InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Protector's Heart ❯ Ritual, History, and Intent ( Chapter 5 )

Sorry it took so long for this chapter. Writer's block, exams, etc. Not to mention I started another Inufic: Inuyasha AD 4023- the vision is perhaps stronger than this one. Check it out. Well, enjoy this next chapter- reviews are welcomed.

 

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of Inuyasha; Takahashi-sama does.

 

Chapter Five: Ritual, History, and Intent

 

Dawn broke over Kaede's Village, heralded by the soft chirping of birds. The forest of the Goshinboku gleamed in its green hues as the creatures of Sengoku Jedai stirred in the predawn light. The loud splashes of the inu-hanyou hunting fish for breakfast were perhaps the only sounds that did not seem to blend well with the peaceful silence of morning.

 

“Goddamnit fucking sonofabitch!” Inuyasha was irate. He had awoken early and in a good mood, but now he found himself fuming at the inability to catch a single fish for breakfast. It had started well enough, but his thrashing and swearing had scared most of them away. Now he would have to explain to everyone why he was dripping wet in the early morning. “Stupid river fish! Give me a river youkai any day but this is ridiculous!”

 

Perhaps I could be of some assistance? His demon side growled as Inuyasha sat down on the bank of the river dejectedly.

 

Shuttup you! As if my morning couldn't get any worse now you have to rub it in don't ya?

 

I believe you have it wrong hanyou, I am merely offering my assistance in securing sustenance for our pack. Would you only let me lend you my power we could have a dozen fish in a mere minute.

 

Since when were you a fishing expert? Keh- besides it's not like catching these fish should be so difficult. I'm just having a bad day is all! Inuyasha idly splashed some rocks into the stream.

 

Well, lets make it a bet.

 

Inuyasha's ears perked up at this. He wasn't a gambler, but he would never pass up an opportunity to prove his smug youkai wrong. What kind of bet?

 

If I can catch a dozen fish in one minute then you will let me show you how to make our bitch tremble in pleasure.

 

Inuyasha turned a beat red and turned his face as if there was someone in front of him to turn it from. Keh, as if I don't already know how to do that you hentai- besides who says me and `gome are gonna be doing any of that stuff again any time soon? Some of us here got better things to worry about-

 

Such as? Silence… Ah I see… well then. If I lose the bet I'll refrain from speaking to you for a week.

 

Now that's something to look forward to. You got a deal, you youkai bastard!

 

Inuyasha stood up from his position on the riverbank and waded out into the stream once more. The chill of the spring water made him shiver a little, despite his usual resistance to cold and heat. So… uh… how exactly does this work?

 

Just relax your mind and let me do the rest.

 

Relax his mind? As far as Inuyasha knew, his demon side only came out when either he or Kagome were threatened. He quietly feh'ed to himself and then did his best to quiet his thoughts. After what seemed to be an eternity, which for Inuyasha was something akin to five minutes, he began to notice a change. He could smell the fresh water and all the different types of fish in it. He could smell the emotions of the fish. Normally his youkai senses could only detect that there was a stream and there were fish in it. His sharper emotion sensing skills limited only to beings of higher intelligence. He also felt lighter, faster. His ears twitched at hearing all the little heartbeats of the wildlife around him. So this is the kind of stuff Sesshoumaru was always bragging about… wow…

 

Hardly. His demon side growled. This is only a taste of what I can do for us, now using the heartbeats as your guide, close your eyes and catch us some fish.

 

It was as his demon half said. He easily caught a dozen fish in just under a minute, his greater perception of space and increased reflexes practically doing the work for him. Wow I never knew we could do stuff like this. Keh- like catching fish is any big deal though. What I wanna know is if we can't put arrogant bastards like my brother in their place.

 

With practice, perhaps.

 

Just one thing. How is it that you can come out like this, when you only come out when we are threatened normally?

 

Simple. You are constantly restraining me with the help of that accursed sword. When you relax your grip on my power, than you can access my abilities without losing your mind to bloodlust. Though I do enjoy a good slaughter now and again…

 

Inuyasha decided this conversation was over and swiftly gathered the writhing fish on the riverbank before running back to Kaede's hut.

 

 

By the time Inuyasha arrived everyone was awake save for Kirara and Shippou, who lay curled together in the corner of the hut. Kagome was sleepily helping Kaede set a pot of boiling water of the fire pit of the hut as Sango cut some vegetables and tossed it with rice. Kagome, done with her task turned around to ask Sango if she could help with the vegetables when she saw a smirking Inuyasha standing in the doorway.

 

“Inuyasha what are you doing up so early?” She wrinkled her nose a bit. “And what have you been doing, you're dripping wet!”

 

Inuyasha merely rolled his eyes. “Gods wench. Aint I allowed to get up early once in a while? Besides I thought you would appreciate a little… of whatever you call it…

prou-teeen in the morning.” He revealed a weave basket that he had been hiding behind his back and put it down next to the boiling water.

 

“Inuyasha…” Sango said awkwardly. “You caught us some fish?”

 

Inuyasha shifted his feet and then walked over to the corner where he sat down and leaned his back against the wall. “Feh. I don't know about some fish. I do know about a lot of fish.”

 

Kagome rolled her eyes and shared a giggle with Sango as she opened the top of the basket. “Oh wow Inuyasha, you really did catch a lot of fish.” She picked the basket up and showed it to Sango.

 

“She's right,” Sango said dryly, “we should be able to eat well all the way through lunch tomorrow with these. Good job Inuyasha, I never knew you could catch fish. I only thought you could scare them by thrashing about.” She smirked at Kagome and both vividly recalled the few times that Inuyasha had tried to catch them fish. When it came to game Inuyasha had no problems, but for some reason the slippery little cold-blooded organisms just eluded his predator's instinct.

 

“I'll have you know I'm a master fisherman. I caught all of those in under a minute.” He smirked arrogantly at his proclamation.

 

“Whatever. Come one Sango lets cook these up so we can have some for breakfast.” Kagome hummed a happy tune as she followed Sango outside to gut the fish before cooking them. To think that she would have grimaced at the thought of sleeping at doors two and a half years ago, where now gutting fish and skinning game doesn't even phase her. Not to mention facing off against youkai all the time. Inuyasha broke his thoughts when he noticed the monk was missing.

 

“Hey Kaede, you know where the houshi has gone off to?” Inuyasha pondered out loud.

 

“I do not know Inuyasha. Though I image ye might find him meditating somewhere about.” Kaede busied herself with adding the vegetables and rice to the water as she shoed him outside.

 

Pride hurt by being thought of as a nuisance, Inuyasha picked up on the monk's scent, deciding some male company would be well appreciated right about now.

 

 

Miroku sat in deep meditation under the waterfall of a small stream. The cool water helped him concentrate in times of distress. He had awoken last night briefly when he had been disturbed by a powerful miko aura. Kagome and Inuyasha were missing, and the aura didn't seem to be Kagome's, so they must have gone to investigate. He had ended up going back to sleep, knowing that they would handle it. When he awakened in the morning he was relieved to see both Inuyasha and Kagome soundly asleep as he left an hour before dawn to meditate, but as he focused on the spiritual signature he detected last night, he couldn't help but be disturbed by the implications. The only people he knew of who could wield such power were Kikyou and that servant Naraku had used at Mt. Hakurei. Both were dead. That another being of such purification roamed the lands was auspicious indeed. The best scenario would be that this being had detected the completion of the jewel and would come to help in its purification. The worst case would be that it was a dark priestess tainted with hate, come to use the jewel for her own ends. Either way it would change things.

 

Sighing, Miroku shifted his legs and straightened his back as he felt his body begin to shiver from the long exposure to the cold. Standing, he hopped rocks back to the shore and began to dry himself. He was just putting on his sandals when he recognized a familiar youki entering the area. “Hello Inuyasha, what brings you here, and so early in the morning?”

 

The hanyou pouted. “Feh, like I would come here for any reason. I was just patrolling the area for any hostile youkai was all.”

 

“Inuyasha, you know as well as I that there have been no hostile youkai in Kaede's Village for over a year save our recent fight and victory with Naraku.” The monk waggled his finger at the defensive hanyou. “Could it be you came seeking merely my company Inuyasha?”

 

The hanyou grumbled and sat himself against a rock, idly twisting Tetsussaiga between his hands. “Keh, like I would have anything to talk about with you monk. But since I'm here I might as well stick around to make sure you don't get into any trouble.” He cracked his neck shifted awkwardly. “But since you're here I was wondering…”

 

Miroku decided the information he was about to get would be more entertaining than the tease he was prepared to give and merely voiced his interest instead. “Ah, perhaps there is something you would like to tell me about then?”

 

Inuyasha spat. “Feh, well… I was wondering… what would you say if I told you Kikyou was somehow alive?”

 

Ah so perhaps Kikyou was the owner of that aura last night… this could be grave indeed. “I would question what her intentions were.” The monk unwrapped the beads around his right hand and began running his left over the smooth skin where the wind tunnel had once existed, a habit he had picked up as soon as Naraku's curse had faded with his death. He still couldn't comprehend he had his whole life ahead of him to live now.

 

A fish jumped out of the water and plopped back down as Inuyasha considered his words. “Me too,” he finally admitted, “anyway she said she wanted to help with the jewel…”

 

“Inuyasha,” Miroku said with his voice low, worry crossing his normally carefree features, “are you saying that this is not hypothetical, that Kikyou indeed still walks the earth?”

 

“Hypo-whatichamacalit?” Inuyasha looked confused.

 

“Never mind that,” the monk said cursing himself for his vocabulary, “is it true?”

 

Inuyasha grimaced. “Yeah it's the truth monk. `Gome and me ran into her last night. She said she wants to help purify the jewel for part of her atonement before she crosses into the afterlife. She's gonna show up later this morning to help us with the ritual of purification…” He trailed off, worry evident on his face as he took a rock and skipped it across the water, his eyes staring off at nothing.

 

“I would be suspicious too Inuyasha,” the monk reassured, “this is no ordinary occurrence.”

 

“Got that right houshi.” Inuyasha just grumbled as he stood up and shoulder Tetsussaiga. “Come on Miroku, lets go see if those girls got breakfast ready yet.”

 

 

Breakfast was good and a smug Inuyasha couldn't stop bragging about it until Kagome sat him. It was this scene that Kikyou walked in on that morning.

 

Sango was instantly on her feet reaching for her Hiriakotsu. She was halfway to releasing it when Miroku managed to grab her throwing hand and circle one arm around her waist to restrain her. Kikyou's expression was unchanged. Sango's face was one of alarm and anger. “Let me go Miroku I'll cut her in half!” She struggled as the houshi tightened his grasp, forcing her to drop the half of the boomerang she had attempted to wield and drawing her possessively into his chest.

 

“Now dear Sango let's not jump to conclusions, Kikyou is here to assist us.” He coaxed.

 

“How would you know houshi-sama?” She stressed the formal in exactly the way he disliked.

 

Inuyasha stepped forward. “Because I told `em so. Me and Kagome ran into Kikyou last night. She somehow managed to survive that fall and reclaim her soul, though she needs to help us purify the jewel if she is to find peace. Right?” His gaze turned to the priestess.

 

“Inuyasha speaks the truth. I have come to assist you in the ritual of purification.” She said simply.

 

Kaede who had been observing quietly, stirring the stew, added her piece. “So my sister, ye have finally come to peace with Inuyasha? Ye do not wish him or Kagome any harm do ye?”

 

Kikyou raised an eyebrow in amusement. “Even before I had regained my soul I had decided to leave them be. Though I still felt hatred and wanted to drag Inuyasha to hell, I understood that these were feelings controlled by the malice of Naraku and were not my own. I had to delve back into painful memories in order to understand exactly where my feelings should stand.” She moved from the entryway into the hut and sat cross-legged hands in her lap.

 

“Wow, so you really have your own soul now Kikyou? That's so cool! How can we purify the jewel tell us! Tell us!” A high-pitched voice intruded on the conversation wishing to be included.

 

Inuyasha only rolled his eyes and was about to land a quick one on Shippou's head when he caught a warning glare from Kagome. Maybe that wasn't such a good idea… He folded his arms and feh'ed good naturedly as he joined the ground level with the others. Sango seemed to still be half-heartedly struggling against Miroku's embrace as sat in his lap and Kagome scooted over to rest her shoulder on his.

 

“Yes, my duty here is to instruct you on how to conduct yourselves in the purification ritual. We can attempt to purify the jewel as early as the day after next if you wish.” Her tone was even and smooth, possibly even friendly.

 

“Sounds good to me,” Inuyasha interjected gruffly, “the sooner we're rid of that damn thing the better-” Everyone nodded their agreement.

 

Kikyou seemed to take them in one at a time before she unrolled a piece of parchment on the ground where they could all see it. “In order to insure the success of the ritual an atmosphere of absolute purity must be achieved. To do this three barriers must be erected, each one serving a different purpose.” She indicated the three rings that were part of the parchment. The first was labeled `amity.' “The first is a powerful defensive barrier to ward off demons and humans of evil hearts that would wish to claim the jewel for themselves. I can assist you here.” Her finger traced its way to the second ring, which had a note next to it that read `purity.' “The second barrier is one to augment the purity of the surrounding area. This type of barrier is commonly used to ward off evil spirits; I believe the houshi-sama of your group is well acquainted with this type of barrier.” Everyone save Miroku, Kikyou and Kaede shed a sweat drop. “The final barrier is one to ward off our own negative feelings.” He finger motioned to the smallest ring, `harmony' clearly marked in kanji. “Kagome you should be able to accomplish this with Kaede's help.”

 

Miroku rubbed his hand over his chin as he pondered the other numerous markings on the scroll. “Kikyou-sama, these other markings here,” he motioned to the sets of eight, six and four dots that were evenly spaced around each respective circle, “these are anchors correct?” She nodded the affirmative. “I assume these are not any standard ofuda, am I right?”

 

“No they are not normal, monk.” Kikyou said at length.

 

Kaede leaned closer to study the marking with her good eye. “These are the different spiritual elements of the three miko disciplines.” It was a statement.

 

“Yes,” Kikyou answered, “retribution, protection and cleansing.”

 

“The three miko disciplines?” Kagome was clearly confused.

 

Kaede recalled that she had never told Kagome of such basic principles and took it upon herself to correct her mistake. “These days those who are born with the power are extremely rare, and in general, relatively weak in comparison to our ancestors. In addition all are subject to only one discipline with limited abilities in the others. Take for example, Kagome, yourself, Kikyou and Miroku. Kikyou can gather more destructive power to combat demons whilst Miroku can ward off evil spirits and even create barriers that render someone invisible as far as auras are concerned. You on the other hand, Kagome, can muster more concentrated purification power than either of them, though only against a single target whether it be friend or foe. This is likely part of the reason why ye can calm Inuyasha when he assumes his demon form.” They all knew that that was only half the reason but that went unsaid.

 

“But Kaede,” Kagome pondered, “recently I have been able to unleash destructive powers of my own that can slay groups of demons at one time and during the fight with Naraku I made a defensive barrier that saved Inuyasha and I. How can this be?”

 

It was Kikyou this time that answered. “You, my reincarnation, are the first to be born in your time with spiritual powers. As I had come to discover from our connection, your true home is five hundred years into the future. It is likely that such powers disappeared for several centuries before they were reborn in you and the Shikon no Tama. This would explain why you alone possess all three and wield such great power.” She arched an eyebrow and suppressed a taunting smile. “Though you have yet to unlock anything that even resembles the extent of your true potential. You seem to have made it this far by simply relying on the power of your emotions, which allow you to instinctively perform feats that you could not normally achieve.”

 

“Yeah,” Kagome blushed mildly at this, “I just never had time to slow down and practice any kind of technique. It was always one thing after another, do or die.”

 

Inuyasha who had been unusually silent, going well beyond the five-minute mark that was usually impossible for him to exceed when involved in a conversation finally piped up. “It aint your fault Kagome. Besides, I was always too busy swinging around Tetsussaiga for you to get a chance to try out anything new.” Everyone in the hut turned to Inuyasha with stares of utter shock. Inuyasha was being mature? “W-What?” He stuttered nervously. “Do I have something on my face or something?” At this everyone save Kikyou lost control and rolled over laughing, though she did appear to be smiling and looked quite amused.

 

“Why Inuyasha,” Miroku chimed suggestively, “who knew that you could be so circumspect.” It was clear Miroku had used the last word for the sole reason of Inuyasha not knowing what it meant.

 

“Feh, whatever houshi-doushi. But don't expect me to step back and view the situation from a third person perspective so often.” The arrogance in his tone was so evident that everyone was taken aback. Laughter broke out again as Miroku could only gape at Inuyasha.

 

“Inuyasha where did you learn such words.” Kikyou questioned with sincere curiosity.

 

Inuyasha made a face of bittersweet mirth. “Try getting lectured by Sesshoumaru for hours on end on why your feelings and opinions don't matter, then you'll understand. Feh, Fluffy, I still owe him a couple gut wounds.” Kagome was apparently the only one who understood the relevance Sesshoumaru's endearing nickname from Inuyasha's childhood, and laughed in earnest.

 

When everyone finally settled down Kikyou took the floor again. “Although I do not require sustenance, you should all eat. When you are finished please join me outside where I will instruct each of you on how to draw the proper symbols for the ofudas.” Her eyes shifted to each of them and then stopped at Kagome, her gaze growing in intensity. “Kagome, you are to wish on the jewel?”

 

“Yes,” she nodded, a little unsure of Kikyou's piercing gaze.

 

“Please come with me, I would like a moment to speak to you in private regarding this issue.” Her voice sounded sincere, so Kagome shrugged and moved to follow her outside. Inuyasha growled. “Do not fear Inuyasha, we will not go far, only just out of inu-hanyou earshot, you should be able to smell us close by.”

 

Inuyasha was clearly not happy, but stayed put nonetheless.

 

 

When Kikyou had led Kagome a good distance she stopped to face her with a look of incredible seriousness that made Kagome blanch. “Kagome, this is of the utmost importance. I must know what it is you intend to wish.”

 

Kagome looked entirely taken off guard. She had thought Kikyou was going to talk to her about keeping focused and staying pure, clearly she was wrong. “Ummm… Kikyou I…”

 

She was cut off. “This is not for my own personal interest. Though your thoughts and heart may be pure and your wish of good intent with no malice tainting it, the Shikon no Tama will seek out any crack in your wish to twist it if your are not careful.”

 

Kagome still looked nervous, but at least now she understood the necessity of answering the question. “I want to wish for a life with Inuyasha forever. I love him and I am sure he loves me. He almost told me last night… I just can't stand that I will die long before him. What are a few decades when he will live for more than a thousand years longer? Its not that I'm afraid of dying… but that I know he will have to live in pain without me.” She had to force herself to fight back the tears.

 

“This is what I was afraid of…” Kikyou trailed off. “Kagome, if you wish for that the Shikon no Tama will not be fully purified and will not disappear from this world.” Kikyou didn't look to be reprimanding her, in fact she looked a little sad. “The problem is that your wish is, in a sense, a way of preventing yourself from having to deal with pain. The Shikon no Tama will interpret such a thing as selfishness, and thus it will become tainted once more.”

 

Kagome had never thought of that, but it still didn't take away the sting. “What can I do Kikyou… what can I possibly do… I can't possibly be pure or happy when I wish on the jewel if I know that I will have to leave him someday…”

 

In a gesture that nearly shocked Kagome with its kindness, Kikyou reached out with her hand and touched Kagome's shoulder gently, giving it a little squeeze. “Wish for his happiness. That way your wish is selfless.” Kikyou eyes were soft, and Kagome even thought she detected a hint of wistfulness in her eyes.

 

“But I'll still have to leave him…” Kagome trailed off, the pain to great for her to say any more.

 

Kikyou only smiled. “I don't think so Kagome. I think if you truly wish for his happiness with all your heart that you will find your desire to stay by his side fulfilled. After all, for him to be happy he has to always have you by his side, does he not.” Kagome sniffled a little, having let a few tears slip against her own will. “The ways of the world often work differently than we expect Kagome, as I learned long ago when Inuyasha and I were betrayed by both each other and Naraku. Although you will not wish for what you know will make him happy, the Shikon no Tama will find the truth behind your wish, and it will be fulfilled.” Kagome looked up at her, her eyes still red, but looking hopeful. “I believe if you alter your wish in this way all will be well. Love him my reincarnation. Love him like I never could.”

 

Kagome nodded her head and then beamed a smile at Kikyou before walking off with a happy gait to go join the others for breakfast. Kikyou grinned and narrowed her eyes as she left, unsuspecting. Although it is true that I have been sent back to assist you purify the jewel and been granted my own soul it does not mean that I cannot allow the circumstances to play to my liking…