InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Simple and Clean ❯ Midoriko's Warning ( Chapter 19 )

To make up for my inexcusable lateness, here is another chapter (yay!):

 

Recap:

 

By this time, she felt more than one pair of eyes watching her. Turning, she surveyed the room. Koga was there, and Kikyo as well. But there was another person, someone she had not expected to see; Sesshomaru was standing a few feet behind Koga, cold eyes watching her. Miroku was the first one to break the uncomfortable silence. “Well this is a strange twist of fate, isn't it?”

And how right he was.

Chapter 19

 

Midoriko's Warning

 

It was a strange sight, those seven people. Two teenage girls, an intern doctor, a world famous designer, a misshapen orphan, a substitute teacher and a young law student (Kikyo). It seemed like more of an accident than fate that brought the motley group together. But, as many things are when concerning destiny and fate, there was more to their predicament then what it seemed. Each one had his or her own reason for being in that room, and the one that had brought them all together was seemingly beyond their reach. Fate though, can be fickle.

“Kikyo?” Kagome's soft voice, almost incomprehensible, whispered. The young woman's eyes softened softly as she took in Kagome. She beckoned for her, and the younger girl fell into her strong embrace. Kagome envied Kikyo's calm demeanor and absorbed the comfort offered by her cousin's arms. She did not cry, for there were no tears left to cry, but Kagome knew that Kikyo understood what she felt. Kagome did not ask her cousin why she was visiting Inuyasha, nor did she wonder. She understood what many couldn't fathom about her mysterious cousin.

Kikyo suffered in her own way. Behind her quite demeanor, Kikyo was a strong and determined woman who knew what she wanted in life. But Kikyo also felt a deep sadness when she had heard about Inuyasha. She had tried so hard to keep him clean and out of trouble, and then turned her back on him and walked away. And she was surprised to see her spunky young cousin in the state that she was in. What was her connection to Inuyasha? What had happened between them to make her so distraught?

Kagome pulled away from her cousin slightly, and Kikyo could tell a small bit of fire had sparked behind her eyes. There were no words exchanged, but the two girls had no need for them. Kagome breathed deeply, feeling more alive than she had felt in days. She felt a slight tug on her hand, and looked down. A girl about eight or nine was smiling up at her, attached to her hand. Kagome smiled slightly back. “And what might your name be?”

It was Sesshomaru that answered her question, “Rin, stop clinging to strangers and come here.” Sesshomaru motioned for the girl to sit beside him. The man looked entirely bored with the entire situation. Rin skipped over to her seat and plopped down on the cold plastic chair. Reaching over, she clasped onto the designer's hand. His eyes widened slightly as he went rigid for a second. Then, to his own surprise, he relaxed, curling his hand slightly over the child's smaller one.

The air in the room relaxed slightly after introductions were made and the first shock of the situation wore off. Kouga, feeling out of place, turned to leave, having already explained to Sesshomaru what he needed to do with the paperwork. A warm hand on his arm stopped him. Looking back over his shoulder, Kagome's vulnerable face stared back at him. “Stay please,” She asked hesitantly, “I'm sure Inuyasha would have liked that.”

Kouga smiled, “I don't think he would, but…” He sat back down into a chair opposite the dog-eared boy. The two looked around the room. Kikyo was discussing something with Miroku, and Sango had perched Rin in her lap. Sesshomaru was sitting near Rin and Sango, glaring at the wall halfheartedly. Kouga looked back to Kagome, “I'm sure he'll be-” Kouga was cut off for the second time that day as the door opened again.

The room immediately quieted. A young woman stuck her head around the door. She was a pretty thing; long black hair framed her face and stopped at around her hips. On her forehead was strange four tipped star marking. She seemed to glow with an unearthly light that came from inside of her. The strangest thing of all was what she was wearing: it looked like some kind of armor. “Good,” She said, satisfied with herself, “I got the right room this time… do you know how disturbing it is to walk into a room looking for a nice looking boy and finding and old geezer who asks you to change his bedpan?” She asked cheerfully.

Looking over to Sesshomaru she commented, “Well aren't you handsome?” As he tensed, she added, “No need to get protective, I'm not here to hurt you.” Sesshomaru's eyes lowered. He could sense something very un-human in this woman. It was not the feeling of a demon, nor of a vengeful ghost. Instead, it felt more like a comforting warmth. Shaking the feeling away, he said dully, “Let me guess-another of my idiot brother's ex-girlfriends?” The woman's tinkling laugh filled the air. “Far from it,” She said happily, “I'm here to help you get him back though.”

At this Kagome straightened in her chair. “How,” She demanded, “And for that matter, who are you.” The woman put a hand to her mouth, “Of course, how rude of me,” she smiled as she walked to Inuyasha's body, “My name is Midoriko.” Kagome's eyes widened in fear as she remembered Inuyasha's tale about the Jewel of Four Souls, “Midoriko,” she whispered, awed, “The creator of the Shikon no Tama?” Midoriko nodded optimistically, “Yup, the very same. And I'm here to help you save him.” She said, jerking her thumb at Inuyasha.

“So, to answer your other question, you are going to save him with my help,” She seemed to come to another conclusion. “If-”

“If?” Miroku and Sango asked together.

The spirit smiled secretly, “If I can pet his ears.”

Sesshomaru sighed, exasperated. This whole experience was getting stranger by the minute. Glancing about, his brow furrowed slightly. Where was Rin? Feeling someone's eyes on him, he looked up to lock eyes with Midoriko. Her eyes held wisdom and the unearthly glow he had felt from her presence. He almost jumped as her voice, deep and throaty, echoed in his mind. Protect her, for you are all she has left. A cold dread unfurled inside his heart.

What do you mean? He found he could speak to her mind as well. Midoriko shook her head, in time, her time as a child will be lost. Then her day will dawn. Sesshomaru tried to contact her again, but the presence was gone from his mind, and Rin was at Midoriko's side, braiding a strand of midnight hair. Midoriko had settled herself on Inuyasha's hospital bed, her voice now losing the cheerful air in exchange for the serious one that she had addressed him with.

Stroking Inuyasha's ear absently, she began to speak. “You must listen closely to what I am about to say, for I have little time left. Kagome,” She said earnestly, eyes boring into the young girl, “To find Inuyasha, you must use the gift that he has given to you, but to save him, you must look inside yourself.” Kagome pondered the spirits words as she went on to the next person. “Kikyo, you must choose between what you have come to believe, and the truth.” Kikyo nodded, frowning slightly.

“Sango, your future lies in the hands of your past.” Sango bit her lip and looked down as Midoriko continued, “And you Miroku, to truly defeat the darkness in your heart, you must find what you left behind. Kouga, nothing is set in stone. Fear a change of heart, and you will be trapped in your own fleeting feelings.” Her eyes fell on Sesshomaru, “You, Sesshomaru, heed my words. You cannot mend that which was broken alone.” A shadow dimmed the man's eyes for a split-second, and vanished as fast as it had come. Breaking the solemn feeling in the room, Midoriko asked, “So, where's the nearest Starbucks? I'm running low on `spirit fuel' and coffee is the second best thing…”

Miroku happily (Sango glares hole into Miroku's wandering hand) directed Midoriko to the coffee shop, and she turned to look at the group for the last time. Directing her unnerving gaze upon Kagome, she said, “Work together, form an unbreakable bond, and you will succeed.” Her voice faded as her body began to disappear. Her star marking hung in the air a few seconds after she was gone, a fleeting remnant of her presence. Kagome called after her, “But how do I find him if he's right in front of me?” A voice that resonated deep within her called, to find him, use his gift. To save him, look inside yourself…

Kagome lifted the Jewel out from underneath her shirt, where she kept it hidden. “His gift,” She said, more to herself than anyone else. She placed it gingerly on the bedside table as the others made their way to her. Sesshomaru raised a shapely brow. “The Jewel of Four Souls, I see. That is why it was Midoriko who visited us.” Kikyo dug her nails into her palms. This was the very same jewel that she had given Inuyasha. It had somehow made its way to Kagome.

“How do we find Inuyasha with the jewel?” Miroku asked, curious. Kagome frowned, biting the inside of her cheek. In truth, she had no idea what she was supposed to do with the jewel. “Maybe,” She said hesitantly, “You have to will it…” Kouga nodded, encouraging her, “That sounds like a start-why don't you try it?”

Kagome set her jaw determinedly. Clasping the jewel in both hands, she closed her eyes and opened her mind. Almost immediately she found herself falling into a swirl of energy. She felt dazed and lost, her mind muddled by the new feeling. Searching for a foothold on her mind, a force steadied her. She was suddenly calm and her mind was clear. She looked behind her, to find that everyone was there. She motioned for them to follow her. Taking a deep breath, she followed that calming force until she found what she had seemed to be searching for. It was an opening in the abyss, just big enough to see a pinprick of light on the other side.

Poking at the opening, she found to her surprise, that it grew larger. Soon, found herself looking over what seemed to be a village. There were clusters of small huts on the outskirts of a large forest, which went on all the way to the horizon. Before she knew what was happening, she felt herself falling. Her mind shut down completely and she lost all consciousness long before she neared the ground. The girl and her companions landed in a grassy meadow bordered by trees.

Smiling to herself, the spirit Midoriko watched over their sleeping forms, propping herself against an old well. Sleep my children, for a great many trials lie ahead when you wake.

 

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Review Responses:

 

The evil person who doesn't review: Okyaaay… That chapter was actually pretty long, but whatever you say. I'm not sure I'd take the time to drag a sewer alligator into a haunted mansion, but then again, I might have been on somethin' strange *looks around guiltily*. I didn't know the book you were talking about was Sabriel… *snicker* he does look like a girl. By the way, that book is sooo boring.