InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ New Journey ❯ 24 ( Chapter 24 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

"Are you an idiot?" Inuyasha yelled. "It is not and was never your fault!
Quit crying already!" Nari was shocked enough that she actually did stop
crying. This wasn't the reaction she had expected!
"You- you're not mad?" Nari could've kicked herself. Of course he's mad!
"Of course I am! You lied to us and then expect us to dislike you when
you say that you couldn't kill your brother! No one could if the person
looked exactly like someone they loved! Take Sango for example! Even
when Kohaku was trying to kill us all when he was possessed, she protected
his life! When Kikyo was ressurected, I couldn't send her away peacefully
before that day because she looked like someone I had once loved! No one
could blame you." Inuyasha said, still fuming. Kagome was right behind
him.
"I wouldn't blame you. remember my little brother? I wouldn't- couldn't-
kill him even if I knew that he'd kill many others. I just see him as
Sota- my little brother."
"Yeah!" Shippo piped up.
"But- but it's still my fault about the other things- the clan, life,
death, and misery of everyone! How can you forgive me for that if I don't
forgive me for that?" Nari asked.
"It's not your fault. I like my life as it is now." Kohaku said. "I'm sure
the others are too. For example, do you think that Inuyasha would really of
been happy as a human? That Kagome would like her own time and always feel
like there was something she had to do? That Kagura would be better off not
born? That Miroku would have been born without the curse to spur his dad to
finding a wife to bear an heir? That Sango would have been better off at the
village, killing youkai until they killed her and being married off to a
horrible old man to strengthen our ties with other demon-exterminating clans?
That Shippo prefers parents he can't remember over Kagome and Inuyasha? That
Koga would be better marrying a minor wolf demoness or being killed by the
harpies- the Birds of Paradise? That I would be happy without ever having met
you? I think we all have to thank you." Kohaku hugged her even closer after his
little speech. The others were slowly nodding in consent.
"Thank you Nari." Kagome said.
"Arigatou."
"I am happy."
"See Nari? We don't hate you. I have to thank you for my life." Kagura said.
"But Kohaku could have been killed by my father! We had had him sealed, but
he could've killed Kohaku with that energy manifestation!"
"Waitaminute! That was an energy manifestation? A demon puppet?" Sango asked.
She had seen what it could do to Kohaku. She shuddered at the thought fo ever
meeting the creature who made it.
"Yes. And I have to tell you that you must leave tomorrow. You don't have the
extra month. He will attack again."
"But what about preparing for the evil we are to face?" Miroku asked.
"That will no longer be a problem. The evil has found you."
"You mean-? We have to face....... we have to kill-?" Kagome was shocked.
"Yes. You must kill my father to earn the title "Rulers of the Lands."" Nari
nodded somberly.
"But...... he's your father! We can't just kill Kohaku's father-in-law and your
actual dad!" Sango said.
"You have to. I feel no family ties with the man. Remember when my mother said
that my dad was killed by a youkai? That's what she tells everyone. We don't want
them to know that it was my father who trained Naraku. My father is one of the
most evil and dark people in the world. I feel no remorse that you must kill
him. In my eyes, my father is already dead."
*In the Mikos Room*
"Are you sure that you want to leave Kirara with me while you are away?" The
Miko asked.
"Yes. Kirara will stay here. Goodbye Kirara, I'll see you later. Be a good girl,
okay?" Kirara just mewed softly. Sango knew that she understood. "Goodbye Myoga
as well." she said goodbye to the flea that was doubtless perched in Kirara's
fur. She left without another word. It would make the parting harder on both her
and Kirara.
*The Next Day- Leaving*
"Goodbye Kohaku. Come back safely." Nari was sad that she couldn't travel with
them, but they had to go by themselves. She gave him a lingering kiss on the
cheek, but he opted for a deeper one on her lips. He then blushed at his
forwardness. She just smiled. "Be careful. Watch out for his tricks. Believe
nothing you see, not even the ground or air. He can fool everything except your
heart. Eyes, nose, tounge, ears, hands, nothing always works. Trust your heart
and come back to me." Kohaku nodded.
"I will return. I shall always be near you. Dream of me, and pray for my quick
return. I shall not die until I have seen your face once more." Kohkau kissed her
again, but then they had to leave. Nari stood there and watched them go. She
didn't shed a tear. As the sun set she entered her house, her eyes were dry.
Later though, loud sobs could be heard from her room.
*On the Trail*
"Kohaku, are you okay? You should eat." Sango offered some Ramen to Kohaku, but
he didn't pick up the bowl. He had been like that since they had left the Miko's
house. He was worried about how slim the possibility of returning seemed. He
recalled his last conversation with the Miko:
"Be on your guard. You won't share lifespan until you have defeated the evil.
If you die in battle, you stay dead. Stay alive. Stay well, and tell this to
the others." she had said. He had immediantly gone and told the others of what
he had heard. They were worried as well. He just sighed and ate a little of the
Ramen, giving most of it to Shippo. He couldn't wait until he got this over with,
and got back home to his Nari.
"Kohaku? Would you like to learn about the elements? Their strengths and
weaknesses?" Kagome tried to cheer him up. Kohaku nodded. It might take his
mind off Nari.
*At the Miko's house*
"Sure is quiet tonight." Eray said. She was once more on guard duty.
"Yup. Has been since the young lord left and the young lady stopped crying."
Mysuki-the other guard- said.
"Yes. I almost wish- What is that?!" Eray screamed. A terrible force roiled
and writhed overhead. The sheer evil energy she felt knocked her out. She had
blacked out instantly, as did Mysuki. A small but protective barrier formed over
the two fallen guards. Guards were dropping everywhere as well as household staff.
Barriers were formed all over. Whatever wasn't covered was dying. The grass was
turning black and the wood in the house was rotting. The evil force kept searching
the house, looking for its target.
*Nari*
Nari was through crying. She was almost asleep when she felt a great stir of
energy. She threw up a barrier just in time to prevent the evil energy from
knocking her out, but it wrapped around, rendering her paralyzed. She was unable
to do anything but scream. Unfortunatly, no one could rescue her. Everyone else
was knocked out, except for the Miko, who was way on the other side of the house.
She was powerless as the energy took her into the sky and kidnapped her. She
passed over a campsite.
"Kohaku!" Nari yelled as loud as she could, but she couldn't be sure if she was
heard, or even if that was the right campsite. Too late now, they were already
passed it. Nari started crying once more. She knew where the energy was taking her.
She knew its master. She wasn't in the least surprised when it took her into a dark
castle. The castle was beautiful, and appeared white at first glance, but when you
looked close, it was black as night. It was made out of evil energy, and had more
traps then a forest. It was an inticate maze, and you met youkai every turn. It
was a deathtrap, many times worse then anything Naraku could cook up.
The energy went straight through the maze, almost like it did this everyday. It
deposited her in a throne room, chairs and floor just as black as the rest of the
castle. The person sitting in the chair stood up.
"It has been a while Nari. My how you've grown." The figure said.
"Yes it has been a while....... father."