InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Secrets of the Shinju (Part I): Sesshoumaru's Stolen Memories ❯ Two Journey's Begin ( Chapter 4 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chapter Three

Two Journey's Begin

They traveled all day, but finally reached the village near dusk. Kagome led the others to the temple. As soon as they appeared Seiji stepped outside. He looked her over then turned to Sesshoumaru. "The two of you will come with me." InuYasha immediately stepped forward to object, but Kagome put her hand on his shoulder. "It's okay InuYasha; we will just be inside the temple." He looked at the old man, and then relented. He hoped that once she had spoken with him, they would be able to leave Sesshoumaru behind.

Kagome stepped inside and Sesshoumaru followed behind her. Seiji turned to her "I'm glad you took my advice, priestess. I now know that this demon must remain protected from the one who has stolen his memories." Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru then back to Seiji. "Who is it that has taken his memories?" Seiji studied her for a moment then replied "You know him well, he desires the Shikon Jewel." Her eyes grew large "Naraku?" Seiji looked to Sesshoumaru briefly then back to Kagome "I know not of his name. He very much desires to possess the Shikon Jewel and the fabled shinju, which belongs to the clan of demons that protect the western lands."

"What is the shinju?" Kagome asked him. Seiji glanced at the demon that was standing in his presence. "It is a gem that was passed to his ancestors by the Priestess Hoshiko. The shinju holds the very soul of the demons and has power far greater than the Shikon Jewel. When in the hands of good, it can protect both humans and demons that are pure of soul. When in the hands of evil, it can bring great devastation." He looked directly at Kagome and continued "The shinju was tarnished sometime ago, and forgotten about. Its power lies dormant, but can be brought about by a demon that desires its use." He paused as if collecting his thoughts.

"This Naraku that you speak of sought out the demoness Hitomi. She uses her powers to attack yumemiru hito, a person who dreams. Once the person or demon is dreaming, she enters into them and drains their memories. She will now, as we speak be going through his memories looking for information as to the whereabouts of the shinju. It is imperative that she be found and his memories retrieved before the shinju is acquired by evil." Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru quickly; she had always considered him to be evil.

"It will also be necessary for you to seek out the priestess Toshi. She is a direct ancestor of the great priestess Hoshiko. She lives in the western lands, near the ancestral home of this demon." He again looked at Sesshoumaru. "You will not have time to do both, unless you go separate ways. Priestess, remember what I have told you. It is crucial that you remain with this demon. Your powers are necessary to protect him." Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru who had remained emotionless during the entire conversation. She could tell that he did not like hearing that he would need her to protect him, yet he said nothing. As the two were leaving, Seiji called to Kagome. Sesshoumaru turned and realized that the man wanted to speak with her alone. He left the temple and Seiji approached her. "Hitomi does not only take people's memories while they dream, but can enter the dreams and replace them as she desires. The demon will be at her mercy anytime he sleeps." The look on his face told Kagome that this could become a problem. She told Seiji that she understood and returned to the others.

She told them what she knew, and explained that they would need to split up. InuYasha immediately protested "You are not going anywhere alone with him!" He gave Sesshoumaru a look of death, which was returned to him. Kagome became flustered, for she knew Seiji spoke the truth. "InuYasha, we must find this Hitomi before she gets the information that Naraku needs to find the shinju." Sango stood watching the two as they argued and spoke up. "If this Seiji is speaking the truth then we will have to split up. I can send Kilala with Kagome, to help ensure her safety." Kagome smiled at Sango who still had a worried look on her face. "That's a great idea; Kilala will see that I am protected." The arguing continued for nearly an hour before Kagome got fed up and yelled "Sit boy!" Sesshoumaru watched in amusement as his annoying brother was hurdled to the ground. Kagome called to Kilala and started walking away. "I will be fine, InuYasha. You guys find Hitomi and get his memories back!" Sesshoumaru followed her and could hear cursing from his brother.

Miroku grabbed InuYasha as he got up and started to follow Kagome. "InuYasha, if what this Seiji says is true, we will need to find this demoness and retrieve your brother's memories. Kilala can keep Kagome safe. If Sesshoumaru tries to hurt her, she will fly Kagome to safety." InuYasha again looked in the direction that the two had left in and began cursing again. "Well, where do we start Monk?" Miroku looked around and then suggested they return to the Holy Man. Once at the temple Miroku knocked. Seiji opened the door and ushered them inside.

"You took longer to return than I suspected you would." He looked pointedly at InuYasha. He then turned to Miroku sensing it would be easier to talk with him than the half demon in front of him. "I cannot tell you exactly where Hitomi is. I can tell that you will need to travel to the south and to the east. There are many spirit barriers that have been put up to prevent me and others from finding her." Miroku thanked him and the three left.

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Kagome had been walking along side Sesshoumaru and Kilala for nearly two hours, and not one word had been said. She reached out and scratched Kilala behind her ears and whispered to her softly. Finally Sesshoumaru spoke to her "Will you require time to rest soon?" She looked at him and said that she would be fine for awhile. After a few more minutes, Kagome gave thought to Shippou. She had wanted to bring him along with her, but knew that there was a chance that she would be in danger with Sesshoumaru. Then she remembered that Sesshoumaru had a small human child that he had taken on as his responsibility. They had seen her with him on a couple of occasions.

"Sesshoumaru, do you remember anything of the child that travels with you?" He looked at her for a moment and shook his head. "I assume she is probably at your castle, with that imp of yours." She mused almost to herself, but he seemed interested to know about his life. "What else do you know of me, human?" She turned to him and stopped walking.

"I am trying to help you out here, could you at least address me by name?" He stared into her eyes for a moment, then relented "very well, it would appear we need to work together if I am to regain my memory." She looked at him again and informed him he could address her as Kagome. He nodded and then she thought back to his question. "I don't know a lot about you. You are InuYasha's older brother, who is full demon. You share the same father, but different mothers. You are arrogant and have a dislike for humans and pretty much anyone else you believe is below you." She blurted out before she gave thought to keeping it tactful.

He looked at her then said "I assume you don't find my company to be pleasant." Kagome couldn't help herself, she burst out laughing. She looked up at him and he had a confused look on his face. Seeing this on his face only made her laugh harder. When she finally stopped, he again addressed her. "What of my arm?" She looked and realized he was speaking of the arm InuYasha had removed.

"You tried to kill InuYasha and he defended himself." He looked down at his shoulder again. "I see… that would explain his pulling his sword when he saw me. Do I try to kill him often?" Kagome shrugged her shoulders, "Only when you see fit, I guess." "What of that spell you used on him?" She looked at him for a moment then realized he was referring to her sitting InuYasha. "A priestess put the prayer beads around his neck, and it gives me the power to sit him. It often comes in handy." He looked thoughtful, and was apparently done with questions for the time being. They began to walk silently again.