InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Jewel of Four Souls ❯ The Jewel of Four Souls ( Chapter 8 )

Here we go, Chapter 8! What will our hero's encounter now?

 

Thanks to those who have reviewed, especially those who review to most of the chapters posted thus far. You know who you are… Here's another for your reading enjoyment!

 

 

Disclaimer: Nothing's changed…Still should be in Chapter 1

 

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Chapter 8 “The Jewel of Four Souls”

 

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“How are you doing?” Said the rather cheery voice of Miss Higurashi.

 

“I'm ok.” Souta called to his mother who stood in the doorway of his dark, quiet room. He attempted to smile, but just couldn't force his lips into it.

 

“Good. Lunch will be ready soon, ok dear?” She hoped her cheery attitude would hopefully lighten the mood of the forlorned boy. It was clear he hasn't been taking the news very well. But that was to be expected. The boy loved his sister dearly. Especially after her time travels, Souta was always at the ready to help her out. Whether it'd be with gathering her makeup work, gathering supplies with their mother, or just there for moral support, particularly when she came home after an argument, he was there for her.

 

“Ok. Thanks mom.”

 

Miss Higurashi closed the door to his room and sighed. `Three days have passed since InuYasha was here… three days have passed since Kagome's death.' Although it was technically four, since InuYasha waited a day to tell her. Her thoughts raced as she strode down the steps. `InuYasha disappeared on the first night.' It saddened her that he didn't stay longer, or that he left without saying anything. She really wanted his comfort more than anyone else's. Possibly because he was the closest to Kagome. Or at least, Kagome was the closest to him.

 

Even after knowing he was part demon, she still took a liking to him. She felt that she could trust him. That Kagome would always be safe with InuYasha, given the circumstances. Even though Kagome did often come home in a fit of tears because of him, she still didn't and couldn't bring herself to hate him, much less even be upset with InuYasha. To her, they were a typical squabbling couple. Both are so opposite of each other that, like a magnet, are drawn to each other.

 

Even though Kagome never directly said anything, she knew her daughter loved InuYasha. A hanyou from five hundred years in the past. A normal person would probably object instantly at such a coupling. However, Miss Higurashi felt that her daughter was old enough to make her own decisions. If she wanted to fraternize with a hanyou from the past, then so be it. She wouldn't interfere with her love life unless Kagome needed advice, help, or if she felt something was really wrong.

 

Miss Higurashi couldn't help but feel that InuYasha is the kind of guy who was nearly perfect for Kagome. Stubborn, yet loyal; Protective, yet not too overbearing; Kind hearted in his own special way; Responsible, especially for most of his actions pertaining to her and even the family; Rough and mean, and yet, gentle enough to make Kagome happy. It reminded her all too much of her late husband. Maybe that's why she took a strange liking to InuYasha. Not in an overly romantic way, but in a supportive motherly way. Perhaps she wanted Kagome to feel as happy as she once did. What mother wouldn't want that?

 

“I wonder how much he cared for her?” She wondered out loud as she cooked.

 

 

 

“So… it's finally over?” Said a calm familiar female voice amongst some trees.

 

“…Yeah. Naraku is dead. Your death avenged.”

 

“And you're not happy about it?”

 

“…Kagome… was killed in the fight.” Came a plain and simple reply. No emotion was really put towards the words used.

 

“I see. Didn't I warn you her life rested in your hands?”

 

“Yeah but-”

 

“It was your choice to let her stay.”

 

“I-“

 

“You should have heeded my words.”

 

“Kikyo…”

 

A moment passed in silence as a light breeze blew through the area. Leaves danced as birds chirped their special songs through the skies. Kikyo breathed gently as her gaze went back to the hanyou's face. His body, his face, displaying the tender marks only a fierce and ruthless battle could possibly show. And yet, aside from that, how many times have they met alone like this? How many times had their conversations turn bad and even ugly? Kikyo sensed the distress radiating off InuYasha. A distress that plainly had nothing to do with his current physical condition. The unsteadiness he yielded. Most likely due to the young miko's demise. Or perhaps he was nervous about upholding what he said before? She had to ask him again in order to be sure.

 

“InuYasha. …Do you really think we can have a second chance?”

 

“Huh?” He said in a quiet startleness. Not expecting her question.

 

“Us. You said you still wanted to be with me…even though I'm dead.”

 

InuYasha remained quiet as his expression became hard to read. Kikyo took notice to it.

 

“We can be together, if that is what you wish. I shall take you and the jewel with me to Hell if that is your desire.”

 

“Not yet. I have something to do before I go.” He quietly said, not looking directly at Kikyo. She could sense something was bothering him from the very start. And something told her it was the death of the young miko. Her reincarnation: Kagome. Her thoughts were being confirmed at that moment. No matter what his true feelings for the girl was, he still deeply cared about her. `Admirable.'

 

“Very well. I shall wait for your arrival. Bring the entire jewel, and we can descend into Hell together.”

 

Not even acknowledging her, he silently limbered off back towards the village, which Kikyo formerly called home. Leaving a dripping trail of blood as it drained from some of the wounds yet to heal. Kikyo stood still and watched him leave as her soul stealers floated around her in elliptical orbits. She seemed deep in thought as she began to walk towards her former home as well. Following the hanyou but keeping her distance in order not to attract his attention. The scent of his own blood masquerading her unique scent furthermore. Kikyo began reflecting as memories began to stir. Seeing all the times she's shared with him. The good, the bad, and even the supposed deception came to mind as she strolled quietly along. Remembering her true intentions, her true thoughts, and her true feelings. Everything…

 

 

 

 

InuYasha wondered idly through the forest that bore his name, heading towards the Bone Eaters Well. His body still wounded badly. Yet he remained unconcerned. Death was something he wasn't afraid of. Reaching the all too familiar area, he paused and stared hesitantly at the well. `This is where it all began… my second chance at life, the whole journey…' He thought knowing that it was here Kagome emerged from her era and soon found him pinned to the Sacred Tree. It was this area that the whole journey began. When the jewel was torn from Kagome's body. That's what started the struggle for the jewel yet again. That's what led up to it being shattered. And that's what brought Naraku out of hiding to destroy countless lives yet again.

 

Slowly, he traced his hand across the delicate wooden surface. `What should I do?' InuYasha shook his head as he thought back over his life with both Kikyo and Kagome. How both women were similar yet quite different from the other. Remaining still, he tried to think of the reasons why Kagome died. Why he failed to protect her. And why he didn't listen to Kikyo and send her back home.

Everything pointed to what took place nearly three weeks ago. The night he confessed his very being to Kikyo… The night Kagome changed for the worse…

 

~Flashback~

 

“…InuYasha?”

 

“Kikyo.”

 

“For what reason have you brought me here?”

 

“Naraku is close by. This time, I'm finally going to destroy him! And then your death can be avenged!” He said with confidence. A bright bit of inspiration as well radiated from his determination to uphold his promise to avenge her demise.

 

“It's kind of you to think of me InuYasha. But I fear you cannot defeat Naraku. As I told you, even though I was able to find his heart, I was unable destroy it. And thus, Naraku has now taken possession of it in his body. Along with his other spawn Hakudoushi. Naraku went as far as even killing Kagura. He has strengthened himself with the power of the Sacred Jewel. It will be futile to fight him.”

 

“Are you telling me to run away!? That I shouldn't fight?”

 

“Your friends are in grave danger InuYasha. If you fight, surely they will perish. That is why you should leave Naraku to me.”

 

“No! My friends each have a reason to fight! And I know they can!”

 

“Very well, but you should send the girl back home with her jewel shard. Naraku won't be able to reach it in her time.”

 

“So… you want me to send Kagome home?”

 

“If you don't, Naraku will get her shard and become invincible as he completes the jewel.”

 

“Feh, I can protect her! Naraku won't even lay a hand on her!”

 

“Then her life is in your hands…”

 

“Kikyo…” InuYasha said in a calming voice. Not quite realizing she didn't believe in him. That she felt he wouldn't and couldn't protect the miko from the future.

 

The two spent a moment in silence as they stared at each other, searching for words to say. Words left unspoken. Something. Anything. InuYasha looked down at the ground a moment before raising his head to speak. He just had to get something off his chest off his conscience. If he didn't, Naraku surely would get the better of him.

 

“Kikyo… back before you died, I had said that I wanted to be with you.” InuYasha began, cringing slightly from some of the bad memories. He had to bear with it. No matter what happened from here on out, InuYasha needed to tell Kikyo…

 

“You wished to use the jewel to become a human, so you could be with me.”

 

He nodded, “Even though…even though after what happened… I…” InuYasha turned his head, struggling with his wording. Having a hard time saying his hearts desire. He never had the knack to say things like this. Kikyo remained quiet as she stood there watching him closely. “I still want to be with you.” He said in a calm and deafly quiet moment.

 

Kikyo was a little surprised, but a small smile came to her lips as she moved a little closer to InuYasha. “So, you desire to be with me? Even though I'm dead?”

 

“We were both given a second chance at life. Maybe we can have a second chance to be together.”

 

InuYasha drew Kikyo into a tight embrace and hugged her warmly despite her form. Only confirming his words further. Kikyo relaxed and eased into his embrace. Feeling his warmth and compassion, but unable to offer any of her own. She didn't know whether to be joyful or down, happy or sad. From the very beginning it's what she always wanted; someone to love her as a normal woman. InuYasha didn't see her as a priestess. He saw her as a woman. Her heart was a flutter with emotions. Should she accept his proposal?

 

“We can still be together. I still love you Kikyo.”

 

~End Flashback~

 

 

`Ever since that night, Kagome hasn't been the same. She heard what I said. But why did she get upset like that? She made it clear that it was ok to go see Kikyo. To try and work things out with her. So why did she act like that?'

 

InuYasha clutched the sides of the well in frustration. `Damn it! It's her fault! If she wasn't acting the way she was, she could have been focused and could have lived! It's her own fault that she went and got herself killed! It's Her Fault!' Turning, he sat on the ground and stared spitefully at the Sacred Tree. Trying to take the blame off himself like usual. But his anger quickly faded as he thought back to more of the times he spent with Kagome. Both the good and the bad…

 

`…Yet, she has always been here for me like she promised. She cried for me. She worried about me. …Why does she do that?' InuYasha wondered as he continued to stare at the tree. `She deserves her life back. If I can revive her, I'll take the jewel and descend into Hell with Kikyo. There I belong. Not here…'

 

And yet, something kept nagging at the back of his mind. What he just didn't know, but oddly enough wanted to. Normally he could care less. Sighing, he rose and wandered off into the distance trying to sort out his troublesome thoughts. Pity the poor soul that decides to interrupt him…

 

 

“Ah-Ha! I found it!” Came a very loud shout from somewhere on the Higurashi grounds.

 

Miss Higurashi ran out of the house and looked quizzically around as to what all the ruckus was about. Jiichan held what appeared to be a very old and tattered book above his head while he ran overly happy towards the house. She wondered what had gotten him so cheerful, and presumed it to be whatever that book was. The elderly man ran by Miss Higurashi and grabbed onto her hand and pulled her back towards the house.

 

“Our problems are solved!” He shouted as they ran into the kitchen. Slamming the dusty old book onto the table, he thumbed through it to a page and pointed at it.

 

“The Tamashii no Gishiki?” Miss Higurashi said with a quirked eyebrow in confusion.

 

“Yes! This is an ancient ritual said to bring the dead souls of those whose life ended prematurely, back to life once, through the power of the Sacred Shikon Jewel. However, four souls must accompany the jewel. The spirits of Aramitama, Nigemitama, Koshimitama, and Sakimitana must also be present in the ritual process.”

 

“But, how are we supposed to acquire these said spirits? Much less the jewel?”

 

“Oh, eh, umm…” Jiichan stammered on having absolutely no idea.

 

“Sprits?” Came a confused male voice belonging to Souta.

 

“Indeed, the sprits of Aramitama, Nigemitama, Koshimitama, and Sakimitana. Together with a strong soul, through darkness and light, they can create what is known as the Shikon no Tama my dear boy.”

 

“Oh! I remember that story!”

 

“Exactly. This ritual uses the same power but in a different way. We need to get InuYasha and his friends to perform this sacred ritual on Kagome right away!”

 

“But how? None of us can go back to his time. And who knows when InuYasha will come back.” Souta explained.

 

“That's true.” Miss Higurashi added in conformation.

 

“Whenever he does come back, we'll tell him.”

 

“So how are they supposed to do this?” Miss Higurashi asked.

 

“…Look here, this is an ancient temple located deep within the southern mountains. It won't be easy for them to get to. The temple is said to be guarded by a pack of ferocious dragons. Being in the Feudal Era, they should still exist.”

 

“F-f-f-fer-feroucious dragons?” Souta gulped.

 

“I doubt the temple even exists anymore here in our era, however, it does in their time. Once there, they must locate the room in which to perform the ritual. It's a large room with a stone alter surrounded by four spirit circles. It is there each spirit must be present. On the altar, Kagome must lay holding the jewel. …Though, I'm not sure how the rest of the ritual works.” Jiichan sighed in semi-defeat.

 

Miss Higurashi could only stare at the old book with a mixed expression. Hopefully Jiichan really came through and found something, she thought to herself. She could only pray that the Tamashii no Gishiki (Soul Ritual) would work. Jiichan did say that it was said to bring the dead back to life. Though it can only once. There didn't seem to be any account on if the ritual ever worked however. Besides, those old books of his were usually wrong anyways. Still, she wanted her baby girl back. Anything was worth a try. Even if it did seem really crazy or even stupid. Even a mere fairy tale.

 

 

 

 

Whoa, a lot was revealed in the Chapter huh? Please review with your comments and/or questions!

 

-King RTS-I'm the King of My World!