InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Mika- the Inu Ookami Hanyou ❯ Vision Quest ( Chapter 16 )

The Vision Quest

 

Mika looked at Amy after her fourth consecutive nightmare of being surrounded by the demons and being saved by the gigantic dog demon. “I can't sleep anymore because the dreams are so vivid, Amy,” Mika said as she cradled a cup of chicken noodle soup. “I've worked myself to exhaustion just so I can avoid sleeping and dreaming. Since I've been home, I've only slept about four times, and each time it's the same nightmare. If you don't believe me, take a look at my back and see for yourself the marks left by these demons.” She got up from the kitchen table and lifted her tank top high enough to show Amy her back and the multiple gashes in various stages of healing.

 

Amy looked at her friend's back, having a difficult time accepting the story Mika just told her of her biological family, her connection to demons and the feudal era of Japan. With the layers of new and barely healed gashes across her back as solid evidence as well as Mika's markings, Amy said, “What this appears to be is a demon using the power of the jewel shard that Kagome happened to leave with you. I'm not sure what is happening, but I'm going to suggest you travel to a place that means a lot to you so you can communicate with the spirits that are trying to contact you through your dream.”

 

“You mean like a vision quest? You've got to be kidding me! I'm not to sure I believe in all that nonsense, Amy. I really don't have the time to go off on a wild goose chase. I need to really get the house ready to be sold so I can go back to Japan. I've been gone too long as it is and am eager to return in pursuit of my father.” Mika looked out at the view of the distant mountains and valley from her kitchen window, thinking about what Amy suggested.

 

Amy took her friend's hand and replied, “Honestly Mika, with all that you've been through in Japan that you just told me and with the wounds on your back from a supposed dream, do you have to ask. I feel this will answer a lot of questions you have and give you a chance to relax. What was the name of that lake high up in the mountains that you went to last fall with your dad hunting? Diamond Swamp, Ruby Mountains, Sapphire…”

 

“Opal Lake,” Mika corrected her friend. “It was Opal Lake where I got that huge bull. That reminds me, I want to take the hide with me. I think dad had it turned into a coat for me, but I don't remember.” She stared into her cup of noodles, contemplating Amy's suggestion. “I guess it wouldn't hurt to go back to Opal Lake for some closure after all. Kagome wasn't expecting me for a while any way. I just wonder if she's been able to keep Inuyasha from driving her nuts.”

 

After some considerable contemplation Mika looked at her friend, seeing the concern in her eyes as well as the love. “I'll go on this quest as you suggested. The clean mountain air will help me clear my head. I was contemplating getting some pictures from up there as well to adorn the walls of my new home. Now I guess I have no choice. I'll leave in the morning in my truck.” As the day progressed, Amy helped Mika load up her pick up with a bedroll, a cooler of food and water, small chain saw, jerry cans, grill grate and her fishing pole with a small tackle box. Mika packed her rucksack with some clean clothes, fire making supplies, a small medical kit, a five inch straight blade hunting knife, and her Ruger .44 Magnum semi auto hand gun with some ammunition.

 

When Amy saw the gun, she asked, “Why are you taking that?” Mika looked in her bag at the gun as she thought of all that had happened while she was in Japan.

 

“I'm headed into rough terrain and the wilds of Idaho where there is only you and the wildlife. Who knows what I'll run into while I'm up there, a grizzly, puma, wolves, some really stupid people, etc? I just like being prepared.” Mika replied.

 

Once all the gear was packed, Mika dozed until early morning before heading out to the highway. She drove her Nissan 4X4 north on US 93 as the sun barely crossed the eastern horizon, casting the surrounding area in an orange glow. As she drove, she recalled the phone conversation the previous evening to her Aunt Midori. Mika explained that it would be another four days before she'd leave for Japan. “Tell Kagome I'm sorry for the head ache it's going to create.”

 

“I'm sure she'll be fine. Be careful on your trip. It sounds wonderful going into the wilderness like that. When you get your flight information, please let us know so that we can make arrangements for your arrival.” With a bit of a smile, Mika said she would.

 

As she followed the road along the north side of the Snake River Plain, Mika thought of all that she'd been through. She looked at her life in the states and saw how much her demonic parentage had directed her actions. Despite the fact that she'd only just met her biological family, Mika felt a connection to them despite time and distance.

 

The hours flew by as she continued her drive past Craters of the Moon, through Arco, along the Big Lost River, and past Mackey Reservoir. She fondly remembered the family fishing trips on the Big Lost River and Mackey Reservoir, grossing out her mother with actually touching not only live night crawlers but the slimy trout as well. Mika reminisced when she got closer to Challis, she thought of the previous fall when she had taken her first elk. He was a majestic six point bull with a massive body. It took all she and her father had to get him on the truck. One shot straight to the heart with an arrow. He stood for a few moments before his knees buckled and he fell heavily onto his side as he breathed his last breath. Her father had taken a few pictures of her and the bull before they started to load him onto their pickup. Mika sighed as she spotted the `Welcome to Challis' sign and drove to her favorite restaurant where they had the best liver and onions. She smiled at the memory of her first time at the restaurant with her father and the look of utter shock on the waitress' face when she'd order the meal, for breakfast no less. Knowing that it would be better to start fresh for Opal Lake in the morning, Mika got a room at the hotel across from the restaurant and went to eat dinner. She'd been at the hotel before and was grateful for a warm bed, hot shower and local news to check on the weather for the time that she'd be at the lake. Once she'd finished her dinner, she drove to the local market and picked up some last minute supplies.

 

Mika wandered through to the meat department, looking for the perfect steak. She recalled from her last trip the delicate flavor of lodge pole pine grilled stakes that she had made. It was so tasty with only a little salt and pepper for seasoning. After purchasing the perfect steak, a bag of ice and a few potatoes and onions, Mika returned to her room and took a relaxing shower. She slipped into her flannel pajamas as she turned the television on for some noise. Slowly she started to fall asleep, hoping against hope that she wouldn't have the night mare again.

 

As she slipped into her dreams, Mika was confronted by a stranger dressed in buckskins and wearing war paint across his face. “Who are you?” Mika asked as she reached toward her the buck knife on her belt.

 

“Ska `sung manitu tan ka,” the warrior spoke reverently, watching the woman before her. His eyes never leaving her face, or the hand as it moved toward the knife at her belt.

 

Mika shook her head as she replied, “I don't understand. What are you trying to say to me?”

 

Again the warrior stated, “Ska `sung manitu tan ka,” as he pointed to the woman dressed in black leather and armor.

 

Mika grew more frustrated at what the persistent warrior was trying to get across. She wracked her brains and finally yelled, “Slolwáye sni!” (I don't know!)

 

The warrior's eyes grew wide at the statement. He stammered in Lakota, “You speak our language?”

 

Taken back by what the warrior said and shocked that she understood it, Mika replied in Lakota, “I guess I do. Now repeat what you said, before, when you first saw me, please.”

 

“I said `white wolf.' I meant no offense,” he replied as he approached her cautiously since her hand had not left her knife. “My name is Hehaka Sapa, the medicine man for the Lakota. I'm here to warn you about your vision quest you plan to embark.”

 

Mika looked at the warrior and saw through his eyes he spoke the truth. “Why would you call me a `white wolf'? I obviously have red hair. And why are you warning me about my journey? Where is this coming from? Am I in grave danger?” Her hand stayed on the hilt of her knife as the warrior moved closer. She could see the intricate designs of his war paint and the bead work of his breast plate as he moved closer.

 

“I call you `white wolf' for you're the embodiment of the Timber wolf. I've also been shown that you are not from around here and that the jewel at your neck draws powerful beings to it for supreme power,” he replied.

 

Mika thought a moment about what he said before responding, “Who did you get this information from? It's not common knowledge.”

 

“As the medicine man for the local Lakota tribe, I've been shown these visions by Wanka Tanka. He was apparently directed from a different source. However, during your vision quest, you will be preyed upon by beings of this world and the dream world which can do you serious harm, even kill you. Be warned, you can either be at their mercy or you can defend yourself.” The warrior turned to leave as Mika grabbed his shoulder.

 

“Why did you do this? Why warn me?”

 

He looked back at Mika over his shoulder as he replied, “There are others who wish for you to remain safe. Though they are not here physically, they are always with you. Keep your head up and remember your heritage.”

 

As he finished replying to Mika's questions, he walked away and disappeared into a slowly enveloping fog, leaving Mika in a darkened glen to her thoughts. “Why did I get the warning? I know that the dreams I've been having recently are pretty realistic, considering the open wounds on my back. Maybe there is more to this than I thought. I wish that Kagome hadn't given me this damn jewel shard!” Mika thought as she reached to her neck for the little leather medicine pouch which held the jewel shard.

 

As she touched the pouch, an ominous feeling overcame the young hanyou. “What you have belongs to me. No mater what time, continent or distance. I'll get it back one way or another,” a dark shadow spoke from the glen, hidden amongst the numerous shadows of the trees.

 

“Who are you? Show yourself, coward!” Mika yelled, bile rising in her throat as she thought she recognized the voice.

 

From the darkness, the voice cackled hideously, as he replied, “Search your memory, hanyou. You know who this is and what I want. Return to me the jewel shard and I'll spare your family from hell.”

 

Hearing the threat to her family, Mika clenched her fists as only one name came to mind, “Naraku!” “Come out and show yourself coward. How did you find me?” she asked the shadows as her hand carefully slid her knife farther from its sheath.

 

Draped in the ever popular white baboon pelt, the dark haired steel eyed Naraku emerged from the trees and moved toward Mika. “Do you honestly think that as powerful as I am that infiltrating your dreams is all that hard? Honestly, I thought you were smarter than that.” The demon moved closer to Mika as he spoke to her. In a flash, metal flew through the air, striking the demon lord in the chest.

 

Looking down at the hilt of Mika's Buck knife protruding from his chest, Naraku chuckled. “Did you really think that a mere blade as this could kill me?”

 

“No, I'm smarter than that. I was aiming for the demon puppet within your chest. I'm sure that it will shatter any second now. Be fore warned, I'm aware of your tactics, Naraku. In my dreams I'm in control of what's going on, so stay out of them or you're the one that will die,” Mika threatened as the demon puppet in Naraku's chest split in two. Relieved that it was not the same demon hordes from her earlier nightmares, Mika rested further until morning.