InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Secrets of the Shinju (Part III): Loss of the Demon Soul ❯ Miroku's Fate ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter Five

Miroku's Fate

First thing in the morning Kagome approached Sango. "We are going to seek out Priestess Toshi. She is the only link we have the shinju, and hopefully she can tell us about Hitomi too." Sango nodded and Kagome went on.

"It would probably be best if you remained here with the children, and Miroku." Sango's eyes began to tear up and she again just nodded her head. Both of them went to Miroku's side and again stared at his lifeless body.

"We'll save him, Sango." Kagome reached out and put her hand on Sango's shoulder and both let tears slide down their cheeks. Today the beads were glowing much more brightly, and both knew that couldn't be a good sign.

Just after breakfast Sesshoumaru, InuYasha and Kagome set off in the direction of the priestess. It would take them several days by foot to get there, and Kagome prayed it would be enough time to save Miroku.

Sango had suggested they take Kilala, but both InuYasha and Sesshoumaru refused, saying that she and the children needed the added protection. For several hours, not much was said. Kagome could feel the tension between the brothers. Finally, Kagome needed to rest and the three stopped. Sesshoumaru walked off and scouted out the area, while InuYasha and Kagome sat staring into their own thoughts.

Kagome's mind flashed back to Hitomi. Something about her had been different this time; she just couldn't tell what it was. She then focused on her dream from the night before. She had felt Hitomi's presence there but it had felt different. Kagome's thoughts were interrupted by Sesshoumaru.

"We should continue. We need to cover as much ground as possible while there is still light." The three again trudged along, and finally Sesshoumaru spoke to Kagome.

"Tonight when we rest, you will again train. We are going to need your powers if we are going to retrieve the shinju." She glanced at InuYasha who appeared to be deep in thought and startled by the sound of a voice. Kagome simply nodded at Sesshoumaru. Just before the sun sat, the group began to set up camp. Finally, Sesshoumaru informed Kagome that they would train. He started with a simple barrier, which she had mastered while she was with Naraku. She saw approval in his eyes and he gave a thoughtful look.

"Your powers over dreams and the mind are impressive. Once you got into my mind and I could hear your thoughts. Do you know how you did that?" She nodded and then looked at him intently.

`I have used this power to communicate with Miroku before.' She told him in thought. His eyes widened and he simply nodded. InuYasha sat watching the two of them, growing angry at his brother and jealous of the time they were spending together. Sesshoumaru looked at Kagome intently.

"Has Hitomi ever made you relieve any of your own memories?" She gave a thoughtful look and then shook her head.

"No, she had made me experience Miroku's and InuYasha's. I had to watch yours, but never my own." He again looked deep in thought and finally turned away from her.

She too began to wonder why the demoness had never used any of her own memories to haunt her. Granted she held many less traumatic memories than her friends, but she too had memories that could cause her pain. She then turned to InuYasha, who looked like he was fuming.

"InuYasha, are you okay?" He grunted at her and then laid down with his back to her. She sighed and lay down herself. Soon Sesshoumaru too was lying down, but watching Kagome. He knew that soon she would again leave and enter into the dream world. He watched her relax and then she appeared to be in a very deep sleep.

Kagome was again surrounded by the fog. She moved in the direction of the castle and began to panic when it didn't come into view. She calmed herself and focused her energy. She could feel Miroku and walked in that direction with her eyes closed.

Finally the atmosphere changed and she opened them. Again the fog was gone and she moved to the castle. She could feel Hitomi's presence here. She moved down the long corridors until she found the door that held the spiritual power. She took a deep breath and pushed it open. Again, she woke and looked around. Frustrated she sat up. InuYasha still had his back to her and she assumed he was asleep now. She glanced at Sesshoumaru who also appeared to be sleeping.

She gave thought to the problem. Her powers weren't strong enough right now to get through the barrier. The energy itself was troubling her. She had never felt such a power before. She thought about ways to break the barrier and had a sudden thought. She reached down and took the jewel shards from her neck. Miroku had returned them to her before he went to sleep the night she had kept him in her spiritual barrier. She held it tightly in her hand and again willed her soul out.

This time she wasn't in the fog, but at the castle door. She went inside and again went to the door where she suspected Miroku was. She held the jewel tightly and pushed the door open. She could feel an intense energy but slowly broke through it. There Miroku stood in the center of the room. He appeared to be in pain and he held his staff out in front of him. Kagome ran to him and then stopped suddenly as she hit a different barrier.

"Miroku!" He looked up at her slowly and began to speak in a strained voice.

"Kagome, how did you get in here?" She watched him closely, not sure what was wrong with him.

"I used the jewel shards to break through her barrier. What's wrong with you?" He stared at her for a moment and again spoke.

"The demoness put some sort of spell on this room. My staff is keeping it from me, but I'm not sure how long I can keep it up. I fear that as soon as I drop my own barrier, the pressure will cause my wind tunnel to spread and it will implode."

Kagome moved as close as she could to him. If his own spiritual barrier wasn't up, she would be able to reach out and touch him.

"Miroku, drop your barrier. As soon as you do, I will take you out of here." He looked at her again. "Where is my body?"

"You are at Sesshoumaru's castle with Sango. InuYasha and Sesshoumaru are with me. We are going back to priestess Toshi." He looked at her with pain in his eyes.

"I won't put Sango in danger. I will remain here for now. Please get to the priestess and see what she can do to stop Hitomi." Kagome again spoke though this time more frantically. "Please Miroku; I can get you out of here!"

"No, I fear that the instant I drop my barrier I will be killed. I will not take the chance of killing Sango in the process. I'm sure the children are with her as well." He then glanced at his hand.

"My wind tunnel spread quite a lot when I was first brought here. Even if you get me out of here, it will not be long before I meet my fate." She quickly tried to put up her own barrier and found that the negative energy in this room subdued her powers. Kagome looked at the monk, not sure how he was able to use his powers when she couldn't. She could feel tears on her cheeks as she watched her friend helplessly.

"I'll get you out of here, I promise." He gave her a slight smile that suggested he didn't believe the words she just uttered. She then woke abruptly and saw Sesshoumaru watching her.