Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Standing In The Shadows ❯ Chapter 5

Standing In The Shadows 5

 

Disclaimer: As much as I may wish otherwise, I do not own any part of Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho. They are owned by their respective authors. I only claim ownership of this twisted plot and the muses that created it.

 

Chapter Five

 

 

“What just happened?” Kuwabara looked around him with large eyes as Yukina finished the healing that she had been doing upon his body. He struggled up into a sitting position, aware of Yukina's hands trying to keep him down so he wouldn't reinjure himself and the healing that she had just finished would have to be redone. He wasn't thinking about that though, just feeling some surprise that he had survived this encounter. `For a minute there, I thought we were all goners. Damn, I hope everyone else is ok too' His eyes traveled over the other members of the group, taking note of their various injuries, his eyes widening in surprise when he saw that somehow even Koenma had gotten into the fray. And why was Yusuke holding Kagome in his arms? He hoped the girl wasn't seriously injured, the only reason he was sure the girl wasn't dead was because he could see her slight breathing. The only ones who seemed to be uninjured were Amaterasu and that strange feeling bird next to her that was holding a necklace of jewel shards in his beak. As for the evil hanyou they had been fighting, he seemed to have disappeared entirely. "Hey! Where did that scumbag go? I wasn't through with him yet! Come on guys, we gotta go find him!"

 

Amaterasu's calm voice answered his question. “The hanyou is dead. Purified by my miko while you were hurt and unconscious.” She looked at the ragged injured group around her, nodding her head to herself as she noted that they would all survive. Now the bigger question would be if she had chosen correctly and if the artifacts would choose any of them as carriers. The one thing that she was sure of was that her son would not be chosen as one of them, his actions had forestalled any chance of that. She sighed, “Brace yourselves, I am now taking the barrier down, I think that there are many people waiting to see the outcome and how well you fared. I would suggest that those of you who can, resume a human appearance.” She looked pointedly at Yusuke and Youko, who both nodded their heads. Yusuke wouldn't be able to do much about his hair but it couldn't be helped. Kurama took back control over the body, once more appearing as Shuichi. Only Inuyasha stood there staring at Amaterasu as if she had grown a third head, wondering what in the nine hells he was supposed to do about his appearance and who exactly she was. Personally he didn't care who saw his ears and knew that he wasn't human, but he didn't want to have to deal with Kagome when she woke up, she would have a fit. Sighing he shrugged his haori off and draped it over his head, concealing his ears while he wondered how strange all of this was going to get.

 

At first there was a deafening silence as Amaterasu raised her hands to dismiss the barrier, then voices all talking at once as the barrier dissolved into a mist and then was gone. The pile of wood debris that had been the well house and the entire area surrounding the shrine was now visible to all the humans that had gathered outside the barrier, curious what had been going on behind the barrier that they couldn't see through. The crowd had gathered, some thinking that this particular shrine family had figured out a way to conceal the shrine decorations until the festival that night, others thinking that this was a miraculous event that they somehow wanted to be a part of. None were prepared for the obvious sights of a horrific battle that had very recently taken place. The torn up ground and the bright red blood that stained the trampled snow on the ground so liberally was evidence enough of that.

 

Shizuru determinedly pushed her way past anyone who dared to get into her way with Keiko hot on her heels as she made her way across the battlefield to where their friend was just regaining consciousness, having determined in her mind that Kagome needed her help the most. Yusuke was even now holding the girl in a steel grasp, staring down Inuyasha. True to form, Inuyasha was just now beginning to demand that Kagome be handed over to him so he could take her somewhere else away from all these people. Maybe this newcomer Inuyasha was her friend and possibly her protector in another time but after the battle they had all just fought Yusuke wasn't prepared to take anything at face value. Too many strange things were happening all at once for the Mazuko's peace of mind. He glanced over at Hiei who had once again pulled his katana, ready to keep the inu hanyou away from Kagome. They had fought side by side but that didn't mean that Yusuke or Hiei trusted him, until earlier that day they hadn't even known that Inuyasha existed. Neither would have any qualms about killing him if he tried to take Kagome by force.

 

“Please don't kill him” Kagome's weak tired voice reached the ears of those closest to her, above the noise of the crowd surrounding them. “He doesn't deserve to die, please trust me in this.” Hiei turned his gaze down upon her, a look of concern warring with anger flashing in his crimson eyes. She was asking a lot of him not to kill this Inuyasha with the demanding way the hanyou was acting, asking more of him then what she could possibly imagine. Every fiber of his being was crying out that he destroy the hanyou standing in front of him for being so disrespectful and arrogant. It was the hand that came to rest upon his arm that decided him. Kurama had made his way over to stand next to his partner, the touch an assurance that if the hanyou in any way harmed Kagome, that they would both delight in taking his life with no qualms and no questions asked. Reluctantly he nodded his head, the hanyou would live for the moment. Keiko reached forward and grabbed Inuyasha's arm pulling him back a few steps away from Kagome. The action probably saved his life, Keiko had no doubt about that. Inuyasha for his part was so shocked by the girls sudden action that he fell silent and moved without protest. But only for a moment.

 

“It is a miracle!” Grandpa's proud voice cut across the noise of the gathered crowd, causing every head to turn towards him and listen to what he was saying as he rushed towards the shrine with his best shrine robes flapping around his legs. “The Gods themselves have seen fit to choose this family shrine to rid our world of the hated demons that have existed since time began. I offer as proof the evidence of the battle that still exists here for all to see. Is there any who can doubt my words?” Grandpa was in his glory as if he had personally fought and won the battle himself, all the attention was on him for the moment. Kagome groaned and covered her eyes, not wanting to believe the scene that was happening before her eyes. This just was not her day, after all that had happened this was the last thing she needed. Koenma stared at Kagome's grandfather, his mouth slowly falling open in disbelief at the mans words before turning to his mother with a questioning look in his eyes. To the casual observer Hiei looked utterly bored with what was transpiring but if one knew him well enough they would be able to see the telltale signs that he was thoroughly upset. Yusuke and Kuwabara looked tiredly resigned to the possibility of another immediate fight coming if someone didn't shut the old man up. Kurama on the other hand had a cold calculating look on his face. Even Inuyasha looked outraged at the pompous words that Kagome's grandfather had just uttered and he was used to hearing the strangest things come out of the old man's mouth.

 

Souta finally caught up with his grandfather at the edge of the crowd, Botan still nestled securely in his arms. He had heard the words that his grandfather was saying and while he considered them harmless it was obvious to him that that the battle participants didn't. Something would have to be done fast if there wasn't going to be another fight started right there and then. “Grandfather, your words are wonderful news but for right now it looks like these heroes of this battle could use some time to rest and tend to their wounds. Perhaps later they would be willing to tell us all what happened here.” He waved his hand expansively at the group of fighters that were just beginning to get themselves sorted out. Apparently his words were just what was needed. Grandpa took a closer look and for the first time noticed Inuyasha standing there. His face grew pale and he nodded mutely, for once his words forsaking him. He had not noticed the hanyou standing among the group during his excited speech until Souta pointed it out to him and was now regretting the words he had spoken.

 

Amaterasu rose to her feet. “I agree, I think the young man has the right idea.” She graced Souta with a smile that had him blushing although he had no idea why right then. The warm friendly smile lit her face like the sun making an appearance after it had been hidden by storm clouds. Souta couldn't help but smile back at her in return, then his gaze dropped lovingly to the ferry girl while Amaterasu turned her attention back to the clustered demons and the girls who were now standing with them. “I think my shrine will work very well for now, shall we go inside?” Her gaze traveled to her sons face “You may come too if you wish” Lastly she looked to the bird. `This means you as well.' She held out a regal hand and the bird willingly dropped the necklace into her outstretched palm before making a beeline flight for the shrine entranceway.

 

Everyone stood up and started walking towards the shrine, Koenma leading the way with Inuyasha complaining as he stormed up to the shrine behind him. Yusuke was still carrying Kagome much to the hanyou's displeasure and her embarrassment but at that point the Detective didn't care. He was determined that Inuyasha wasn't going to get anywhere near the girl until they got this mess straightened out and if that meant he had to carry her the entire time then so be it. He glanced back at Hiei, who was walking so close behind him that he could feel the heat radiating off of the apparition's body. Their eyes met and he saw approval in Hiei's eyes but also a touch of curiosity and jealousy. The other eyes he could feel on his back belonged to Keiko and he wondered briefly why she seemed disturbed about something. Surely she couldn't be jealous of him carrying Kagome after the fight they had just been through. Could she? A glance over his shoulder to look at his girlfriend face confirmed that disturbing thought. For some reason she was, even if she was doing a good job of hiding it. He gave an inward sigh, too tired at the moment to want to deal with the problem.

 

They fell into a single file line as they walked along the path of the shrine grounds and through the Torii Gate. The path was lined with trees and shrubs, painstakingly landscaped but everyone was too tired to stop and admire the effort that had been put into making the place feel so peaceful. All they wanted was to get inside and be able to sit down. Maybe then they could find out what all this mess had been about and who these artifacts would choose, if indeed any of them ended up being chosen at all. They stopped to rinse their hands and mouth at the stone basin, then each took a drink of water from the dipper that was waiting for use nearby. Approaching the main shrine building itself each of them bowed twice in front of the shrines main entrance, clapped their hands twice and then bowed once again. Only then were they admitted into the shrine building itself, and the benches that awaited them inside the cool dimly lit interior.

 

Quite a few sounds of discomfort were heard from various people as they found places to sit down and ease their battle wearied muscles. Hiei chose to stand on one side of Kagome while Yusuke gently sat Kagome down on a long bench then took a seat next to her with a grunt. Once he was satisfied that no one would be able to get past him or Hiei, Yusuke turned his head looking for Keiko, hoping to reassure her somehow that he was merely looking out for Kagome but when he found where she had positioned herself he couldn't stop his eyes from widening. His girlfriend had planted herself right next to Inuyasha, the very demon he was so reluctant to trust. It was all he could do not to go over there and pull Keiko away from him. For her part, Keiko refused to even look at him and Yusuke couldn't help but feel her unhappiness which rolled off of her in waves. Apparently so could Inuyasha and in an uncharacteristic move of gentleness, placed a clawed hand upon her shoulder. Then he looked over at Yusuke and gave him a smug grin.

 

Of course, Yusuke swore the hanyou had ulterior motives for the action. More than likely it was a territorial move that Inu's were so known for. After all, he had the hanyou's ward sitting beside him, it wouldn't be out of character for Inuyasha to attempt the same move with Keiko. At first Yusuke had thought that Inuyasha's action might have been on an unconscious level but the grin proved otherwise. What surprised Yusuke further was when Keiko didn't even acknowledge the move, much less didn't even attempt to move away from him. Shizuru's gaze swept the room, taking in the uncomfortable situation that was building and leaned forward to whisper something in Keiko's ear. Yusuke strained to hear what it was but the distance between them was just too great. Shizuru's words prompted a reaction however, earning the woman a small shake of her head but no further answer. Yusuke stared at the three of them baffled when Shizuru looked at him again, this time with a look of sympathy before moving over to sit in an open seat next to Kurama. Apparently she didn't care for the uncomfortable situation either but she wasn't going to do anything more to get involved just yet. With another heavy sigh Yusuke decided it would be best to try to get this Goddess to finish her business with them quickly. As long as Inuyasha didn't make a scene then he would deal with him later. If the bastard was going to become a permanent fixture with the group then there were going to be some ground rules set and he would learn his place, even if it meant he had to have it beat into his head.

 

Hiei wanted badly to be able to close his eyes and rest for just a little while. The battle had tired him as badly as it had the others, he wanted nothing more then to sink into the warmth and safety that this place offered. As much as Amaterasu had said that these artifacts concerned him, Hiei still was not convinced or interested. Even now he was tuning her voice out, his attention wandering over the walls as he looked for anything of interest. Once again his attention was caught by the bird that was now perched on an overhead rafter. He was positive the bird was a youkai, although why the bird was obviously traveling with Amaterasu was beyond him. The mystery of it was beginning to wear on his nerves, he hated lose ends and puzzles like this. The jagan eye opened as Hiei brushed against the birds ki, causing two things to happen. First the air around the bird shimmered and just for a moment Hiei saw through the birds illusion. Perched on a rafter looking rather pleased with himself sat a bat demon, though the lighting was too vague to make out any distinguishing features. Wary of this new development, Hiei decided to test the energy of this unknown demon. As soon as the searching touched the demon, he turned and grinned, his teeth flashing in the darkness. Moments later the demon melted into the shadows, disappearing as completely as if he had never been there in the first place. Frustrated at having his search thwarted by the bats disappearing act Hiei turned his attention to Kurama instead, brushing up against the Kitsune's mind. 'Kurama?' Once he was certain he had the foxes complete attention he focused on the matter at hand and chose his words carefully. 'There is another demon here with us, a bat by the looks of things. Have you sensed his ki?'

 

Youko's voice was cold enough to ice the room over a thousand times. 'A bat demon huh? I knew I felt someone trying to impersonate my old partner Kuronue. Tell me where he is Hiei, I'll teach the bastard what happens when you start fucking with a kitsune.' Even as he spoke Hiei could feel the way that Youko's energy had begun to flare to battle levels in preparation for another fight. Yusuke also felt the energy rise and it put him right back on edge, searching for just what had pissed the kitsune off so badly. Something more was going on here and if there was one thing he hated it was being left in the dark.

 

“No one is trying to impersonate anyone!” Amaterasu spoke up, her voice sharp and by the tone of it, there were no doubt's that she was offended by their behavior in such a sacred place. She would not tolerate violence in any of her Shrines and the sooner they learned this the better. “Hear me now Kitsune and heed my warning. While you are in my Shrine you will keep a civil tongue in your mouth and in your mind. Once our business here is concluded, go out and search for whoever you wish if it will amuse you. But for now you will be quiet and listen to what I have to say!” Her gaze swept everyone else in the room as Kurama opened his mouth to question whether the Goddess had just indeed told him that Kuronue was still alive, but with the angry look on her face he snapped it shut again. Amaterasu ignored him after that, instead choosing to address everyone in the room “Now, if everyone is ready to get down to business.”

 

She walked over to Kagome, the missing jewel shards in her closed hand. Kagome got to her feet then knelt in front of the Goddess. She had suffered so much through the years fighting with Naraku, now that it was over she wasn't sure what would happen next. She looked up at Amaterasu with such a lost look on her face that it worried Yusuke and Hiei to see their friend looking like that. They looked at Amaterasu, silently asking the Goddess if she would do something to take that look away from her face. The look they got in return was unreadable, then Amaterasu turned her attention back to Kagome. She reached out her arms, gathering the girl into them and offering her comfort and some peace, a respite from the world. A golden mist sprang up around them and within the barrier time ceased to exist for the Goddess and the Miko. Kagome cried then, cried for her friends that had been lost during the battles with Naraku and those that for her were still alive in the past. Cried for Inuyasha who was now stuck in the future, unable to return home. It wasn't her fault that had happened, but she knew he would blame her just the same. She just hoped that someday he would be able to forgive her. She mourned for everyone who had lost so much so that the final battle could be won. It hadn't been fair but it had been necessary. All of this she cried for and more. Amaterasu simply held her, knowing that this release was necessary if she was going to be able to handle the trials that would be coming in the future. Finally to sobs slowed and came to an end, Kagome stepping out of the embrace to look up into Amaterasu's face. Her eyes were red from crying but she felt better, lighter somehow.

 

“Do you feel better now?” Amaterasu smiled down at her miko, understanding in her eyes. This had been her gift to Kagome for a job well done, it was a good choice. Kagome's eyes now sparkled and had a light in them that had been missing before. She wasn't sure exactly what it was that Amaterasu had done, but somehow she felt lighter, that life could possibly be worthwhile once again. At the girl's nod the Goddess silently handed her the remaining jewel shards. Kagome took them with a smile regarding them for a moment before she pulled out her half of the shards. When she purified the shards and fused all of the them together the jewel began to glow a soft pink, the glow eventually spreading to encompass Kagome as well. It was an exhilarating feeling. Then it faded back to normal, looking for all the world like an ordinary harmless jewel. Kagome smiled again and put the necklace around her neck, feeling somehow whole for the first time in ages. “I think your friends are waiting for you, it is time to return to them.” Amaterasu released the barrier that she had been holding around them. Just as she had predicted everyone was in various states of agitation, speculating on what could have been happening behind that barrier. Smiles broke out all around as Kagome sat down calmly, resuming her seat between Yusuke and Hiei. Inuyasha looked slightly outraged that she had chosen to go back to that seat but he kept his silence, choosing instead to give Keiko's shoulder a slight squeeze while Kagome was looking at him. Yusuke looked at Kagome closely for a moment, missing the squeeze that Inuyasha had given Keiko. He wasn't sure what had happened behind that barrier but Kagome did look better. Silently he smiled his thanks to Amaterasu then inwardly sighed, if only his own problems with Keiko would be so easy to solve.

 

“The next issue that needs to be addressed in where Inuyasha will be living since he can no longer return home to the past. I'm sure that in the long run, he will end up making satisfactory arrangements but for the moment, he needs a place to stay.” Amaterasu looked at the group expectantly, knowing that this unexpected development had the potential to cause some controversy but wanting to see how the group would work out this latest issue. Everyone looked at her with various emotions crossing their faces.

 

Kagome took a look at the entire group and sighed, this wasn't going to be easy on any of them. Perhaps this could be one area that she would be able to help out. “He usually stays…..”

 

Hiei crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Amaterasu as if daring her to suggest that the hanyou stay with either him or Genkai's temple. “I am Yukina's only living male relative. As is my right I will say it here and now, the hanyou will not stay at Genkai's temple where my sister lives, I refuse to allow it. I don't know him, he is a strange male that has not yet proven himself trustworthy in my eyes.” Hiei's gaze fell pointedly to where Inuyasha's hand was still resting on Keiko's shoulder. “His current action proves my point, he has not shown himself to have honor. If his nose works at all he should be able to smell Yusuke's scent all over her. As far as myself, I live in the forest. If he wants to do the same he is welcome to find his own branch. But not in my tree!”

 

“You wait just one damned minute here!” Inuyasha glared heatedly at Hiei and then Yusuke. “Who are you to talk about honor you half sized midget? Kagome is mine! I've kept her alive for the past five years. Now she is sitting between the two of you, not over here where she belongs. So don't you dare talk to me about honor.” Golden eyes traveled the length of Hiei's body, sizing him up as an opponent before finally settling on his face. Furious golden eyes bored into blood red ones, as Inuyasha lashed out with his words in anger. “I didn't hear you bitching about honor when that freak there was carrying her in here. In fact you encouraged him so I don't want to hear it! And for your information Shorty if I want your damned tree then I'm taking it." Inuyasha was furious that this apparition thought he could challenge him and insult him all in the same breath. He wasn't going to stand for it. Goddess or no Goddess he was at the end of his patience with dealing with these people.

 

“Just who the hell do you think you are calling a freak?” Yusuke was tired from the fight against Naraku but he wasn't just tired anymore, he was irritable as well. Now Inuyasha's words had thoroughly pissed him off. If Inuyasha was itching for another fight, he would have one. Kagome was his friend, of course he would help her. Couldn't Inuyasha see that Kagome had been hurt during the fight? Or didn't it matter to him? It wasn't like Keiko had gotten hurt but the hanyou still had his hand on her shoulder just the same. Keiko would understand why he had carried Kagome. Or she should anyway. All these thoughts ran through his mind as he stood up, tribal markings beginning to come into view once again as he stalked over to the hanyou staring him down. Pure rage radiated from his voice as he looked down at the man who had somehow so rudely managed to invade his life and was quickly becoming the bane of his existence. "When this is done we are going outside and when we do you better be ready for the ass beating of a lifetime."

 

“This will stop right now!” Amaterasu narrowed her eyes and shook her head in annoyance, her hair shimmering down her back with the movement. There was far too much testosterone flowing, her warning although given to the Kitsune had not been meant only for him. The lesson hadn't been taken to heart by the others, but they would learn it as well “If any of you continue persisting with these antics I will be forced to subdue the offending parties.” The glares that turned on her confirmed her suspicions, she had doubted that would go over well with any of them considering how much posturing was going on. But it couldn't be helped, in addition to annoying her to no end the confrontation was making the girls increasingly nervous. As she watched the display of arrogance she hadn't missed how Kagome looked helplessly between the three of them unsure of just how to put a stop to the problem before it escalated. If she didn't interfere now her miko would be forced to choose sides and that could not bode well, not if they were to be able to accomplish what would need to be done. She looked at Inuyasha one more time as the hanyou, shocked into silence at the threat glared angrily at her “Kagome is not yours. She is not property and to the best of my knowledge you are not mated to her either. She does not bear your mark and before you even think it, I will not allow any marking to take place with her simply because one of you wants to feel like you have property rights.” Satisfied that her point had now been taken Amaterasu turned her attention to Koenma who had been standing silently besides her, more then a little shocked by the proceedings and the actions of his team inside this holy place. She arched an eyebrow “Feisty team you've put together here. It's no wonder your father has occasionally been frustrated with their antics.”

 

“As I was saying, he usually ….” Kagome tried again but she was cut off as Keiko spoke up next. Her voice soft and shaking slightly the hurt that was in it easy for all those present to hear. “As much as I wish I could help with living arrangements I can't. I live at home with my parents, they would never allow me to bring a strange man home with me to stay, even as a guest. They are also very fond of Yusuke, he has been very kind to them. I can't bring any fights home. I'm still in school during the day and I have to work in my parents shop after that. There is no way I can be of help in this.” She shook her head slightly and then turned to look at Inuyasha, her soft eyes filled with sadness “But since you do seem to be a friend of Kagome's, I can try to be your friend too. I can offer you that much. Maybe show you around town and help you get acquainted or something. Do you like ramen by any chance?” Kurama's eyes widened in alarm at the offer but he held his silence. This would be an issue for Yusuke and Keiko to work out, it wasn't his place to interfere unless somehow Inuyasha hurt Keiko. He just hoped that Keiko knew what she was doing. Yusuke had jumped up from his seat again, getting ready to pull Keiko over to his other side to sit when Keiko finally looked up at him. “Just stop it Urameshi! I can sit where I want to and offer what I want to whoever I wish. Besides you already have Kagome over there.” Keiko knew that she had made the offer to Inuyasha because of her feelings of jealousy over Yusuke carrying Kagome and the guilt that came on the heels of that. She knew she shouldn't feel that way but she couldn't help it. That was why she had made the offer and she would not take it back now.

 

Amaterasu nodded her head, accepting Keiko's answer and reasoning as valid. At least the girl had made the beginnings of a friendly overture towards the hanyou. It was the most promising start she had gotten since the issue of where he would stay had started. She turned her attention to where Kuwabara and Shizuru were sitting next to each other on the remaining bench and sighed. This was going to be a hard acceptance for this group to reach. Kuwabara was sitting flexing his hands into fists, apparently just waiting for the word to jump up and start another fight. Shizuru had her hand on his arm restraining him for the moment from doing just that, her jaw set and the look on her face grim. She was taking the tension between her friends personally and she didn't like it one bit. The glares that she turned on Inuyasha and then Yusuke cleared said that she was blaming both of them for this mess equally. No, there would be no hope for Inuyasha being able to stay there, even for a little while. Amaterasu wondered for a moment how Koenma had ever managed to meld such a diverse group of demons and humans into a working group. `I suppose I should be proud of him for accomplishing that.' A slight noise at the front of the shrine caught her attention and she turned her eyes in that direction, hoping that somehow an answer would be forthcoming.

 

“If I could be allowed to make a suggestion.” The voice was Souta's, no one had noticed him and Botan walk up to the shrine entrance in time to hear the question but now all eyes turned upon him. “I don't mind sharing my room with him. It's where he usually stayed when he visited before anyway. Besides I like having him around, it's almost like having a cool older brother. My mom likes him too.” Souta looked at Inuyasha and gave him a wink “Of course you would probably have to put up with grandfather occasionally trying to paste his ofuda on you.” The smile that Inuyasha gave Souta was one of relief and thanks, it was a definite place to stay. He hadn't really wanted to stay out in a forest, no matter what he had said to Hiei. Not when he could have a soft bed and pillow. This also had the added benefit that maybe this would also give him a chance to find out what the hell was going on between Kagome and these new friends of hers. Inuyasha looked over at Kagome to find that she had a strange unreadable expression on her face.

 

“Good! The matter is settled, at least for the moment anyway.” A real smile graced Amaterasu's face. “My thanks to you for your kind offer young man. Perhaps these others here could learn a lesson or two about hospitality and guesting rights from you.” She looked at the assembled group sternly. “While there is no expectation or requirement that any of you take a stranger into your home, I do however expect strangers to be made welcome at my shrine. This would include Inuyasha for the moment, he is fairly new here.” Her gaze shifted to Inuyasha alone. “This also means however that you will behave yourself properly. You are here at my shrine, you will not act to bring disgrace upon yourself or your illustrious ancestors. Make no mistake, they will know if you do so. If this were this to occur there is a very good chance that the Tetsusaiga would no longer work for you and might even possibly disappear altogether. I don't think you want to take that chance.”

 

With the business of housing taken care of with Amaterasu resumed her seat and once again held the artifacts in her hands. Everyone eyed them warily, their power was making the very air within the shrine hum with power. She raised up the first object in her hands, the Yata no Kagami. The hum became a song then, a song of time without beginning and without end. Of the rhythm and the harmony of the universe and the pattern that all life danced to as the mirror's power gathered and grew, taking in the energy of all those around it. With the song came the smells, the earthy smell of the forest and the smell of fresh fallen snow. Of fire and warmth, the smell of the saltiness of the ocean. All of these combined to make a breathtaking aroma. The mirror began spinning in her hands, driven by an unseen wind. Suddenly it took on a life of it's own as it jumped from Amaterasu's hands, landing squarely in the lap of Yukina. It took in her energy, merging hers with it's own until there was no distinguishing the two as being separate entities.

 

“Oh hell no it is not! This is not happening!” Hiei's voice was deadly as it echoed through the room, his rage apparent for all to see. He refused to allow Amaterasu to put his sister in a position of such considerable danger. The air around the shrine became unbearably warm as the black fires of hell encased his body as he stared angrily at the Goddess. Amaterasu had told him that he would be involved with these artifacts but he had chosen not to believe her and had dismissed the warning out of hand. Now she had just proven to him how wrong he had been.

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

Authors Note: LOL, I thought this would be a good place to end this chapter. It sure is turning out to be a very long day for our favorite characters isn't it. I know, it's evil to leave it off here but I can't help it. grins

Once again thank you to Ryu for being my beta and all my loyal fans who have left me such nice reviews and keep this story progressing. This story is for all of you.

 

Once again, please review if you liked it.