback

Kira's body burned in pain. Her muscles refused to work and she fell hard to the ground. Her eyes closed easily.

"Help me," she managed to croak out.

"We are here child," a soft voice responded.

Kira felt the warm sunlight on her face and blinked her eyes open. She looked up, unfocused at first and saw bright blue eyes stare down at her. Startled, Kira jumped up and went for her sword that was at her waist, only to see it was removed.

"Please do not fear child," a voice like bells called.

"Where am I?"

"You are in the care of the Water Guardian. My name is Aqua and I protect this Forest with my sisters. You were wounded badly and we cared for you."

Kira eyed the girl over. She was slightly aglow and had pale white skin. She wore an ornate kimono that had colors that reminded Kira of a wave. It reflected white, silver, and various shades of light blue. In her hands was a silver staff with a teardrop shape at the top in the center with rings and curves designing the outside of it. Her hair was pale blue and bangs covered her forehead.

"I mean you no harm," Aqua said.

"You took care of me?" Kira asked.

Aqua nodded.

Just then, two more girls stepped inside the room. Each were wearing the same kimono design, only with different colors. One girl, tall with dark brown hair in a long ponytail and short bangs, had on a kimono with various shades of brown and green, while the other girl, a shorter girl with pale mint green hair that ran down her back, had on a kimono with various colors of red and pink, like the various shades of roses.

"Is she awake sister?" a soft voice asked from the one in reds.

"She has stirred," a slightly deeper voice said from the one in green.

"Who are all of you? Where am I?" Kira asked.

"I am Terra, Guardian of Earth," the one in green said.

"I am Flora, Guardian of Life and Growth," the one in red said.

"And I am Aqua, Guardian of Water. We are the 3 Spirit Guardians of the Sacred Forest. You are here in our shrine, in the very heart of the Forest."

"You can't be," Kira said astounded.

"You have called on our aid when you entered our Forest. Your pure heart and intentions allowed us to help you."

"Rest my child. You are in safe hands," Aqua said as she helped Kira lie down.

End Flashback

"Kira's cry for help allowed the 3 Spirit Guardians to come and help her, Aqua, Terra, and Flora of Water, Earth, and Life respectively. They helped heal her wounds and granted her strength to fight once more. Kira felt in debt to the young women and stayed by their sides. In order to repay them, she helped them protect the Forest against demons and evil. The 3 girls grew very fond of Kira and treated her like another sister. They showed her the way of the Forest and taught her how to better handle herself. Kira became a great warrior.

It was like that they lived for 3 years. They had become a family of their own. Kira never left the Forest, for fear of losing her only home left. It was one fateful night, the sky was aglow with stars and the heavens sighed on the earth. It was a night one could never forget."

Flashback

Kira, adorned in a simple silver and blue shirt with a dark navy skirt, jumped back as her hand reached into the air and caught the sword Terra had been using in their duel. Terra smirked at the girl and feigned a fake cough as the ground rumbled and Kira fell to the ground beneath her.

"That was cheap!" Kira shouted.

Terra smiled and tossed her ponytail over her shoulder and offered her hand, "I know."

Kira grabbed her hand and stood up, "Some Guardian you are then."

Aqua had been sitting by the stream that ran through the shrine grounds. Her laughter filled the air, when suddenly she gasped and turned to look in the water.

"Sisters, "Aqua called.

Terra and Kira ran over to Aqua, who was looking into the water.

"Aqua?" Kira said.

"The moon reflects an evil presence on the water. There is a demon in the woods, "Aqua said solemnly.

Kira gripped her sword, "Then I'll handle it."

"Kira! Wait!" Terra called out.

Kira winked back at them and jumped up into the trees and followed her instincts to search for the evil. She ran through the trees and jumped down to the ground. Kira closed her eyes and smiled for the flowers, she smelled their sweet scent, but soon a bitter scent followed it. Kira opened her eyes and took off to the West End of the Forest.

< Thank you for all those lessons Flora. >

Kira ran through the night, the moon's light guiding her in the right direction. She came to a small glen and saw a figure standing by the trees; its back to her as it looked up into the sky. It slowly turned around and revealed the chiseled features of a man, markings clearly seen on his cheeks. Most intriguing were his eyes, eyes that were more golden than the sun but brighter than any rays the moon shone.

"Come out human. Your stench is most appalling," the man said in a smooth voice.

Kira stepped out of the forests and raised her sword, " This is the Sacred Forest. No evil may tread here without a battle from the Guardians."

"Then why would a lowly human come?"

Kira, showing her trademark anger, marched right up to him and pushed on his chest, "Hey! I'm no pathetic human! I'm a skilled fighter and a personal friend of the Guardians!"

The man raised his eyebrow as he stared down at the small girl who showed no fear of him and was pushing him. She went to push him again, but he reached out and grabbed her hand with his clawed one. She looked up and scowled at him. He merely smirked at her and pushed her back lightly.

He moved his hand back and drew out his blade, "Do I get my fight now human?"

Kira raised her sword and crossed hers with his. The man smiled and thrust out at her, but Kira quickly blocked him with ease. The man raised an eyebrow and waited for her to attack next. Kira turned to her side and made a sweeping motion with her sword, but the man quickly blocked it.

The man smiled, "This should be fun after all."

End Flashback

"Kira and the demon man fought for hours. They were like trained warriors, competing in a duel neither would give in or lose. The way they moved, it appeared as an intricate dance. They spun and turned with each other. They breathed in each other's scent and felt the others hot breath. It was truly a battle. "

Flashback

Kira was fighting for hours now, the moon hanging more limp in the sky. Her wrist was tiring and her breathing was deeper. She had paced herself before, but she could only go on for so long. The man seemed like he was barely working up a sweat. Kira watched as his eyes danced and his white hair flew around him.

Kira was distracted at looking at his eyes, that she missed him moving to slash her. She gasped as she felt the coldness of steel against her, but she was roughly pushed back against a tree and held there by rough hands.

The man looked down into Kira's eyes, "You hold no fear. Not even this close to death."

"I do not fear dying this way. I have fought in an honest duel and lost. My life is forfeit."

The man reached out and grabbed her chin with his hand gently. He pulled her face up to his own and saw the whirl of emotions in them. Kira, in turn, stared deep into his eyes.

< His eyes are so full of passion. They hold not one set emotion, but a blur of many. I see neither hate nor death in them. He does not wish me dead after all? No, I see and feel no pain in his eyes. They are full and gorgeous. They are the most divine eyes I have ever seen. >

The man moved closer to her and held her in his arms for a moment, before claiming them in a heated kiss. His arms, at first holding Kira's, were now resting on her hips and Kira's arms were around his neck. The demon pulled away and brushed the stray strands away from her eyes.

"You will return here again tomorrow night at this place," the man said softly.

Kira stood breathless as the man gave her another chaste kiss and disappeared into the night.

End Flashback

"Kira stood there as the demon knocked her sword away and kissed her. She stood there and heard him tell her to be there again the next night. Kira stood there, already lost in love with a demon. That's the day Kira first saw Sesshomaru. And that's how they met. "