InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Ninja ❯ Kai's Story ( Chapter 5 )

Please see chapter 1 for ratings and disclaimer.

 

CHAPTER 5: Kai's Story

 

It was nearly dark when the girls arrived back at the hut. “Jinenji said to mash the herbs together into a paste, then boil them in this tea”, explained Kagome to Kaede as she passed her the ingredients. “We're to give it to him every few hours until the convulsions and fever pass. Jinenji said it wouldn't be a cure, the drug has to have time to pass from his system, but it will help.” Kaede nodded her understanding and sat down by the fire to boil and mix the medicinal tea with Kagome looking on.

 

Sango approached Miroku and Kai, nodding to Inuyasha and a sleeping Shippo by his side. “How are you doing hoshi-sama?” she asked quietly, wiping his brow with the cold cloth that had been sitting in the water beside him. “How is Sesshoumaru?” “He's doing better”, said Miroku tiredly.

 

Kai and Miroku had ceased pouring their energies into Tenseiga. It had stopped pulsing and Sesshoumaru was resting more comfortably although clearly he was not in great shape. The convulsions, although less intense, would still wrack his body periodically. They we're now sitting, one on each side of him, trying to rest and regenerate their auras. Kai was collapsed on the left side of the futon. Her eyes were closed as she sat on the floor, her head on a corner of the bed.

 

“She's sleeping”, said Miroku, tossing a glance at Kai.

 

“Who is she? Where did she come from?” Sango questioned.

 

“We don't know yet”, stated Inuyasha, who was still on the floor beside Miroku.

 

“I'm sure she'll answer all our questions, let her rest for now”, said Miroku also closing his eyes for a moment.

 

Inuyasha had questions for her, himself. Like why was a human so concerned about his brother?

 

Kaede carried the potion to Sesshoumaru's side as Kagome took a seat on his opposite side. “We've got to get him to drink this tea”, Kagome explained.

 

Inuyasha almost puked at the smell coming from the cup. “UGH! That stuff stinks!” exclaimed Inuyasha, pinching his fingers over his nose.

 

The strong odour woke Kai from her exhausted sleep with a gag and wrinkling her nose she asked “Yuck, what is that smell?”

 

“Its medicinal tea”, stated Kaede. “He must drink it.” Kaede and Kagome having grown accustomed to the scent as it brewed felt badly for them.

Miroku and Sango stood, also making faces, moving out of the way. Sango picked up the still sleeping Shippo and headed off. “I'm going to put Shippo down for the night”, she said as she left the room to go to the sleeping area of the hut to give Kaede more room and get away from the stench.

 

“He still has a fever” said Kagome touching his forehead. “Hopefully this will bring it down quickly.”

 

Cringing in sympathy for Sesshoumaru who had to actually ingest this stuff, Inuyasha stepped over to where Miroku had just been and lifted his brother into a semi-sitting position as Kaede put the cup to his lips. Sesshoumaru moaned and tried to turn his head but Inuyasha held him still and pinching his cheeks forced his lips apart. Kaede poured the foul liquid down his throat and, when satisfied he had swallowed, bade Inuyasha to put his brother back down on the futon.

 

 

Miroku, Kagome, Inuyasha and Kai moved over to the fire pit leaving Kaede to keep watch over Sesshoumaru. Kaede had also cooked up some vegetables and rice and all were hungry.

 

When they were seated with their bowls of food, Shippo asked Kai: “Who are you? How do you know Sesshoumaru? Where are you from?” Kai laughed at his quick succession of questions then Kagome turned to Kai, “Thanks for helping, but where are you from? We don't often see many ninjas around here.”

 

“I don't care about that right now” stated Inuyasha. “How the heck to you know Sesshoumaru? And why would you help him?”

 

Kai held up her hand saying, “Hold it, one question at a time.” She smiled wanly as she began to tell them her story.

 

Kai was from the same time as Kagome which surprised everyone. What surprised them more was that she knew Kagome was from that time as well.

 

“There are no real ninja in my era”, stated Kagome. “They're all just ceremonial; only figure heads.”

 

“There have always been ninja”, explained Kai. “We've just been more secretive about it in our time, Kagome.” She explained that in modern day Tokyo there was a secret ninja compound headed by a great Hokage, a very powerful seer and sorceress. This was who Kai trained under.

 

“I was born at the compound. Sensei-sama took me to be with her after my birth, I don't know who my real parents are” Kai said a bit sadly then taking a breath she added “She always treated me well though, I never lacked for anything. She said it was my destiny to learn all I could from her. To me it was a great honour. After years of training, Sensei-sama called me to her and said she had a vision of a powerful evil demon who would destroy the world. She said she would send me back to a time were this demon could be defeated, his evil plan thwarted before he became too strong to stop.”

 

“You must be talking about Naraku”, Kagome said, anger in her voice.

 

“It would seem so”, returned Kai thoughtfully. “Sensei-sama not only taught me martial arts but she also prepared me mentally - how to focus my chakra or energy if you will, and use it. She also taught me a couple of spells. That's how I was able to get your brother here, Inuyasha.”

 

“I see”, said Miroku. “By focusing your energy and using the spell…”

 

“Yes, I was able to, well, for lack of a better word, blink from one place to another. It takes a lot of energy though, I barely made it here. It's very taxing.”

 

“I would imagine it would be”, agreed Miroku. He was hoping that Kai might be able to teach him this “blinking” at some point. He could definitely see the advantage of it.

 

“So why get involved with my brother?” asked Inuyasha.

 

“Sensei-sama said the only way to have a hope of defeating this Naraku was to have the two dog demon brothers join forces. I was sent back to get you two together and aid you as best I can.”

 

“I don't need my brother”, growled Inuyasha. “I can defeat Naraku myself.”

 

“No, you can't, Sensei-sama is never wrong about these things. Her visions are always true”, countered Kai a bit angrily,

 

“Hear her out, Inuyasha”, said Kagome trying to maintain the peace as she saw Inuyasha get that stubborn look on his face.

 

“Yes, Inuyasha”, Miroku joined in. “There's a great advantage to us if your brother joins his strength to ours.”

 

“Feh”, huffed Inu crossing his arms. “He doesn't look too strong right now.”

 

Everyone looked over to the open room towards Sesshoumaru. Kaede had his kimono off and was bathing him in cool water, a blanket covering his abdomen and legs.

 

“What is that fluffy thing?” asked Kagome. Everyone saw that Kaede had not removed it and it still lay beside him on the bed.

 

“Tis his tail, child”, replied Kaede.

 

Everyone was surprised except Inuyasha. “Our father had one, well two really. I remember my mother telling me how soft they were.” Inuyasha sat thinking back into the past. “Sesshoumaru will never agree to join us”, stated Inuyasha sadly after a few quiet moments. He really did want his brother to join them. He was tired of fighting and just wanted a truce between him and his only remaining blood family.

 

“Let's worry about getting him back on his feet for now”, said Kagome standing up to take the bowls. “We'll cross that other bridge later. Why don't you come with me and rest?” Kagome asked Kai.

 

“No, I want to stay here.” With him she thought but didn't voice out loud.

 

“Well at least let me get you a sleeping bag so you can get some sleep, you look like you're going to fall over.”

 

Kai smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Kagome, I'd like that.”

 

Inuyasha surprised everyone when he said, “I'll sit up with Sesshoumaru.”

 

“Ummm, ok”, said Kagome surprised that Inuyasha would offer. She ran off to get a sleeping bag while Miroku got up to leave.

 

“I'll head to our sleeping quarters”, he said to Inuyasha. “Call if you need me.”

 

The villagers, hoping to bribe Inuyasha to stay and protect their village had built him a hut. The boys used it from time to time when Kaede's had others staying in hers. She often took care of patients and sometimes there just was not enough room for the group.

 

“Umm”, was the only answer he received from the now quiet half demon.

 

“Looks like his fever is coming down”, said Kaede noticing he wasn't sweating as much as before. “He's resting better now.”

 

Inuyasha said nothing as Kaede went off to her futon.

 

Kai put her hand on Sesshoumaru's forehead. “He does feel cooler”, she mused.

 

“Do you know what Naraku's plan is?” questioned Inuyasha not taking his eyes off of his brother.

 

“No, Sensei-sama's vision didn't get that detailed.”

 

“Humm”, said Inuyasha.

 

When Kagome returned, Kai set up the bag on the floor while Inuyasha sat beside his brother. Sesshoumaru looked better; Inuyasha could see his marks faintly reappearing. He gave Sesshoumaru another dose of the tea and then sat; watching and thinking as everyone else slept the night away while he cared for his brother.