Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Pursuit of Power ❯ The Golden Ones ( Chapter 15 )

Quick AN to MM.org readers: I figured it out! It was because I put the half after Ranma numerically. It did the same thing to me on Chapter 14 *shakes head*. Well now I know, so that shouldn't be happening again in the future.

 

General notes: A bit of time-shifting here, a small code to help you figure out what's going on:

Italics - First person, Myoga's POV

ooooo - Shift from normal to Myoga's POV and Flashback

 

Disclaimer: They're mine…mine I tell you *holds onto Ranma's pigtail and Inuyasha's hakama* Mine I tell you! *Both twist and turn and free themselves, Ranma and Inuyasha share a look before bolting* No! Come back! Please?

*sigh*

Looks like I still don't own either Ranma or Inuyasha *pouts*

 

 

 

The Pursuit of Power

Chapter Fifteen - The Golden Ones

 

 

 

 

The creatures were foul manifestations of hell itself. That was one thing that Tatewaki Kuno was sure of. Flinging out his arm to shield the lovely ladies that had followed him, Tatewaki urged them to find shelter as the taijiya had suggested. Grasping the hilt of his bokken, Tatewaki wondered how his skill would fare against such monstrosities.

 

Chiding himself for the momentary doubt, Tatewaki confidently shook chestnut-brown locks out of his eyes. Doubtless they would tremble in fear and awe at the sight of such a great warrior such as he.

 

Fearlessly, he drew forth his weapon, “Come for me!”

 

A part of his brain was trying desperately to make some kind of sense of what was going on. It kept wailing at him that demons didn't really exist and he wasn't really in the Sengoku Jidai defending some hapless village from the brutality of their attack. Yet another part of him thrilled at it all; the simple villagers, looking up at him, many calling him “young lord”; the adoration, the respect and the utter simplicity of it all appealed to him and rejuvenated his tired soul. The heat of battle as he forged onwards to protect life and country called to his very being, warming his blood as he surged forward.

 

An insidious voice in the back of his mind whispered that of course demons existed; surely the villainous sorcerer Saotome was proof of that. If mythical beings such as oni and phoenixes existed, surely the existence of youkai was not too far a stretch from that.

 

Wielding his weapon with precision and strength, Tatewaki fought against the demonic hoard. Not far from his side, he saw that his sister had whipped out her ribbons, the colourful array slicing through the air. There she was, his family, standing up courageously in the face of such evil. He couldn't be prouder!

 

A small youkai barrelled hard into Tatewaki's stomach, sending him sprawling into the ground. He was stunned for a moment as the bug-like creature rejoiced at its success. With a fierce growl, he struck the creature right over the head…and broke his bokken.

 

Stunned, Tatewaki held up his weapon, it had broken cleanly in half. This could not be. His weapon…his pride…

 

So dismayed was he that he failed to notice that the demons had gone into retreat. So caught up in his pain, he did not see that the fight was over.

 

With a bellow, Tatewaki surged to his feet once more, brandishing the broken wooden sword, intent on cutting them all down with one mighty swing.

 

“Kuno? They seem to be talking about something over there.”

 

Tatewaki barely registered that the Chinese martial artist had touched his sleeve and was tugging him in the opposite direction.

 

“Brother dear, stop brandishing that matchstick around, we are needed!” Kodachi imperiously stated, brushing past him and heading for their companions.

 

Getting his breathing under control, Tatewaki turned and followed his sister, still in a daze. “My sword…”

 

But she wasn't listening anymore. Tatewaki shook his head, his gaze focusing.

 

Ryoga was kneeling on the ground, his head bowed as he talked softly. “That woman…demon, she just flew off. On a feather!”

 

The monk and the taijiya exchanged a look, before the monk stepped forward to kneel beside the distraught Ryoga. “The woman, did she wear an elaborate kimono and had dark hair Ryoga-san?”

 

Ryoga seemed to think the question through before nodding wordlessly. At the boy's answer, Miroku swore softly under his breath.

 

“We can't just wait here!” The okonomiyaki-chef spoke up next, her brow knitted in a frown. “Akane and Ranma needs to know!”

 

At the sound of his beloved's name, Tatewaki cast aside the broken pieces of his bokken. “Forsooth, what piece of knowledge are you conspiring to keep from my beloved?”

 

Ukyou looked up, shaking her head, “Haven't you been listening Kuno?”

 

The uncouth Chinese girl snorted, “Dense-one no listen too good.”

 

Kodachi flipped her hair over her shoulder, “It is a mere trifle brother dear. It seems that Akane Tendou's older sister has been abducted.”

 

The breath seemed to freeze in his body as he stared at his wretched sister. Akane Tendou's sister? In peril? Tatewaki practically trembled with excitement.

 

“Yes!” Fists clenching, visions of rescuing Akane's sister danced in Tatewaki's mind. Akane's eternal gratitude as she clung to him and lavished her thanks in skimpy attire…

 

“I didn't think this was a good thing.” Sango was genuinely puzzled at the young man's reaction.

 

“Honey, when it comes to the Kunos, thinking doesn't necessarily enter into it.” Ukyou responded witheringly.

 

 

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His claws. Strange how he had never noticed how incredibly sharp they were. He hardly noticed their deadly precision when they were tearing through youkai flesh, but he did notice once in a while. Like when he held Kagome, the tips of his claws grazing her skin, leaving faint lines of white. or looking at a young woman's leg, slashes of dried blood marring the creaminess of her skin.

 

He kept trying to tell himself that the red-head was not really a girl. It was no different to slashing a female demon. Except attacking those didn't leave the stench of human blood under his claws.

 

Inuyasha had tried in vain to wash the blood off his hands the night before, Kagome's liquid brown eyes burned in his memory as she whispered stupid words.

 

How could she believe those words now? Now, when she had seen with her own eyes the destructive power in his hands? How could she ever…

 

The hanyou was pulled from his dark musings when the object of his thoughts urged them to stop for lunch. The kitsune agreed joyously and so did the baka human.

 

The entire morning, neither Inuyasha nor Ranma had spoken to each other, much less looked at each other. Guilty as he felt about harming a human, Inuyasha could still remember how the lecherous young man had raked his filthy eyes over Kagome's slim body. Then the idiot dared to insult him by insinuating that he would lay a hand on Kagome. Baka.

 

“You know the wind might blow the wrong way and your face will get stuck like that.”

 

The softly whispered words made Inuyasha jump, spinning around he frowned accusingly at the girl. “What the hell are you talking about? Wind can't do that.”

 

Akane's lips twisted into a small smile. “It's just a saying Inuyasha.” She cocked her head to one side, “I don't suppose I need to ask what's got you in such a bad mood.”

 

“Keh.” Inuyasha huffed at the girl, crossing his arms across his chest.

 

Akane sighed, “If it's any consolation, I think Ranma had it coming to him.”

 

Startled, Inuyasha peered at her. Akane kept her head bowed so her eyes were shielded by a thick fringe of her blue-black hair. His keen eyes spotted her fingers and the way she twisted and tugged at them in an unconscious display of her turbulent emotions. She might be able to hide her feelings from Ranma, but Inuyasha knew better. He had a nose. Not that it would take youkai senses to see that Akane was troubled; even Kagome with her pathetic human nose would be able to spot it. No, Ranma was just stupid.

 

Mixed emotions radiated off Akane, the most prevalent at the moment was guilt. That made Inuyasha frown, why would she be guilty?

 

“You were just looking out for Kagome, well, maybe you overdid it a bit, but Ranma didn't have to say the things he said.” Akane finally tore her gaze off of the laughing couple just ahead of them and looked up at him.

 

Inuyasha frowned. Was she taking his side? Hardly anyone did that. Kagome fought with him more often then not and Miroku and Sango would invariably take her side. What was this Akane-girl thinking? “Uh…yeah I guess.”

 

“He's just a stupid…” Her attention was diverted when Kagome began to pull out some things from her bag.

 

Shippou was dancing around Kagome, as the miko laughingly asked him to light their fire. She turned to look at him and reluctantly, Inuyasha went to her side.

 

“Inuyasha, do you suppose you can catch some meat? Shippou wants some grilled rabbit.” Kagome tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she beseeched him.

 

“Grilled rabbit? Feh! Why you making that for? It's gonna take you ages and we haven't got the time to stop for it! Let's just have ramen.” He could've sworn that she did that hair-thing to purposely drive him insane as he stared at the delicate shell-like shape of her ear.

 

“Please Inuyasha? We've been having ramen a lot lately and you don't want our stocks to run low do you? Besides I can save some of it to make stew tonight.”

 

Ranma shrugged “If Dog-boy isn't up to it, I'm sure I can catch us some bunnies Kagome.”

 

Inuyasha glared at the human. What the hell did this boy think he was doing? Bad enough he caught this morning's breakfast, but their lunch too? Hell no.

 

Drawing himself up his full height, Inuyasha stared the human down, willing him to back off. Years of watching his older youkai brother surged up in his subconscious as he spoke coldly. “That won't be necessary.”

 

Ranma's back visibly stiffened as he perceived the thinly veiled threat in Inuyasha's tone and bearing, but instead of challenging the hanyou, he merely shrugged. Inuyasha abruptly turned on his heel as he stalked off heedless of the shocked expression on Kagome's face and the pensive gleam in Shippou's eyes.

 

Moving stealthily through the dry rustling grass, Inuyasha lowered himself to the ground, ears perked for the slightest sound. It wasn't long before several fat rabbits made their fatal mistake.

 

Still seething from Ranma's offer, Inuyasha made quick work of skinning and cleaning the rabbits and headed back to camp.

 

He returned to find that Kagome had laid out all of the spices she normally rubbed on the meat to make it soft and tasty. She sat by the fire, poking the embers as she and Shippou talked softly. Ranma was sitting with Akane, prodding the unusually quiet girl until she snapped at him.

 

Eyeing Kagome and Shippou, Inuyasha perked his ears up to catch their conversation but Shippou stiffened, turning to look his way. The kitsune nudged his adoptive mother and Kagome also turned to face him.

 

Her face was grave as she watched him. With a huff, he handed her the meat and she accepted them with a quiet thank-you.

 

The kitsune was still eyeing him speculatively. Irritated by the scrutiny, Inuyasha snarled, “What the hell do you want?”

 

“Nothing.” Shippou replied calmly, but inched closer to Kagome.

 

Inuyasha growled again before leaping into the comfort of the trees away from Kagome's sombre silence and Shippou's inquisitive gaze. The kit was bound to have some questions for him later. Damn.

 

 

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The strange group of youngsters had gathered around to discuss the problem before them. Miroku watched them, his own mind unsettled.

 

“I don't understand.”

 

Turning to look at the quiet taijiya, Miroku nodded, urging her to continue.

 

Sango sighed and shook her head, “I don't understand any of this. What would Naraku want from some girl in the future?”

 

Miroku's grip on his staff tightened as he thought, “What is more troubling is that he apparently knows of this path to Kagome's land. It is clear to me now that the youkai were sent to merely divert our attention from his primary goal.”

 

“There are just too many questions!” Sango growled in frustration.

 

Miroku and Sango were jolted out of their respective reveries when Ryoga and Ukyou approached.

 

“Sango-san, Miroku-sama, we understand that you need to wait in this village for Kaede-sama's return.” Ukyou bit her lip, obviously troubled. “I just don't think we can wait that long.”

 

“We need to rescue Kasumi!” Ryoga blurted out, “Akane would never forgive me if she knew that I…”

 

Ukyou patted Ryoga's arm comfortingly, “Ranma and Akane need to know. We need to tell them. Now.”

 

“I wish it were that simple Ukyou-sama.” Miroku sighed heavily, “I cannot leave this village because Kaede-sama is in need of my help. As you can see, leaving the portal to your land unprotected is simply not wise. We need to seal it and I am afraid that we cannot do it on our own. We must wait.”

 

“No, you need to wait. There is nothing stopping us from going right now.”

 

Sango and Miroku exchanged a look, a silent message passing between them before Sango stepped forward to touch Ukyou's arm consolingly.

 

“You must not think that we don't care about your friend, but you must think this through. Those youkai were nothing compared to what other things are out there. They were disposable, the weakest of Naraku's minions. Not only do none of you know which way Inuyasha was headed, you would not know your way around. Miroku and I simply cannot allow you to go ahead without us.”

 

“But Kasumi needs our help!” Ryoga cried out, his fists clenching by his side.

 

“Perhaps I can offer a solution to this dilemma?”

 

Confused, the four of them looked around for the source of the soft voice, until Sango yelped, slapping the side of her neck.

 

“Oh! Myoga! Where have you been?” Sango blinked down at her palm.

 

“Yes, I thought you accompanied your lord and Kagome-sama.” Miroku eyed the sweating flea-demon.

 

Myoga nervously cleared his throat, “That was an assumption you made lord monk; I did nothing to encourage your beliefs!”

 

“Oh no! Did they run into some trouble? Is that why you high-tailed it back Myoga?” Sango asked; her brow knitting into a frown.

 

As Myoga huffed indignantly, Miroku introduced Ukyou and Ryoga to Inuyasha's faithless vassal.

 

Myoga ignored the insult but turned to face Miroku. “You have great need to follow Inuyasha-sama, as do these young ones. I will stay behind and cast a temporary barrier on the well until Kaede's return. I will be able to help her once she has returned with the proper items.”

 

Sango blinked, “You are volunteering to help us Myoga? Are you alright?”

 

Myoga bristled once more, but as he hopped up and down on the taijiya's palm Miroku detected the flush on the old one's cheek. “There is something that you are not telling us. What is it?”

 

“I…I don't know what you mean!” The defensive stance would have been convincing, were it not for the twitch in Myoga's little eye and the stutter in his speech.

 

“Myoga so help me, if you are keeping information from us that we need to know, I will personally lock you in one of Kagome's bau-tels and hand deliver you to Inuyasha.” Sango glared down at the flea-demon who was quaking in her palm.

 

“Sango-sama, have pity for an old man…”

 

“Myoga…”

 

Seeing the threatening glares from the monk and the taijiya, Myoga sighed. “I had hoped to tell Inuyasha-sama myself, there are…many details and it was so long ago.”

 

Sango snorted, “You had plenty of opportunity to tell Inuyasha, you're just a coward, Myoga-jiji.”

 

“What does Inuyasha have to do with sealing the well?” Miroku wondered.

 

Ukyou and Ryoga had been silent during the exchange, but now Ukyou stepped forward, “Ryoga and I will be with the others if you need us.”

 

“Wait! This concerns your friends too.” Myoga held up one arm.

 

Ryoga turned, “What? What does Ranma have to do with any of this?”

 

“Well, more the young lady who accompanies him and the young lady now in Naraku's grasp.”

 

Ukyou sat down on the grass, tugging on Ryoga's pants to urge him to do likewise. “Start talking.”

 

Sango and Miroku also took a seat and patiently waited for Myoga to stop his throat clearing.

 

“Where was I? Oh yes, it was so long ago, yet I remember it so very well…”

 

 

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooo

 

 

I was much younger in those days, so much more useful to my master…

 

“Useful? You were useful?”

 

I'm trying to set the mood, you know? The art of story-telling?

 

“Forgive us Myoga-san, we shan't interrupt again.”

 

“Mmmff-mmf!”

 

It was rather more civilised then, the Four Lords were strong and held fast to their lands. There was unity and trust. This was before Ryuukotsusei's attempts to overthrow the Inu no Taisho, Toga-sama. The Lord of the Eastern Lands, Azuma-sama was a great scholar and philosopher. He was forever studying and he was a great confidant of Toga-sama's.

 

 

Striding down the hall, the tall silver-haired youkai was an impressive figure. A servant bowed low to him and directed him further down the hall. Nodding to acknowledge the servant, Toga squared his shoulders before pushing open the heavy doors.

 

Rows upon rows of scrolls lined the walls of the massive room. More of them littered the floor in careless disarray. Toga felt a smile creeping upon his face as he surveyed the mess his friend had made.

 

Sitting amidst the chaos was a golden haired man with fierce yellow eyes. The taka youkai had allowed his striking hair to fall gracefully over broad shoulders as he hunched on the floor. Toga did crack a smile when he noticed his friend's sword tossed carelessly to one side. He shook his head. Azuma should have known better.

 

Balancing on the tip of his toes for a moment, Toga launched himself at the seated youkai, drawing Tetsusaiga from its sheath. Spinning on his heel, he rested the tip of his sword on the hollow of Azuma's throat.

 

“I could've killed you ten times over before you drew your next breath.”

 

Looking up, the yellow-eyed youkai blinked blearily, one taloned hand rising to rub at his eyes. “Why would you do that Toga? Have I angered you already?”

 

Rolling his eyes, Toga sheathed his legendary sword, “That is not the point baka! I could've been an enemy!”

 

“But you were not.” Rising on lithe feet, the youkai smiled, resting a hand on Toga's shoulder in greeting. “I'm glad you came, old friend.”

 

Huffing out an irritated breath, Toga glared. “What is so blasted important that it could not wait another moon Azuma?”

 

The taka youkai waved a scroll in his friend's face. “This! This, my friend! It is the key to time itself. That which breaks everything we know of our lives, our purpose.” Azuma, Lord of the Eastern Lands, allowed himself a smile. “Far more important then a woman.”

 

Toga stiffened, “What do you know? Life is passing you by Azuma, life can't be found in scrolls.”

 

“And it can be found in the arms of a woman?” The taka youkai, with his chiselled features and striking figure had been chased by females ever since Toga knew him from their long-ago youth, but Azuma had always sworn that he would not be distracted by meaningless pursuits.

 

A flash of fang and a confident toss of the head was Toga's response.

 

Azuma laughed, a full throaty sound as he tugged on his friend's arm. “Trust me Toga, this is more important.”

 

 

Azuma-sama had made a great discovery. A rip in the very fabric of time was what he called it. Back then, it lay dormant, its powers hidden, but Azuma-sama knew. It was imperative that my lord knew the whole of it, after all, the well was on his lands and they spent many an evening discussing it.

 

 

A roll of thunder drew Toga's attention to the windows. Pensively, he studied the blackening skies.

 

“Come Toga! There is much that I still need to tell you.”

 

The Inu no Taisho sighed, “I don't like leaving her for long.”

 

“Surely she will be fine for one single night.” Azuma gestured to the seat in front of him with an impatient wave of his hand.

 

With one last look out the window, Toga turned and sat down.

 

“As I was saying, the time is drawing ever nearer. All the scrolls say so.” Azuma eagerly spread out yet another scroll and pointed to the diagram.

 

Toga sighed, rubbing at his tired eyes, “You know I don't understand any of this Azuma. What is `drawing ever nearer'?”

 

“The purpose! These things do not just occur without reason my friend; all things in life have a purpose.” Azuma leaned forward, jabbing a talon at the diagram once more.

 

“A purpose…” Toga murmured, his gaze returning to the window.

 

“Yes. You must call a meeting, it is the only way.” Azuma reclined backwards, eyeing the tense inu youkai.

 

“Why me? I am sure you can do it.”

 

“They don't listen to me like they listen to you Toga.”

 

My lord was troubled, Ryuukotsusei had begun his machinations and there was dissent between himself and the Lord of the South, but Azuma-sama was insistent and the great meeting was called. It was decided that this power was too great to go unchecked and it was at that meeting that it was decided to set a guardian on the portal. Azuma-sama deduced that the portal was needed for something. Hence a sentient being was put in place, given the power to discern who was to be allowed through and who was not.

 

Toga-sama was ultimately charged with the portal's defence as it was on his lands. It was a charge that he had hoped to pass on to his youngest son, who was then still in the womb.

 

“My lord! I have done as you requested, I kept guard over your lady for you and I…”

 

He was exhausted, as if every bone in his body wanted to give up their daily job of holding their form and merely melt away. Toga could not remember a time when he had ever felt this tired in his life. The flea youkai was jumping with obscene frenzy and Toga wearily held up a hand to command much needed silence.

 

“Well done Myoga, now go. There is much that I must discuss with my lady.”

 

“But my lord! The lady Izayoi slumbers, she had been most tired so she tells me. The pup has been quite active today.”

 

Toga could not help but smile at the thought of the small life growing inside his mate, “Has he now? That's my boy…”

 

Walking on soft feet, Toga slowly pushed open the door. The sight that greeted him could have stopped the beating of his heart.

 

She looked so peaceful, her face relaxed and a soft smile lurked on her lips. One delicate hand rested on her stomach, now large with his child. It was the most wonderful sight that he had ever beheld. It still awed and humbled him that this angel of a woman had agreed to become his, defying all laws because she loved him. Daily he wondered what great deed he had done to deserve her.

 

Moving cautiously forward, he hushed his vassal with the wave of his hand. Kneeling in front of his sleeping mate, he pressed a light kiss on her stomach. Whispering soft words, Toga stroked Izayoi's belly as he spoke to his son.

 

Straightening, he smiled at her, before gently lifting her into his arms. She mumbled a protest but Toga merely pressed a soft kiss on her temple before carrying her into their chamber.

 

“That's beautiful. He really loved her then?”

 

Of course, my lord cherished Izayoi-sama above all else. Theirs was a love that legends are written of. However, tragedy struck and Toga-sama was cut down in his prime. All was plunged into chaos then. While my lord succeeded in defeating that cur Ryuukotsusei, the Lords of the South and North could not settle their differences and war broke out among the youkai.

 

I lost contact with Azuma-sama after Inuyasha's birth as my lord charged me with the honour of protecting his youngest son. Inuyasha grew and we were struck by another tragedy. Izayoi-sama's death was hard on the boy. It did not help that his mother's family cast him out and his half-brother would have nothing to do with a hanyou.

 

Inuyasha was strong and he grew to be the fine lord you know today.

 

“Fine lord? Myoga-jiji, are you still talking about Inuyasha?”

 

I thought you were not going to interrupt?

 

“Sorry.”

 

It was another stormy night and Inuyasha was sleeping fitfully on the cold floor. It was mere luck that they had a roof over their heads. The innkeeper's wife was young and compassionate; there would not be many people like her.

 

Myoga burrowed deeper into Inuyasha's tangled mane, grateful for the warmth the boy exuded. However, unluckily for him, sleep was one thing he would not have that night.

 

Jerking awake, Myoga peered into the darkness as tingles of raw power coursed down his tiny body. He knew this power, but had not felt even the slightest hint of it for the last one hundred and fifty years.

 

“Azuma-sama?”

 

“Myoga, at last I have found you.”

 

The taka youkai looked dishevelled from the storm, his golden hair falling in wet curls down his back.

 

“Azuma-sama, where have you been all this time? The Lord of the North…”

 

“I know very well what has been happening. The fools.” He shook his head, his hand fisting in his cloak, talons raking the flimsy material. “That is not what I came to you about Myoga.” Fierce yellow eyes landed on the sleeping hanyou. “Is that him? Is that Toga's son?” But he soon answered his own question as his eyes roamed over the boy's face. “He looks just like him…”

 

Trembling, Myoga looked over his shoulder. Though he knew his former master had revered this youkai above all else, the flea now feared for Inuyasha. The boy had very little peace in his life, getting embroiled in youkai matters was perhaps one of the worst things to happen to him now.

 

“Y..yes Azuma-sama. That is Inuyasha.”

 

“Inuyasha.” The taka youkai was contemplative. “Myoga, do you remember the well?”

 

Blinking, Myoga slowly nodded, “Yes Azuma-sama, I believe we are but a few days travel from it.”

 

“It has been left unguarded all this time. I have tried my best to protect it, but there are … other matters requiring my attention now. Toga swore to me that he would protect the well until it completes its purpose. That task now falls to Inuyasha.”

 

“Inuyasha? My lord! He is still so young and Sesshoumaru…”

 

“Sesshoumaru is a fool. A fool blinded by jealousy and misplaced rage.” Drawing his cloak tighter around his body, a sardonic smile twisted his handsome lips. “Besides, the great Sesshoumaru-sama would not see me. I was told that the current Inu no Taisho would have no dealings with human-loving bastards like me.”

 

Azuma looked out at the rain, his face saddened, “This task falls on Inuyasha and on him alone, do you understand Myoga?”

 

“Y..yes Azuma-sama. It will be done.”

 

It was up to me to guide my young lord to this village and to this forest. It was a difficult task as Inuyasha-sama did not want to know anything about his father. Telling him that he was charged with the defence of a time-portal by his late father was not something that Inuyasha-sama would have wanted to hear. He wanted nothing to do with either of his heritages as a youkai or as a human.

 

It was…fortuitous that he had become enamoured of the miko Kikyou. Angry as he was at humans at the time, I was pressed for a reason to make him stay, but fate intervened and took the choice away from me.

 

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooo

 

 

Myoga fell into a contemplative silence as he drank the tea that he had prepared for himself during his tale.

 

Miroku stroke his chin thoughtfully, “Well that answers who put the demon-guardian on the well and why, but what does this have to do with Naraku and Akane's family?”

 

Myoga took another sip of tea, “That part is…complex, and I don't know the whole of it, merely tidbits that I had managed to piece together through my travels…”

 

 

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooo

 

 

As you know tragedy seemed to follow Inuyasha-sama and it was not long before his quiet happiness with the miko was to be broken by a jealous man who would sell his soul to become the devil incarnate - Naraku.

 

In the fifty years that Inuyasha-sama lay dormant, Azuma-sama's hanyou daughter grew in strength and beauty. Hizashi was praised as a great beauty, even those who were repulsed by hanyous and what they represented could not find fault in her looks. Azuma-sama had mated a miko and it soon became apparent that his daughter followed her mother's footsteps in talent and power. Hizashi trained under great spiritual leaders, both human and youkai. Had Kikyou-sama not burned the Shikon no Tama with her body, Hizashi might have very well been made its next guardian.

 

 

“Hizashi-sama! Hizashi-sama!”

 

Dusting the dirt from her hands, Hizashi looked up at the approaching neko youkai. Warily she watched as the villagers inched away in fear, ushering their children into the huts.

 

Tucking strands of golden hair, Hizashi rose to her feet. Fear had seized her as the youkai approached, she knew him from her childhood. Memories of laughing as she rode on his back tumbled through her mind and her father watching her indulgently…

 

“Hizashi-sama…you must forgive me.” The neko youkai clutched at his chest to steady his breathing. “I know you dislike us approaching you in the human villages.”

 

“What is it? Is it Father?” Taking the youkai by the arm, she urged him further from prying human ears.

 

The youkai drew in another deep breath, “Hizashi-sama, I am sorry but…”

 

Her heart seemed to have slowed, she could hear her breath rattling through lungs. Vaguely she heard the youkai talk of the leopard tribe and the brutality of their attack.

He was talking about responsibility, duty, but she heard none of it. All she could see was her father, golden and strong. The strongest youkai she had ever known. Gone…

 

“No…I can't…I can't…” She stumbled on her robes, ignoring the outstretched hand. “I…”

 

“Hizashi-sama, we need you!”

 

“I'm sorry. I can't!”

 

 

She disappeared for years after that. None heard of her whereabouts or whether she still lived. It soon surfaced that she had settled in a human village not far from her father's holdings and she had opted to marry a human man.

 

Kagome-sama surfaced in this world and the purpose of the portal was laid bare. The rest of that tale you know. What I have managed to learn is that Hizashi had managed to acquire a sizeable shard of the Shikon no Tama and was protecting it. Naraku discovered her and the shard. You can imagine what happened next…

 

I have found out that in her last moments, Hizashi used her powers to send that shard away, somewhere far from Naraku's grasp. It was believed that all of Hizashi's village had been decimated in Naraku's attack, but I discovered that she had sent her youngest son away from these lands and across the water. I believe he still does not know of his mother's death.

 

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooo

 

 

Myoga had fallen silent again as Miroku scratched his head, “I'm afraid I do not understand, what does Hizashi-sama have to do with Akane?”

 

Sango was frowning and she had been watching Myoga closely, “You believe that Akane and her family are descendants of Hizashi don't you Myoga-jiji?”

 

Myoga raised his eyes and nodded miserably, “I had hoped…but when I first laid eyes on Akane and felt her aura, I knew. I knew how Hizashi had planned to keep the Shikon no Tama from ever being completed. An ingenious plan really, to send it to her future descendants. It would take Naraku at least five hundred years to complete the jewel and hopefully something, or someone would have brought the evil hanyou down before then. Ingenious.”

 

Ukyou held up her hand. “Wait, wait, wait! Are you saying that the Tendous are some long-distant relative of a half-demon? And that's why this Naraku guy went to all this trouble opening up the well, dragging Ran-chan and Akane here just so he can get hold of a shard?”

 

“I do not think that Akane-sama and Ranma-san had planned on coming here. I am also not sure if Naraku was the one who rid the portal of its guardian. What I do know is that you must reach Inuyasha-sama and tell him that Naraku has just gained another large portion of the Shikon no Tama.” Myoga crossed his arms gravely.

 

“Don't forget about Kasumi!” Ryoga cried, his hand clenching into a fist. “If all he wanted was some piece of a jewel, why did he take Kasumi?”

 

Myoga shook his head sadly, “That I do not know.”

 

 

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Clinging tightly to Kagome, Shippou kept his eyes trained on Inuyasha's very stiff back. The atmosphere had not lightened even one bit over their tasty lunch. In fact it seemed to have worsened if such a thing was possible. Ranma had exclaimed over Kagome's cooking, making the girl blush. While the praise was good for Kagome's ego, it had a negative affect on Inuyasha who had snarled and sulked throughout the meal. Akane had been strangely quiet and she too seemed to have fallen into a depressed mood as the afternoon wore on.

 

Inuyasha had not helped matters by urging them to walk faster. The hanyou had been uneasy ever since he had suddenly stopped that afternoon, his nose in the air as he turned towards the direction they had come from. Shippou had felt it too, like an ominous rumbling in the distance. Somewhere, a battle was being fought and the pulse of malignant youkai thickened the air and made him shiver in fear. Pressing closer to Kagome, Shippou allowed himself to be soothed by her touch. When Kagome asked Inuyasha what was wrong, the hanyou merely shook his head but had insisted that they pick up the speed.

 

Finally stopping for the night, Kagome had gone to Ranma to ask if they would be training that night. Shippou had expected the loud martial artist to start bossing Kagome around, but he had turned to look thoughtfully at Inuyasha's direction before telling Kagome that they should give it a rest for the night.

 

Kagome had not been pleased and had started making their dinner in a huff.

 

Spotting that Ranma and Akane had fallen into their usual evening fight and Kagome was busy with the stew, Shippou crept up to Inuyasha.

 

The events of the past day had his head reeling. Their little group had been together for over a year now and he had fallen into an easy rhythm with them. Everyone had their place in his mind, they had all become family. Kagome had been easy to categorise, with her warm, loving nature. The others fell into the loosely based category of pack members. Inuyasha had been a different matter.

 

While Shippou would tease and annoy Inuyasha, he still held a great respect for the hanyou. The kitsune believed that his father was the most courageous, strongest man in the world. Then he was cruelly ripped away and suddenly there was a gaping hole in his being where his father was. Though Shippou would never put words to his emotions, he had begun to think of Inuyasha as the father that he had lost.

 

For the longest time, the kitsune believed that Inuyasha would never willingly fill that role. He groused over every little thing that he had to do for their group and Shippou had begun to believe that Inuyasha did not share his views. However the little cogs of his brain had started to tick over after seeing the way Inuyasha had reacted that afternoon to Ranma's offer to hunt. Shippou had begun to wonder what Inuyasha thought of their makeshift pack.

 

“Inuyasha?”

 

A growl was the only answer he got, but since the hanyou had not outright told him to get lost, Shippou crept forward. “Inuyasha, can I ask you something?”

 

“What the hell do you want runt?”

 

Tentatively climbing the tree that Inuyasha had perched on, Shippou began to wonder if this was a good time to ask what he was about to ask. “What does Kagome mean to you?”

 

Inuyasha's growl reverberated through his being and it was all Shippou could do not to bolt. “I'm not being nosy or anything, I just want to know…why'd you get so mad at Ranma when he said he'd go hunting for us?”

 

He knew he was prodding and he half expected to be hit over the head. The glare that Inuyasha focused on him made his knees knock helplessly together, but Shippou held his ground.

 

“That's my job.”

 

“Oh.” Shippou eyed the hanyou, who had gone back to what he was doing before Shippou interrupted: staring into the distance and glaring. Deciding that it was definitely not the right time for this conversation, Shippou changed topics. “This afternoon Inuyasha…”

 

The silence was encouraging.

 

“Did you feel it? I did, it made my fur all tingly.” He knew he was beginning to ramble, but a thought popped into his head. “They're alright aren't they? The pa…Sango and Miroku? They're okay right? You'd know.”

 

Biting his lip, Shippou wondered if Inuyasha had caught his slip. Inuyasha tore his gaze from the setting sun, looking thoughtful as he looked down at Shippou. “Yeah, they're alright. I'd know.”

 

 

 

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Translations:

Taka - Hawk

Azuma - East, Eastern Japan

Hizashi - Sunlight, Rays of the Sun

 

AN: I wanted to put this in the disclaimer above, but I thought I'd be giving it away if I did. Azuma and Hizashi are characters of my own creation. Please don't use them without my consent.

 

I hope the flashbacks weren't too confusing for you. If they were, please let me know. I know that it took me a while to get this out again, but this chapter is much longer then the others - I hope it makes up for it. I really hope that my diving into the past didn't bore you all to death.

 

Also a small note on the use of the Inu no Taisho's name and timeline. Most of my information comes from the third movie. Before anyone asks, in the Japanese the Inu no Taisho's name I believe was given as “Toga”, hence I used it, mainly because it would be awkward using his title all the time. In the third movie, it was revealed that the Inu no Taisho died 200 years ago from that point, the day Inuyasha was born. This 200 years included the time Inuyasha was pinned to the tree, therefore in this story Inuyasha is 201 years old or 151 depending on whether you want to count his time spent in suspended animation.

 

Also, finally, I have a request. I know I have problems with grammar. I have a tendency to write the way I speak. That is, I put commas and whatnot where I think pauses should go. Now I know that is not technically correct. I was wondering if anyone out there will be willing to be a beta-reader for this fic? If anyone is interested, please email me: angeline.lebron@gmail.com I know I can certainly need the help. I'm planning go over past chapters and fix any errors, though I will probably save that for when I actually finish writing this.