InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Sage ❯ The Secret of the Higurashi Family Secret Part III ( Chapter 22 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
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A/N: Hey everyone!!! Thankies again for all the wonderful reviews!!! I am writing this chapter later because I wasn't really in the writing mood. I'll tell you all why in the last AN.
A/N: On with the chapter!!! *hands out popcorn*
Chapter Twenty-Two
The Secret of the Higurashi Family
Part III
Inuyasha slowly opened his eyes and the first thing he saw scared him half to death, “What the hell Sesshomaru!?” Inuyasha scooted away from Sesshomaru's watchful gaze.
Sesshomaru looked over Inuyasha, “He is just fine Miroku. Now that that is settled.” Sesshomaru didn't finish his sentence as he stood up and walked away.
Inuyasha shook his head and cocked at eyebrow at Miroku, who had taken Sesshomaru's spot, “Okay now that I have someone who knows what is going on in front of me what the hell is going on?”
Miroku sighed, “Well let's just say that to start with your human.”
“Nani?…” Inuyasha held up his hands before him and gasped. His claws where gone. “What… How did it happen?”
Miroku pointed over Inuyasha's shoulder, “I believe it was Kagome that did that to you.” Inuyasha twisted around and jumped up. Miroku and him were about ten feet away from where they usually ate lunch. Under the tree was a floating fuchsia orb. Inuyasha vaguely recalled what had happened when Kagome had fallen asleep.
He had started the rumbling noise in his chest that Kagome liked to call `purring' and she had fallen asleep. They laid in silence for a while and then suddenly Kagome started to moan and her face was contorted in sadness as if her dream was something that was causing her to be extremely upset. Inuyasha remembered trying to wake her but then she started to emit a lot of miko. It didn't hurt at first so Inuyasha continued to try and wake her. Suddenly a shot of miko sent him back and he could feel his youki diminishing from it.
Inuyasha looked over at the orb. It looked like something from a sci-fi movie. The orb was completely one colour and it was solid. He couldn't make out if anyone or anything was inside of it. Miroku walked over and stood beside Inuyasha. “Sango ran off the minute the orb stopped giving off miko. She said that the Alliance needed to be informed about this at once. And since both Kagome and Sorano are inside the orb that meant that Sango is in charge.”
Inuyasha looked around the clearing and could no longer see Rin but Sango was running towards them from the parking lot. “Where did she run off to?”
Miroku shrugged, “I'm not to sure. She grabbed Rin and took off. If she was going to contact the Alliance she could have done that from here.”
Miroku finished speaking just as Sango arrived. She was little out of breath as she stopped beside Inuyasha. “I have taken Rin to the United Alliance. Kaeda is taking care to make sure that Kagome's out burst of miko isn't going to attract any unwanted youkai. Rin will be running Central Command and is watching this whole area. Here.”
Sango straightened out as she handed Inuyasha and Miroku what looked like black leather banded wristwatches. “These are communicators. They are the basics ones since you aren't trained yet and therefore don't have armor. Also these will let you communicate with Rin in Central Command.” Inuyasha took his from Sango and placed it on his wrist. The minute it was done up the leather changed its size to be a perfect fit for him.
Sango turned and walked over to Sesshomaru who was watching the orb like a hawk. Sorano was taken within the orb? But why? “Oi, Miroku why was Sorano taken within the orb?”
Miroku stopped gawking at his wrist as he turned to Inuyasha, “We aren't really sure why. Kagome wasn't answering to anyone but when Sorano came forth and basically said her name her eyes lit up and the tendrils of miko energy that were coming off of her grabbed her and started to pull her into the orb. Sesshomaru was pissed but he couldn't do anything because you were unconscious and he was holding you.”
“Sesshomaru was what?!”
Miroku grinned and nodded, “It seems that Sesshomaru is a big softy when it comes to his little brother being in harms way. Who woul…OUCH!” Inuyasha grinned as Sesshomaru had been listening to the conversation and clocked Miroku in the back of the head.
“You will stop talking nonsense this minute monk. We need to figure what to do with this orb and how to get them out.”
Sango appeared beside Sesshomaru, “I agree with Sesshomaru. Kaeda said that the readings of miko coming from the orb are off the chart. Youkai are going to want to come and see whom it is that holds such power. And if they find out it's Kagome. Well let's just say that we don't want that to happen.”
Inuyasha crossed his arms, “Well I don't think there is anything that we can do. Ever since Kagome's side has been hurting her her scent has been changing. I could smell the fact that her powers were getting stronger and stronger. The more pain she was in the stronger the scent was. If I had my nose right now I would tell you how strong she was.”
Sango placed her hands on her hips are she glared at Inuyasha, “And you didn't think it was important to tell the rest of us about this! If you knew that her training wasn't helping her with her levels of miko we would have tried something else and this whole mess could have been avoided!”
Sesshomaru looked at the orb before turning back to the yelling match between Inuyasha and Sango, “Sango I know what you saying is a valid point but it also isn't. The Miko's power was growing the whole while. This time it seems that something within her was acting on its own and causing her power to increase and since the power wasn't shown on any of her tests then there was no way to know if what you say is true.”
Sango opened and closed her mouth a few times as she tried to think of what to say back, “How…” was the only word that seemed to get out.
“I am courting Sorano. She tells me these things. Unlike Kagome and you Sango I am told about events and plans that the United Alliance is thinking of doing. Since we are all apart of the Alliance now Sorano got clearance to tell me these things because she is going to be training me herself. If Kagome was wise she would have done the same thing for Inuyasha and you would have done the same for Miroku.”
Inuyasha growled, well as best he could, as a human, at Sesshomaru, “Don't talk about Kagome like that you bastard! Kagome was always taught to watch who she talked to about the workings of the Alliance. She said that we needed to finish the work book and papers first.”
Sesshomaru advanced on Inuyasha but Sango was quicker as she jumped in to break them apart. “We have better things to do them fight amongst ourselves. So you two can calm the fuck down and let me think!!”
Inuyasha `kehed' but still backed off. Sesshomaru raised his eyebrow at Sango and backed away but didn't stop glaring at Inuyasha. “Well then Sango what do you plan on doing?” Sango crossed her arms and sighed as she thought.
“Uhmm… guys?”
Sango rolled her eyes and didn't even bother to look at Miroku, “Houshi shut it will you we need to think.”
“But Sango my flower,” Inuyasha grinned as he saw the vein in Sango's forehead start to pound.
“Houshi how many times do I have to…” Sango turned and gawked. The orb was swirling with fuchsia coloured miko. While we were busy fighting that damn orb can back to life. I really wish I knew what was going on…
The orb pulsated and shot off a wave of miko but this time the miko felt warm and inviting. It was as if the miko was coming from Kagome and not whatever it was that was hurting her. Is she all right now? Does this mean that she isn't going to be in pain anymore? Just then four tendrils of miko shot off the orb and came flying towards them. Sango and Miroku weren't quick enough as it wrapped around them and started to pull them both towards the orb.
Sesshomaru knocked Inuyasha to the ground as they were both nearly grabbed as well. “What the hell was that?!” Sesshomaru quickly stood and placed himself between the tendrils and Inuyasha.
“Let me go! Kagome what the hell!” Sango fought with all she had to get free but Miroku had his hands raised as if he was praying. Inuyasha watched Miroku as they neared the orb. Miroku lowered his hand and yelled out.
“Sango don't fight it! It's okay it's Kagome! She isn't going to hurt us! I promise!” Sango looked at Miroku and then at the coming orb. Miroku nodded as Sango entered the orb first. The orb pulsated and grew a little larger.
“Miroku!” Inuyasha leapt out from behind Sesshomaru.
“Inuyasha trust me! When the next wave of miko sends tendrils at you let them take you. I know it sounds weird but I can feel Kagome. She needs us!” Just then Miroku was pulled into the orb as well and like when Sango was pulled within, the orb pulsated and grew a little bigger.
Inuyasha looked at Sesshomaru. He had an odd expression on his face that Inuyasha hadn't seen before it was as if he was concerned and intrigued at the same time. Well at least he can show emotion though I have no clue what he is thinking. Inuyasha turned his attention back the orb. The miko within the orb was swirling so quickly now that it was making Inuyasha's eyes water.
“Inuyasha I think we need to believe in what the monk said. The power of the miko within the orb is different now. She is calling out to us.”
Inuyasha nodded at Sesshomaru as they both started to walk towards the orb. The orb pulsated as two tendrils shot off and wrapped around Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru hissed as the miko from the tendril burned his flesh as little. Inuyasha couldn't believe how tightly they were being held as they were pulled towards the orb.
Sesshomaru yelled out as he was completely drawn into the orb. Inuyasha tried not to laugh. Idiot of course it's going to hurt. Sorano has been trained to with stand a certain level of miko. And he says that I'm a baka! Inuyasha closed his eyes as he was pulled with the orb. His eyes burned red before everything faded to darkness.
***
Inuyasha slowly opened his eyes and sat up. He wasn't in any pain but he was defiantly confused. The rustle of leaves drew Inuyasha's attention as he turned around. Goshinboku?! But that's at the Higurashi Shrine… holy shit we're half way across the city. Sitting on the low wooden fence was Miroku. Inuyasha glanced around as he walked towards the monk. As he got closer to Miroku he noticed that Miroku had his eyes closed and had his hand raised once again as if it pray.
“Do you do anything else but pray?”
Miroku opened his eyes as Inuyasha sat down beside him. “I am just paying my respects. This shrine was home to a huge massacre that almost killed off the entire Higurashi Family.”
Inuyasha lowered his head, “I know. Kagome is the sole survivor. She doesn't talk about it though. But she did say that she stays away from here as much as she can. She says that Sorano has been trying to get her to come here for about two years. Even when they lived in American she was pushing Kagome to go home to see her family.”
Miroku crossed his arms, “Well some people just can't face a huge loss like that and even though she is surprising pure she may not be able to just say good bye.”
Inuyasha nodded and they fell into a peaceful silence. The only sound was the rustling of the leaves in Goshinboku. Inuyasha always felt a strong calming aura about the place. He loved to spend time in Goshinboku but with him being human right now he couldn't.
Miroku was first to break the silence, “Sango and Sesshomaru are looking around the place. I was to wait till you woke up before going off to find them. But I don't really see the point as I can sense Sango and Sesshomaru within the grounds.”
Inuyasha glanced at Miroku, “Why are they looking around anyways? They both know the shrine grounds.”
Miroku nodded, “Yeah they know the grounds but there is no sign of the orb, the presence of the miko energy, or trances of Sorano and Kagome. So they went to see if they ended up in a different part of the shrine.”
Inuyasha growled, “I need to see Kagome and make sure that she is okay!”
Miroku placed a sympathetic hand on Inuyasha's shoulder, “You really do care about her don't you?”
“Of course I do you baka! She is my mate!”
Miroku raised an eyebrow as Inuyasha blushed, “My apologies Inuyasha. But I did not see your mark on her. I didn't know that you were mates. Many happy days to you.”
Inuyasha shrugged off Miroku's hand, “We aren't technically mates but she is mine. She said that there were things that she needed to work out before we could become mates. I don't know what she was talking about but I will wait and I not pressure her into it.”
Miroku grinned at Inuyasha, “Could it be that you have told her you love her?”
Inuyasha blushed as he stood up and walked away. Stupid bozou always sticking his nose into other people's business maybe if he put this much effort into getting Sango to be his mate then he would stay the hell out of my business. Inuyasha almost reached the other side of the tree when Sango come out of the well house and Sesshomaru exited the house that would have been Kagome's home if she were still at the shrine.
“Well I can't seem to find a trance of Kagome or Sorano. What about you Sesshomaru?”
Sesshomaru stopped just in front of Miroku as Sango walked towards him, “I can't even smell any trances of them. Even the scents within the house are old and the scent of old blood still lingers within.”
Sango sat down beside Miroku. “Well we can't even call Central Command. So we are royally screwed.”
Sesshomaru cocked an eyebrow at Sango. Inuyasha and Miroku knew, now that they knew that the night at the shrine wasn't a dream, that the long-range communicators didn't work within the grounds because of the spiritual energy of Goshinboku.
“Oi Sesshomaru we can't use the long-range communicators within the shrine because of this beautiful tree.” Inuyasha pointed over his shoulder at Goshinboku.
“Alright then what do we do? We were obviously brought here for a reason.” Sesshomaru glared at Inuyasha who just smirked as he made his way back to the fence and sat down.
Sango shrugged her shoulders, “I don't really have a clue. If we could get through to Rin then she would be able to pinpoint wherever it was that Kagome and Sorano ended up. And since we were brought here and Miroku said that Kagome was calling for us then my guess is that we wait it out here and see what happens.”
Inuyasha crossed his arms, “Well as much fun as that sounds I would really like to know where Kagome is?” Inuyasha stopped when she saw Sesshomaru suddenly look over his shoulder. The movement wasn't lost on the others either.
Sango stood up and walked over to Sesshomaru, “What is it?”
Sesshomaru didn't take his eyes off the entrance to the shrine. The fine hairs on the back of Inuyasha's neck started to stand on end. There was something coming and it wasn't Kagome. Even as a human Inuyasha could sense the youki coming from this youkai. It was full of malice and hatred. But most of all this being wanted power.
Inuyasha made to stand up but Miroku put a hand on his shoulder, “Inuyasha it is a youkai that is coming. You don't want him or her to see you in your human form do you?”
Inuyasha brushed off Miroku's hand as he stood, “This isn't usually my time to become a ningen Miroku and you know that. Plus in this form I don't give off any youki. The one that is coming will just think that I am a ningen.”
Inuyasha shivered as the wind picked up. Though it was only about five at night the sky had started to darken. Clouds rolled in as the scent of rain and thunder filled the air. Leaves from Goshinboku flew in all directions as the wind picked up even more. Whatever is coming is evil! Pure and simple. But why come to a spiritual shrine? The air up here could purify a youkai with that much evil within them.
Thunder shook the ground as lightning ripped through the sky. Inuyasha could just make out the head of someone walking up the shrine stairs. He squinted as he tried to make out the form that was slowly walking up the stairs. It was dressed in a long black trench coat and its face was obscured. The figure started to walk towards them and as he did growling was heard from Sesshomaru as he glared at the figure.
“Ah how misfortunate. I come to this shrine and see that there are people already here. That is of no matter to me. I can sense it and if you hand it over there will be no need to fight.”
Sango stepped forward and crossed her arms, “And what is it that you think we have?”
The figure stopped about halfway to them and looked around, “What I seek has not been of this world for many hundreds of years. Its power is very strong and I wish for it. I was stopped all those years ago from having it but I will not be stopped this time. Now hand it over.”
Sango shook her head, “The only thing here that has been here for that long is the Goshinboku. And I can assure you youkai that if you try and take it you will be purified. Its spiritual energy is to great for any youkai to handle.”
The figure laughed and Inuyasha shuttered. Who the hell is this guy? “Goshinboku is nothing compared to this power. I will have it again and I don't care if I have to rip this shrine apart to get it. I will have it. Now stand aside!”
The figure roared out as he charged at them. Sesshomaru moved so that he was blocking Inuyasha from the path of the youkai. Miroku grabbed the rosary that was on his right forearm and even Sango took up a defensive position. The youkai was almost on them when suddenly the Goshinboku lit up.
“What the…” Inuyasha shielded his eyes as the light coming Goshinboku intensified. The winds stopped as the power being emitted from Goshinboku increased. Inuyasha gasped suddenly as a figure slowly started to come out of the tree. At first Inuyasha didn't know what it was but soon it started to take shape.
“Oh my Kami-sama…” Sango's words fell on deaf ears as a being, completely make of the light that was shining from Goshinboku, started to pull itself out of the very trunk. The face didn't have any features but by the shape and curves of the body Inuyasha could tell that it was female. Just as the last of the being emerged from Goshinboku the god tree pulsated sending it's light all across the grounds. The being raised her arms out before her as she drew all the light from Goshinboku into herself.
Inuyasha had never felt so much power in one being before. Slowly the light from Goshinboku vanished as the figure was engulfed in it. The light got so bright that Inuyasha had to close and shield his eyes. Then there was silence. The whole area lost all sound. The sound of the wind, thunder, lightning, even the breathing of all five of them stopped. Inuyasha opened his eyes and tried to see the being once again. She had pulled her legs into her and wrapped her arms around them.
Inuyasha jumped as a soft female voice filled the shrine:
“We will always protect it. We know of its great power. Those of evil souls and impure hearts will seek it. Those who desire power will come looking. We have watched over its protection for hundreds of years. Once it was thought lost. Once it was thought destroyed. Now it is time that it is reborn. Only one has the power to keep it safe. Only one has the power to keep it pure. The Chosen Higurashi has finally been born.”
Inuyasha fell to ground as the light that surrounded the being exploded spending out a shock wave of pure power. Inuyasha wasn't the only one who failed to keep their balance as the power ripped through the shrine. Inuyasha slowly sat up and gasped at what his eyes fell upon. “Kagome?…”
Kagome was now floating in midair before the Goshinboku. She was dressed in the miko robes of her family. Her whole body was a glow with a soft fuchsia light. She had her hands grasped before her chest as she stared forward with veiled eyes. Inuyasha slowly got to his feet as he walked towards her. “Kagome?” Inuyasha climbed over the low fence and approached Kagome slowly.
The light surrounding her fanned out and gently caressed his cheek before wrapping around him completely. Inuyasha could feel Kagome's warm and comforting aura all around him as he closed his eyes and let the feeling completely take hold. `Inuyasha.' Inuyasha opened his eyes and stared at Kagome. Her eyes were still closed and she still hadn't moved.
“Kagome? Are you alright?”
`Inuyasha I am sorry that I hurt you once again. I will have better control of my miko now that I have realized what I truly am.'
Inuyasha stared in disbelief, as she didn't move her mouth at all during anything that she said. She must be using her mind to speak to be me.
`That I am Inuyasha. I am going to heal what I did to you and I ask that you forgive me. I never meant to hurt you and I will never hurt you again.'
Inuyasha smirked at Kagome. “Keh! You, a weak ningen hurt me? I don't think…” Inuyasha never finished his sentenced as Kagome's aura suddenly changed. Inuyasha started to breath harder as Kagome's miko was calling out to him. Her aura was flooding him completely and he could feel his weakened youki trying to call out to her, to reach her. Inuyasha doubled over as he felt his youki and youkai blood starting to flow within his veins.
`Do not fight it Inuyasha. It will return you to your hanyou self. Answer my call Inuyasha. Come back to me.'
Inuyasha closed his eyes and let his blood take hold. Inuyasha felt his claws coming back first as they dig into his palms. His fangs pricked his tongue drawing blood, which Inuyasha savoured. Inuyasha inhaled deeply through this nose and growled softly as Kagome's scent filled all his senses once again. Inuyasha stood up as the slightest sounds returned to his sensitive ears. Inuyasha opened his eyes and smiled at Kagome. He could see perfectly once again.
An evil laughter brought Inuyasha out of his daze as he turned and saw that the youkai that had entered the shrine was now staring at Kagome. Inuyasha could see the want shining in his blood red eyes. “I knew it was here! I could sense it! Higurashi Miko hand it over.”
It happened so fast that Inuyasha, or anyone else in the shrine grounds, could react. The youkai leapt straight at Kagome. He raised his clawed hand to strike but suddenly an orb of gold light flew out of Goshinboku's leaves and hit the youkai square in the chest. Inuyasha jumped back as he looked up into the branches. What the hell was that?! I can't even smell anyone up there.
The youkai flew across the ground and stopped just shy of the stairs. Vapours of smoke rose from him and he did not move. Inuyasha turned and looked at Kagome. Slowly she started to descend. Inuyasha walked over to her and once her feet hit the ground Inuyasha pulled her into a tight embrace.
“Kagome!”
“Inuyasha…” Inuyasha pulled back and looked into the soft brown eyes of his Kagome. “Are you alright?”
Inuyasha pulled her to him once again, “Baka! Of course I'm okay! But Kagome… what happened?”
Kagome gently pushed against Inuyasha's chest, “I was fighting what I was truly meant to be. I know now and I know that I am not alone.” Inuyasha nodded as he leaned down and captured Kagome in a heated kiss. Kagome instantly submitted to him and his youkai blood soared.
“Well if that isn't touching…” Inuyasha pulled away from the kiss and growled at the one that disturbed them. The youkai that was shot across the grounds was now standing and staring at them with hatred. “She is here to isn't she? Her youki is the hardest to sense and her scent can be hidden. But I know that attack anywhere. Tell me Higurashi Miko where is your protector?”
Kagome glared at the youkai but said nothing. The youkai walked closer to them. “I don't care how powerful you think you are Miko I will get what I want and protector or no protector I will have it.” The youkai jumped forward and flew towards them.
Inuyasha looked down at Kagome to see what she was going to do and saw that she was staring at the youkai with what looked like pity. Pity? Why do you feel sorry for this worthless thing? The youkai was getting closer and still Kagome hadn't move. Inuyasha wrapped his arms more around her. But suddenly something streaked out of Goshinboku and collided with the youkai. Whatever it was tackled him to the ground and quickly leapt away.
“Protector I know you're here?!” The youkai yelled as he stood up slowly and scanned the area. Inuyasha sniffed the air but couldn't make out the person's scent. He could smell Kagome, Sango, Miroku, and Sesshomaru but the one that was attacking the youkai didn't seem to have a scent. “COME OUT!”
Sesshomaru jumped back as a ball of light appeared out of nowhere right in front of him. Slowly the ball of light started to take shape. Inuyasha grasped at the being that appeared. “Sorano…” Sesshomaru said exactly what Inuyasha was thinking. But she looked different. She was wearing very ancient looking armour. Like something one would see from the feudal era. Her hair was also differently done on her head and ornaments were placed within it.
The youkai glared at Sorano as he took a step closer. Sorano raised her hand and her golden youki immediately started to wrap around her out stretched hand. “So the Protector of the Higurashi Family Secret is here. I thought you were killed off.”
Sorano glared at the youkai, “I was killed and I lost my memories. But I am back and I remember full well who you are. So Mystic do you really think that you can get past me to get to the Higurashi Family Secret?”
Mystic cocked his head and laughed. Inuyasha growled as the youkai turned his gaze to Kagome. “I will kill anyone who gets in my way. I will get past you for the Shikon no Tama!”
***
A/N: Anyways enough sad stuff. Thankies one and all for all the wonderful reviews!!!! I also added yet another fanart to my gallery. It is of Inuyasha in his United Alliance uniform. Go and check it out and review on it. He will be in that outfit soon. Remember to please keep reviewing I have the next seven chapters all planned out. The more reviews the faster you all will be able to read them. Ja ne!! Huggles Tal ^_^