InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Truth's Tears ❯ The Story ( Chapter 14 )

Disclaimer~ All rights for Inu Yasha belong to Rumiko Takahashi. The legend of the Dragon King belongs to the people of Japan, and we hold no rights to it. This fiction is only for entertainment purposes. And if any part of this fan fiction resembles another it is purely coincidental.

Chapter Fourteen ~The Story

"You have to understand that your mother has seen a lot of things while traveling back and fourth between this time and the past. You could almost say a lot of things don't surprise her anymore, but one thing did. She suddenly found herself in the presence of a God, the dragon god no less. Her reaction was simply that of surprise and confusion and Ryu loved it."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Who are you? Who the hell are you!" She cried out shocking Miroku.

Ryu looked up from his place, his smile gone and his eyes lethal as they met with hers.

"I, young miko, am the true owner of the tama, and I have come for what was stolen from me so many years ago."

Kagome's shocked expression evaporated, her eyes narrowed, "is that so. Well then by all means continue on your journey and collect it."

Ryu slowly stood, his clothing whispering softly as he moved toward Kagome his eyes locked on to her own.

"Young miko, I have every intention of taking the tama back. But sadly I have a problem it has been misplaced." His yellow eyes crinkled in a smile, "And now to the point for which I am here. You will find it for me."

Kagome's expression didn't change, her glare frosty as she raised one eyebrow, "What makes you think I'm going to give it to you when I find it?"

Ryu's expression darkened, "You have no choice in the matter, mortal. It rightfully belongs in my hands, it does not belong in the hands of human's nor demons." Ryu's eyes flashed suddenly as he spoke in harsh tones, "YOU will not keep it from me, miko."

Kagome, startled by the cruelty she suddenly saw in his eyes, stumbled backward into Miroku's stunned arms. Recoiling from the harsh aura before her and relaxing when she felt Miroku wrap his arms around her from in a protective embrace.

Miroku, stunned by the sudden force of energy that surged through the man before him instinctually wrapped his arms around Kagome, protecting her from the energy before them. His violet eyes narrowed and his voice deadly smooth, Miroku spoke.

"You still have not answered Kagome's question, who are you?"

They would learn later on that Ryu had more mood swings than the average woman. And he did that to keep them constantly off-guard, he simply loved to keep them jumping.

A large toothy grin spread across Ryu's face, his eyes sparkled and he laughed.

Waving a hand before him, Ryu chuckled. Where he was seeing humor from this situation was beyond Miroku and Kagome.

"Forgive me, forgive me! I have been locked away for so long I have forgotten my manners." His laughter ceased but still continued from within his eyes, "You may call me Ryu. I am the Lord over Dragons and wisdom."

Miroku froze, he was WHAT!

Kagome sighed, it figured.

Ryu continued to talk, happily ignoring the mixture of responses he had received, "but don't let that bother you. Merely think of me as any other traveler you may have encountered, but with perks! Just imagine how much more land you'll be able to coverage with me! Yes, yes, the hunt shall be cut down in half with me along with you."

Kagome wiped a weary hand across her face, "Just a question Lord Ryu."

"Oh just Ryu will do fine."

Kagome merely raised an eyebrow before continuing, "alright, Ryu. Just a question. Why do you need our help. You're a God, couldn't you do this on your own and just save us all the trouble?"

Ryu suddenly looked sheepish, "well, the thing is. Yes I am a God, but I have no power outside of the ocean. That is my realm. Besides to make a long story short, I cannot interfere with human lives." He smiled brilliantly once more, "just one of those things that comes with the responsibility and power of being a God."

Miroku was still stunned. He was standing in the presence of a God. A Shinto God no less, oh how things were going to get interesting real fast.

"You have not the power to interfere with human lives, yet you had within your presence a powerful jewel that could. If I may ask, how on earth did you lose that."

Ryu sneered slightly with Miroku's question, "That jewel was created for me! Yet some silly mortal decided that her son needed it more, irregardless I might add, of the consequences the tama would bring to their home. Odd isn't it, how I am the guardian of the Shinto's faith and yet they stole from me? The greed of you human's both intrigues and annoys me."

Kagome couldn't help giggling at the baffled expression Ryu currently wore. She had to agree with him though, greed could drive the most normal of beings crazy.

"So you say you are the creator and first owner of the tama? Them may I ask how it happened to come out of Midoriko? We were under the impression that she was the creator." Miroku couldn't help it, he was in the presence of a God, questions had to be asked.

Ryu let go a long suffering sigh and closed his yellow eyes. Without speaking he motioned for them to sit, he waited till they were settled before speaking again.

"I will tell you the true story of the tama. The story not even the demon slayers knew. The jewel had been created and given to me as a gift from my daughter's suitor, he had hoped it's radiance would fill my heart when my daughter left to marry him. My daughter, being the rebellious sprit she is, did not marry him but a human man instead. But that is a story for another time. "

Kagome and Miroku watched as Ryu's eyes took on a slightly rusted sheen while he flipped back through the ages, remembering the day it happened and the events that followed.

"It was eight hundred and fifty years ago when Kamatari's wife entered my palace and escaped with the tama. How she managed to get around my guards and escape with the jewel I will never understand, but she did and at a terrible price.

"With a deep gash she buried the tama within her very flesh and escaped back to her husband who was waiting for her in a small fishing boat. She died before she could reach him but the light the tama gave off caught his attention and steered him to her. Yet, for some unknown reason the tama remained hidden and Katatari assumed his wife had been slain by my guards. He took her back to shore and buried her, thus starting the new destiny for the woman's soul and the tama."

Ryu paused briefly and gazed at a slightly stunned Kagome, "You do know where this is going I hope."

Kagome nodded without speaking a word and Ryu continued with his story.

"For some reason, the tama decided that it needed to stay a protect the woman and her soul through every reincarnation. It had a fate of its own that needed to be lived out, a fate that sadly has killed every incarnation that has cared for it. Going as far back as to the Midoriko woman you mentioned, Monk." Ryu raised his hooded gaze and rested his yellow eyes on Kagome.

"And it has ended its journey with you, young Miko. You returned back to this time for a reason, everything you have lived through as of yet has been for one reason. The tama was waiting for a pure soul to end its darkness and bring back its light. And from what I have witnessed you are the one it has waited for. By you releasing the tama from your flesh and shattering it to the wind, only to re-piece back together you have ended its journey and returned it back to its rightful master.

"And though you have not lost your life to the tama, you have also paid a horrible price.

Just as Kikyo before you and Midoriko before her and Kamatari's wife before, they were not strong enough to fight the tama and they were not pure enough to contain its power."

Kagome bite her lip in realization, "It was all a chain. Kamatari and his wife. He thought he lost her and gave up hope. Mideriko and her battle, to save the people she ridded herself of the tama and lost her life. Then Kikyo and ...."

Ryu smiled gently, "Yes Kikyo and Inu Yasha. They died together that day because neither had the faith nor the hope to believe in one another." His smile turned slightly wistful for a moment as he spoke gently, "But there is one more incarnation of you, Kagome. One that will live in peace without the curse of the tama."

Both Kagome and Miroku looked up in stunned silence and Ryu chuckled lightly, "you mean to tell me you have not figured it out yet?"

Kagome shook her head negative, her eyes questioning the lord before her.

Ryu smiled, "The incarnation between you and Kikyo is a small child right now. A child that has known death and life, that has met grief but stood up to it with her innocence. A child who loves all and has broken the cold seal within a dark heart."

"Rin!" At Kagome's exclamation, Ryu laughed.

"Yes my dear miko, the child Rin. Because of you she will lead a happy life, a life free from the curse."

"But she has technically lived before Kagome, how is it possible that she would be freed from the tama and the curse?" Miroku's question was voiced low and in thought.

Ryu winked and then gave Kagome a pointed look, "You see, with Kagome returning to the past she caused an interesting paradox. The tama that had been within Rin's soul disappeared the moment Kagome shattered her own tama. When the child died and was brought back by Sesshomaru's sword, she was given a new life so to say. Free of the curse, free from whatever ties bound her. She is nothing more than a sweet child now, with a long healthy life to look forward too."

Kagome smiled. It was good to hear that some good had indeed come from her stumbling into the old well and finding herself 500 years in the past. But even though the idea pleased her, she couldn't help but feel remorseful. Out of hundreds of lives she had inevitably destroyed, there was one good ending.

Ryu stretched his log legs and stood gracefully, with a smile and a slight yawn excused himself. His knowing eyes understanding that Kagome needed some time alone with her companion.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Miroku watched as Kagome dealt with the information Ryu had just shared with them. He knew Kagome was blaming herself for everything that had happened. A soft rustle of fabric the only sigh that Miroku had got up and moved to sit beside her, she needed to understand that it wasn't not her fault. This had all been written out by the fates, she was not to be blamed for what had come to pass.

"Kagome,"

"Miroku I'm not blaming myself, so don't start on me okay." Her voice was muffled by the long locks of hair that hid her face from him.

With a smile Miroku reached out and rested a comforting hand on her shoulder, "If you were not blaming yourself, I would be worried."

Kagome released a broken laugh as her blank expression broke and tears rushed down her face. Her sobs racked her small body as Miroku drew her to him, his strong arms wrapping around her shoulders and his head resting upon her own.

"I wanted to think that this all was some horrible mistake, or even maybe that I was living my own fairytale. I never stopped to think that perhaps this had all been planned out, destined to happen." She swiped furiously at the tears that continued to roll down her face, "I don't even know why I'm crying!"

The tidal wave had already started and Kagome merely held on for the ride as her tears continued to come.

"Miroku, I don't know what to think anymore. I'm so confused."

"Hush, Kagome. Everything will make sense in the end. Do not worry about it now." Miroku murmured softly into her scented hair, his hand back up to its no good as it glided lower and rested on her bum.

Kagome froze, only to then shock both herself and Miroku. She relaxed into his touch. Enjoying the sensation of warmth his touch gave her.

Kagome pulled away slightly and peered up and into his violet eyes, something deep within her snapped and her heart constricted. In a sudden movement that stunned them both she leaned up and pressed her lips to his in a gentle kiss.

Miroku, for the first time in a long time, was stunned. Kagome kissed him. She kissed him without any encouragement on his part. Well, aside from his hand that was currently caressing her round little bottom. Still the fact was she kissed him and he was sitting here thinking about it? Miroku pushed aside his mental rambling as he lifted his gloved hand and tilted her chin better angling his lips over hers.

Kagome soon pulled away, her cheeks pinked in a becoming blush.

"I'm sorry Miroku, I ah...don't know what came over me."

Miroku had to chuckle at the adorable expression she wore.

"It's quite alright, Kagome. I thoroughly enjoyed it none the less."

Kagome turned a shade darker at Miroku's words, "Um, your welcome?"

Miroku laughed again and placed a tender kiss to her forehead.

With a slightly worried expression he asked softly, "Are you alright now?"

Kagome nodded and smiled behind her blush, "Ya, I just, I donno what got into me a moment ago. Must be PMS."

At Miroku's raised eyebrow, Kagome blushed deeper before stuttering an answer, "Its, ah, the ah, time before a woman's monthly."

Miroku simply smirked as he stood, "well then, if your certain your back to normal, I shall take my leave." He then leaned over and whispered huskily, "I have a sudden urge to meditate under the cold waters of the spring."

Kagome felt her face flame once more, "I'm so sorry!"

With a chuckle, Miroku waved it off, "no need, I have a feeling our guest will wish to stay the night and I might as well relax before heading off tomorrow."

Kagome nodded and watched as Miroku left the small room. Her thoughts becoming cluttered once more as she thought over the last couple of days. Wasn't her life ever going to get worry free?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The days light disappeared over the horizon, splashing the skies in golds and reds and soft lavenders. The twilight reflecting in deep pools of the golden yellow of a Gods eyes, as he leaned against the door jam.

His cool yellow eyes closed and his blank expression tightened as he murmured softly to the wind.

"Soon the tama will be back in my hands, and then the wrongs it has committed will be righted. Forgive me, my young Miko for what I must do when this is all over. It is for the best."

The winds howled in response, as if the spirits of those past cried with the knowledge of the pain the young woman would soon be faced.

Tbc...

A/N~

Mystic: *tied up in underground bunker, a package of Pepsi sitting close by*

Mystic: MPHFT!

Inca: *rolling on the floor in laughter* OMG! What happened to you!

Mystic: *glares behind gag* pfft!

Inca: *wiping tears from her eyes* uh huh. Take it our reviewers got a bit desperate for the next chapter.

Mystic: *cries and nods head* HmpF!

Inca: *presses hand to ear* I can't hear you...

Mystic: *glares* @O)(&^&!)#@^!!!

Inca: *begins laughing anew* Don't forget to review!

Reviewer Responses:

WOW! You still love us! Thank you for all the wonderful reviews! *hugs you all*

Ducusdraconis: A very good question, one in fact that both us author's have argued over many a time. We have, however, come up with a solution but it won't be revealed till the end. We are happy that you came back to the story, thank you very much for your review!

Paranoid: *Inca is writing this `cause Mystic is currently tied up* ROFLMAO! YAY, PEPSI! Here's the next chappy, just for you!

MiraiXenia18: YOU CAME BACK! SQUEE! We totally love your reviews, they make us feel so .... smart! Lol, no worries about not reviewing in such a while, life is life we all have to live it sometime. Anyhow, here's the next chapter, sooner than 2 months! Go us!

Akira103: The anticipation is killing us too! Hope this soon enough for ya.

foxfirekit: Thank you for the review, and Taro's daddy....we're not telling..=P

Miztikal Dragon: Again...we're not telling. Thank you for sticking with us for so long. The story has about 3 or 4 chapters left in it. So you shall know your answer soon!

Silver Angeliss: *evil laughter* We really have tried not to end the chapters that way, but um...when your idea ends, it just kinda ends. Glad you like, here's the next chapter!

As a side note from beta: Sorry it took so long for this chap to get out. Um, Teehee, I was kinda lazy this time around.