InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Volition ❯ Date With Destiny Pt.1 ( Chapter 30 )

29 )

 

 

~*Volition~*

~~Chapter 30: Date With Destiny Pt.1~~

 

 

Good God, why did flights have to be so long? Not only that, but then having to wait until nine for the next plane to take off. Akina was at her wits ends. She couldn't take it anymore.

 

“You have one hell of a short fuse,”

 

“I don't and you know it,” She snapped back, glaring at her mate. Zachary's cerulean eyes widened before he snorted.

 

“Yeah, you do.” He replied. He liked it when she was angry. Akina flipped her red hair.

 

“I don't have a short fuse, I just get irritated and it takes forever to get to Japan. Ugh…”

 

Boarding the plane had been uneventful. The plane had taken off and Akina was sighing, almost falling asleep.

 

“Sleepy?” Zachary asked.

 

“Not really…tired, irritated.”

 

“Baby, it's a flight. You'll be fine.”

 

“I know, I know…”

 

“I'm sure our pup doesn't like his Mama angry.”

 

Akina turned an incredulous stare on Zachary. “What?”

 

“Kidding…kidding…” Zachary rolled his eyes. “Take a joke, woman.”

 

Akina blinked. “Do you think I can take a joke right now?”

 

“Kami, I'll just shut up the rest of the way,” He grumbled, turning his head to look somewhere else. Akina had half the mind to apologize, but she just sighed and leaned her head against the window of the plane.

 

“You don't have to,” She whispered. She didn't like it when Zachary chose not to speak for her snapping.

 

He didn't reply.

 

“C'mon…I'm sorry,” Akina mumbled, reaching for his shoulder. He sighed and turned to face her.

 

“Gonna snap at me again? You know, I could argue, but then you'd scratch my eyes out.”

 

Akina opened her mouth to respond when all of a sudden something struck her head. A paper ball landed on her lap as another one flew and hit her head again. Akina grabbed the ball, growled deeply. “Akina!” Zachary whispered harshly.

 

Her growl had been harder than he had expected, earning a few turns of the head from the people around them. “Who was that?” Akina asked, looking around. What she saw though, wasn't what she expected.

 

None other than Kagome was walking down the aisle of the plane. She stopped a few ones behind Akina and Zachary's and sat down, chatting with a blond haired girl that was besides her.

 

“Kami, its Kagome!”

 

“Kagome?” Zachary tried to look towards where Akina had been staring. She pulled him down.

 

“No! Don't let her see you!” Akina said, sinking down in her seat. “She's going to Japan.” She said in a-matter-a-fact tone. Zachary rolled his eyes.

 

“Everyone on this plane is going to Japan, Aki.” She stuck her tongue out at him.

 

She sat up, tried to sniff InuYasha's scent. “I don't smell InuYasha on this plane.”

 

Zachary looked back, seeing Kagome. “She looks different.”

 

“We all do…we're grown up, duh.”

 

“Obviously,” Zachary scoffed.

 

“I wonder…did she ever go back to Japan?”

 

“Get up and go talk to her.”

 

“Are you insane? She'll probably jump off the plane.”

 

“I'm pretty sure Kagome wouldn't jump off the plane because she sees you.”

 

Akina rolled her eyes. “No, I'll talk to her when we land.”

 

The ride was steady, Akina slept most of the way, or slept as much as she could with noisy children around them. “My mother never tolerated bad behavior.”

 

Akina craned her neck to the side to acknowledge her mate. “She never tolerated me either.”

 

Zachary sighed. “Don't get in to that. I meant when we have pups, they will be well behaved.”

 

Akina chuckled softly before leaning her head against his shoulder. They didn't talk much during the flight, just relaxed. And it was the happiest time, when the plane finally landed in Tokyo. “Come on, I don't want to loose sight of her.”

 

Akina and Zachary got off the plane before Kagome, so she would not recognize them. She kept herself from view besides her mate, who rolled his eyes and told her to approach Kagome.

 

 

::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::*

 

 

“I didn't think the time change would be so hitting, major jetlag” Victoria mumbled as she leaned down to grab her suitcase as it passed the spinning luggage carrier.

 

“Give it a few days, you'll get used to it.” Kagome said, grabbing the suitcase next to Victoria's. Kagome looked at her normally radiant friend. She had dark circles under her eyes.

 

“Bed,” Victoria mumbled, pulling her blonde hair away from her shoulder.

 

“Later,” Kagome rolled her eyes with a grin. A sudden chill ran down her spine. She could feel a familiar aura, though she didn't know how she felt that sort of thing. She turned around and spotted a tall, black haired man. `He looks familiar…' she thought. Why did he look so familiar? She caught a zip of red hair besides him. `He looks like…'

 

“Kagome.”

 

Kagome spun around to face the source of her `sensing'. “A-Akina…” Kagome stepped back, eyes widening. “Wh-What are you doing here?”

 

Akina's friendly smile disappeared when she sniffed Kagome. A scowl took over her pretty face. “Ugh,” She mumbled. “Kagome, what's that smell?”

 

Kagome frowned. “What smell?” Victoria leaned over and sniffed in Kagome's direction.

 

“I don't smell anything.”

 

Akina's brilliant sapphire eyes rounded on Victoria. “You don't, but I do. Kagome, you smell like…not Uncle.”

 

“Not Uncle?” Kagome echoed, confused by the wolf-youkai's conclusion. `Does she means, InuYasha?'

 

“Yes, not Uncle…someone else…” Akina paused as she regarded Kagome carefully. She crossed her arms over her chest and Kagome shrunk under the youkai's scrutiny. “Human someone else.”

 

“Akina” Kagome mumbled, grabbing the rolling cart containing her luggage. Victoria stood besides her. “I owe you or your uncle no explanation. I'm here purely on business.”

 

She tried to move past Akina, but the man with her blocked her way. “You left him again, didn't you?”

 

Kagome sighed as she regarded Akina's question. “You know, I used to be jealous of you.”

 

“Me?”

 

Akina nodded. “I used to have a crush on InuYasha, knowing you left him once before. I didn't like it when you came back in to the picture, but I got over it. I envied you for having someone like him.” She narrowed her eyes and Kagome felt the crack in her youkai. “I don't now, but Kagome, why haven't you returned to him? Don't you know he's your mate?”

“Mate?” Victoria echoed. Kagome glanced at her friend before looking back at Akina.

 

Akina shook her head. “I thought you were different, Kagome, but you're not are you? You're the same as every other petty human, wanting nothing more than fifteen minutes of fame.” She spat harshly. Kagome winced. “Though you already know him, meet Zachary Serrano, my mate, the person I belong with and who I would never leave and if anything happens I'd let him explain himself before running away to another continent.”

 

That said, the girl walked away, flipping her red hair as she turned her back to Kagome and Victoria. “Who was that?” Victoria whispered.

 

Kagome sighed sadly. “InuYasha's niece.”

 

“His niece?” Victoria repeated, making a face. “And she had a crush on him? Isn't that like incest or something?”

 

“She's not really his niece. She's the daughter of his business partner…”

 

“…Oh.”

 

Kagome blinked quickly as tears blurred her vision. “Yeah…”

 

 

::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::*

 

 

“So, this is him…”

 

“Akina?”

 

Akina looked over her eldest brother's shoulder, looking at her mother. “Mama!”

 

Ayame's green eyes lit up with happiness as she opened her arms to receive her daughter. “Aki, I've missed you so much!”

 

Akina grinned. “I've missed you to, Mama.”

 

Ayame released Akina to walk over to Zachary, who was still glaring at Raidon---who was glaring right back. “Raidon, stop it,” Ayame snapped, standing between the two men.

 

“You dishonored my sister,” Raidon bit out. Ayame elbowed his ribs.

 

“I did not,” Zachary replied, narrowing his gaze on Raidon. Ayame scowled.

 

“Enough, you two.” She said, looking up at both boys who towered over her. “Raidon, this is your brother-in-law, be respectful. He did not dishonor your sister. And you,” She looked at her daughter's mate. “---come inside and meet the family.”

 

She pulled on the water-youkai's hand, dragging him inside. “Everyone…Akina's mate.” She introduced happily.

 

Akina rolled her eyes. “Mama, he has a name, you know.” She said softly, pulling her mother's hand from her mate's and grabbing it herself. She stood besides Zachary.

 

“Umm…this is my mate, Zachary Serrano.”

 

Kouga stood up first, narrowing his gaze on Zachary who stood an inch or two taller than him. He grabbed Ayame and pulled her to his side. “She's my only daughter,” He growled.

 

“I know that,” Zachary said, his voice neutral, not faltering at the murderous gaze the youkai was giving him.

 

“Kouga…” Ayame said softly, placing an hand over his arm.

 

Kouga sighed. “If you hurt her in any way, shape or form…I'll torture you to death.”

 

“She's my mate, I wouldn't hurt her.”

 

Without a word, Kouga reached out to Akina. Acting on impulse, Zachary growled as his hand shot out to intervene. “Zachary!”

 

Zachary growled at her in response. He blinked several times before he realized what he was doing. `Baka…its her father' He released Kouga's arm as a blush took over his features. Kouga glared at him, a menacing growl forming in his throat.

 

“Welcome tot he family, Zachary!” Ayame pulled Zachary in to a hug. “Come, meet everyone.” She said, pulling the youkai with her. Kouga rolled his eyes and looked at his daughter. Akina bit her lip before launching herself in to her father's arms.

 

He held her tightly. “Should've figured you would pull a stunt like this one,” Kouga said softly.

 

“Are you mad?”

 

He shook his head. “Not really…maybe. Pfft! I thought I would know your damned mate before he took the liberty of claiming you.”

 

Akina blushed. “You don't understand…”

 

Kouga made a face. “I don't think I want to either.”

 

Zachary sighed in relief. `At least he isn't ticked off at her. Hell, I could care less if he's ticked at me…just so long as he's not angry with her'

 

“This is Raidon,” Ayame introduced. “Akina's oldest brother.”

 

Raidon looked at Zachary seriously before giving him a curt nod. Zachary acknowledged him in return. “And this is Rini, his mate.”

 

Rini, unlike Akina's brother, happily smiled at him. “He's a water-youkai? That's so awesome!” She hugged him tightly, earning a growl from her mate. “Can you do water tricks?”

 

Zachary peeled the girl off him, chuckling softly at her. “Some, yes.”

 

Ayame wiggled her eyebrows. “He can show his tricks later. Oh, and this is Rini's sister, Annabelle.”

 

Annabelle only slightly hugged Zachary. “My sister is overly excited and Raidon is grouchy all the time, don't take it personally.”

 

“Oi,” Raidon grumbled.

 

Zachary smiled. “I wont.”

 

“This is Kiyoshi, also eldest, he's Raidon's twin.” Ayame said. Kiyoshi was friendlier than Raidon had been, welcoming Zachary to their family. Ayame pulled him to keep meeting the family. “This is Kin, the youngest son and his fiancé, Ruby Yamada.”

 

Kin was the nicest, Zachary decided. Rini was the happiest. Ruby was most normal one. The beloved `uncle Sesshy' had ended up being the Japanese tai-youkai, stoic and un-emotional towards him. His mate, Kagura, had been nicer though she hadn't spoken much, holding the tai-youkai's daughter.

 

The `cousin' Shippo had been funny and his mate had been trying to keep up with her triple kitsune boys. Their pups, Hiroshi and Jiro wanted to see the `water-tricks' also. Meeting the beloved Uncle InuYasha had been more of a meeting with grunts and growls than with actual words. InuYasha looked grouchy, more so than Raidon though he didn't portray it.

 

And while Zachary had been showing Hiroshi, Jiro, and Rini the tricks he could do with water, InuYasha had greeted Akina only to sniff a scent he hadn't expected.

 

“You have Kagome's scent on you,” InuYasha said in a deadly quiet voice. “Why?”

 

“Kagome's scent?” Akina asked, acting as if InuYasha was crazy. “Please, Uncle, are you sure you aren't smelling things?”

 

“Feh!” He grabbed Akina's shoulders. “I know that scent like my own, now where did you see her?”

 

“Uncle…”

 

“Answer me”

 

“Oi! Don't yell at my pup,” Kouga growled. InuYasha loosened his grip on the girl's shoulders.

 

Akina winced as her father glowered at the hanyou. She shook her head. “She said she's here on business, Uncle, but please…don't do anything she doesn't want you to. She seemed…different.”

 

InuYasha's ears twitched. “Different how?”

 

“Like…” Akina paused and tried to locate her mate. “S-She was wearing…another ring.”

 

InuYasha released her very slowly and put his arms down by his sides. Without a word, he turned around and strode off to the kitchen. Akina sunk down on the couch and grimaced. Kagura walked out of the kitchen with a bottle of water in her hands.

 

“Where's Miya?” Sesshoumaru asked, watching as Kagura sat besides him and tucked her legs under her. She tilted her head to the side.

 

“She's in the kitchen, with InuYasha.”

 

Rini couldn't help it when she stood up and very discretely signaled Ruby to follow her. Both women peeked in to the kitchen from the dinning room only to see InuYasha holding Miya in his arms, the baby gurgling at him.

 

“He's so good with kids,” Ruby whispered, smiling slightly. Rini nodded.

 

“He's adorable with those ears.”

 

InuYasha rocked the pup gently, Miya's magenta eyes following as the hanyou's ears twitched. She giggled before trying to reach up for InuYasha's ears. He seemed to get it because he bent his head down enough to Miya's chubby fingers could latch on to his ears.

 

Somehow, looking at Miya, holding Miya gave him a sense of something he didn't have. He never truly had a childhood and he wanted, more than anything, his own family. Sesshoumaru's pup was a wonder to behold. Miya had been such a tiny bundle when she had been born and now, she was getting bigger and bigger. “Are you going to give that bastard grief?”

 

Miya's eyes were solemn as she stared at her uncle. She opened her mouth slightly, gurgling. She was struggling to copy InuYasha's mouth movements. He blinked rapidly. `She almost talked.' Miya broke out in to a wide grin, laughing when InuYasha's index claw lightly tickled her belly. He kissed her downy silver hair.

 

“N-N---Nu'asha” Miya gurgled happily.

 

The hanyou stood straight, staring at the tai-youkai's daughter. He stared at her incredulously, mouth open as she blinked in confusion. She flashed her teeth at him in a smile before she raised her eyes to watch his twitching ears. “Did you just talk, Miya?” He leaned down towards her. “InuYasha…”

 

Miya looked like she was thinking before opening her mouth again. “Nu'asha! Nu'asha!” She clapped her chubby hands together, laughing happily.

 

He couldn't help the smile as he watched Miya repeat her version of his name over and over again. `I'm her first word…'

 

And somehow, Miya's laughter and wonder blocked the thoughts of what Akina had told him. Kagome couldn't hurt him again. He had decided long ago to construct a barrier in case he ever faced Kagome again. True, it did hurt him to know Kagome was marrying someone else, but he wouldn't let the Miko crumble him like she had before.

 

`Never again…'

 

 

::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::*

 

 

“Is the guest room comfortable enough?”

 

Victoria bounced on the bed before nodding. “Yeah, its fine. Its pretty big.”

 

Kagome nodded. When they had gotten to the shrine, Mrs. Higurashi had cried, hugging her daughter happily. Grandpa had asked if she had used the Ofudas he had given her. Souta had just hugged his sister and grinned. And when Kagome showed her mother the ring, Mrs. Higurashi was happy for her daughter, but it wasn't the happiness she remembered at seeing Kagome wore InuYasha's ring.

 

“So, your mom seems nice.”

 

Kagome nodded. “She is. Make yourself at home, I'm going to take a shower.”

 

Victoria nodded. “I'm sleeping…I've been awake for to long.” She topped it off by yawning very loudly. Kagome laughed before disappearing.

 

`Souta has a girlfriend.'

 

`That's cute. My little brother isn't so little anymore.'

 

No, Souta wasn't little. He had been taller than Kagome when he hugged her. He had teased her also, saying she couldn't push him around anymore. It was the other way around. Kagome was about three inches shorter than Souta was and Mama had said he still had much to grow, reminding them that their father had been tall.

 

Vincent was set to arrive at eight in the morning the next day. She had to go with Victoria, Mama, Souta, and Grandpa to pick him up from the airport. And because it was their wedding in Tokyo, Emma and Sharei would be coming for the wedding.

 

After a much needed bath in her old tub, Kagome felt like she was home. `Almost home.'

 

`Not even you can spoil my mood right now…I'm home.'

 

`Not quite.'

 

`Shhh…'

 

She relaxed for almost an hour before carefully drying her hair and putting on her pajamas. Crawling in to her old bed had been a little awkward, hard to find her comfy spot again. She looked at her desk, a shirt lying over the chair. Frowning, Kagome quietly walked over to her desk, grabbing the scarlet shirt. `Definitely not mine…'

 

`It's InuYasha's. Remember?'

 

InuYasha's shirt had stayed there for six years? Her mother's words echoed in her ears. “Nothing in your room has been touched, dear.” Her mother had been serious. Kagome ran her fingers down the soft fabric, the memory of their night spent together when her family had been away and almost being caught in the morning. InuYasha had left without his shirt, just jetting out her window. She chuckled softly, setting the shirt down and crawling back in to her bed.

 

Closing her eyes, it wasn't long until she fell asleep.

 

 

::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::*

 

And lost in a forest, Kagome found herself sitting at the base of a giant tree. The clear blue sky shone above her, the soft breeze kissed her skin. Heaven.

 

“Invading my dreams?”

 

Kagome looked up to see InuYasha sitting on the branch closets to the ground. “I didn't realize it was your dream,” She said dryly.

 

“You never realize anything.”

 

Kagome snorted, settling back against the bark.

 

“Did you know Kagome, when you used to travel through the well, I'd bring you here to sleep sometimes. When you were acting like a little girl, I'd sit here with you. You always loved to be here or have piggy-back rides.”

 

Kagome smiled and craned her neck to look at the hanyou. Her eyes gleamed. “Really?”

 

He nodded. “Yeah”

 

“I think…Would you give me one more?”

 

“One more what?”

 

“Piggy-back ride.”

 

He hopped off the tree and brushed the dust off his pants. Extending his hand towards her, Kagome took it and allowed him to bring her to her feet. “I'd do anything for you, Kagome, don't you know that?”

 

She nodded. “I know,” She whispered, brushing the bangs away from his face. He looked at her left hand, glared at the ring. Gently, but firmly, he grabbed her hand and lifted it up. Without breaking eye contact, he took the engagement ring off and threw it behind him.

 

“InuYasha!” She complained softly.

 

“My mate can't wear another man's ring,” He whispered. She gulped. Turning around he leaned forward enough to Kagome could climb on to his back. She wrapped her legs around him, squeezed him. His claws tickled her thighs.

 

“InuYasha…” She breathed out.

 

“Yes, Kagome?”

 

She leaned forward, planted a loud kiss on his cheek. “I've missed you.”

 

He looked back at her. “At least your soul recognizes me.”

 

“I just don't want to admit that I still love you.” She confessed. He sighed.

 

“You can't hurt me again, Kagome…I won't let you.” He took off, racing through the forest. Kagome held on to him tightly, loving the feel of the wind coursing through her. The feel of InuYasha holding her again, being the one to make her fly.

 

He skidded to a stop by the tree again. “You went in a circle?”

 

He nodded.

 

“What do you mean you won't let me hurt you again?”

 

He swung her around, swept her off her feet. She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I mean…I won't let you hurt me again, Kagome. I can't let you get close again.”

 

Her expression saddened. “I need to be close to you, InuYasha.”

 

“No, you don't.” He held her tightly, kissed her forehead. “Your soul recognizes me, your mind barely remembers our past, your heart belongs to another, and your physical body…I don't know. Don't you see? You almost killed me and I can't let you do that again.”

 

Her bottom lip trembled. “I can't control my physical body. I can't, I---”

 

InuYasha shook his head. Kagome's Miko, the part of her that was subdued by her lost memories was the only thing keeping him connected to her. Kagome's Miko lent her the powers, lent her strength and spoke to her. But the Miko couldn't control her physical body. And her Miko hadn't forgotten, she had come to him in his dreams. Her Miko and his Youkai couldn't be separated. “If Kagome wants you to sleep then do it.”

 

She whimpered. “How can I? I can't let you go.”

 

“If the rest of Kagome doesn't want to be with me, you have to let go.”

 

“I can't admit it. My heart doesn't let me,” She made a face. “Its in denial.”

 

InuYasha chuckled softly. “Kagome, I'll always love you. You're my mate, but sometimes mates loose their way to each other. It means they weren't meant to be in this life time.”

 

“I'm yours,” She whispered, chocolate eyes looking up at him, sparkling. “I've always been yours, ever since I saw you. Its just that…I guess I'm confused, I don't know. All I know, InuYasha, I'll love you forever. In this lifetime, in the next, the one after that…my beautiful mate.”

 

He kissed her softly. This part of Kagome never rejected him.

 

 

::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::*

 

 

Mrs. Higurashi had given Vincent a greeting like he was her son. Grandpa had even liked him also. Vincent was sleeping in the living room. Victoria had hauled her things to Kagome's bed where Mrs. Higurashi had set up a futon on the floor for Victoria. Emma and Sharei were sharing the guest room.

 

And two days later, Kagome was called in to check on Prada's half of the modeling show. She was taking Vincent to Fushigi na Modeling Agency, where models were having their photo shoots. And the day Vincent, Sharei, and Emma had arrived, Kagome was called to do one final photo shoot for the show. Minnamori Yamada had heard her precious model was back and she insisted Kagome had to do the photo shoot along with nine other Japanese models. After reviewing everything she had to for the show, Kagome would continue to be photographed. Victoria, Emma, and Sharei weren't far behind, following and watching the sights.

 

Vincent held her hand securely and Kagome grinned. `I'm happy…'

 

The voice in her head sighed. `…Really?'

 

`Yep.'

 

`Oh…' It sounded disappointed.

 

`Something wrong?'

 

`Not at all. Have any interesting dreams last night?'

 

`Not really…I mean, I can't remember what I dreamt. It like blanked out'

 

`Oh, okay. Kagome?'

 

`Hmm?'

 

`You don't love InuYasha anymore?'

 

`…No, I don't.'

 

`…Really?'

 

`Yes'

 

The response the voice gave her only sounded like a whimper before it didn't speak again.

 

Not really, watching where she was going, Kagome didn't stop when Vincent stopped at something Emma said. She continued on, crossing the street.A very loud horn blew her back to earth as she quickly looked to the side in time to see a black sport's car heading full speed.

 

“Kagome!” Emma screamed from the sidewalk. With all his force, Vincent ran to her, pushed Kagome forward as the car screeched to a halt. The car jerked and turned, blocking the street. Kagome groaned softly. Vincent had broken her fall, but her heart was still racing.

 

Victoria ran towards her, helped her up. “Oh my God, Kagome, are you okay? Vincent, are you hurt?”

 

He quickly shook his head. “No. Kagome? God, watch where you're going, honey. You could have been killed.”

 

Kagome whimpered. The driver's door opened and out stepped a very angry driver. “What where the fuck you're going, stupid mo---”

 

His words died off as Kagome looked at him. Golden eyes stared at her with intensity, an illuminating light that Kagome gasped softly, her hand shooting up over her heart. `I-Inu…Yasha.'

 

`InuYasha…mate…'

 

Her heart skipped a beat. Vincent held her, frowned when Kagome gulped. He stood besides Kagome, raising his eyes to look at the driver who almost killed his fiancé.

 

“Kagome,” The man breathed out. Victoria looked at him once and looked at Kagome's expression.

 

`It's him' She thought, looking at Emma and Sharei.

 

“I-I---InuYasha…”

 

His gaze slipped to her ring and Kagome whimpered softly.

 

 

::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::* ::*::*::*::*

 

~*Volition~*

 

Kagome mistakenly makes a wish on the jewel after Naraku's death. It forces the well to close and leave her second family behind. Now, InuYasha has waited 500 years to finally see Kagome again, but when he does see her, she is not the 'Kagome' he thought he'd face...

So how does a hanyou convince a miko to love him all over again?

 

 

Volition- the act of making a choice or decision; a desire; a wish.

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer, I do not own InuYasha. All right belong to Rumiko Takahashi.