InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Reversed ❯ Chapter 8: Departure, Saved, Death, Strange Things, Realization ( Chapter 8 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Disclaimer: I don't own the godforsaken show. Okay, maybe it's not godforsaken but I still don't own it.

Chapter 8: Departure, Saved, Death, Strange Things, Realization

The sun shone brightly in the clear blue sky. White, cotton candy, clouds drifted lazily across the heavens.

Resting against a tree of her village outskirt, the Taijiya started to awake, feeling much better than she was before she rested. Sure, the wound on her chest still hurt but it was now a dull throb. She looked towards her left then right, slowly starting to remember the worst day of her life. Rage welled up inside her, ready to explode like a bomb.

She had decided that she would leave her brother in the stranger's care then leave for the Western Lord. She withdrew herself from the dirt filled ground and proceeded to draw her katana.

She drew a deep breath and willed her arm to carve a message onto the tree trunk.

`Kohaku, I am leaving you in the man's care. Be good. I promise I will revenge our village.

Sango'

With the painstaking message taken care of, she sheathed her katana and made way towards Maze Forest.

Just as the girl disappeared within the horizon, Kohaku and Rilik opened their eyes, quietly slipping out of the world of dreams.

Kohaku hugged his knees as he, too, started to remember the worst day of his life, failing to notice that his sister was gone. Grief washed over him like waves of water, visions of the slaughter was still fresh in his mind like it was happening this very moment. He felt no rage, only sadness for his soul was too gentle.

Rilik stretched then stood up and saw the message that Sango had carved. He smiled an evil smile.

“Looks, like you'll be staying with me for a while, Kohaku,” informed Rilik as he helped Kohaku up to see his sister's message.

Tears started to stream down the young boy's face once more.

“No, she can't! She went after the Western Lord! Doesn't she see its suicide?! I don't want to lose her too!” he screamed.

What Rilik did next was incredible; he made comforting gestures and tried to comfort the young boy.

“Shhh, it's ok, you'll be fine. I'm taking care of you remember? Your sister will come back, I promise.”

Kohaku nodded in agreement then let Rilik guide him to where ever they're going.

`Kukukukukukukuku, one more person for me to manipulate.'

He searched and searched and searched the woods again, but he could not find the herb he was looking for, and that alone, made the monk more frustrated than ever.

“Damn it, Kayori needs this type of herb. If I can't find it Inuyasha will kill me and I'll die of major blood loss instead of guilt!”

He forced himself to calm down so he could retain a clear head. Thinking deep, he finally remembered that the ginseng was located in the mountains not too far away. He mentally kicked himself for not realizing this earlier and for being so flustered about not being able to find the herbs quickly enough, but this was not the time for guilt so he gathered all his equipments and made way towards the mountain summit.

As usual, lesser demons who did not know any better attacked the small road that he took to get to his destination. He nodded his head in impatience as well as the lesser demon's sheer idiocy.

With a wave of his holy staff as well as his fervor chanting, the demons were purified, leaving the path open to the monk. He quickly ran the short and narrow path to where the ginseng grew and gathered heaps of them into the basket strapped to his back.

Using all the speed he could muster, he ran all the way to the Western Castle's infirmary where he could mix the antidote.

Breathless and impatient, Miroku disregarded Inuyasha and immediately began the stressful task of formulating the antidote. Yet, through all his fatigue he noticed that Kayori was not in such a bad shape as he had left her three days ago, definitely a good sign.

“Hey, monk, are you done with the brewing yet,” barked Inuyasha.

“Please, Inuyasha, be quiet. It's almost done,” replied Miroku as he absently brushed his wide sleeve against his sweat filled forehead. “Just let it brew for five more minutes.”

Miroku added in the final ingredient into the cauldron then gracelessly sank down onto the floor out of exhaustion and fatigue.

“Hey, Inuyasha, do you think the antidote would work?”

“How the hell would I know? I mean, it should work.”

“Should?” ask Miroku questioningly.

“Yeah, when I was little Sesshoumaru injected some of his poison into me, but dad used that same formula to make an antidote for me so it should work, but it's been a long time so I'm not sure if I recited the right formula.”

“You're incredible,” was all the monk could say.

“Shut up, the potion's done, you idiot,” growled Inuyasha.

While Inuyasha growled out his rude command, Miroku was already emptying the cauldron's content into a clear vile and a porcelain jar. He sealed the porcelain jar and stored it away then took the clear vile towards Kayori. He pried her mouth open and began the tedious task of forcing the antidote down her throat.

Slowly but surely the liquid spread within her veins, killing off the poison as a dog would fend its territory. Her eyes opened then closed and opened again trying to adjust to the light after three days of darkness. When her vision cleared she saw Miroku's and Inuyasha's face right over hers. She flinched and had a look of horror etched across her face as she sprinted for the door in her night gown. She suddenly turned around with her hand over her heart.

“DON'T SCARE ME LIKE THAT! YOU KNOW HOW SCARY IT IS TO HAVE BOTH OF YOUR FACES BARELY INCHES FROM MINE!” screeched Kayori, panting.

Inuyasha released his hold on his ears, as did Miroku, and then yelled quite loudly, “WE WERE JUST WORRIED ABOUT YOU, GEEZ! Now get your uniform on so you can get back into the work force.”

Kayori obeyed with a few grumbles about rude lords and left for her room, but not before sticking her tongue out before Inuyasha and Miroku.

“We're always the bad guy no matter how hard we try to be good,” sighed Miroku as he went about organizing his infirmary.

“Yeah, we are, aren't we, or was it just you that's the bad guy? Well, I can care less, now that Rilik is taking care of the castle stuff for a week; I still have four days of freedom.”

Miroku shook his head in amazement as he watch Inuyasha hop down the hall, wondering how he had managed to keep the Western Lands in safe keeping from other lords who wish to take the Western Lands as their own.

“Perhaps other lords were too busy with other stuff,” entertained the monk.

On a small must past through road towards Maze Forest, action have taken place.

Spinning with her steel fan fully opened, Kagome slipped right between two bear youkai, slicing them to shreds through their torso. Two more demons came towards her in attack formation. Improvising easily, she channeled her miko energy towards both her palms and pressed it against her enemy's torso. They both turned to ash and scattered with the four winds. Seeing that no more demons were after her, she leapt on top of a nearby tree and observed her friend's fighting styles when all of a sudden her steal fan started to act weird…

On the other side of the battle field, Yue conjured a cat of nine tails made of freezing water. He latched the torturing device right on the junction of the neck and shoulder on his opponent then he casually gave the weapon a tug and the head was no longer attached to the demon's body. He repeated what he did until all his enemies were gone.

Yuki entered a series of feints while holding her two lightening Sais on reverse hold. Enjoying herself to full extent as she watched the slow moving bear demon try to rip off one of her limbs, she purposely slowed down a midge so they would think that they almost had her. Few moments later with her amusement sated, she retaliated instead of just dodging or feinting. Arms and legs moving in harmony with the correct footing and quick movements soon resulted to the bear demons' death.

Now that her shares of demons were finished, she wondered what she would do next. She eyed another batch of demons then eyed Yue. Light bulbs went on and she sprinted towards her brother.

“Aniki, aniki, lets use the duo technique on them,” begged Yuki excitedly as she pointed to the batch of demons she just saw.

Being in a playful mood himself, Yue readily accepted the idea. Yue's cat of nine tails and Yuki's lightening Sais disappeared and in their place appeared Chinese swords of ice and fire.

Yuki took hold of the ice sword while Yue wielded the other. Together they went through a series of identical movements and charged towards the demons. Right, left, and diagonal slashes were made on the demons' flesh as Yue and Yuki executed them through mirrored movements. They then dropped their swords and began to weave around the rest of their opponents, slipping in punches here and there in identical movements. After killing another five through sheer physical force, the two siblings found themselves surrounded by dead bodies

(AN: Think of how Lee and Mei Ling fought the twin card in this one scene in Card Captors)

“Ah, that was fun! I haven't used that style in ages,” exclaimed Yuki as she wiped blood stains off of her fist with her handkerchief.

“Even though I don't want to agree with you, I must. That fighting style is quite amusing to use,” stated Yue as he too started to wipe the blood off with a handkerchief from his pocket.

“Hey, I can see Kag-chan up in the tree. Let's join her,” suggested Yuki in a hyper mood.

Nodding in approval, Yue followed his sister.

Sesshoumaru continually manipulated his youki whip with expert skills as the bear demons just blindly charge against him. Feeling very bored at the moment, he let his whip vanish and resorted to using his bare claws instead. Though blood splashed all over him and especially his claws he was enjoying himself very much. Demon after demon fell under his claws until two remained. The taiyoukai decided to change tactics. He drew Tokijin from his side and smoothly decapitated the bears' head.

Sesshoumaru flicked the blood off of his sword then enacted his cleansing spell to clean his clothes as his eyes darted wildly trying to find where the rest of his group are. His eyes soon rested on the three forms concealed by the oak tree's leaves, and slowly walked over to them.

The three of them seemed to be discussing something but decided to end it when they spotted Sesshoumaru coming towards them. They casually dropped out of the tree and waited for the dog demon to come.

“What were you three talking about,” asked Sesshoumaru.

With eyes that spelled worry, Kagome took out her steel fan. The fan, instead of being blue, flickered between yellow, red, white, blue, and brown.

“W-what's wrong with it? Yue and Yuki won't tell me until you're here?” the miko asked in a quivering voice.

“It is just allowing you the knowledge that it posses elemental powers. You have nothing to worry about,” replied Sesshoumaru casually.

“Then why wasn't it like this before?”

“When you first received the weapon your storage of energy was only average, but by now, your storage should be double, perhaps even triple that amount. Since this weapon has special abilities that requires a certain amount of energy it will only show you what it can do once you reach its expectation.”

Kagome physically relaxed as she started to put her fan away.

“Will the flickering colors stop flickering any time soon?”

“It will soon enough. It will change colors depending on what corresponding elements you use,” explained Sesshoumaru.

“Now, if everything is fine we shall continue. Call Rin and we will leave.”

Kagome called for Rin and Ah-Un who was currently floating in the sky with Rin going on about how amazing they had fought in the battle. The dragon obediently landed on the ground and let Rin off their back.

“Oh, Kagome onee-san you did so great! Yue and Yuki and Sesshoumaru-sama did really good too!” commented the young girl. “Yuki onee-san's fork was so cool! Oh, and it looked like one person fighting when Yue onii-san and Yuki-onee-san fought together side by side!”

“Why thank you Rin, but were gonna start traveling soon again and I don't think Sesshoumaru-sama would want talking at the moment so be quiet, ok?” requested Kagome gently.

Rin nodded in agreement and smiled a gapped tooth smile. With that over, the crew of five continued down the road towards Maze Forest when suddenly Kagome remembered it was Friday.

“Hey, Sesshoumaru, today's Friday so I need to go home. My tank top is bloody and my sweats are full of mud. I also need to report back to mom so…yeah…I need your help,” requested Kagome rather boldly.

Constantly reminding himself not to overstep the bounds of being too reckless and feisty towards the girl in fear of his punishment, he agreed to her request. It may be against his will but he would much rather do this than become close up and personal with the ground, floor, or some other unthinkable materials. He step right behind the human spit fire then enacted his transition spell, appearing right in front of the Bone Eater's Well.

“I should be back tomorrow,” said Kagome with a cheery face then she jumped into the well. The familiar pink flash appeared and she was no where to be seen.

“Are you sure about this father? Do you think this will make the two confess and help explain what's happening here?” questioned Saia.

“I don't know, but it's sure worth a try. You have seen the future and to save it and history they need to love; at least unconsciously. Plus this will help explain some strange stuff that's happening at this moment. If its kill two bird with one stone then why not try it?” replied Seiji.

Saia sighed. She knew there would be no turning back. If it weren't for the Crescent Jewel she believed that the world will now be a very twisted place. Future will not be future, and past will not be past. Demons would roam both realms and the cosmic balance would be even more corrupted than it was. All this she had for seen if her daughter had refused to follow the dog demon in his important quest, though he was still thoroughly ignorant about how important it was.

However, Kagome had chosen to journey with the demon and both Saia and her father, Seiji, believed that the cosmic balance would be restored once Sesshoumaru had returned history to its original course. Yet, even the Crescent Jewel's power has its limits for her strength is weakening and so is her barrier.

Truly, she had wondered how Inuyasha had ever ascended to the royal throne. The throne was always destined to be his elder half brother, but she guessed fate was playing a cruel joke; letting a hanyou ruin what history books had written and destroying the balance. Finally, to fix the mistake, her daughter and the one destined to be Lord must at last venture out to correct what was wrong.

She nodded her head as she prepared for her father's plan, wondering how she had ever agreed to this ridiculous idea.

“Would you hurry up? My precious granddaughter is about to arrive and if we don't have this set up our ploy will be in ruins!”

“Hai, hai, calm down. I'm on it.”

Saia quickly set up a funeral table, decorated the house with death colors of black and white streamers, made Souta put on mourning clothes then placed the coffin right in front of the funeral table.

“Ok, dad when you hear Kagome's footsteps climb into the coffin quickly,” commanded Saia.

“I devised this plan, Saia; you would think I'd know my part well!”

“Then get in!” cried Saia.

Seiji glared a death glare at his daughter for a few seconds then proceeded to climb into the coffin. Saia closed the elegantly decorated coffin lid then called Souta over. They both knelt before the coffin with very mournful looks just as Kagome entered the living room where the coffin was placed.

“Mom, I'm home!” she called enthusiastically.

It took her a minute to address the sight in front of her. She saw the coffin and noticed that her grandfather was no where around. She cried for her grandfather several times with no reply. Putting pieces of the puzzle together, she sank down to the floor gracelessly, entering the world of denial.

“Please don't tell me that that person in the coffin is grandpa, mom,” she begged.

Saia rose, gently drying her eyes with her sleeves, “I'm afraid you're right, Kagome”

Kagome tried to suppress her tears, but the liquid would not obey her and hot tears slid down her smooth face. She sniffed then asked if her grandfather died of natural cause, disease, or murder, and if it was murder.

She sniffed again, “If it was murder, who was the one that did it?”

Saia was reluctant but she told Kagome for her daughter has a right to know. “It was…murder…by demons. I don't know why demons are here but it was and they killed my father!” screamed Saia rather dramatically.

It took a minute for Saia's words to sink into Kagome's mind but it did, and for a moment Kagome was shocked rather than grieved.

“Wha, how, how are demons in the modern era? It's impossible!” screamed Kagome as she slipped into confusion.

Saia decided to leave now with Souta and change out of the white robes. She thought about letting her father out of the coffin while Kagome was still moping, but decided against it because it was a dangerous act. When Saia finished changing and went downstairs with a grieved face on, she confronted Kagome again.

Kagome lifted her tear streaked face. “No! I won't believe that grandpa is dead!”

Saia tried her hardest and managed to squeeze out a tear or two, “Honey, all life forms must die during some point of their life. It's just that father's was a bit earlier that's all,” sniffed Saia as she watch Kagome's tears refresh themselves. “Kagome, please don't cry.”

“Mom, I know you know why demons were here so tell me so I can fix it so no more innocent people will die!” choked the girl.

Deciding to add some dramatic effect, Saia stood up then turned around before she gave her reply. “It's because the Crescent Jewel is weakening. For fifty years she has been keeping the cosmic balance, but every second she holds the balance she weakens. Now she is completely exhausted and her hold is slowly ebbing away. That's why demons from the feudal era were here and if you go back, I believe some modern era objects would be there,” confessed Saia seriously.

Kagome wiped her tears and got up. “Then I will restore it so no more lives will be taken, but how do I do it, mother?” pleaded Kagome.

Saia took a deep breath. “What you and Sesshoumaru are doing now is to overthrow Inuyasha, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then all you have to do is overthrow Inuyasha successfully. He wasn't recorded in history that's why the balance has been corrupted is as short as I can put it for you.”

“Then I will help overthrow him!” cried Kagome.

Saia stifled a genuine tear as she realized her daughter may never come back to her ever again. Kagome began to walk up to her room with her pack when her mother suddenly stopped her.

“Kagome, hurry up and wash up then come down for dinner, ok? I'll pack all your stuff for you. I assume you won't be back until Inuyasha is overthrown so I'll pack extra,” stated Saia.

“Alright, mom,” was all Kagome could let out of her throat. She was feeling anger, fear, pain, and loneliness all at once and it made her feel nauseated. Each step she took was weighted by her overwhelming grief for her grandfather making it heavier than the next. By the time she reached her room for her pajamas, she collapsed right on the bed. Yet she willed herself to be strong. She gathered her sleepwear and proceeded to the bathroom for a refreshing shower.

Downstairs…………………… ;…………………………..

Seji jumped out of the casket rather angrily and stalked right pass Souta and behind Saia.

“HOW COULD YOU, MY DAUGHTER, LEAVE ME IN THAT SMELLY, OLD, DARK, AND DANK CASKET FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF? DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT IS FOR AN OLD MAN WITH ARTHRITIS LIKE ME TO LAY THERE UNCOMFORTABLY FOR THAT LONG?” ranted Seiji.

Sweat drops appeared all over Saia's face as she tried to squirm her way out of her father's wrath.

“Father…pl…please calm down. Kagome will hear you.”

Seiji seemed not to care as he continued. “I DON'T CARE! HOW COULD YOU KEEP AN OLD MAN IN THE COFFIN FOR SUCH A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, SAIA?”

Saia really wondered what her options were at the moment. She thought for a few seconds then decided that she will ignore her father for now. She'll deal with him later when Kagome was back at the feudal era. Saia continued making dinner as Seiji went on and on and on about being stuck in the coffin.

An hour later…………

“Father, please, either you return to the casket or stay over a friend's house. You really can't risk letting Kagome see you!”

Seiji pouted for a little while longer then decided to stay over his old friend's house for as long as he needed to. Before Seiji could even take a step, foot steps were heard coming down the stairs.

“Hurry and leave father!” whispered Saia frantically as he pushed Seiji out the door and closed it with a soft thud.

“What a nice way to treat your own father,” sulked Seiji sarcastically.

Saia quickly erased her panicked expression and put on one of concern. “Kagome, dear, would you eat something while I pack your things? I made you your favorite meal.”

“Um, I guess,” replied Kagome a bit depressed as she sat down in front of the wooden dinner table.

Saia placed the sushi and fried fish in front of Kagome then swiftly left the room for Kagome's room to pack for Kagome. After finishing most of her meal, Kagome trudged up the stairs for rest. She has been through an ordeal today and her heart as well as body ached like a thousand kunais were sent through them. Her foot still felt heavy but willed herself to be strong. She told herself over and over again that grandpa wouldn't want her to be what she is now. She made it to her room just in time to see that her mother finished packing for her.

“Come on dear, it's late, you need rest,” said Saia softly, gently.

Kagome nodded her head in agreement then climbed into the inviting bed. Saia smiled at the sight then left the room.

“You're quieter than usual. More ruthless as well,” analyzed Yue as he wiped his bloodied hands on the grass.

Lower level demon carcasses lie scattered all over the lush green grass. Blood gleamed under the shine of the crescent moon. The faces that belonged to the mutilated bodies spoke of horror when faced against death's door. The river ran deep red with blood.

“I'm just as I am normally. Not as you said. Where is Yuki?”

Yue shook his head in pure frustration in trying to let his friend know how he, himself was feeling. “Can you not just listen to me? I know who you are better than you know yourself you stubborn fool! It is time to get your feelings straight! First, you like Kagome! It's in your action, your eyes, and your heart! I can see it in you like I can read an open book even though you keep your facial expression stoic!”

“Second, you are acting a bit too much like Inuyasha to be your true self! You act without thinking some things through completely! You've become a bit too reckless! Your self control has become a bit lax! Have you changed that much since being sealed by that human miko fifty years ago?” screamed Yue rather disrespectfully.

Sesshoumaru stood there under the stars completely emotionless. Blood stained his elegant kimono as his claws were dripping with crimson red fluid. Whatever he said next surprised his companion.

“You're right. I do like Kagome. I have been rather like my half brother in behavior.”

He laughed. He laughed a beautiful and chiming laugh. He settled down and finally, for once let his expression show. It was one of depression, one that misses a loved one.

“Perhaps you were right. I am weakening am I not? I am regaining my strength in the areas that I have weakened in. However, my heart is melting. I can feel it even though I deny it, but I can deny it no longer. That human girl is melting me. I cannot help that I am falling into her web, Yue.”

By this time the two of them were leaning against a tree.

Yue smiled. “You have surprised me. You opened yourself up to me. I never thought that you would.”

“As you have said, I am changed.”

Yue stared at his friend for a few moments.

“You miss her. Even though she has been gone for one day, you already started to miss her.”

“Yes.”

They closed their eyes. Just then, Yuki came bounding down the road from the nearby spring with Rin and Ah-Un beside her, she carefully hid Rin's eyes from seeing all the dead bodies.

“So we're resting here tonight, huh?” questioned Yuki as she arrived near the tree.

“Yes,” responded Sesshoumaru.

A big smile appeared across Yuki's always cheerful face.

“We better hurry then, there's only five or six hours before Kagome comes back!”

Everyone slept, even the sleepless demons, for they were eager to let the night pass, and so it did. As usual, Sesshoumaru went for Kagome, but not before enacting his cleaning spell on his bloody kimono. He left with an eager expression and shinning eyes, but the look of Kagome when he saw her was not what he imagined. Her looks seemed to have aged since the last time he saw her and her face spelled sorrow and depression. His heart tugged and nagged at him to comfort her.

“What happened?” asked the dog demon as he helped her over the well edge.

Kagome said nothing. She just stared at him. Then all of a suddenly she dropped her tremendous yellow pack and wrapped her arms around Sesshoumaru in a desperate hug despite the spikes on his armor. He didn't know how to react all of a sudden so he said nothing and used one hand to hug her while the other petted her head in a comfort motion.

Sesshoumaru asked again what happened except in a lower gentler tone. Kagome explained to him and all her restrained tears flowed out of her already puffy eyes. Sesshoumaru stood there holding her, comforting her. Though unfamiliar with these feelings and gestures he was using to comfort the girl, he nonetheless used it.

“I swear, Sesshoumaru, I will take revenge on Inuyasha,” stated Kagome firmly after she had calmed down.

Sesshoumaru nodded then transported them back to where he left the group. Kagome put on a happy face through much pain before anyone could see her sorrow. She ushered everyone to continue their journey, and just then she noticed there were small factories in certain villages. Not only did she notice but Sesshoumaru, Yuki, and Yue as well. They questioned her.

“They're factories; they're not supposed to be here. Those buildings are from the future not the feudal era,” she explained, as much to them as to herself. “So what mother said was true. The Crescent Jewel is weakening and the cosmic balance is in ruins.”

“Kagome, what are you talking about,” questioned Yuki.

“You see, Inuyasha was not the one who was supposed to be the Western Lord, Sesshoumaru was. At least according to history books, but now Inuyasha is the Western Lord so the cosmic balance is corrupted because of that. The only reason that the future and past has not mixed is because the Crescent Jewel has been forcing the balance, but now she's weakening and she cannot hold onto the balance anymore. Therefore, we have to seize the throne as soon as possible or else we won't have a place to call home,” explained Kagome urgently.

“Then we must quicken our pace,” said Sesshoumaru as he started to walk off towards the West.

The rest followed him, and so did a certain demon slayer who had just happened to overhear the entire conversation.

AN: -raises hand to stop incoming tomatoes, eggs, tofu, and other unrecognizable materials- I am sorry for this chapter's late coming. I know I promised this chapter around Christmas, but hey, I didn't get to finish it so I couldn't post it, but at least the length should be satisfying. [Almost five thousand words which is very good in my standards] -_- Yes, Sesshoumaru is out of wack so you can flame me all you want concerning that problem. Anyway, I sincerely apologize for this late chapter. Midterms for me are coming up so the next chapter may come even later than this one so brace yourselves. What am I say? I should say brace myself. Anyhow, move your mouse to the cute little purple button at the bottom left hand corner and leave a compliment, critique, or flame. All is welcome.