InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Price ❯ Parting Shot ( Chapter 15 )

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha; Rumiko Takahashi and a large publishing conglomerate hold his leash.

 

A/N: Things get a little rough in this chapter, so if depictions of sexual assault disturb you, skip the first half.

 

Bouquets to the ladies who generously give of their time and opinion to CMA this fic; Forthrightly, Ranuel and SilverOnTheRose.

 

Warnings: Coarse language, sexual and physical violence, nudity

 

The Price

Chapter Fifteen: Parting Shot

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

As the tentacles whirled around her, Kagome fought to regain her composure. The jyaki pouring off of him is suffocating! A thin tendril broke away from its fellows and caressed her cheek; as she batted it away, the rest closed in. The sensation of being wrapped in warm, velvety ropes wasn't physically unpleasant, but dread filled her anyways. I know what these things can do! As they lifted her into the air, she let out a sharp cry as she was jabbed in the hip. The sharpened tentacle, its reddened tip wetly gleaming, coiled back towards Narakage.

 

Almost immediately, an unpleasantly familiar chilling sensation began coursing through Kagome's veins, moving from the site of the wound down her limbs and throughout her body. She couldn't check her skin for visual proof, but the enervating cold was similar enough that her heart sank. Oh, no! This is like Tsubaki's curse! I won't be able to control my body!

 

Narakage grasped the bloodied tip between thumb and forefinger, turning it this way and that before inhaling deeply. He ran his tongue through the fluid and savoured its taste like a fine wine. “Your blood practically sings with power, dear Kikyo. It did before, but it is so much more now.” Tilting his head to the side, he contemplated his captive for a long moment, clearly at war within himself while ignoring the furious shouts from their audience. “My intention was to make you my woman,” he murmured, “But this power is possibly even more attractive… can the Jewel make both wishes possible?” Contemplating this idea, he languidly sucked the appendage clean before it vanished back inside his torso.

 

Darn it, I'm not close enough to fry him! At this distance, only these tentacles will be destroyed, and he apparently has an unlimited supply! She cast a desperate glance towards Sha just as the heavy sensation of not being able to breathe settled in her chest. The Jewel…! It's being tainted!

 

“So quiet, lovely Kikyo? I can tell by your expression that you recognize what has happened,” Narakage smirked. “Yes, my dear… I have taken your blood and injected you with the barest touch of my shouki. Your body is now mine to do with as I please.” The flexible cradle turned her towards their dumbstruck spectators as its warm flesh slithered inside her clothing.

 

“NO!” While her body might have been paralyzed, Kagome found that she could still scream. Her kimono were torn off her shoulders, her bra sliced away, and her exposed breasts flaunted just before her hands moved of their own accord. Oh, gods…! He's sick! Kagome's cheeks burned crimson with humiliation as her unwilling hands roughly gripped and pinched hard enough to leave marks. I can't let this go any further! Struggling vainly to regain control, the young woman tried to call upon the Jewel as her hakama were yanked off of her hips.

 

A tiny pink flare was extinguished as quickly as it appeared. Wh-what…? Truly panicking now, Kagome tried again and was horrified by the black energy wreathing her body. It's just like Tsubaki!

 

“What is this?” Narakage hissed. Her wandering hands stilled as her tormentor spun her back to face him. Retracting his appendages, he brought her close enough to glare at the false Jewel swinging back and forth across her bare chest. Darkness suddenly curved overhead as a barrier erupted into existence, the intense jyaki battering Kagome's consciousness. As Sesshiro's energy whip crackled against the barrier, a slim tentacle hooked the pendant, jerking her head forward. The dark hanyou inspected the bauble from all angles, until a cruel smile ruined his mouth. “What a pathetic attempt to mislead me.” Crushing the rose quartz to dust in his fist and winding the necklace around his fingers until it bit into her throat, Narakage snarled, “Where is the Shikon-no-Tama?”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

“Damn him!” Sha roared, clenching his clawless fists as he watched his naked wife and Narakage disappear inside the opaque barrier.

 

“She'll fry him before he can do anything else… right?” Tsugane asked uncertainly.

 

“She tried… you saw that black light! The Jewel's corrupted, just like it was last night when Tsubaki cursed her!” his uncle bitterly snarled.

 

“We need the Hijinsaiga,” Tenmaru exclaimed.

 

“No fucking shit, but we can't wait until dawn!”

 

“Now is our chance to deal with his lackeys,” Sesshiro pointed out, just as the two yakuza broke out of a huddle and faced them.

 

“Whoo-hoo! Come to mama, puppy-boy!” the dark-haired gangster whooped, shedding his floral kimono and dashing across the plateau in his white silk frock, apparently intending to close the range for his sword.

 

“Rushing to his own destruction,” the taiyoukai murmured, rising into the air. “Tenmaru, protect the humans… Tsugane, retrieve the weapons; I will cover you.”

 

“Yes, Father!” the hanyou answered, dropping into a crouch before charging across the distance, choosing a curving trajectory to cut behind Narakage's shield barrier and use it for his own protection.

 

Sha pulled the sheath out of his waistband and extended it, then smiled grimly as opportunity presented itself. The fast-moving yakuza had inadvertently lined himself up with the empty scabbard. Dunno if Tetsusaiga will go for this, being as the freak is human, but it's worth a try! “Tetsusaiga! Come to me!” The wooden sheath vibrated in his hand, and he repeated the command as the gleeful gangster put on the brakes as Tsugane tore past him.

 

“Where do you think you're going?” the thug cooed, whirling his blade over his head as he turned, tracking his target. “I'm gonna make you howl for me, handsome… urk!” Staggering from the impact, he looked down in surprise at the tattered hilt protruding from his ribs. His painted fingers first patted the Tetsusaiga's tsuba, then brushed at the vivid stain saturating the fine silk. “This was designer, asshole,” he mumbled thickly, his glossy lips turning scarlet red as he toppled over, his sword clattering to the rocks. The twisting length gave a final undulation, like the frantic throes of a dying carp, before going still.

 

“Well done, Brother,” Sesshiro commented from his position overhead. “Now, for the other….”

 

“Shit!” Tsugane leapt into the air as a small metal object skipped across the ground right into his path and exploded, sending chunks of molten metal and razor-sharp rock spraying everywhere. A second device arrived a split-second after the first and the hanyou narrowly avoided having his legs blown off by throwing himself into a desperate mid-air somersault. Peppered by shrapnel and bleeding profusely, partially deafened by the explosion, Tsugane stumbled into the path of a third grenade, but was seized by the scruff of his neck and dragged up into the air out of harm's way.

 

“Incoming!” Tenmaru shouted, helping Sha to shield Karin and Sota as yet another explosive bounced towards them.

 

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

Kagome opened her mouth to lie, but it was already too late. An expression of unholy glee took hold of Narakage's countenance as he stared at the centre of her chest. Letting go of the necklace, long, white fingers caressed the blackened marking revealing the tainted Jewel's location, the burning heat of his touch at odds with the deathly pale colour of his skin. “It's inside you,” he breathed, then frowned. “How do I extract it, lovely Kikyo?” His fingertips sprouted claws, but as he lightly scratched her skin, he was distracted by the beading blood. Tears streaking her face, Kagome shuddered in revulsion as Narakage pulled her closer and slowly ran his tongue over her chest, lapping up the droplets. “So delicious,” he purred. “Your blood is being contaminated by my shouki, and the Jewel by my jyaki. Soon, you will be completely and utterly mine.” His breath was hot, his mouth even hotter when he abruptly fastened his lips over her nipple.

 

“Don't touch me!” she shrieked and managed to defy the darkness spreading throughout her body long enough to tear loose one arm. Her fist sputtered pink-tinged black energy and she punched Narakage in the side of the head. Why is he still standing? She watched in consternation as the smoking damage to her captor's face repaired itself.

 

“Bitch!” Narakage icily snarled, smearing the ashes out of his eyes. His attention was momentarily caught by a series of explosions outside of the shield, but not long enough for Kagome to take advantage of this distraction. More tentacles wrapped around her, arching her back and winding so tightly around her limbs that she screamed from the crushing pain.

 

Narakage's face was suddenly right above hers. “How dare you spurn my caresses, bitch!” he hissed, his expression distorted by rage. “I have waited for centuries for this! You were to rule at my side when I conquered the world!” His skin seemed to melt away, revealing a terrifying visage marked by curving, elongated fangs and multiple blood-red eyes. Several bony, jointed limbs erupted out of his torso and joined the tentacles in pinning her in place. All vestiges of humanity had disappeared in his fury, revealing instead a segmented, arachnid-like form. “Instead, little miko, you shall be the first I devour!”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

Sesshiro dove to the rescue, but Ah-Un acted first. The great beast knocked the grenade over the edge of the plateau with one sweep of his powerful tail before nimbly interposing his great bulk between the yakuza and his targets. As the explosion blew a hole in the slope below and started a minor landslide, the taiyoukai dropped Tsugane next to Sota and released the hybrid dragon's muzzles. “Time to earn your keep,” he said to the creature, which responded by rumbling excitedly. Smoke began pouring out of both pairs of the animal's nostrils as Sesshiro assessed the gangster, who was rapidly loading what appeared to be a bazooka.

 

“Hurry, Sess!” Sha urged, his eyes riveted on the gleaming shield, imagining all too vividly what was being done to Kagome inside its impenetrable jyaki wall.

 

Both heads tossing, Ah-Un eagerly bounded forward while Sesshiro sprang into the air. As the thug aimed the weapon, the dragon gave an unearthly cry and blasted an intense fiery jet directly at him, the flames licking at the muzzle of the bazooka.

 

Cursing the apparent attempt to set off the ammunition, the yakuza dodged backwards and reset the aim… just before long fingers circled his neck and he was heaved off the ground. Dangling in the clawed grip of the implacable taiyoukai, he tried to scream as pure, unadulterated pain ate into his throat and the acrid stench of burning flesh filled his nose.

 

“Die,” Sesshiro said calmly, pouring more poison into the man's body.

 

Desperation, or more likely a dying twitch, allowed the gangster to pull the bazooka's trigger with spectacularly messy results. The muzzle of the weapon had melted and folded inward from Ah-Un's fiery breath, effectively turning the bazooka into a pipe bomb. Ah-Un had already skidded to a stop and curled protectively around his charges on the other side of the plateau when it went off, sending chunks of flesh and metal flying. Above the chaos, Sesshiro coolly shook his clothing free of deceased yakuza, and turned his attention to the barrier.

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

Something spattered against the outside of the shield, drawing the inhuman creature's attention. “The foolshave failed,” he said in disgust. “However, the Western Lord has saved me the effort of exterminating them myself.” An energy whip circled the top half of the domed barrier as Sesshiro again tried to crack it open. “Persistent dogs,” Narakage observed, “but my shield is impenetrable… and when I drop itafter I have made my wish, they will allbe my prey.”

 

“You're planning to eat them?” Kagome managed to croak. He's an abomination!

 

Turning back to his prisoner, Naraku's hellish breath nearly suffocated her as his nightmarish eyes narrowed speculatively. “You must bequickly andirrevocably brokenin order to complete the Jewel's corruption;Onigumo's lustfor you can be put to use.”

 

Kagome shrieked as her legs obeyed Narakage's will and parted without help from their squirming bonds. “Perhaps this faceis more to your liking, miko?” True terror took hold as she stared at the facsimile of Sha's hanyou appearance, complete with silver hair, golden eyes… and elongated fangs.

 

“N-no,” she whispered faintly, then screamed shrilly as claws tore into her shoulder and raked down her back, the tips catching on each of her ribs on the way down. At the same time, something slithered up her inner thigh towards her most vulnerable flesh.

 

“Farewell, Kikyo,” the monster rumbled, then sank his fangs into her throat.

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

Kagome gasped desperately, in so much pain that she was on the verge of passing out.

 

Can't breathe…wait, what? Wh-where's Naraku? I'm surrounded by his aura… but…where'd he go?

 

Hastily hitching up the shreds of her hakama with one hand and trying to cover herself with the bloodied tatters of her kimono with the other, the young woman peered into her dimly-lit surroundings and let out a frightened squeak.

 

What is this place?

 

She was surrounded by macabre heaps of contorted flesh, gleaming bone and matted fur. The ground beneath her feet heaved, and she looked down to realize that she was ankle-deep in a vast sea of youkai corpses.

 

Where…?

 

A burst of unmistakeable spiritual power caused her to spin around; she almost lost her balance on the shifting surface as she stared at two figures illuminated by a small circle of pale pink light. An arrow flamed brightly against the gloom as it was fired at a multiple-eyed worm-like thing slithering towards the pair, while a sword spat blue sparks as it beheaded a bizarrely contorted caterpillar-with-fangs. The swordsman, wearing a style of antique armour she'd only seen in textbooks, flicked the blade free of glistening ichor and imperiously gestured.

 

“If you wish to live, Shikon miko, hurry!”

 

Kagome gathered up what was left of her clothing and staggered towards the waiting figures as quickly as the crippling pain allowed. Couldn't they have come to me? Stumbling up to the edge of the circle of light, she squinted at the pair. Oops. Swordswoman, not swordsman. The archer wore the familiar white and red robes of a Shinto shrine maiden; the young woman blinked and looked closer. Oh, gods… is that?

 

“Welcome, our soul-sister,” said the armoured woman, impatiently beckoning her forward into the circle of light. “I am Midoriko-no-Tama and this is Kikyo-no-Samukawa.”

 

“L-Lady Kikyo?” Kagome whispered, staring at the second woman. It's like looking in a mirror… almost.

 

The other priestess silently nodded, her cool gaze uncomfortably assessing. “He has given you the same wound,” she quietly commented, gesturing at Kagome's bleeding shoulder.

 

“You have very little time, Shikon miko. Compose yourself,” Midoriko snapped, and Kagome realized that the woman's face was another almost-identical copy of her own.

 

“Er, yes, ma'am,” she meekly replied, straightening up as best she could even as the pain intensified. “Um… where are we?”

 

“Inside the Jewel itself,” Midoriko answered impatiently. “There is no time for idle chatter; this circle is the last part of the Jewel free of our enemy's taint.” Her voice softened. “I feel the burden of your wounds, but you must put aside your personal concerns and make your desire to protect the innocent the foremost emotion in your mind.”

 

In other words, imagine someone I love being attacked; I've done this before. Taking a deep breath, Kagome did her best to push away the pain. Visualizing claw-tipped tentacles reaching for her mother, she willed the Jewel's power to awaken. C'mon… help me out! We can't afford to fail! A faint surge of cleansing energy raced through her body and the distraction of her wounds faded slightly. More… we have to stop him! Frowning in concentration, she added her brother's and grandfather's images to the mental picture, but the answering increase wasn't enough.

 

“Surely there must be someone else in your heart that requires protection,” Kikyo murmured.

 

Can they see inside my head? Sha's silver-framed, golden-eyed visage immediately sprang to mind, but instead of powering up the Jewel, Kagome felt a distinct lessening in the energy coupled with a jumbled sensation of anger laced with deep sadness and disappointment. What's going on? Casting a confused glance at the other two priestesses, she noted that while Midoriko met her gaze with steely resolve, Kikyo looked the other way. What's with her? Notching another arrow, the former Shikon miko aimed into the gloom outside the circle and blasted a gibbering conglomeration of flesh.

 

“Do not lose your concentration,” Midoriko directed as she broke away to bisect something that vaguely resembled a feathered horse with a scorpion's barbed tail. “Else you are doomed to join us in this place for all eternity!”

 

Shuddering, Kagome set aside her suspicions and reformed the image of her loved ones… with one deliberate change. This time, Sha's vulnerable human form joined her family. The resulting blaze of spiritual power ignited a wide circle around the three women, driving back the darkness and the slavering creatures that waited outside.

 

“Excellent! Hold that image in your mind and take our hands,” Midoriko directed.

 

Without any other options, Kagome let the scraps of her clothing drop and obeyed. So much more calloused than mine… from holding weapons nearly their entire lives, I expect. As she linked hands with the other two women, the light surrounding them intensified into a deep rosy-pink. Blue electricity crackled around the exterior, snapping at the hovering creatures and pushing them back even further. The pain in her body disappearing, the weight crushing her chest easing as the sphere of light expanded outward, Kagome jubilantly squeezed the other priestesses' fingers. We can do this! She was caught up by a powerful wave of spiritual energy that swept away the last vestiges of her physical agony along with the jyaki's taint.

 

Midoriko's voice broke through her exultation. “The right wish will set us all free,” the elder priestess cryptically urged as she and Kikyo faded away into the pure, bright light. Just before consciousness fully returned, another strained, unhappy voice whispered in Kagome's ear.

 

He cannot be trusted.

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

“How the fuck do we crack this thing?” Sha yelled, slamming the sheathed Tetsusaiga on the ground in frustration.

 

Sesshiro flicked droplets of poison from his fingers, watching dispassionately as they sizzled into nothingness against the shield's roiling jyaki. “I could test Bakusaiga's power.”

 

The hanyou's shoulders slumped in defeat. “She's probably already dead, and that bastard will be fucking invincible if he's wished on the Jewel.”

 

“Then I have your permission?” the taiyoukai asked, drawing the sword.

 

Sha rubbed his hand over his face. “Yeah,” he muttered unhappily. “It's our only option.”

 

Taking up a stance, Sesshiro swung the weapon over his head, but before he could connect, a network of glowing cracks rapidly spread across the smooth black surface. “Move!” Sha found himself bobbing in his brother's slipstream, his collar firmly gripped in Sesshiro's hand as the taiyoukai raced back towards the rest of their group. “Everyone over the edge!”

 

There was a rapid flurry as Tenmaru boosted Tsugane, Sota and Karin onto Ah-Un's back and threw himself off the cliff after them; the young hanyou was snatched out of mid-air by Sesshiro and dropped at his feet onto the cushion of youki next to Sha. There was an inhuman scream followed by a massive explosion that shook the very air, sending debris from the plateau skipping and bouncing down the slope. They were blinded by a burst of brilliant pink light, and a moment after that, the yakuza's segmented sword arced over their heads, twirling like a metallic streamer as it fell towards the forest below.

 

In the following silence, they all looked at each other until Sha stood up on the slowly undulating platform and growled, “What're we waiting for?” He held the Tetsusaiga's scabbard out in front as a precaution as they crested the rocky edge, but shock caused him to drop even this mild defence.

 

The plateau was empty, except for the limp, tumbled corpse of the sword's owner, a few fluttering scraps of bright floral fabric, and a gently smoking heap of ashes approximately where Narakage's shield had been.

 

“Sis can't be dead…?” Sota whispered hesitantly as Karin sympathetically gripped his hand. “There'd at least be a body… right?”

 

Sha strode rapidly across the plateau towards the straggling pile, his posture painfully rigid; no one dared to follow. Tsugane let out a pained whimper, biting his lip so hard that he drew blood. Tenmaru swallowed the lump in his throat and quietly asked, “Can you detect any sign of life, Father?”

 

“No,” the taiyoukai admitted, “but Tenseiga remains silent.”

 

“That doesn't tell us anything,” Tsugane sniffled, swinging down from Ah-Un's back.

 

His long black hair whipping in the night wind, Sha came to a stop before the mound. Is this how it ends? Is this the price? Naraku's death at the cost of Kagome's life? Hanging his head, he tried unsuccessfully to fight off the tears prickling at the corners of his eyes. The wind stirred the surface of the pile and began peeling away layers, whirling the dust into ever-changing patterns across the barren ground. Struggling with his emotions, Sha missed the first signs of movement; a moment later, when a filthy, naked, violently coughing young woman erupted out of the ashes, it took him a heartbeat to react.

 

Kagome choked, then vomited; Sha dropped to his knees and held his sleeve over her nose and mouth. “Breathe through this,” he urged, scarcely daring to believe that she might be alive. Under the layers of dirt and drying blood on her back, he was stunned to see the healing tracks of fearsome wounds stretching from her shoulder to her waist. What the hell?

 

After several deep, harsh breaths sucked through the filtering fire-rat, Kagome lifted blood-shot eyes to meet his disbelieving gaze. “Thought I was a goner,” she rasped, falling prey to another coughing fit. Sha yanked off his jacket and wrapped it around her, then unable to restrain himself any further, pulled her into his arms.

 

“W-we thought you were dead,” he hoarsely whispered, the soot from her hair smearing his face.

 

“Almost was,” she wheezed, wiping her mouth. “I need some water….”

 

“Auntie!”

 

“Sis!”

 

Tsugane and Sota galloped towards them; they were only steps away when a pink barrier erupted in their faces. While Sota passed right through, Tsugane didn't have time to yell as he threw up his arms to ward off the deadly energy, disappearing in a shower of sparks. When the lightshow cleared, the young dog-hanyou was writhing on the ground just outside a glowing curtain of spiritual energy. There was a flash that caused an answering outward surge in the barrier, and he was abruptly half-way across the plateau, with his father standing between him and Kagome, the sheathed Tenseiga in his hand.

 

“Tsugane!” Kagome screamed when she saw the blistering skin on her unconscious nephew's face. A thin tendril of smoke spiralled upwards from a crispy-looking canine ear.

 

“Holy gods, Sis,” Sota muttered, covertly checking himself for damage and finding none. “What the heck did you do?”

 

“I-I don't know! The Jewel just reacted!”

 

“The Jewel did that? But why? He isn't a threat!”

 

“Tsugane is merely scorched,” the taiyoukai said calmly enough, but they could all hear the edge in his voice.

 

“Are you sure?” Sha demanded, shaken by the Jewel's violent reaction. I never, ever thought the new moon would save my life!

 

“His fire-rat deflected the worst of it.”

 

“I can't even examine him to make sure,” Kagome agonized, wringing her hands.

 

“This defensive reaction to even harmless youki proves that you are indeed who you appear to be,” Sesshiro observed.

 

Sha's head snapped around. “What? You thought that Kagome might be Naraku?”

 

“Our enemy transformed himself into a female earlier today to deliver the ransom note,” the taiyoukai pointed out. “It was a reasonable concern that he may attempt to mislead us again in order to escape.” Returning his sword to his sash, he bent down and gathered Tsugane into his arms. “We must seek medical attention.”

 

Sota went to Kagome as Sha assisted the young woman to her unsteady feet. “Can we all fit on that dragon-thing?”

 

Kagome miserably hunched her shoulders. “I can't,” she said in a small voice, as the ramifications of the Jewel's uncontrolled attack sank in. “The Jewel would probably try to purify Ah-Un.”

 

“Tenmaru made arrangements on my behalf with one of the inns in Oshima Town this afternoon, just in case we had to remain on the island tonight for one reason or another,” Sesshiro interjected. “He will act as your guardian.”

 

“Yes, Father,” Tenmaru dutifully answered.

 

The taiyoukai nodded. “Good; do not fail to warn the host about the Jewel's propensities.” As youki gathered around his feet and lifted both he and his unconscious son into the air, he added, “Hopefully the Shikon miko regains some semblance of control by morning.”

 

Sota gave Kagome a heartfelt hug. “I'll tell Mom that you're okay,” the teen assured as he stood up, then mock-punched Sha in the arm. “Keep her outta trouble.”

 

“E-excuse me?” Karin Mifune nervously pulled the shimmering silver emergency blanket more tightly around her when all eyes turned towards her. “I-I would like to return home, too.”

 

Tenmaru, who had assisted her down from Ah-Un's back shortly before, bowed politely. “Of course, Miss Mifune; please forgive us for not including you in the discussion. It's been a difficult evening for all of us.”

 

Returning the bow, she agreed, “It certainly has,” as Sota jogged towards them.

 

Tenmaru contemplated the fact that his mother's reincarnation was clad only in a bra and panties beneath the thin sheeting, and unbuckled his breastplate. When her eyes widened, he quickly said, “Please do not be alarmed, Miss Mifune; I am merely giving you my kimono to make your flight more comfortable.”

 

“F-flight?”

 

“Cool! We get to ride the dragon!” Sota exclaimed enthusiastically.

 

Tenmaru draped his thick, black fire-rat kimono over Karin's shoulders, allowing her to slip out of the coated plastic blanket. Her concentrated scent filled the air, stunning him with the waves of memory her familiar aroma instantly triggered, but Ah-Un's reaction was even more emphatic. The large animal gave a bird-like trill of recognition and it practically capered on its talons, then proceeded to rub both of its brimstone-scented muzzles all over her. Being snuffled by an excited dragon was too much; Karin gave a panicked cry and ducked behind Sota.

 

“We must depart,” Sesshiro urgently called, a length of white fur coiling around his injured son.

 

“C'mon, Miss Mifune; I'll be right here with you,” the teen said reassuringly. He gently dislodged her grip on his shredded clothing, then picked up the discarded emergency blanket and tied it around himself. “You take the saddle; we'll be just fine.” With Tenmaru restraining Ah-Un, he helped the young woman onto the dragon's back and swung up behind. Bracketing her with his arms, he took hold of the high pommel and Ah-Un's reins. “I don't really have to tell him where to go or what to do, right?” he asked Tenmaru.

 

“He will follow Father. Don't look down, and definitely don't let go!”

 

“Thanks for the advice,” Sota grinned, patting Karin's white-knuckled hands in a reassuring manner; she was leaving indentations in the pommel's tough leather.

 

Struck by an idea, Tenmaru inquired, “How were you brought up here?”

 

The teen looked around, then pointed. “There's a van parked over that way, but I don't know if they left the keys in it or not. The road up the mountain was really nasty in daylight!”

 

“We will have to risk it all the same… take care.”

 

“You bet!” Sota grinned, then called out, “We're ready as we'll ever be, Lord Nishiki!” Ah-Un tossed its heads, and possibly out of deference to its passengers, took a less-precipitous launch trajectory to catch up with the taiyoukai. However, Karin's startled shriek was at least as loud as Kagome's had been barely an hour before.

 

Tenmaru watched his family disappear into the night sky. Brother, you must survive! To gain Mother, but to lose you…! Squaring his shoulders, he turned towards his uncle and aunt, only to see Sha shove Kagome behind him and draw his battered sword. Now what? The hanyou moved towards the couple, but brought himself up short. Even if I am needed, I dare not approach too closely! Tenmaru realized that their attentions were firmly fixed on something hidden from his view within the pile of ashes. “What is it?” he called.

 

“The fucker's heart,” Sha replied, prodding vigorously with Tetsusaiga's dull tip.

 

“Naraku's… heart?” Tenmaru repeated, daring to draw close enough to see the misshapen lump of tissue and hear its erratic tempo. “Why wasn't it vaporized along with the rest of him?”

 

“According to the cat, the fucker started out as a human, so this must be all that's left of the bandit Onigumo.” Sha gave the palpitating organ another vicious poke. “It'd take all fucking night to chop it up with Tetsusaiga, and as satisfying as that might be, we need to get Kagome to shelter… so it's up to you, brat. Use your fancy pig-sticker and avenge your mother.” Sliding his arm around his wife, he gently tugged her away.

 

“Wait,” Kagome said, reaching up to pull at the silver chain around her neck. “Take this off for me, please.” Sha pried open the clasp and the tangled necklace dropped into her hand. She closed her fist around it for a brief moment, then tossed it onto the ground beside Naraku's heart and let Sha draw her back to give Tenmaru room.

 

The young dog-hanyou warily approached, drawing his short sword. A very thorough purification, indeed! Pushing aside the ashes with his boot, Tenmaru sized up the eerily throbbing flesh. Staking the heart to the ground with his blade, he whispered an attack name. A column of green flames shot upwards, and when they subsided, Narakage's final earthy remains had been reduced to motes of dust. Retrieving his weapon, Tenmaru wiped it off on his hakama and returned it to the sheath. Dusting off his hands, he glanced around the now-silent plateau before suggesting, “Shall we see if our late enemies left us a way off this mountain?”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

“Young Mr. Higurashi certainly wasn't joking about the condition of the road,” Tenmaru observed, peering through the cracked windscreen as he geared down yet again to coax the van around another hairpin turn on the precipitous mountain road.

 

“At least the assholes didn't booby-trap this thing,” Sha observed from the rear, his feet braced against the front passenger seat as the vehicle lurched through yet another pothole, tightening his arms around the young woman in his lap to keep her secure. Tenmaru's breastplate came loose from where it was stashed under the seat and slid across the floorboards until it bumped into the console, Ah-Un's muzzles rocking noisily inside.

 

“Even luckier for us that it wasn't blown off the mountainside by the explosion.”

 

Grunting in agreement, Sha ducked his head to peer into Kagome's face. “How ya doin'?” he asked softly, tucking the trailing sleeves of his fire-rat jacket around her bare legs. “Are you winning?”

 

“I have to,” she replied, the Jewel taking advantage of her momentary distraction to lunge for Tenmaru, but she slapped it down in time. “Sorry!”

 

The young dog-hanyou rubbed the tingling skin on back of his neck and shot a sharp look into the rear-view mirror. “Kindly remind the Jewel that endangering the driver is not conducive to its long-term existence… especially since you are not wearing a seatbelt.”

 

“Do you have any idea as to why it's going nuts?” Sha questioned, brushing her bangs out of the way and pressing a kiss to her dirt-streaked forehead. “After you fried Naraku's ass, I figured it'd be quiet for a while.”

 

“Not really,” Kagome apprehensively admitted, doing her best to ignore the bumpy journey, and again working on a mental picture of a sturdy, lidded wooden box. If I can use an image to call upon the Jewel's power, then I should be able to use the same technique to contain it… right? I can't allow it to hurt anyone else! Imagining the fractious Shikon-no-Tama being lowered into the box and the lid firmly shut, she added a couple of heavy locks for good measure. Okay, now I have to make this picture a part of my consciousness… easier said than done. Darn it, why didn't the Jewel come with an owner's manual?

 

Sighing as pink energy leaked out from under the box's lid, Kagome gradually became aware of a lurking sense of anger, disillusionment and disappointment. It's the same as before… when I was inside the Jewel with Midoriko and Kikyo. Those definitely aren't my emotions! Banishing the negativity while not losing her grip on the Jewel's power turned out to be an impossible task. What the heck is going on?

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

“Sota! Sota!” Mrs. Higurashi repeatedly hugged and kissed the teen despite their audience of several dog-youkai, one cat-youkai and one bemused human. “Look at you! What happened? Oh, never mind, for now… you came back!”

 

He stoically endured the fussing before gently breaking loose and bringing Karin forward. “May I introduce Miss Karin Mifune? Miss Mifune, this is my mother, Mrs. Yayoi Higurashi, and our shrine's guardian, Miss Buyo.”

 

The cat-youkai gravely bowed, her pale eyes twinkling, as Yayoi fluttered, “Oh! Please excuse me, Miss Mifune… I was so worried… it's been a very long twenty-four hours.” Mrs. Higurashi flapped her hands, and then her eyes widened as she took in what the grubby young woman wasn't wearing under the black kimono. “My goodness gracious! You must be freezing, what with those bare legs! Come, come… there's plenty of hot water, we'll find you something to wear and I'll make us all some miso soup.” Karin didn't quite know what to say as she was bustled towards the house, but with Sota's reassuring presence at her side, she simply went along with it.

 

Ah-Un followed in Karin's wake, chirruping plaintively. Sota stopped and made a point of petting the creature while encouraging the young woman to do the same. The hybrid dragon seemed to realize that Karin was nervous, because it stood quietly, the twin heads taking turns enjoying her hesitant caresses instead of jostling each other for position. She relaxed enough to comment on the softness of their scaly hide, as well as the extremely long lashes framing Ah-Un's vivid yellow eyes. By the end of the short session, she was confident enough to not react fearfully when one head tenderly nuzzled her cheek and the other mischievously nibbled on her bangs at the same time.

 

“All right, fella… that's enough,” the liveried groomsman said, stepping forward out of the watching group of guardsmen to reclaim the beast. Bowing deeply to the young woman, he said, “Ah-Un has missed you very much, my lady… and so have we. It's good to have you back.” As the dragon was lead away, the dual heads risking collision several times as they craned their necks over their shoulders, Karin bit her lip.

 

“What's up, Miss Mifune?” Sota asked, noticing her contemplative expression.

 

“Mr. Hitomi claimed that I'm a reincarnation of the Lady of the West,” she hesitantly replied. “Do you know anything about that?”

 

The teen scratched his ear, looking sheepish. “I think you'd better ask Lord Nishiki.”

 

“L-Lord Nishiki?”

 

“Yeah. He's your best bet.” Guiding her towards the foyer door, he commented, “We'll have to come up with a plausible story to tell your people… something that doesn't involve youkai.” As they passed Buyo, he winked and invited, “We could use some input, since you're another expert in the field.”

 

“Thank you, Lord Sota, but I will await the Western Lord.” Buyo pensively watched the humans enter the foyer. Victory is ours… apparently. However, I can't quite shake this feeling of dread…. The groomsman swung into Ah-Un's saddle, exchanging boisterously rude comments with the guardsmen before urging the creature aloft. She watched them disappear into the darkness above the city lights, until a cell phone rang amongst the group of dog-youkai. There was a brief conversation followed by murmured consultation, and a delegated guardsman approached the cat-youkai.

 

Bowing formally, he murmured, “As Mr. Higurashi relayed earlier, Lord Tenmaru, Lord Sha and Lady Kagome remain on Oshima Island this night. However, the reason for their decision was due to a complication involving the Shikon-no-Tama that resulted in Lord Tsugane's injury.”

 

Her youki spiked. “What sort of injury? He is alive, correct?”

 

“Lord Tenmaru described him as `lightly purified',” the guardsman replied deferentially even as he moved back a step. “My lord's life is not in danger.”

 

`Lightly purified'? Her dear friend? This does not bode well. “Where is the Western Lord?”

 

“Delivering Lord Tsugane to Mrs. Nishino's tender mercies, I expect.”

 

“Lady Kagome is unharmed?”

 

The guardsman shifted his feet. “Lord Tenmaru indicated that she was in good health, but ….”

 

“But what?” she demanded.

 

“He sounded concerned, my lady.”

 

Buyo stared into the middle distance over his shoulder for a long moment before she inclined her head in dismissal. “Thank you.” As he retreated to join his fellows, she shook out her sleeves and began pacing. Naraku is dead and Lady Kagome lives… but the Shikon-no-Tama attacked Lord Tsugane. That means she is not in control of it... but why? What has changed in her relationship with the Jewel? Stopping dead in her tracks as an unpleasant possibility occurred, she turned it over in her mind. If Lady Kikyo's memories of that day have been triggered by Lady Kagome's experience…!

 

Familiar youki washed over her, and she ceased her restless movements while the guardsmen straightened up smartly. Sesshiro landed soundlessly in the courtyard, but his agitation was plainly obvious to all who could see the twisting energy surrounding his tall form. “Western Lord,” she intoned, bowing.

 

“Shrine Guardian,” he replied calmly enough. Raking his men with a sharp look, he barked, “The enemy known as `Narakage Hitomi', or Naraku, is dead, but that does not decrease the risk to the residents of the Sunset Shrine.”

 

“To your posts, men!” the ranking officer smartly ordered. “Fall out!” The dog-youkai scattered, happy to escape Sesshiro's ire.

 

Buyo glided closer. “How is Lord Tsugane?”

 

“Healing,” he curtly replied, his attention focussed on the lighted windows of the Higurashi home.

 

“May I inquire as to the circumstances of his injury?” she asked, not at all put off by his impatient manner.

 

Sesshiro fixed her with a red-tinged yellow glare, but Buyo refused to be cowed. After a staring contest that lasted a few moments, he finally sighed. “Very well; a complicated situation has become even more so.”

 

Buyo took pity on the beleaguered taiyoukai. He is a father, after all, worried for his child. “Let us retire to the roof so that we will not be interrupted.” She turned towards the house, but he stayed her movement.

 

Forming a platform of youki, he offered her his hand. “We are united in our desire to protect our humans, Shrine Guardian. Allow me.”

 

“My thanks, Western Lord.” When they were ensconced on the roof tiles, she folded her hands inside her sleeves and murmured, “Tell me everything.”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

“We appreciate your kind welcome, Mr. Teishu, considering the lateness of our arrival,” Tenmaru intoned, sounding uncannily like his father as he bowed to the rumpled, elderly host in the inn's panelled entrance hall.

 

“It is my pleasure, young sir,” their host replied, as he bowed even lower to the dog-hanyou. “The House of the West is always welcome,” he continued, casting an appraising glance at Kagome's grimy, exhausted appearance while noting Sha's protective hover. “May I also say that it is a great honour to meet the Shikon miko?”

 

“Thank you… as I mentioned earlier today, we are here due to some rather unusual circumstances….”

 

“Say no more, my lord,” Mr. Teishu chuckled, raising his hand. “The `earthquake' up on Mount Mihara has caused a flurry of speculation among the human and youkai inhabitants; my wife has already fielded a number of calls. That was quite the lightshow of spiritual energy, my lady.”

 

Kagome twitched. “Er, thanks,” she answered curtly, wondering why the power roiling inside her was only growling at the raccoon-dog-youkai inn-keeper instead of lashing out. It's still trying to get at Tenmaru, though… stop it, darn you!

 

Noting her intense concentration, not to mention Sha's scowl, Tenmaru gently dissuaded their host from asking any more questions. “My lady aunt is very tired from her recent experiences. I will be happy to answer any questions in the morning.”

 

“Very good, sir. Right this way,” the roly-poly youkai said, ushering them further into the rambling building and up a flight of steep stairs. “We had a last-minute cancellation this morning, so you have our establishment to yourselves… which is a good thing, considering that your concealment spells are absent.” Patting the top of his grizzled head, he confided, “We don't mind having a day off now and again during the season; my wife and I are enjoying `being ourselves', too.”

 

Pausing in front of two painted wooden sliding doors, he opened both with a flourish. “The bathing facilities are through the door at the end of the hallway. We normally ask the ladies and gentlemen to bathe separately, but we will make an exception this evening; unusual circumstances and all that.” Bowing deeply again, he said, “My wife is preparing a few small dishes to tide you over until breakfast,” and waddled off down the hall.

 

“I'll check the bathing rooms and then secure the perimeter,” Tenmaru said tiredly. “You and Aunt can go first.” Disappearing inside the right-hand doorway, he came out carrying an indigo-patterned yukata. Kagome started, as if from a deep sleep, and took a step towards the left-hand door but Sha stopped her.

 

“Stay put; you're more likely to do a face-plant in their clean bedding than anything else,” he gently remonstrated, and fetched the yukata from the top of the folded futon. Cupping her elbow, he guided her down the hallway in Tenmaru's wake.

 

While they waited outside, the young dog-hanyou deposited his yukata in a cubby hole in the change area and snooped in all the corners of the shower room. Heading outside to the fenced and roofed natural hot springs, he made sure that the enclosure was both secure and free of interlopers. “Nice view of the mountain,” he reported back before disappearing to start his patrol.

 

Inside the changing area, Sha wasted no time in pulling off his white inner kimono and untied his hakama… then remembered the final, unnerving visual of his wife disappearing inside Narakage's shield and had second thoughts. The fucking bastard. After what he did to her… and I'm sure I don't know the half of it… I'll keep my clothes on. Knotting the sash, he noticed that Kagome was propping up a wall. “C'mon, sleeping beauty. Let's make this quick,” he said, helping her out of his fire-rat and steering her into the shower room. Turning on the water, he manoeuvred her under the spray and moved back to give her some space. I should probably leave the room, but… I don't want her out of my sight, either.

 

Kagome planted her hands flat on the wall and let the ashes slough off her hair and body. Gods, she has an amazing figure… Sha tried not to ogle the young woman's shapely form, but failed, at least until her skin was free of concealing dirt and he could see the marks of violence. That fucking bastard! Anger filled his heart as he noted the fading bruises marring her wrists and ankles, the puncture marks above her hip and in her throat, but the worst of all were the five vicious slashes curving down her back that looked uncomfortably like claw marks. It was when she turned around to face him, her hand coming up to touch her healing shoulder, that the pose struck him as curiously familiar. Staring intently, he searched his memories. Where have I seen that before…?

 

At that moment, when his expression could be most easily misinterpreted, Kagome blinked the water out of her eyes and saw Sha apparently intensely inspecting her naked body. Eep! She moved to cover herself, and then mentally shook her head at her maidenly reaction. Give it a rest, Higurashi. You've been stripped, groped, tortured and had tentacles in places you really don't want to think about… and you're having a shy moment in front of your husband?

 

Sha, for his part, had turned a shade of scarlet that rivalled his colourful hakama. “Sorry,” he muttered, staring at the stone floor. “I can't smell you or hear you when I'm like this… and I kinda need to have you within arm's reach after everything that's happened tonight.” Glancing up, he offered, “I'll step outside if you're not comfortable.”

 

She smiled crookedly and impulsively held out her hand. “I need you closer than `arm's reach'.”

 

The hanyou still hesitated. “I'm really worked up right now and I don't want to scare you if I get… demanding,” he admitted. “The asshole got kinda rough with you, and I don't want you to have any more bad associations.”

 

Kagome stepped out of the water stream and laid her wet hands on his bare chest. Searching his face, she said simply, “I trust you, Sha.”

 

“Are you really sure?”

 

“Completely,” she replied, and began loosening the knot securing his sash. “Come on.”

 

The heavy cloth dropped off his hips, puddling around his ankles on the slick floor. He was going to leave his underwear in place, but glanced down and realized that the thin fabric was already transparent. Keh. Not exactly leaving anything to the imagination. Kicking free of the garments, Sha allowed Kagome to pull him under the shower.

 

Experiencing a flutter that made her stomach flip, the young woman blushed as she covertly inspected the heretofore unseen parts of his anatomy. Biting her lip to stave off a nervous giggle, Kagome slipped her arms around Sha's narrow waist and slowly fitted her body against his, resting her head against his chest.

 

The hanyou immediately moved her mass of wet hair aside and began smoothing his hands up and down her back. “Does it hurt if I press on these marks?” he asked worriedly, carefully running his fingertips across the five indentations.

 

Kagome shook her head and snuggled closer, sighing contentedly, marvelling at the warmth and strength surrounding her. This feels so good… I could just stay here forever….

 

For his part, Sha slowly relaxed, lulled by the water running over his skin and the curvaceous body melting into his arms from his tender attentions. To be with her like this is almost worth the shit the asshole caused….

 

“Sha?”

 

“Mm-hmm?”

 

“Does, er… all your hair turn silver in the morning?”

 

The hanyou blinked, then chuckled, and gave her a squeeze. “You'll just have to wait to find out,” he said playfully.

 

A few minutes later, when they were seated in the hot spring, Kagome gazed at the bamboo-framed night-time view of Mount Mihara. “It all seems like a bad dream,” she murmured, lacing her fingers with Sha's.

 

He slung his free arm around her shoulders and tugged her close. “Whatever I can do to help you get over this… don't hesitate to ask,” Sha said in all seriousness. “Even if it's to tell me that you need some space.”

 

She smiled quietly. “I need to be near you, because you make me feel safe.” They sat in silence for a while longer, simply listening to the night-breeze rustling the roof of the enclosure and enjoying their newfound closeness, until Kagome sank lower in the water and mumbled, “I hope Tsugane is all right.”

 

Sha kissed her forehead. “I'm sure Tenmaru will give us a report later; he's probably on the phone right now.”

 

The young woman squirmed unhappily. “The Jewel has so far allowed me to protect my loved ones; to have it attack people that I care about is frightening….”

 

“You'll figure it out,” he said confidently. “You've gone from being the `Shikon Snack' to the `Shikon miko' in less than a week; you'll get a handle on it in no time.”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

Just before dawn, Sha awoke to a vague sense of menace that seemed out of place in his very comfortable situation. There was a warm weight tucked against his side under the quilts on the thick futon; Kagome's fingers curled into the soft yukata he'd donned after they exited the hot springs the previous night. We both conked out so fast after dinner that we didn't even manage a goodnight kiss.

 

Yawning, he held up his hand, inspecting the blunt human fingernails that would very soon turn to claws. Hope that whoever shows up to collect us remembers our concealment anchors; our host emphasized that the town's too small for us to avoid notice. There was a faint pulse deep within his body, alerting him to the imminence of his change, and he awaited the return of his full powers. Probably helpful that my nose was out of commission last night, because I didn't have to smell the asshole's stink all over Kagome. Good thing she had a bath, or I would've had trouble not pouncing on her this morning.

 

There was only a split-second warning before the Jewel attacked.

 

Kagome pushed herself up on her hands, half-asleep and completely bewildered by Sha's hasty exit from their cozy bed… until she saw a fist-like projection of pink energy splattering against the wall where his silver head had been a moment before. “NO!” she shouted, frantically attempting to visualize the restraining box, but the purifying power continued flailing after the hanyou until he bailed out the second-storey window. “Darn it! Why are you trying to hurt the people I love?” she railed, but quickly discovered that her negative emotions only increased the Jewel's range. Okay… getting mad is totally not helping. Calm down, Kagome… breathe. Bring it back under control….

 

After several long minutes battling the energy, she managed to impose her will upon the Jewel only when she calmed down. I can sorta see why it freaked out last night, because it had just blasted Naraku and it probably wasn't differentiating between `good' youki and `bad' at that moment… but it knows Sha! When Tenmaru cautiously peered around the doorframe a couple of moments later, his appearance triggered a violent reaction that left her gasping on the futon from the effort involved in subduing the energy.

 

“Aunt, what is happening to you?” he called from the relative safety of the hallway.

 

“I don't know! Please… is Sha all right?”

 

“I'm okay,” came Sha's familiar, and very welcome voice through the wall panel from the direction of Tenmaru's room. “Dammit, girl! My ears are singed!”

 

“Those blackened ear-tips lend your appearance a certain rakishness, Uncle,” Tenmaru commented, obviously trying to lighten the atmosphere. Both hanyou turned at the inn-keeper's urgent hail.

 

“What's going on?” Mr. Teishu demanded, puffing up the stairs towards them.

 

“Don't come any closer!” Kagome shouted, perspiring heavily as she struggled to lock away the Jewel.

 

Ignoring her warning, the raccoon-dog-youkai stuck his head in the open door. “That was quite the blast of spiritual energy, young lady; you scared the crow-youkai right off the eaves troughs all over town!” He inspected the wide-eyed young woman, who stared back at him in complete confusion. “What seems to be the problem?”

 

“Her purification powers went a little out of control in the confrontation last night,” Sha finally growled.

 

“I take it that's why you almost went for a swim in the carp pond a few minutes ago?” The rotund youkai looked from the pair of tense dog-hanyou hiding in the corridor and then back into the room. “I'm even more of a youkai than they are,” he addressed Kagome, “so why isn't the Shikon-no-Tama reacting to me?”

 

“That's a very good question,” Tenmaru said. “Aunt?”

 

An unnerving suspicion had begun to form in Kagome's mind. “Sir, would you consider removing your concealment anchor for me?”

 

He considered her pleading expression for a long moment. “Very well,” he slowly said, “but keep in mind I'm not as agile as these youngsters!” Removing a woven copper bracelet ringing his chubby wrist, he and the others waited with some trepidation.

 

Almost nothing happened. Kagome was framed by flickering pink energy, but the Jewel's reaction was virtually non-existent by comparison to its previous fiery aggression. Mr. Teishu smoothed the fur on his floppy black ears before replacing the bracelet and reverting to a fully-human appearance. “The Jewel certainly has a bite… but it appears to be selective.”

 

If he's right, this is really not good! Kagome shakily called to Tenmaru, “How soon until your concealment anchors are delivered?”

 

“I-I'm not sure, Aunt,” he replied, still disconcerted by the Jewel's mild rebuke of a stranger. “Why?”

 

“I think that the Jewel is attacking you and Sha based on your appearance, more so than your youki aura… although it's going to make sure that you can't get too close anyways, even with a concealment spell,” she slowly answered, giving voice to her growing conviction.

 

“Are you saying that the Shikon-no-Tama suddenly hates silver-haired youkai?” Sha asked in disbelief. “That's ridiculous!”

 

“The proof will be when we don our concealment anchors, Uncle,” Tenmaru pointed out. “Aunt? Do you have any thoughts as to what may have triggered this change?”

 

Kagome didn't answer for a very long time, and when she did, her voice was so low that they had to strain to hear it. “Naraku took on Sha's hanyou appearance when he was torturing me… and now the Jewel seems to be connecting that image to the bad memories.”

 

“Oh, fuck,” Sha groaned.

 

Tenmaru considered a disquieting possibility that obviously hadn't yet occurred to the elder hanyou. “It appears that the price for being rid of Naraku will be high, but in a different way than we feared.”

 

“What do you mean, brat?”

 

“He has made it impossible for you and Aunt to be together as husband and wife… unless you are fully human.”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

A/N: Midoriko's and Kikyo's `surnames'

Ranuel mentioned the existence of a `Tama City' in the Tokyo suburbs some time ago during a conversation about potential modern locations of places featured in InuYasha, such as the site of the exterminator's village, which is the birthplace of the Shikon-no-Tama. Tama City is a large 1970s residential community, situated in and named after the historic region known as the Tama Hills in Kanagawa Prefecture in south-western Greater Tokyo. Kanagawa Prefecture was part of `Musashi's Domain' in the Sengoku Jidai era, so it's included in the correct historical-geographical area for InuYasha's setting.

 

Tama City is also the home of Sanrio Puroland, aka `Hello Kitty Land', the ultimate shrine to all that is kawaii.

 

On the other hand, the Samukawa shrine is an ancient Shinto shrine that dates back prior to 727AD; it is also in Kanagawa Prefecture and not far (as the crow-youkai flies) from the Tama Hills. Like `Tama', there are several sites with `Samukawa' in their names in the same area, including minor shrines. I borrowed the name and general location for Kaede's village because of its antiquity (great for a Well of Ages) and the fact that it happens to lie to the western or `sunset' side of Greater Tokyo, but mainly because the shrine's Wikipedia page featured a wonderful picture of the main gate decorated for a festival. Between colourful figures of male and female deities, there is the unmistakeable form of a snarling white dog-youkai with at least two tails!

 

Inside the Jewel: in the final chapters of the IY manga, Inuyasha was shown a vision of Midoriko eternally battling the composite demon that had defeated her inside the Shikon-no-Tama and was told that this was Kagome's destiny, to take Midoriko's place in perpetuity against Naraku. I snagged the idea so that Kagome could `go inside' the Jewel to meet Midoriko in this fic.

 

Although the anime gave her a face, Midoriko's features are never clearly depicted in the manga. Following RT's lead, it is hypothetically possible that Kikyo and Kagome were both intended to be reincarnations of the mythical priestess.