InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Seasons of Change ❯ Down the Rabbit Hole....Again (Part 2) ( Chapter 2 )

****Hey this is eternalromantic again!! This is the revision of the second chapter. As I said in the first chapter I did not like what I saw and I needed to tweak it a little bit and will be doing so with the next chapter as well. I hope everyone liked the first chapter so may I now present the second chapter of Seasons of Change, and the second part of Down the Rabbit Hole Again. I hope you guys enjoy it. It's a very sad chapter. Please review and tell me what you think. Again enjoy and thanks!

 

 

 

Seasons of Change
Inuyasha: A Feudal Fairy tale

 

 

 

Chapter Two: Down the Rabbit Hole...Again (Part 2)

 

 

 

Time….. It was all Mineko had as she paced to and fro, silently making a rather large hole, while waiting for her parents to come back from their battle with Naraku. Time was not on her side. The more time that had passed, the more anxious and nervous Mineko became. When she was younger, Mineko loved time. How it flowed carelessly from one day to the next. She marveled at how when she got into trouble how time seemed to slow to the pace of sloth but when she was having the time of her life training with her father, it seemed to go by in a instant. Time was her enemy and her friend, yet her mother had taught her to respect the flow of it, being from the future and all but now that her parent's very lives were at stake; how she hated it...with a passion. Mineko stopped pacing for a moment and sat back down on the stool she preoccupied earlier, in a huff. This was ridiculous she thought bitterly. Her father was the strongest demon around with the all powerful Tessaiga at his side and her mother was the great Shrine Priestess from the Future, the reincarnation of the Kikyo herself, and protector of the Shikon no Tama, truly this demon, Naraku, didn't have a change right? Mineko thought so but the same terrified looks her parent's shared kept playing with her mind. What if her parents weren't strong enough? Mineko sighed as she argued with herself over and over at the possibilities of the outcome of her parent's battle. She couldn't understand why it was taking so long! Mineko stood again abruptly, angry with herself and at the situation. It was impossible. She wanted to help so badly but she could never leave her little brother and sister alone. Mineko ran a hand through her silver hair exasperatedly. She stole at a glance at her sister and brother who were sitting quietly next to Mamoru and Taisho. They all looked morosely at the ground in front of them not wanting to speak.

 

 

It was so quiet Mineko could hear the faint sound of crickets in the grass nearby. A stab of guilt tore through her heart. She was supposed to be strong for them and here she was making a hole in Mamoru and Taisho's yard with her frustrating pacing.

 

 

Mineko frowned at herself and slowly walked over to the four children, none of them looking up. She squatted and put a reassuring hand on Asami's small, thin shoulder. She looked up hesitantly at big sister, her big brown eyes red and puffy from crying. She looked tired. This was too much for the little 5 year old girl. Mineko's heart ached at the sight and she tried smiling at her. It did nothing to lift Asami's solemn mood. Mineko reached out her hands and carefully picked up the little girl, who was still in her cross legged position and set her down on her lap. Mineko could feel Asami squirming to get comfortable and when she did, Mineko heard a soft sigh which made her wrap her arms around the little girl. She found herself kissing her head and humming an old lullaby that their mother used to sing when she was afraid of thunderstorms. Shinto leaned into Mineko and laid his head on her shoulder quietly listening to Mineko. Taisho followed Shinto's suit and laid his head on Mineko's free shoulder. He brought his knees up to his chest and wrapped his thin, little arms around them. Mineko looked at Mamoru and winked at him as he smiled softly back, knowing that she to was there for him. All four of them grew up together and considered each other apart of the family since their parents were so close. Mineko looked back at Asami who moved a little as she craned her neck upward to look Mineko in the face.

 

 

"When is mummy and daddy coming home?" The small child asked innocently. Mineko winced. She knew this question was going to be brought up and she had spent the better half of 20 minutes arguing with her self about what she as going to say. Mineko sighed heavily to herself and tightened the grip around Asami. She could feel all three boy's eyes glued to her face as they waited for Asami's answer. She knew she couldn't reveal how scared she was. How she had no idea what was going on or even if they were still alive; any of them. Mineko shuddered at the terrifying thought and let it pass through her. No, she had to be positive. Mineko was the adult in the situation and therefore she had to act like one, even if it meant telling a little lie. She looked back down at a wide-eyed Asami and smiled lovingly. That always seemed to help.

 

 

"You know what? I bet that all of our parents are on their way home right now. Yep...they kicked that demon's butt and they are on their way back to us. Don't worry Asami. You have to have hope; hope that they are all right and coming home OK?" Asami smiled brightly and nodded her head quickly accepting Mineko's answer, then settled back down into her comfortable position. Mineko swallowed hard as she fought back the tears. She hated lying and she so desperately wanted to have hope like she had just preached about but as time went by, Mineko could not get rid of the strong sense of foreboding deep within herself. Her miko powers were trying to tell her something but she couldn't quit figure it out, whether it was bad or good, she had no idea. She closed her eyes and sensed the surrounding area for any demonic auras that she should know about, and to her relief felt none. Yes, she had to have hope and faith in her parents. Mineko looked down and noticed that Asami had fallen asleep. Good she thought. The little girl needed it badly. Mineko stole a glance at Shinto and the other boys who were also asleep, snoring softly. She leaned against the tree at her back and closed her tired, weary-some eyes. Maybe sleep would do her as well as her nerves some good.

 

Mineko stirred a little as her ears perked up as they picked up the faint sound of soft footfall heading fast in their direction. Her eyes snapped open in surprise as her nose picked up the smell of blood. Miroku's blood. Terror began to course through her as she quickly stood placing Asami next to her brother, who was gently rubbing her tired eyes. She stood in front of the four half asleep children and placed her hand on the hilt of Musashi, her katana. Her stomach started to do flips as the smell of Miroku's blood became stronger. It nauseated the hell out of her and she struggled to keep from hurling from the smell. Mineko's ears twitched about as she heard the children behind her start to fully awaken and stand behind her. Shinto grabbed her arm and she nearly jumped out of her skin from the surprise shock. Her heart was beating a million miles per hour and she turned and looked at her little brother.

 

 

"Onee-chan...I smell blood..." Shinto whispered softly enough so that the other three could not hear him. She silently thanked him for his discretion for if Asami would have heard him all hell would have broken loose. Mineko nodded at him and fear flashed across his face at Mineko's confirmation. Her heart leapt out to him. He was only nine. Mineko turned her focus back on the direction of Miroku as Shinto slipped behind her and joined the others, taking Asami's hand with in his own. Finally, after what seemed like hours, Miroku came into view as he stumbled through the doors of his hut towards her and the children. Mamoru and Taisho gasped loudly and quickly ran to their father. Mineko took her hand off of Musashi as she glanced around in all directions making sure no one had followed him and then slowly walked towards Miroku who had fallen to one knee and was being supported by his sons.

 

They were both asking him a million different questions at the same time but he continued to stare at Mineko. Mineko's ear twitched annoyingly from look he was giving her, which she deciphered as being not good. Miroku finally regained his breath and weakly stood up, using his staff for support. Mineko sniffed the air and could tell he was injured but not to great. He would be ok. She thanked Kami for his safe return. Miroku looked down at his boys and sent them off to get water and towels so he could clean his wounds then looked back at Mineko, with a very somber face. Mineko's heart lurched in fear of what he was going to say.

 

 

"We need to talk Mineko...alone." Those few simple words had Mineko's heart plummet like a huge boulder falling from a cliff. Her stomach had butterflies as all the possibilities of what he was going to tell her raced through her mind. She nodded meekly, and then turned to Asami and Shinto.

 

 

"Could you two go inside and make some food for Miroku. I'm sure he's very hungry after the long battle." Mineko suggested hoping that they wouldn't question her or figure it out but the look in Shinto's eyes said otherwise. While Asami vigorously shook her head yes in response, Shinto stared at her knowing that Miroku wasn't hungry, his sister just needed an excuse to get them away for the time being. Mineko looked at Shinto sadly, silently pleading him to understand. He finally nodded then took Asami by the hand into Miroku's hut. Mineko sighed once again and then looked back at Miroku, ready for his news. She dare not ask the question but it slipped out of her before she had time to catch herself.

"Where are my parents, Miroku?" Mineko didn't even recognize her own voice as the words left her mouth. She saw Miroku stiffen and then look away sadly. Mineko could have shaken him to death; the urge was so great to hear the news about her parents. Her heart sped up and she felt as if was about to burst out of her chest. She wanted to know so badly but at the same time she was terrified to know the outcome of the battle. Just Miroku being here instead of one or both of her parents, was a very bad sign. Mineko gulped and found it hard since her throat extremely dry.

 

 

"Miroku...please. I need to know." Miroku faced her again, this time with tears brimming in his own eyes and that was it. The confirmation that one or both of her parents was dead. Miroku never cried. Ever. Mineko grasped a nearby whicker chair for support as her legs lost their strength. This could not be happening. It just couldn't. Hot tears slowly started to well up in her hazel eyes as she finally got the courage to look at Miroku, who was giving her the most sympathetic look she had ever seen in her life. "No...no...oh Kami...no" Mineko whispered to herself as the pain building up inside of her was becoming unbearable. Miroku stepped forward but Mineko held out a hand in protest. She did not want to be touched or comforted. She wanted answers and she wanted them now. Mineko bit her lip so she could try to regain some of her control. She wanted to, no needed to know who...and what had happened.

 

“Miroku...what happened?" Mineko barely managed to get out and Miroku sighed heavily, giving her a look of defeat. Mineko's heart fell again. This was it and she did not know if she had the strength to take it.

 

 

"Almost twenty years ago your parents, Sango, Shippo, and I had finally defeated a hanyou by the name of Naraku. He was born of a bandit named Onigumo who in return for becoming a powerful youkai, let the demons eat his flesh. He's a shape shifter and very powerful, Mineko. You have to understand that for 3 years we had tracked him, battled him but never killed him until that day. We were able to get his part of sacred jewel and Kagome recreated the Shikon no Tama yet to purify the jewel or otherwise ultimately destroy it, you have to make a completely selfless wish, which at the time none of us had. We all wanted something so instead of purifying it your mother became the priestess that you know now and protected it; life went on. Apparently, the Naraku we fought today...is from the past, exactly 19 years before you were born...before any of us were even married to each other. Somehow he gained the knowledge that he was going to be destroyed and went through the well to the future to get Kagome's completed Shikon no Tama. He took us by surprise, Mineko. You must understand. Sango and I are human and we age as such. We haven't fought a demon like Naraku in twenty years...the same went for your parents, who even though by Kagome's magic and Inuyasha's blood they age differently but they were both not ready for such a tough fight" Miroku choked out the last words as the fresh memories of the battle came and overwhelmed him; tears were free-falling from Mineko, as she desperately tried to keep her cool. She had to hear all of it...every detail. She clenched her teeth in frustration and balled her fists. Her youkai blood was calling out to her; for revenge. She was going to make this bastard, Naraku, wish he never was born. White hot anger started to course through her veins as she slowly started to allow herself to feel the fool brunt of her youkai blood take affect. Miroku finally regained his composure and wiped his tears away; he finally swallowed hard and said the words that Mineko had been dreading all evening; the words that would break her heart.

 

 

"I'm sorry Mineko...so very sorry. We tried everything we knew...but it wasn't enough. Not nearly enough." Miroku's voice cracked again as he stared down at the ground trying to find the right words to tell her. Mineko was going to strangle the answers she wanted from him very soon if he didn't tell her now. Miroku looked up tears running down his cheeks, his face torn in agony.

 

“He killed Kagome...Naraku killed your mother, Mineko. Kami...I am sorry. We tried to stop him but he over powered us. He struck her down...and took the jewel from her." Mineko thought she had heard her heart break when she heard Miroku tell her the story of her beloved mother's premature demise. She shook her head not believing him. She couldn't believe him. Her mother couldn't die! She was a powerful priestess...she was the most caring and gentle person Mineko knew. How could anybody hurt her? No...No, she couldn't be gone. Miroku must be lying. Mineko felt her knees give away as her gravity plummeted her to the ground. Miroku quickly knelt down on one knee and grabbed her shoulders for support as he let the information he had just said tear through her. Mineko felt so sick, sick enough to hurl. She looked up at Miroku hot tears streaming down her face as she looked into his eyes looking for any sign that he was lying, any sign that her mother was still alive, but found none. Her mother was gone; killed by some bastard from the past all because of that damned Shikon no Tama. Mineko let the sobs rip through her body as Miroku crushed her into a sympathetic hug. She never was one to show any kind of emotion, especially sadness but the tears kept coming and the hurt never went away. Mineko clung to him almost desperately sobbing into his neck.

 

 

"No...No...Please...mama. Please...Kami...NO!" Mineko cried and Miroku did his best to console her. Finally after what seemed like days to Mineko, the tears started to subside and her sobs became more silent. Her heart hurt so much. She had no idea how she was going to tell Shinto or Asami about the death of their beloved mother. Miroku pulled away from her and took her hand helping her back up. Mineko grasped the chair again for support and swallowed hard, looking up at his sad face. Now she needed to know about her father. Mineko had no idea if he was alive or not. "Miroku...what of my father...does he live?" She asked looking away as the tears threatened to fall again. Mineko could not bear to look at his face again as he told her another parent of hers was dead. Dead...Mineko couldn't even bring herself to say the word. She heard Miroku sigh and touch her hand; in what she was guessing was out of comfort.

 

 

"He lives Mineko." Those three simple words made Mineko whip her head back at Miroku, her eyes wide in disbelief and shock. Her heart soared that at least one of her parents was still alive, for Shinto's and Asami's sake. "He's in terrible condition though, Mineko. We don't know if he's going to make it. After Inuyasha witnessed Naraku kill your...after he witnessed what had happened Inuyasha went crazy and attacked Naraku...of course with the jewel in his grasp, he was much more stronger. Inuyasha was injured greatly and now lays unconscious in Kaede's hut. Sango and Kaede are both tending to his wounds. I don't know if he's going to make it, Mineko...I'm sorry." Mineko looked away angrily as Miroku told him the story. So her father had witnessed her mother's death and went berserk. Poor papa, Mineko thought sadly. Naraku had ripped her family apart. He killed her mother in front of her father and then badly injured him. Mineko was disgusted beyond belief that anybody could be so evil. She was going to make him pay, if it was the last thing she did. She wanted to watch the life leave his body as she took her revenge. Mineko balled her fists in frustration; she had to see them first. Mineko looked back up at Miroku as she tried to pull herself together.

 

"Thank you for telling me everything Miroku...please watch Asami and Shinto for me. I..." Mineko looked away and stared up at the bright blue sky. It started out to be such a perfect day. How did it go so wrong she thought to her self? She looked back at Miroku, grief plastered all over her face. “I have to see them...please, watch them. I'll be back soon." Miroku nodded silently, understanding what she meant and then watched her sprint off towards Kaede's hut. Miroku closed his eyes and whispered a prayer for Kagome's soul and Mineko's heart. They both needed it. He then turned around and walked back inside his hut so that he could take care of his own wounds.

 

Mineko sprinted as fast as her legs could carry her. The wind felt good on her face and dried her tears on her cheeks. She felt so empty and at the same time apart of her did not want to acknowledge anything he said. She so desperately wanted to wake up from this horrible nightmare and see her brother and sister fighting over food at breakfast, while her mother cooked and her father tried to pry apart her siblings, just like every morning. Mineko closed her eyes and fresh tears stung her eyes. She shook her head trying to regain her composure. She had too much to do...grieving could wait. Mineko slowly came to slow walk as she walked up the stone stairs towards the entrance of Kaede's hut at the top of a small hill. She stopped suddenly in front of the straw flap, not wanting to go in. She could smell her mother and father inside, as well as Kaede and Sango. Mineko sniffed again and smelt fresh tears. Sango was crying. Mineko immediately choked up. Besides her father, Sango was the strongest person she knew and her mother and she were best friends, almost sisters. She balled her fists again, as her youkai blood began to boil in outrage. How dare Naraku do this to her family! Mineko thought bitterly. She bit her lip as she tried to calm herself down. This was going to be one of the hardest things she ever had to do and Mineko knew she needed her wits. Sighing heavily, she peeled back the flap and entered the hut, blood and death instantly hitting her like a wall. Mineko gasped and grabbed the door frame for support. The smell was so strong she felt as if her stomach was in her throat and Mineko fought the urge to vomit. She heard Sango whisper her name and she opened her eyes looked at her. She was bruised, scratched and bleeding but it wasn't her battered body that bothered Mineko but the expression Sango wore. If she had a mirror Mineko swore it probably looked identical to her own. Despair and emptiness was written all over Sango's usually beautiful face. She had lost her best friend; watched her die in front of her very eyes. Sango shot her a sympathetic look as Mineko's eyes wandered to the body of a beautiful priestess that lay behind her. Her mother lay perfectly still with a blanket pulled up to her neck. A sob escaped her lips as her eyes instantly watered at the broken form of her mother. Mineko looked away and her hazel eyes fell on her father whose body looked so tattered and beaten. Sango was washing away blood while Kaede was stitching him up. Mineko choked up again at the sight of her strong, powerful father laying there close to death, his body broken with his dead wife laying a few feet away. The sight was almost too much for Mineko to bear. She could feel herself close to a meltdown but her mission kept her sane. Mineko gathered her last vestiges of courage and slowly made her way over to her mother. She looked so peaceful it was hard to imagine that she wasn't actually there. With tears running down her face, Mineko kneeled down and took her mother's ice cold hand in her own, staring at her face.

 

 

"I...I can't believe you're gone..." Mineko whispered and then wiped her tears away. She looked up at the ceiling and closed her eyes, trying to find the words she wanted to say and the courage to say it.

 

 

"Mom...I'm sorry...Kami I am so sorry..." Mineko placed her cheek on her mother's hand and let the tears flow and the sobs leave her. Her ears could pick of Sango sobbing nearby but didn't care. Mineko never thought in a million years she would have to say goodbye to her mother so soon in life. This wasn't her time. She was still so young. Her life was stolen from her. Mineko sniffled and opened her eyes. This was all Naraku's doing; everything. He took her mother away and almost killed her father. No, Naraku was going to pay...with his life. Mineko looked at her mother's face again, wiped away her tears and touched her mother's face with her free hand as she finally made her decision. She would go to the past and kill Naraku, take the Shikon no Tama, and wish everything right. It was the only thing she could do; it was her only ray of hope.

 

 

"Don't worry Mama. I will find a way to bring you back. I'll save you and Daddy. I will destroy Naraku and wish you back. I will save you...Mama. I promise." Mineko kissed her mother's hand and laid it back under the blanket, then leaned over and kissed her forehead whispering I love you. She stood abruptly, not caring that Sango was watching her with an incredulously expression on her face. Mineko grabbed her mother's bow and quiver of arrows that sat next to her mother and threw them on her back. Sango stood quickly and rushed towards Mineko as she turned to leave the hut.

 

 

"Mineko wait!" Sango shouted making Mineko stop in tracks in front of the straw flap. She didn't turn around and already knew what Sango was going to say. "Wha...what are you doing, Mineko?! You can't go after Naraku! He's got the jewel and besides he went back to the past! Please, stay here! You can't possibly stop him!” Sango pleaded clenching her fists in frustration at the younger girl who she thought of as a daughter. Mineko turned around slightly and gave Sango a reassuring look.

 

 

"Watch me. Don't try to stop me, Sango. It won't do you any good...I'm going. I'm going to save them, no matter what the cost. Please take care of Daddy...and if he wakes up tell him I love him and I had to do this.” Mineko stated, turned and the bounded off towards Miroku's to say the last of her goodbyes. She could hear Sango yelling her name in the distance as she got further and further away. Mineko didn't have time to sit around and explain what she was going to do. She had to kill Naraku and save her parents and the sooner the better. She did feel a tad guilty about leaving Sango back there at Kaede's hut screaming her name in protest but Sango knew just as much as anybody that when Mineko set her mind to something there was no deterring her. Mineko started to feel a little better about the whole, sickening situation. There was a chance she could save her family and save her mother so of course Mineko was going to take it. It was a chance Mineko would do anything for. Naraku was going to die one way or another.

 

 

When she finally came reach Miroku's hut her highly sensitive ears picked up the sobbing of her brother and sister. Her heart broke at the mere sound of it. Miroku must have told them what had happened. She bit her lip and clenched her fist, fighting back the emotions as she walked into his hut. Immediately, Mineko was struck with the strong scent of fresh, salty tears. She barely had time to register what was going on around her when she heard a high pitch wail and then Asami flung her things arms around Mineko's waist, hugging her tightly. Violent sobs wracked the tiny girl's body as she cried into her big sister's stomach. Mineko swallowed hard and patted her head trying to soothe the grief stricken girl. She looked up to where Shinto was sitting, next to Miroku, tears streaming down his face. Mineko could tell he was trying to be brave for his little sister but it was just too much. She wanted desperately to stay and take care of them but it was not possible. She was going to fix this. Mineko looked back down at Asami who was still crying, knelt down at eye level with Asami, and made her look Mineko in the face.

 

 

"Ssshhh Asami...it's alright...I'm going to fix this, Asami. Don't cry everything will be alright." Mineko reassured the little girl and she heard the small gasp of surprised as it came out of both her younger siblings. Shinto stood and walked over to the pair, confusion plastered all over his face.

 

 

"What...what are you saying Mineko?" He asked confusion and fear written all over his face and Mineko grabbed bother their hands, holding them tight. Mineko smiled up at them lovingly.

 

 

"I am going to go back to the past and destroy Naraku. I will make him pay for what he did with his life and with the Shikon no Tama in my hands I will wish mom back and fix everything. You will see...everything will be alright. I promise. I don't want you to worry. I will save mama..." As she spoke to them both Shinto and Asami's eyes widened in surprise. Asami looked almost hopeful as she heard her older sister speak but Shinto look doubtful. His sister was leaving and all by herself.

 

 

"Can you really do it, Onee-chan? Naraku is a very powerful demon. I don't want to lose you too!" He exclaimed in a huff as tears threatened to spill from his golden eyes. Mineko grabbed both of them and smashed them into a hug. She felt so warm inside from Shinto's comment and it made her want to succeed in her mission even more.

 

 

"I swear to both of you...everything will be alright. I will be alright. I have to do this please understand." Mineko pulled away and held them at a distance, staring into both of their dirty, tear stained faces. She smiled widely at them. "Besides I won't be alone...mama and papa from the past, when they were my age, will be there. I will find them and together we will all destroy Naraku and bring back Mama. It will work. So please...don't worry and have faith in me. I will save them." Asami wiped her tears and nodded positively, a small smile creeping onto her face. Shinto sniffled and nodded as he grabbed Asami's hand as Mineko stood up. “Now you two please be good for Miroku and Sango, while I am gone." They both nodded in unison and Asami launched herself at Mineko again, hugging her tightly. She was terrified that her older sister was leaving her.

 

 

"Please come back soon Onee-chan." The little girl looked up from Mineko's stomach and smiled brightly believing in her older sister. Mineko nodded, bent down and kissed the little girl's forehead whispering “I will come back. I promise. I love you. Be good." She turned to Shinto who was putting on his brave face again and by the way his bottom lip quivered she could tell he was fighting the tears. Mineko grinned at him and quickly smashed him into a hug as well.

 

 

"Don't worry Shinto. I will be alright...but I need you to do something for me OK?" Mineko released him and squatted down to his level, looking him in the eye. "I need you to look over Asami. Your the man of house now, till Dad gets better or I come back. Please take care over her." Shinto smiled, nodded his head and took Asami's hand in his own giving it a good squeeze.

 

 

"Of course, Onee-chan. You will have nothing to worry about. "Mineko ruffled his hair and told him that she loved him as well. She stood and looked at Miroku who sat silently watching them. His face betrayed his disbelief but he was smart enough to keep his mouth shut, for the most part. He crossed his arms at her and looked at her pensively, wanting her to rethink her decision. Mineko groaned at loud as she waited for the 10 minute lecture she was about to receive yet again but none came. Miroku just shook his head and stood staring at her as if she was a small child in trouble.

 

 

"You know this mission of yours is going to be near impossible. Naraku has the jewel; his power has undoubtedly increased ten-fold." Mineko stood firm and nodded agreeing with him. She knew it was going to be hard but Mineko couldn't understand why everybody was against her plan. Sure it was a bit hasty but this was her family they were talking about. They deserved every chance to be happy and whole once again. Mineko stepped forward more determined than ever.

 

 

"I know...but I have to try Miroku. Trust me. I will defeat him and save mama. Everything will be alright...just please trust me." Mineko pleaded and watched as Miroku sighed heavily and then finally nodded. Mineko's face brightened as he smiled at her.

 

 

“If anybody can destroy Naraku, it would be the daughter of Inuyasha and Kagome." He grabbed her hands in his own and squeezed tightly as Mineko suppressed a chuckle.

"Please Mineko...be careful and come back."

 

 

"I will Miroku-san. Please watch over them..." Mineko asked as she looked over at her brother and sister who stood silently staring at her as if they were never going to see her again. They both flashed her small, weak smiles. She had to do this for them; whatever the cost. They deserved to grow up with both their parents. She looked back at Miroku sadly. “Please..." Mineko begged silently.

 

 

"Of course, Mineko. I will watch over them with my life." Instantly, Mineko felt a little better, her brother and sister, would be looked after and now her only concern could be Naraku and the Jewel of Four Souls. Mineko grabbed her bow and made her way out of the hut. She stopped, looked back at her brother and sister, almost memorizing their faces. Mineko suddenly felt as if she were never going to see them again. They both smiled at her again giving her the courage to walk out the door and continue on her journey. Mineko smiled back, then turned and sprinted away leaving what was left of her family behind.

 

 

She shook her head trying to shake the emotions that were going to do her no good on her mission. Her heart ached so much and she could get rid of the feeling that she would never be back here in her time ever again. That she would never see her brother and sister argue ever again or her mother sit her father. No. Mineko shook her head to get rid of the depressing thoughts. None of that mattered right now. Only Naraku. Only the Shikon no Tama. Mineko could not afford to get wrapped up in memories that would only make her nostalgic and useless. As she zipped through the village, the villagers were stopping and bowing at her. She knew that the news of her mother's death had probably already reached half the village if not all of it. Mineko ignored them and finally reached the forest of Inuyasha were the Sacred Tree sat and the Bone Eater's well. She loved the forest; all the big, beautiful trees and the small waterfall that her sister and she loved so much. Mineko's ear picked up the sound of the swaying of the branches as a light breeze fluttered through. Sunlight poured through the canopy lighting up the forest floor. It was breathtaking. She looked up at the sky as she bounded quickly towards the well. It was still clear of clouds and bright as ever. A perfect sky for a horrible day. Mineko closed her eyes tightly as the images of her mother and father lying on Kaede's cold, hard floor fluttered into her mind. She knew these images would give her the strength and courage to keep going until her duty was over. Her parents were counting on her. Suddenly, the trees cleared to reveal a small, emerald green meadow with the Bone Eater's well sitting quietly in the grass. She stopped abruptly and stared at it. It was just a simple, wooden well yet it had the powers to transport people through time. Mineko slowly walked towards it remembering all the stories her parents used to tell her of them, themselves traveling through it. She grasped the old, wooden seal and peered down. It was incredibly dark but her keen eye sight could see the bottom of it. Old bones of century old demons lay at the bottom. Mineko gulped and grasped her bow tightly, reading herself for the plunge. Her heart was pounding and beads of sweat made there was down her face. She was nervous. This wasn't like fighting a demon. It was time travel. She closed her eyes and attempted to get a hold of herself. Mineko turned and looked back at Inuyasha's forest taking in its beauty one last time before leaping in. She expected the bright blue flash and the floating sensation her mother always spoke of but instead she hit the bottom of the well in a huff.

 

 

"What the hell?!" Mineko cursed aloud and looked around. Why didn't it work? How did Naraku come through the well with the sole purpose of slaughtering her family and stealing the jewel? Yet she couldn't make it through. She gritted her teeth and bounded straight up thinking it would work if she tried it again. She free fell back into the well and landed gracefully back onto the cold, dirty floor of the well.

 

"DAMMIT!!" Mineko screamed and leapt up out of the well again only to fall right back onto the well floor. Tears of frustration welled up in her eyes. What if she couldn't pass though? What if she couldn't go to the past and save her parents? Her mother would be truly dead then. Mineko collapsed to her knees tiredly as the emotional strain of what had happened started to affect her mind and body. Mineko started to pound on the dirt with her fist, tears streaming down her face as all the frustration, anger and gnawing sense of grief overtook her. "DAMMIT!! Dammit! WORK...please, work!!" Mineko pleaded out loud to herself. She let her sobs rack through her body and then suddenly a thought dawned on her. She slowly pulled herself together, wiped away her tears and sat on her knees. Mineko sighed heavily and touched her heart with both her hands and tried to concentrate her energy.

 

 

"Please, Midoriko…please hear me. Give me the power to pass through the well. Please I beg of you. I have to destroy Naraku! I have to save my parents! I will not let them die!! Please...give me the power to pass through the well...that is all I ask..." Mineko's voice trailed off as tears start to stream down her face once again. She was beginning to feel as if this was useless. Midoriko would not hear her plea and her parents would die. No...She could not let them die. She had to find a way to pass through the well. It was her only option. Mineko screamed out her frustration and started to pound once more into the dirt, hopelessness taking over her. "Please! Please! PLEASE!!! I will do anything..." Mineko said to herself sadly. It was true; she would do anything to save her parents. Mineko closed her eyes and tried to think of a way to go to the past but nothing came to her. She wiped away her tears and looked up into the bright blue sky feeling helpless and alone. Suddenly, Mineko's head felt light and fuzzy. She felt as if she was dreaming but still awake. Mineko sat up slowly and wiped away her tears looking around the well. She heard a woman's voice in the back of her mind.

 

What are you willing to do, Mineko-san?

 

Mineko's eyes widened in disbelief as she heard the woman's voice whispering all around her.

 

What are you willing to do...?

 

The voice asked again and Mineko swallowed hard thinking to herself. What was she willing to do? She was willing to do anything to save her parents.

 

Naraku is nearly impossible to kill with the Shikon no Tama in his grasp. What are you willing to do...to defeat him, Mineko-san?

 

Mineko knew it was Midoriko speaking to her...but what was she trying to say? Mineko bit her lip as she thought about it weighing in every option and then it finally hit her as if someone has slapped her in the face. She could use the Deathstrike. It was the only thing strong enough that Mineko knew to use to destroy Naraku...but that would also mean...Then the realization of what Midoriko was saying dawned on her. Mineko looked at the ground thinking of her little brother and sister and the promise she had made to them. There was no other choice. She was going to have to break it. It was the only other way. Mineko looked up into the sky and sighed to herself heavily taking it all in. This is why she had that strong feeling she would never return to her era. She smiled to herself knowing that she had no hesitation about what she was about to agree to and nodded.

 

 

"Midoriko… if you give me the power to go into the past, I will take Naraku and the jewel into myself, and destroy them both. I will set your soul free and in return please...my parents...please let me pass through the well." Mineko bargained out loud. She had no second thoughts about the sacrifice of her own life. Her brother and sister deserved to grow up with both her parents. Her mother deserved to live as well as her father and if her life was the price to pay to see her family happy and whole once again, well then all be damned she was going to take it. Mineko looked around for some sort of reply or answer from Midoriko and suddenly got one, as the inside of the Bone Eater's Well start to go a brilliant white blue. Mineko's eyes widened in disbelief as the bright light enveloped her just as her mother said it would. Midoriko had heard her plea and let her pass through the well. She suddenly felt weightless as she floated through time. It was so beautiful.

 

It is done...

 

Mineko heard Midoriko's voice echo through time and space and with those three simple words, Mineko's fate was sealed. She closed her eyes and smiled to herself. Yes, this was the right thing to do. The only thing she could do. The bright light slowly started to fade as the feeling of being light as a feather left Mineko and she gently was set back down at the bottom of the well. The light left and Mineko stared into the deep dark space of the well, her eyes wide with shock. She had just traveled through time. She did it. Mineko was in the past. She was going to save her parents.

 

 

"It worked..." Mineko whispered to herself as she stood and looked up into the bright blue sky ahead of her. "I'll save you Mama..." Mineko grabbed her bow and quiver of arrows, slung them over her shoulder and dusted the dirt off her smooth silver and blue kimono. Her mother had made it for her, for her training. Kagome had cut the sleeves off and created two slits at each side so that Mineko could move around and fight in without being confined in fabric. It was light and breezy, perfect for moving at fast speeds and dodging enemies. Other than Musashi, her faithful Katana, it was her most prized and treasured gift. Mineko always wore it much to her father's dismay. He always thought it showed way to much skin. Mineko chuckled to herself as she relived the day she first put it on. Her father had thrown a fit which forced Kagome to sit him. Gathering up all the courage she had left, Mineko leapt out of the well in one bound and landed gracefully on the seal. It was a bit windier in this time and her silver hair flipped around her as the wind went through it. The breeze felt cool against her skin drying all her tears. Mineko looked around taking in the sights, which looked exactly as they did 20 years into the future. She saw her beautiful favorite forest a few hundred feet ahead of her and smiled to herself. Mineko was in the past. It felt so odd to her to be in a time before she was born and at the same time, it still felt the same. Like nothing was different. Almost as if she never left her own time. A small bird fluttered above Mineko chirping gleefully as it headed towards the forest. Mineko smirked at it and closed her eyes inhaling the surrounding smells and taking in the fresh air. She wondered how nice it would be to be a free as that bird.

 

 

"Thank you Midoriko. I will keep my word and destroy Naraku. I will set your soul free...whatever it takes." Mineko said aloud to herself and then opened her beautiful hazel eyes again. I will save you mama. Mineko whispered to her self and then looked around sniffing trying to get a whiff of anything familiar but the scents were all the same; the trees, the river...the villagers in the nearby village. Everything smelled the same.

 

 

"Damn..." Mineko cursed to herself and then whipped her head in the direction south of the village as her ears twitched in recognition of a very familiar sound. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the sole source of the noise trying to get any clues as to who it might be. Mineko grinned widely to herself and crossed her arms when she heard her teenage mother shriek the words, "INUYASHA SIT!!!!" Mineko chuckled to herself.

 

"Some things never change..." She wondered how her past version of her parents would take to learning about their future daughter and Mineko thought it best to keep it a secret for awhile. She leapt off the well into the direction of her mother's voice. So it had started. The beginning of the end but it was the price Mineko gladly paid to see her parents alive and well again. She smiled warmly to herself as the familiar scent of her family and friends filled her nose. It was such a wonderful scent that made her feel so safe and warm. They were close. Mineko looked up into the sky again as she jumped from tree to tree with cat like grace whispering the words. "I'll see you soon...Teruko."

 

 

 

***Well that was the end of the second chapter! I hope everyone liked it as much as I loved writing it. I wonder who Teruko is. You won't find out for another few chapters...but the next chapter, Mineko meets her parents from the past for the first time. I wonder what's going to happen. One more revision and then the long awaited fourth chapter will be up! Thanks for being patient.