InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Lost and Found ❯ Parting Ways ( Chapter 3 )

Lost and Found

Chapter 3 - Parting ways

 

Previously in the last chapter

 

“What is it Inuyasha?” Kagome asked looking around trying to sense anything that was the matter, but she didn't feel jewel shards. Then an aura of the oni appeared and she saw it just in Kinkijo's path; she took in a sharp intake of breath.

 

Before Kagome could yell out, Devona beat any of the others to it, “KINKIJO!! MOVE!!! MOVE NOW!!!”

 

Kinkijo looked back to her guardian then to the forest as a club came from the dark shadows of the lightly litten forest to smash her into the ground……

 

 

The girl screamed as she dodged to the left with speed that could only be explained by her demon blood as the club left a crater in the ground, and she landed 15 feet from where she originally jumped from in a crouching position, growling at the oni that just barged out of the trees.

 

The adults in the clearing immediately went into action as the ogre took another swing at the small girl. Devona had already bounded off towards her and just as the club got close enough she grabbed the girl and jumped away. Another crater made its way into the dirt as he roared in anger. Devona landed near the group holding Kinkijo close and hugging her checking to make sure she wasn't scratched or injured. The girl was growling still confident that she could take the beast on as the woman still frantically checked her out.

 

The ogre had taken notice of her growling and ran straight at her, obviously the target of its attack. The oni roared as it got closer. Inuyasha saw the girl's eyes go wide in fear and she whimpered holding onto her guardian. He growled and attacked the beast with the Tetsusagia, with one swift swipe and kick to the face it was knocked back as it felt a streak of warmth across its face as the deep gash across its face started to bleed.

 

Inuyasha landed on the ground with his sword raised, the blade's edge covered in the shiny red liquid of the ogres blood; he was growling at the beast for attacking the little girl….his little girl. He continued to growl at the beast; intimidating it to retreat. Unfortunately, his attempts failed as the beast lashed its arm out knocking him across the clearing into a tree with a sickening thud.

 

Kinkijo gasped as the man who tried to help her was thrown and the other woman yelled out his name, “Inuyasha!!!” She stared at the woman who ran to help him as he stirred on the ground, struggling to get back up to help.

 

Devona saw the oni charge at her and the girl, “Kinkijo jump! Jump into the tree now!”

 

She knew better than to disobey an order in such a dangerous situation as this, so she immediately jumped into the tall oak tree just above as her guardian used her master battle skills to defend herself. She dodged and ducked from its forceful attacks as the strangers tried to help their friend up; Kinkijo looked at all of her terrifying surroundings, crying out as her caretaker was hit and threw into the side of their cottage. “Guardian Devona!!”

 

The travelers turned to see the guardian in a crumpled heap next to the cottage, unconscious with the wolf from earlier, struggling to wake her up; the ogre walked towards her to finish the job and move on to its intended target. Kagome looked around for the girl and saw her taking aim at the ogres head `she's not going to attack it is she?!? She can't it'll come after her next! God she's just like Inuyasha, she acts before she thinks about the consequences!!' She frantically tried to think of a way to help her but her arrows were back at the camp and she couldn't do anything to help or stop her.

 

Kinkijo had watched as the ogre advance on her loved one. Immediately she reached into her pouch and pulled out some of her small spiked balls that were made from a precious metal she and Devona melted and forged themselves. Holding up her left hand, her sleeve fell to reveal her self made slingshot; she loaded her ammo into the pouch on the elastic band, and pulled back taking her aim. She released them and they all hit the ogre in the back of the head, precisely where she wanted them to; it cried out in pain as the spikes on the balls embedded themselves into its skin and it bled freely.

 

The hideous creature turned and advanced to the tree where Kinkijo was hiding and smashed its club against the trunk. Kinkijo let out a terrified high pitched scream as she almost fell out of the tree; she hugged the trunk as her feet slid off of the branch she was standing on and she hung there with no foot to hold her. She clambered back onto the branch and still held on tight.

 

They had all turned to the ogres cries of pain but it was the scream that sent a chill down their spines. Kinkijo was holding onto the tree for dear life as the trunk started to split and fall from its blunt force trauma. Inuyasha looked up to see the little girl looking straight at him terrified; he could hear her whimpering in fear. His rage flew, his grasp on the sword tightened as he jumped up and charged at a demonic speed towards the disgusting ogre that threatened the girl. He knew he couldn't use the full force of the Wind Scar when the tree that was struggling to hold up his daughter was right behind the ogre in the path of the attack. He had made a last minute decision and leaped onto the back of the beast plunging the Tetsusagia into its skull. Immediately the oni fell dead onto the ground with one last grunt, but that didn't stop the tree from falling; the girl screamed again.

 

Kinkijo had her eyes closed and was hugging the tree close; she was startled as she felt two arms quickly grab her and hold her close as the wind swept past them. She took in his scent as she buried her face into his shoulder. The wind stopped and she still hugged the man close, shaking and whimpering. His voice was calming and relaxed her with ease, “its ok ….c'mon you can get down now….”

 

Inuyasha went against his normal actions and instead of prying the girl off he tried to calm the terrified girl with reassurance, which to his surprise worked; the girl loosened her grip and looked up at him as he carefully kneeled and set her on the ground. The girl wiped her nose on her sleeve after crying from fright, she quietly answered, “thank you….” Inuyasha never had a chance to answer as the girl gasped and started running. He looked over to see his fellow companions around the guardian demon and Kinkijo running toward them; he quickly followed suit.

 

Kagome, Sango and Miroku carried Devona into the hut with Kinkijo running toward them; they carefully lay her on the floor of the hut as Kinkijo was grabbed and held from getting to her guardian. She struggled to get away; she wanted to get to Devona to make sure she was alright. The white haired man motioned toward one of the women, “Sango…take Kinkijo and go to the outside of the house…” She watched as the woman nodded, walked up to her and kneeled in front of her

 

“Sweetie…can you please step outside with me…my friends need to tend to her injuries…I promise you can see her when their done…okay?”

 

Kinkijo looked at the woman and a small kitsune and fire-neko next to her, “O…Okay…” she wiped her nose again as the woman called Sango picked her up and walked outside with her and the two other smaller demons, the last thing she saw was her guardian lying unconscious on the hut floor before the doors were shut.

 

Kagome had the most experience in injuries but having Miroku and Inuyasha helped too. The demon had sustained a serious injury to her spine and was in serious pain when she awoke from her blackout. However, Devona didn't even think about herself, all she thought about was the girl, “Kinkijo…Is she alright?!” she dryly said through her lips with moans of pain.

 

Inuyasha was trying to make her as comfortable as possible by holding her head straight while Kagome spoke to her, “Yes….she…she's fine” she started to stutter realizing the extent of her injuries…it would be a miracle if she survived. The demoness moaned in pain once more

 

“I need to speak to you both alone then I need to talk to Kinkijo alone…please…before it's too late…” she took a deep breath and lay still looking at Kagome, who was exchanging glances with Inuyasha and he nodded, signaling for Miroku to leave.

 

After a moment they were all three alone leaving the guardian demon to speak her mind. She smiled at her thoughts of the three together laughing together just like a happy little family should. Pulling herself from her thoughts she stared into the faces of the parents of her charge, “I am aware of the grave situation I am in…and with the time I have left, I wish to ask you of a favor” she paused and continued, “All I ask is that you care for the girl as I have…..make her happy…In her short life that she has lived with me I have told her the truth about you both….and how I was not her mother just her caregiver” she took a sharp intake of breath, “She has been waiting for this day since she was old enough to understand; she has always wanted to know her parents….and considering my current position now is the time….” she coughed and a little spatter of blood ran down her cheek from her nose, which Kagome wiped away.

 

Kagome looked at Inuyasha who was giving her a sad look, “We….we will…take care of her” she was on the verge of crying, Inuyasha and Devona could smell her slight tears starting to form on her face. `Why did it have to happen this way….this is going to upset her so much'

 

Devona smiled, “Don't cry child….this is the way the oracles foretold it…I am not scared nor should you be….” she took another deep breath giving a reassuring smile, “My time is running short….I need to speak to Kinkijo please….”

 

Kagome and Inuyasha stood exchanging more glances before opening the sliding door and walking out to see Kinkijo already running past them into the hut. The girl fell next to the demon looking at her sadly as they slowly slid the door leaving them alone

 

The two walked out towards their friends, seeing their worried faces; Shippou jumped up into Kagome's arms, “What's wrong mama? What's happening?” he looked up at her with worried eyes. She simply smiled at her young kitsune and hugged him

 

“It's alright Shippou…I'm just…a little overwhelmed” she sighed out and looked at Inuyasha who was staring into space obviously deep in thought `he must be so frustrated…and even though he doesn't want to admit it…scared' she gulped and looked at his eyes that were still lost in a trance

 

“What was it she wished to speak to you about?” Miroku asked quickly pulling Inuyasha and Kagome from their thoughts.

 

Kagome couldn't think of anything to say; she wasn't sure what to say to them `what's going to happen to the group now that we have another little one…that's actually mine…I mean our daughter for goodness sake!' Fortunately Inuyasha had decided to answer for her since she was so nervous

 

“The guardian asks that we bring her along with us…so we can raise her…” his voice quivered with uncertainty on the matter.

 

There was a period of silence before it was broken by the young kitsune, “So….I'm gonna be a big brother?!” he said very excitedly looking at Kagome for an answer.

 

Kagome actually smiled and gave a chuckle as she nodded to him; he actually gave a squeal of delight before hugging Kagome again. `He's so excited to be a brother. I guess this change could be good for us; she could be part of the family…Oh geeze my family! What am I going to tell them?! For that matter can she even get through the well to meet them? Oh man my mom is going to be so mad…I'm screwed' she looked at Inuyasha who returned her gaze before looking away; she knew he was going to want to talk to her about this…and soon…

 

>>>>>>>>>>back to Kinkijo

 

Sango lead Kinkijo away from the hut so that in case her friends did something that caused her to cry out in pain the girl had a less chance in hearing it. Sitting down by a tree; she looked at the little girl who was looking at the ground silently with the wolf that accompanied her was sitting idefully by watching for more danger. `The poor little girl; she must care for the demon a lot to look that sad. She's been with this demon since she was born…she must consider her to be her mother, but then does that mean that she won't open up to Kagome? That would break her heart'

 

The girl continued to stay silent but Shippou, being the loving person he is, tried to lighten the mood.

 

“Hi, I'm Shippou!” he said in a tone encouraging her to cheer up. He was always the one to try and cheer people up no matter how bad they had treated him or even if they were strangers; he was so kindhearted.

 

The girl looked up and looked at him in recognition, “Hi…..” she said sniffing her nose since she felt like crying.

 

Shippou pointed out the others that were outside the hut, “This is Kirara and Sango…” he walked up and stood beside her leg in case she wanted comfort. The girl looked over to the two who also put on a cheerful face

 

“Hello” “Mrow”

 

The girl actually smiled at the small animal's noise, which surprised Sango; she nudged Kirara to entertain Kinkijo to cheer her up. The fire-neko walked over and rubbed up against her leg; she sat down and started to pet her as she jumped into her lap.

 

Sango watched this and also saw Miroku leave the hut looking grim; she got up and went over to him as Shippou and Kirara kept the girl busy.

 

“What's going on Miroku?” she said quiet quickly and quietly so that she couldn't hear it with her hanyou ears.

 

He sighed, “Her spines been severely damaged….she doesn't have much longer, but she made it sound as if she knew it was going to happen” he looked toward the child who was playing with the two small creatures as if nothing happened, “the child seems to not be too distraught by this, perhaps she is also aware of what was going to happen?”

 

Putting on a confused face, “maybe…but how could she know?”

 

“A guardian demon's only purpose is to protect a child that he or she has been destined to watch over. They are informed of the child's destiny and path by creatures called Oracles whom can tell the future of any one person they wish. Most of the time the guardian dies as the ward continues to live their life, but they are resurrected into a different form and move on to a different charge.” She was surprised at how much Miroku knew about all these demons but it seemed to come in handy.

 

She took all of it in with a sigh as they heard the door of the hut slide open and the girl shot her head up and started running toward it, rushing past Inuyasha and Kagome.

 

Kinkijo ran and kneeled next to her most loved caregiver and started to shed tears, “Guardian Devona…are you ok?” she saw the sad look on her face `No! She can't die…I won't every see her again!'

 

The demoness gave the girl a reassuring smile, “Kinkijo, I'm sorry but I'm not going to be around much longer so I need you to listen to me…” More tears fell from the young girls face and silently nodded and listened to her guardian's last words, “You remember those two people out there…the woman in strange clothing and the man in a red haori?” She nodded still staying quiet, “I'm sure being the bright little girl that you are….that you noticed they both smell a little like you?” Kinkijo simply blinked in response as her caretaker continued, “They are the two that you have been hoping to meet since the day you were born….they are confused and scared at the news of your existence but I want you to help them …” She took a deep breath hearing the girl snuffles and cries, “Take Tala and go with them and learn more about them…become the family that you've always wanted…” Devona's breath was becoming more difficult to hear and Kinkijo could hear her heartbeat slowing down inside her chest; she let more tears fall.

 

Devona limply took up her arms making a notion for the girl to lie down in her arms, which she quickly complied to causing the small hanyou to cuddle her close with her last remaining strength. “It's alright Kinkijo…you know the process of guardian demons, like I have explained to you…we don't die…we are simply moved to another life where we await our next charge” She stopped and took in another difficult breath, she was gasping and huffing as she struggled to say her last words. “Kinkijo…know that I will always love you...” She felt the girl nod against her side and reply

 

“I love you…and I'll miss you so much, but I will go with mama and papa to live the life you've always wanted me too…”

 

Devona smiled and gasped for more breath, “That's….my….girl…..” and with that her breaths stopped and Kinkijo heard her heart stop completely. She cried some more for a few more moments into the silky kimono that Devona always wore before she sat up and wiped her tears with her own haori; she took one last look into her peaceful face, then placed a blanket over her whole body as a sign of respect. She gave a bow and said a little prayer inside her head; Devona had taught her it when she was younger. `I guess now I go with the strangers and start my life all over again….I'll never forget you Guardian Devona….ever' With her last thoughts she sighed and walked toward the door standing behind it knowing that on the other side was the start of the rest of her whole life. She reached out and slid the door aside, walking out she turned and shut it then turned back around to the strangers who would now become her family and friends.

 

They were staring at her with looks of concern as she suspected that her eyes were puffy from crying; she hopped off the landing onto the ground and walked towards them stopping beside the man who saved her earlier, but she could think of no words to say.

 

The adults figured that the caretaker had passed away inside with the girl by her side, and told her what she was to do after she had died because the girl stood there waiting for them to move.

 

Inuyasha looked down towards the girl who looked back up to him; he saw that she was sad but willing to leave, “A…Alright…let's go back to the camp site and pack up….” he finished rather suddenly and bounded off. The girl could tell the man was nervous but was a little worried at his reaction `Does the man not like me? He yelled at me earlier but then he saved me, now he's not even talking to me…and the nice lady hasn't said anything to me since before guardian Devona showed up; she was quiet after that…what am I supposed to do?' she was silently thinking as the others stared at her from behind her back; she could sense all of their gazes and couldn't take it. Her best friend Tala came up beside her whining and rubbing her head against her best friend's hand. She returned her contact by petting her on the head; Tala nudged the girl and started make wolf noises that only Kinkijo could understand, “Get on my back young one; I'll carry you…” She looked grateful as she climbed onto the oversized wolf's back, laying down, hugging her neck before it bounded off on the trail of the mans scent.

 

They all exchanged glances to Kagome's uncertain face before she walked off also behind the girl. Kirara, Miroku and Sango were the last ones to leave the once beautiful clearing that was now covered in blood from the aggressive ogre and contained two dead bodies within its boundaries….

 

There was silence at the camp for a little while as they began to pack up; Kinkijo followed Shippou around since she didn't really know anyone else. Sango and Miroku stood off to the side watching the two children sit and talk with Kirara; Inuyasha watched Kagome nervously roll up her sleeping bag, sometimes spacing and loosing her firm grip on the material before she realized what happened and had to start all over again.

 

He sighed, there was no denying it; they now had a small hanyou girl in their group and it was their daughter. Kagome was distraught and confused there was not doubt about that; he couldn't help but feel guilty, after all if he hadn't have given into his desires this never would have happened. `Look what I've done to her…this is all my fault. I have to talk to her; we both need it' He jumped off the branch of the tree he was sitting in and walked over to her, “Kagome….we need to talk”