InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Scrolls of Midoriko ❯ Another Visit and the Discovered Scroll ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer:

Turtlequeen2: I give much thanks to my reviewer: miko_kagome! Thanks for your support!

Inuyasha: Keh! You’re slow!

Turtlequeen2: I know, sorry to my readers! I do not own Inuyasha. That is all Rumiko Takahashi’s property, but I do own this plot! This chapter is dedicated to, my beta, vbollman, since she likes this story of mine, best. Also because Sesshoumaru is in it…

-laughs- Thanks for being a friend!

Also Note: Sesshoumaru and his “castle” is fanon as many will call it. It is not said whether he owns a castle or not in the manga or anime.

WARNING: FLUFF BETWEEN INUYASHA AND KAGOME!

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Chapter 4

Another Visit and the Discovered Scroll

Inuyasha and the group were determined to go out to search for the scrolls again. Inuyasha was so worried about Kagome that he didn’t even complain that she was slowing them down as he usually would. His mind was also clouded with Kikyou’s message to him.

‘Inuyasha you should know something else. You are not the only ones searching for those scrolls. I am seeking them as well…we shall see more of each other.’

Try as he might, the distraught hanyou could not shake it from his subconscious. Kagome knew something was bothering him because he would never look her in the eye and he simply stayed silent as if in thought.

Getting closer to the hanyou, Kagome asked softly,” What’s bothering you, Inuyasha?”

“Keh! Nothing is,” he huffed, crossing his arms in his oversized, haori sleeves, looking away from her eyes once again. She gave a noticeable sigh. The others in the group decided to stay far behind the group to give them their space.

“You know that you can trust me,” she explained to him.

“Why the hell are you still bugging me? I told you that nothing’s wrong,” Inuyasha growled out in irritation. He glared at her crestfallen face.

“Then why don’t you look me in the eyes,” she demanded, stopping and glaring back up to him.

“Keh,” was all he could get out, once again, turning away from her eyes. She narrowed her eyes out of frustration and had to stop herself from sitting him.

Not realizing that he continued on ahead of her, she stood there in the middle of the dirt path, trying to calm herself down. She didn’t budge until Inuyasha called her to hurry up her pace.

She ran back up to him, her face with a determinate expression on. She was going to find out what was bothering the hanyou, even if she had to sit him a thousand times!

“Can I talk to you alone,” Kagome asked him, making his eyes widen in surprise. Why would she want to talk to him about alone? And worst yet, did he really want to be alone with her after the whole Kikyou thing from last night?!

“Uh…yea,” he nervously said, trying to sound gruff, but failed miserably. “Hey, me and Kagome are going to talk. You better not spy on us,” he shouted over to the rest of the group.

“How could you ever accuse us of spying,” Miroku asked in false disbelief, trying to feign innocence. This only caused Inuyasha to snort and throw a glare the monk’s way.

“If I catch you, you’re dead,” Inuyasha threatened, giving his voice more of a growl than usual. Miroku laughed nervously, trying to cover up his fear. Sango, Shippou, and Kirara shook their heads at the monk’s stupidity.

Kagome walked into the forest, waiting for him to follow after her.

“So, what did you want to talk about,” Inuyasha asked, getting straight to the point. Kagome hesitated, making him more frustrated than usual. “If you’re gonna say something, then say it! If you don’t have something to say, then let’s go because we’re wasting time!”

“Um, gomen,” Kagome responded softly, making the hanyou inwardly cringe at his harsh tone. She sat down under a huge oak, starring at him; a silent plea to let him come sit with her.

“So, spit it out,” Inuyasha commanded, slightly more softer than before as he took a spot next to her in the plush grass.

“Well, I’m worried about you is all. Ever since last night, you haven’t said a word to me and you always look away. I know it has something to do with Kikyou.” After mentioning her ‘past incarnation,’ her eyes flashed sadness and jealousy for the love Inuyasha and Kikyou had or still did have.

Inuyasha started to avert his gaze from hers again, but her hand grasping his, stopped his movements. He stared at her hand in shock and was forced to look at her, wanting to know what she was thinking.

“Like that. Why do you look away from me? Did I do something to worry you,” she asked, her tone laced with curiosity and worry.

“Keh! It’s not that. It’s what Kikyou said to me,” he confessed. He inwardly cringed, awaiting the dreaded ‘osuwari’ from hell. It never came. Instead, Kagome stared at him in worry.

“What did she tell you,” she asked.

“She said that she was spying on us from the time we started on the search for those damned scrolls. She is searching for the scrolls too. She didn’t know where your powers came from because it wasn’t from her. What worries me more than that, is that Naraku is going to find out sooner or later,” Inuyasha explained, sighing. His eyes took on a more worried look.

Kagome’s eyes shot open out of surprise, but inwardly she was sighing from relief. ‘So it wasn’t from Kikyou’s soul. But then again, who’s doing this then,’ she asked herself. “So Kikyou is after the scrolls as well? Why does she need them? Doesn’t she already know all about the jewel?”

“That’s what I was wondering too. She told me that there are things in those scrolls that she doesn’t even know about. She wants them to defeat Naraku. She thinks that they contain a secret hidden power or something,” he explained.

Suddenly she shivered from the sudden gust of cold wind passing through the forest. She hugged herself, to try and keep her body warm. She looked down at the grass, suddenly finding it interesting. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m scared. More scared than I’ve ever been. I don’t even have control of my own body anymore. Even if it’s Midoriko-sama’s soul doing this, I don’t like the feeling of being controlled. I don’t even know if you’re safe with me or not,” she finished, her bangs covering her downcast eyes.

Inuyasha looked at her form, shaking from more than just the cold. Before he knew what was happening, he smelled the potent scent of her tears. He cast his gaze to her and let more warmth seep into his eyes. He felt guilty for some reason. For the first time in his life, he was uncertain if he could help her, though, he’d never admit this to anyone else or even to himself. He was determined to protect her, even if it meant his life because he knew that he couldn’t stand the loss of another woman he cared for.

Kagome kept sobbing silently, tears leaking from her eyes. There was a silence between them until she felt the warmth of his Fire-Rat haori drape over her back. In shock, she looked up at him. His eyes had the rare look of concern in them again. The look only reserved for her. “Inu…yasha…” was all she could get out before his arms encircled her, pulling her body to his chest.

“Dammit Kagome! We’ll find a way to help you. I know that you can fight this. You’re strong, so stop crying. I’ll protect you,” Inuyasha said, trying once again, to comfort her.

“But I don’t know what I’ll do. I…I…might hurt you! I saw the betrayed look…in your eyes when my possessed self…told you to move,” Kagome choked out. “Please…p…promise me that if I try to hurt you, you’ll run. I couldn’t s…stand the thought of trying to kill you.”

“Baka! Stop saying that! That wasn’t you and I knew that. And no, I’ll never run away and leave you alone! I told you that before,” Inuyasha shouted, squeezing her harder to him, as if, if he let go of her, she would disappear forever. She sobbed harder onto his chest.

“I don’t w…want what happened between y…you and Kikyou, t…to happen to us,” Kagome sobbed.

“It won’t, dammit,” he said with a growl. He was determined to never let that happen again. They sat there for a few minutes until Kagome stopped crying. She somehow felt better because of Inuyasha’s comforting words to her. She looked up into his eyes, noticing a small stain of crimson stain his face. She was starting to blush also, being that close to the hanyou she loved.

“Uh, thanks Inuyasha…” she mumbled out. They sat there in each other’s arms, unmoving. Her blush grew deeper. “Inuyasha…” He leaned closer to her and she was freaking out in her mind. ‘Oh my god! Is he going to kiss me?!’

Before their lips touched, however, a rustle was heard in the bushes next to them. A smack and a thud were heard. They both pulled away abruptly, crimson staining both their cheeks more than ever.

Inuyasha stood up and growled. He walked over to the bushes and kicked it, falling out of it, came Miroku, Sango, and Shippou. Kagome stood up next to the hanyou, also glaring at them. They had ruined possibly the only time he would come to kissing her! They were so close! Though, still, she doubted that he was going to. ‘I mean, he still loves Kikyou. Maybe he was going to stand up. Oh yeah, our faces were supposed to touch before then,’ she thought with sarcasm. She rolled her eyes, but then thought,’ Gosh, I’m so confused!’

“What the hell did I tell you about spying on us,” Inuyasha growled out, advancing closer to them.

“Sango-chan, I can’t believe you,” Kagome yelled out in shock. She knew that Miroku and Shippou spied on them, but Sango doing it was rare. “How long were you all there?”

“Don’t worry, we didn’t see you almost kiss,” Shippou exclaimed, suddenly stiffing up and covering his mouth. Miroku and Sango glared at the kitsune who blew their only chances of getting out of there alive. Inuyasha growled loudly at the child.

“You little brat,” the hanyou snarled.

Sango glared at Miroku angrily. “Houshi-sama, I told you that it was a horrible idea,” she shouted, her face red with embarrassment of being caught.

“Then why did you come along,” Shippou blurted out.

“I was trying to keep you two out of trouble,” Sango defended.

“Keh! Spare me! You better start running,” Inuyasha yelled, infuriated.

“Surely we could talk this over, Inuyasha,” Miroku said meekly, trying to reason with him.

“I’m done talking, bouzu,” the hanyou shouted, retracting his claws. He was about to pounce, when he heard the sound of chuckling. Everyone suddenly froze, trying to locate the sound of the person.

“How amusing. Little brother, you’re patience with these creatures, amazes me,” the voice called out.

Inuyasha growled, instantly knowing who it was. “What the fuck do you want, Sesshoumaru,” he demanded, grabbing the hilt of Tessaiga. On cue, the demon lord appeared in the forest clearing, wearing his infamous smirk.

“Be at ease. I have not come to slay you. I come with news,” the Taiyoukai explained.

“Keh! What the hell is it then,” then hanyou demanded.

“Miko, you should find it interesting. I have found a scroll that was separated from the rest, in my library. As promised, I have brought it,” Sesshoumaru said, pulling out the scroll.

“Sesshoumaru-sama,” Kagome gasped. She didn’t expect him to keep his end of the bargain!

“How do we know that this document is true,” Inuyasha asked.

His older brother’s eyes instantly narrowed at that remark. “Do you dare accuse This Sesshoumaru of lying,” he scoffed.

“Maybe I am, seeing that you hate humans and me,” Inuyasha shrugged. Before anyone could blink, the Taiyoukai had Inuyasha’s neck grasped in his claws.

The hanyou hovered inches above the ground, his arms on his brother’s only remaining, left arm, trying to free himself. “Deceit is beneath me. I have killed others for less of an insult. Be warned of that, brother.” With that, Sesshoumaru simply opened his hand, allowing the hanyou to drop to the ground, rather harshly.

After getting oxygen into his lungs, Inuyasha growled,” You bastard!” The Taiyoukai looked down upon his brother, his nose in the air, showing superiority.

“You are a pathetic hanyou. If I had the time, I would kill you off, now,” Sesshoumaru growled lowly in his throat.

“Then why don’t you,” Inuyasha taunted, pulling out Tessaiga.

Kagome got in between them, before the fight could escalate any further.

“Stop! Sesshoumaru, please show me the scroll you found,” Kagome said, trying to calm down the two brothers. The Taiyoukai, then gave his attention to the miko, raising his eyebrow.

“Very well then,” he said, with no emotion. He handed her the scroll and allowed her to open it.

“How would this get separated from the others? I thought they all were in one place,” Kagome murmured.

“I care not of how it ended up in my possession. I only know that you desire it,” Sesshoumaru responded. Kagome inwardly sighed. She should’ve known that he would’ve said something like that.

She started to read the scroll aloud. The scroll stated:

  September 12, 951  

I have tried hard to learn much of the secrets of the sacred Four Souls. I have been trained my whole life to know them, yet I cannot grasp them. Many people tell me that I contain them merely because of my stature, yet I still don’t understand the whole concept.

Kushimi-Tama - Wisdom

Arami-Tama - Courage

Nigimi-Tama - Friendship

Sakimi-Tama - Love

All coming together in the presence of a good soul, called Naohi - True Sprit. I have come to understand Kushimi-Tama, Arami-Tama, and Nigimi-Tama, but not Sakimi-Tama. Not true love, as some would call it. Kirara has taught me a lot about companionship and that all youkai are not evil. I love nature for as the believer of the Shinto faith, I should do so. Mikos are not known to have a love life, as one would say. We are not supposed to. We are supposed to act pure and intelligent for all to see. A miko’s job is not of favorable tasks, but it is our duty and destiny.

As I can grasp the souls of various other youkai and purify them to my will, balancing, the once corrupt soul, I cannot address where my own soul stands. Love shows weakness and no one shall ever see my faults. I cannot act of a human. I shall act as a woman. A miko. A doll that all can see, yet none can touch.

As for you, my predecessor, I only wish you the best. Please keep a pure heart. One that is consumed by only love, shall fail. One must be filled with determination, courage, wisdom, and hope. Please continue with your journey and help others. Give the love that you have to those poor, unfortunate souls that have suffered the catastrophe of this fraudulent time.

The Tragic Miko

Kagome finished reading the scroll in tears. It reminded her so much of Kikyou. Much of it she already knew, but coming from Midoriko, herself, made it all the more painful to bear. She wasn’t technically a miko, but a reincarnation of one. Or a replacement, as she would bitterly put it. So would it account to her as well?

‘Call me a fool if you will, Midoriko-sama, but my heart is already consumed by love,’ Kagome inwardly smirked. At that thought, she glanced over at Inuyasha, whose ears were drooped. It had gotten to him too. ‘Guess I wasn’t the only one who thought that it reminded them of Kikyou,’ she sighed in her mind.

“That was too deep for me,” Shippou sighed, with dizzied eyes.

“That mortal was not an imbecile as I thought most out to be,” Sesshoumaru mused. Everyone turned to him in shock. Was he praising Midoriko!? From the look on his face, you would not be able to tell, for it was covered in his icy mask. Before anyone could remark to the ‘miraculous moment,’ he announced,” I shall take my leave.”

“You will tell us if you have anymore information,“ Kagome asked. He simply nodded and walked off, the wind blowing his Mokomoko-sama and hair back behind him. After his scent died out of Inuyasha’s nose, he grumbled, irritably. He covered up the fact that it got to him.

“That is so dreadful,” Sango commented, her eyes also glistening with oncoming tears. Miroku made a move to comfort Sango, by standing closer to her. ‘And did that mention Kirara,’ Sango asked herself.

“Indeed that is tragic. Not only was she a miko, but a legendary one, making her life all the more harder,” Miroku added. “It reminds one of Kikyou-sama.” Inuyasha growled at what the monk said.

Casting guilty eyes at Kagome, the hanyou confessed,” Yea, Kikyou told me once, when she was alive, that she could not show weakness or all would be lost. Guess that plan failed.” He smiled bitterly. Kagome’s eyes glazed over in sadness for her best friend.

“Inuyasha…” she whispered.

The hanyou’s eyes closed tightly and his hands clenched up into fists at his sides. “Damn you Naraku,” he cursed. Before he could get more pity from anyone else, he ground out,” Let’s set up camp. It’s getting late.” The group nodded with no arguments. It’s not like any of them would be in their right minds that day anyways.

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To be continued…

Hope you liked that entry in Midoriko’s scrolls. She is explaining that she doesn’t understand Shikimi-Tama because it’s early in her writings. As we progress, we will peer more into the life of the miko we so know so little about…

Next time on The Scrolls of Midoriko: The Inu-Tachi continues on their journey, until Kagura pays them an endearing visit…

What, you didn’t actually expect an Inuyasha fanfic to have no Naraku involvement, did ya?!

Please Review!

Ja ne!