InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ New Life ❯ Chapter 40 ( Chapter 40 )

The night she was born was a night of mystery and magic. Upon this night, a celestial anomaly happened. The full moon had been bright in the sky. Now with her mother going into labor, the moon began to slowly vanish into darkness. As it completely covered the moon, her cries rocked the small hut. After seconds, her cries became silent and she became watchful, brilliant green eyes watching. Her small patch of black hair was almost as dark as night. Both of her parents, members of their people's council stared down in awe. Upon her forehead rested a symbol that was said to contain the sign of one of great power. It was passed down only to those whom would change the world.

The next night, she was brought before the council. She had yet to be given a name yet. Worry filled them all. Finally, it was decided to bring a seer in. Upon the seer's entrance, she fell to her knees in agony as she pressed a clawed hand to her forehead. Her youki flared around her angrily. “She will bring great turmoil and fear. Be rid of this child this night before the sun rises lest your clan be shattered to the four winds.” In that moment, she fell unconscious.

The council floundered about for answers. Finally, her father spoke, albeit his voice was strained in agony. “I and my mate shall remove her to the wilds of the east. She shall be abandoned there to die.” They could not intentionally kill their own child. Immediately the council surged to life with angry voices. In that instant, her mother snatched her into her arms fearfully. Her father stood before the two of them. “Run my mate…”

As she fled the chamber, she heard the roars of battle begin. She managed to make it to the edge of the village before she was being chased. Tucking her child close to her body, she fled. Brambles tore at her skin as the shouts reached her ears. It was as the sun peeked that her body gave out. Tumbling to the ground, she gave a cry. “No!” She could hear her pursuers coming close. “Please… don't let them have her…” Her cry was lost to the falling darkness.

As the sun rose, a new scent appeared before her. Lifting her head, she caught sight of an old woman. She wasn't a normal human though. The woman's magic coursed through her blood. Her mother grimaced in agony. A witch. Glancing over her shoulder, she shuddered. It would be better for her daughter to go to the witch than the council. Looking back, she saw the old woman staring at her in fascination. “Please, save my daughter. She is a child of prophecy. Protect her please…” A coughing fit took her.

The old woman stared idly at the strange human before her. She appeared completely human and yet she could feel the youki within her aura. Dropping her gaze to the child, she hummed softly. A child of prophecy. If she was indeed one, she was born on the night that the full moon was hidden. Mentally she smirked. So that had been where that specific star had gone. Reaching down, she lifted the child into her arms. “A name woman?”

Her mother gave a weak smile. She could feel her life draining. “Thank you…” She gave another shuddering breath. “Midoriko…” After a moment, her breaths stilled. Turning from the body, she moved into the trees. She watched the woman's clan enter the clearing and grab the woman's body after checking the clearing. So, they wanted the babe. It was a shame they didn't know the qualities the child would possess.

Once they were gone, the old woman moved deeper into the trees. The child had been silent this whole time, simply watching. Coming to rest on a rock, the witch studied the child. “Midoriko.” The child's green eyes studied her. Already her hair had grown longer. Touching the child's cheeks, she studied her. Finally, she began to speak softly although it was more like a tune. “Flower gleam and glow. Let your power shine. Make the clock reverse; bring back what once was mine.” She watched the symbol on her forehead began to glow brightly as markings appeared on her face. She was appearing to look more like a youkai. “Heal what has been hurt. Change the fates design. Save what has been lost. Bring back what once was mine, what once was mine.” As she finished, the glow encompassed them both.

When it died, no longer was she an old woman. In her place sat a young woman, no older than 20. Inspecting her hands, a smirk appeared. “Midoriko… you shall become my child…” The child remained solemn. Rising, she moved off. She would enjoy her new little flower.

12 years later

The witch watched as her daughter moved through her katas. She had begun training the girl as soon as she was able to walk. She aged as a human would but somehow, she knew deep down that she would stop aging soon. Perhaps it was her race. Elemental youkai tended to do that after all. She had been training her with magic and physical fighting. She had progressed rapidly, and she found herself proud of her daughter.

“Midoriko.”

Instantly, said girl turned and rushed over. “Yes mother.”

“I have decided it is time to go out to the villages. It is time to share your gift with the humans.” Instantly, Midoriko's face lit up. They would randomly journey to villages to get supplies and such, but they never stayed long. “Gather your belongings.”

Midoriko ran inside their little hut and began to gather clothing and weapons. She placed her daggers on her body, hidden just in case and took her bow. She stared at it for a moment. Her mother had made the bow for her with her magic. It had once been a simple bow but now it no longer was. It was a divine bow now. Her mother had even made some arrows to go with it. It called the arrows back to her.

Rushing outside once she was finished, she waited patiently. Her mother still appeared to be that of a 20-year-old woman. She knew it was thanks to her special power. Looking up at her, she smiled. “I'm ready mother.” She watched her mother nod, pride etched into her eyes.

Weeks later, they had managed to enter most of the villages in the Eastern Territory. Human villages had begun to thrive after their arrival and their song. It was usually performed in the dead of night so that none would see the effects it had on Midoriko. They were about to cross over into the northern territories when they were attacked. They managed to win but not without injuries. Midoriko came out unscathed. Her mother however sustained a large wound in her side.

Midoriko set up camp quietly while her mother rested. Once everything was set, she settled by her mother. “Ready mother?” Her mother reached out but found nothing. Nodding her head, she leaned back. ““Flower gleam and glow. Let your power shine. Make the clock reverse; bring back what once was mine. Heal what has been hurt. Change the fates design. Save what has been lost. Bring back what once was mine, what once was mine.”

In the middle of the song, the witch's head shot up in fear and horror. She felt the massive amount of youki. It came from 4 youkai. They stood just outside their clearing. As the words died from Midoriko's lips, she couldn't see due to the bright light. She knew the others would be unable to see as well. She clutched Midoriko tightly to her. As the light died down, she shot to her feet, pushing Midoriko behind her. Raising a hand, she formed a barrier. Midoriko shuddered fearfully. “Mother?”

The witch watched as 4 dragons stepped out. They were watching Midoriko with greedy gazes. The witch lifted her chin. “You shall not touch her.”

The dragon's chuckled as one moved forward. “I am the Lord of these lands woman. You will hand the child over.”

Midoriko watched her mother fist her hands. She softly growled. She could feel others nearby, but they felt different. They felt more like herself. “Mother…”

“Hush child. Do not let them have you.” The dragons snarled angrily and dove forward. They bounced off the barrier but came at it again, slashing it. Midoriko let out a soft cry of fear. “Fight child.”

Midoriko set herself for battle. “Yes mother.” She pulled her bow immediately and strung an arrow.

The battle itself was brutal. Blood reigned supreme. Midoriko wavered on her feet by a tree. All but one of the dragons had been killed. She let out a cry as she watched him bury his claws in her mother's chest, pulling out her heart. “Mama!” She had nothing left to fight with except a single arrow. The bow had been broken. Darting forward in desperation, she threw herself at the dragon. In that moment, her power exploded from her body. The dragon was sent across the clearing, smoking. She dimly watched him get up as she slumped by her mother's body. “Mama…”

Her vision faded in and out. She was certain it was a dream. She saw other people enter the clearing and run the dragon off. She watched the strange people gather her mother's body. She thought she felt someone lift her body. She watched trees pass by. After what seemed like an eternity, she finally woke up.

Looking around, Midoriko frowned. Where was she? She was currently in a room. It looked amazing. It seemed as if wherever she was, it was rich. Moving from the bed, her gaze took in her surroundings. Suddenly the events of the fight shot through her mind with clarity. “Mama!” Almost instantly the door opened, and a strange man entered with a uniform on. He bowed.

“Miss, you are awake at last.”

“Where is my Mama?” Midoriko's hands were fisted. She reached for a dagger but couldn't find them.

The guard took note of her actions. “Your weapons are there on the table Miss.”

Peeking out of the corner of her eye, she did indeed see this. Keeping a wary eye on the guard, she moved to the table and grabbed her daggers hastily. She could still feel the faint magic of her mother on them. As her hand touched the bow, she turned hastily. Tears appeared in her eyes. It was broken. Lifting the pieces, she clutched them to her chest.

“Miss, I'm sorry we were unable to save her.”

Turning to look at the guard, she sniffed. “Where is my Mama?” He motioned for her to follow him. Moving forward without putting the pieces down, she followed him throughout the halls closely. Finally, they came to a stop before a large door. He opened the door.

Moving into the garden, Midoriko's eyes remained focused on the sight before her. Her mother rested on a stone with flowers around it. Moving next to it, she plucked one of them and laid them on her chest. “Goodbye Mama. I'm sorry I couldn't save you.” Closing her eyes, her chin dropped. She had failed her mother.

“Child.” The voice caused Midoriko to turn. It was an older woman. “Come, we will burn your mother tonight and you will take your place in the ranks of our trainees.”

Midoriko tilted her head in confusion. “Why?”

The old woman smiled. She didn't smell human though. She smelled like herself. “You are an Elemental child. Now come, it is time to prepare for her burning.” Midoriko took the woman's hand and glanced back over her shoulder until the garden doors shut.