A/N: What have we here? A fast update??!! The groups split up in this chapter, and I went with a reviewer's suggestion of having a conversation between Miroku and Hiei. I think it turned out pretty well! I also figured out a somewhat minor plot point involving Kurama that I give VERY subtle hints to. Whoever can guess it I owe you a Coke. Also please note that if you haven't seen up to roughly episode 80-82, beware of spoilers. This fic, I've decided, is set right after the fight with Naraku, Sesshoumaru, and Inuyasha, and Naraku disappears. I may or may not involve the Shichinintai (for those who haven't seen that far ahead, they're around episode 100 to 120 something), I haven't decided that yet, since after Naraku disappears, this fic plans on being mostly AU. At any rate, read on and enjoy.
Later on that night, when everyone was asleep, Hiei sat near the door of the hut, his back propped against the hard wall. Not that he ever slept much, anyway, if one could call it ‘sleeping’. It was more or less just relaxing, but he was never unaware of what was going on. In this case, there wasn’t much going on. At the moment he was listening to several choruses of snoring, Kuwabara muttering unintelligible things in his sleep, and the other sounds of the nightlife outside the small, cramped hut. All in all, it was very peaceful, something he was certainly not used to.
Perhaps that was the cause of his uneasiness.
He really wasn’t worried about these new people. He had nothing to worry about from them. He could sense their distrust and certainly didn’t trust them either, as he trusted no one, but he wasn’t there to fight with them. He was there to do as Koenma ordered and then go back, just as the others were. It was a job.
Still, it was rather boring just sitting around, and it was hard to fight the urge to do his own exploring. This new world was somewhat fascinating. Once he was sure everyone was asleep, he stalked away as quietly as possible and ventured out of the village. He would be back shortly, before the others discovered him missing. Even if they did, it didn’t matter; they knew he would be back.
Leaping gracefully into a tree, he viewed the countryside. Even he had to admit that this place was beautiful. Looking around, he could see nothing but trees and open land highlighted by the luminescent moon, all uninhibited by the ugly construction of humans. It reminded him sharply of the demon world. The aura of the forest was perfectly visible; it was the same aura of the tree at the Higurashi shrine. He wondered why he hadn’t noticed it the night before. He frowned, trying to remember what the old man had told them about that tree. Something about a half-demon and a priestess…Hiei hadn’t paid much attention.
“It’s quite breathtaking at night.”
The voice that came out of nowhere startled Hiei to the point that his fighting reflex almost kicked in. His hand went to the hilt of his sword, and he looked down at the ground…only to find the monk standing there, his gaze also on the forest where its aura glowed against the dark sky. Hiei eyed him suspiciously, wondering why he had followed him out of the village. It took him a moment to realize that the monk had actually spoken to him.
Miroku spoke again. “The aura of the forest, I mean. It’s a sight to behold at any time, but in the morning, before the sun rises, it looks haunting and beautiful at the same time. Sometimes it’s hard to see at night, depending on the energy in the air, but right now it’s very bright.”
Hiei said nothing, turning his gaze once again to the forest. Miroku looked up at the silent figure. Hiei was the quiet one. He’d said all of two words since his group had arrived the day before. Miroku really wasn’t sure how safe it was to be following him, but he’d been curious as to where he was going. He supposed that if they were going to be working together with these people to defeat Naraku, it wouldn’t hurt to find out a few things on his own.
“You’re Hiei, right?” Miroku asked. Hiei nodded in reply. “Can I ask what kind of demon you are?”
Silence. Miroku wondered if he’d even heard him. But finally Hiei spoke, the tone of his voice sounding forced.
“Fire demon,” he replied shortly.
“Oh, an element? It doesn’t surprise me, though I would have guessed ice...”
Hiei bristled. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Miroku chuckled. “Or perhaps not.”
At this point, Hiei was fighting the urge to rip this guy apart. “What do you want?”
Miroku shrugged. “Just to talk. Doesn’t hurt, does it? Since we’re going to be working together and all.”
“I’m just here to do my job.”
Somehow, Miroku wasn’t surprised by his answer. “That’s probably best,” he replied. “Developing attachments is hard in the long run. Once this journey is over and Naraku is defeated, what then? I’ll be alone again, most likely.”
“Then why even bother?”
Miroku scratched his wrist, the prayer beads jingling. “I can’t defeat Naraku on my own.”
Hiei eyed the monk, noting the despair in his voice, though he was trying his damnedest not to be interested in what he was saying. It wasn’t like he had anything to do with it. He didn’t need to hear anyone’s problems. Instead he found himself asking, “What will happen if you don’t defeat this Naraku?”
Miroku sighed. “There is a void in my hand, passed down from my grandfather, who received the same void from Naraku’s curse. It will eventually kill me, unless I destroy Naraku to remove the curse.”
“Mmm…” was all the reply he got. A moment later, Hiei asked, changing the subject, “The aura of the forest is from the tree. Do you know the story of that tree?”
Miroku was confused. “Tree?” And then he remembered. “Oh, you mean that tree. Of course, I know its story well. It’s the tree where Inuyasha was sealed by Lady Kikyou’s arrow.”
Hiei’s eyebrow rose in question. “Inuyasha? That dog demon? So…he has a story like that. I remember hearing that a priestess freed him…a reincarnation of the one who sealed him.”
Miroku smiled. “That would be Lady Kagome. She didn’t know what she was getting herself into.”
Hiei looked thoughtful. “So she’s a reincarnation of a priestess, is she? That explains a lot…”
Miroku looked up at him, curious. “What do you mean?”
Hiei briefly recalled the great holy power that he’d sensed in her when she had stared him eye-to-eye and not looked away from his gaze. Not many people existed that could seal away any demon, be it half or full. He had yet to see her power for himself, but he knew it was there.
He shrugged, indifferent. “Nothing important.”
***
Early the next morning, after finally deciding who would travel with whom, the two groups were finally going their separate ways. To everyone’s extreme shock and awe, Yusuke insisted on traveling with Inuyasha. The reason?
“So I can see what kind of power this bony runt really has.”
To which Inuyasha offered his snarling reply of, “I’m sure MY power has a whole lot more on your little flashlight attacks.”
This arguing would have gone on forever if Kagome hadn’t calmly threatened to say ‘the word’. Inuyasha immediately stopped whatever insult he’d been about to throw at Yusuke and began sulking. Yusuke smirked.
Kagome, of course, would be going with Inuyasha. “We also need someone who can see the Shikon shards and sense their aura to be in the other group,” she said. “Do any of you have this ability?”
Kuwabara scratched his head. “I think I do, but I don’t know how well I can sense them, since I’m not familiar with their aura. Maybe with practice?”
“That will have to be good enough,” she replied. “Thank you. Miroku, Sango, would you travel with him?”
Both nodded. Kurama moved to stand with Kuwabara. “I’ll also go with him.”
Shippou immediately offered to go with that group..
That left Botan and Hiei to travel with Kagome, Inuyasha, and Yusuke.
“All right, now that the groups are decided, I think there’s something that those of you who haven’t been here need to know,” Kagome stated, gathering everyone around her. “The thing of it is, we don’t know where Naraku is. Inuyasha and his brother fought with Naraku about a week ago, and after that, Naraku disappeared. His aura seems to have vanished, and since then, demons have been popping up out of nowhere, because they think Naraku is gone. However, we know he’s not. He may have gone somewhere where we can’t sense it from here. So it’s up to us to find out his location. In the meantime, the demons are going to be particularly vicious, so be cautious. To start with, I’ve packed both of our groups enough supplies that should last for about two weeks. If you run low on supplies or end up in a scrape and need to come back here to rest, don’t hesitate to do so. In fact, let’s all meet back here at the village in two weeks and compare notes, so to speak. Sound okay with you?”
Everyone nodded.
She smiled. “Good.
Okay, I think that my group will head north, towards the mountains.
You all head south. Be
careful!”
In the meantime, Kaede had wandered out of her hut to see who would be traveling with whom as they talked amongst themselves, discussing the direction each one would go. She looked both groups over. Kagome would obviously have her hands full with Inuyasha and Yusuke constantly fighting like children. But at least she would have the blue-haired girl, who seemed very nice. And the fire demon seemed, at least, to not cause any trouble at the moment.
Miroku, Sango, and Shippou would be fine. Kuwabara and Miroku seemed to have much in common, in Kaede’s opinion. And Kurama would be a good role model for Shippou. Kaede could already see the hopefulness in Shippou’s eyes; it had been there ever since it was mentioned that Kurama was a fox demon. Having lost his parents, Shippou needed something familiar to them, and perhaps Kurama could be that something.
As they left, Kaede wished both groups the best of luck and they both went separate directions, each waving goodbye to the other, each wondering if they’d ever see those familiar faces again.
***
As they walked in silence, Kurama found himself lost in thought. Like Hiei, he was sharply reminded of the demon world as he gazed at the countryside. All was calm, but with the unsettling sense that danger could erupt at any second. No humans that he could see, aside from the three that traveled with him. Kuwabara seemed also lost in thought. Briefly Kurama wondered what was bothering him, but decided to wait until later to ask.
The young fox demon, Shippou, rode on Miroku’s shoulders. Every now and then, he would look back at Kurama, and then look away. Kurama noticed this, but tried not to pay attention to it. He had other things on his mind at the moment.
He knew Yusuke was angry with him for taking over, but it had been imperative that they join this group of people. He couldn’t have told Yusuke that, because he’d been given strict orders from Koenma not to tell Yusuke the particulars of this mission. Kurama himself wasn’t completely sure of the particulars, himself, but it didn’t matter. It was just something else he had to hide from Yusuke that Kurama didn’t agree with, but he had no choice. He had to ensure that Koenma’s plan was carried out; otherwise they would not be able to return to their time.
And Kurama didn’t want to stay in the Feudal Era any longer than he had to.
Of course Koenma hadn’t told him that they’d be going back in time, to the Feudal Era of all time periods to be in. Why would he, when Kurama knew that he would have refused, even at the risk of angering Koenma? He’d only told Kurama that should they meet a group of people consisting of a white-haired dog demon and a powerful priestess, that they were to travel with these people and help them in their quest. This, Koenma said, would ensure that the jewel shards were gathered together, and at the end of the quest, they were to destroy the completed jewel. Kurama hadn’t expected to meet this group of people so soon on the mission, but it was more than likely that Koenma had known it would happen.
And now he was here, stuck in the Feudal Era, with no way of returning. He had no choice but to play along and get the job done as fast as possible. Sighing, he rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on. He wondered if Kagome had packed any pain pills in her supply case, which Kuwabara was carrying on his back.
But he didn’t have time to ask, because no sooner did the thought pass through his mind, he was jolted out of his thoughts by a loud SLAP and a yelp from Miroku.
“Damn perverted monk!” Sango was yelling. Kurama and Kuwabara both stared at them in shock.
Kurama turned to Kuwabara. “Why did she just slap him? I obviously missed something.”
Kuwabara was blushing. “He…just groped her butt. Out of nowhere!”
Kurama blinked. “He did?”
Shippou had jumped down from Miroku’s shoulders to miss accidentally getting slapped by Sango. He hopped over to Kurama and said, “They always do this. He’s perverted, and likes groping Sango’s butt. It’s some weird thing with them.”
“Oh. I see.”
Kuwabara stretched his arms over his head, yawning. “Man, I’m tired. I didn’t think walking this much would wear you out; we haven’t really even gone that far.”
“We’ll be walking quite a bit,” Kurama replied. “I’m a bit tired, too…I didn’t exactly sleep that much.”
“Yeah, me neither. It’s kinda weird here…like a volcano before it erupts, you know what I mean?”
“I know exactly what you mean.”
At this point it became apparent that they were by themselves. Shippou had run ahead to rejoin Sango and Miroku, who were standing off in the distance, waiting on them. They looked somewhat impatient. Kuwabara sighed as the two of them started walking again. “I don’t know if I’ll get used to this anytime soon.”
“Hang in there. I’m sure it won’t take as long as it seems.”
“Still, two weeks? How long do you think Koenma wants us to be here?”
“However long it takes.”
Kuwabara thought of Yukina and already felt a pang of regret. Maybe he should have stayed…but then again, she would be there when he returned. What exactly were they trying to do here, anyway? Change the past? How could they change the past? What exactly did Koenma want them to change? Kuwabara was pretty confused, and had the distinct feeling that Kurama held most of the answers.
“Hey,” he said, making sure Sango and Miroku were out of hearing distance as they walked. “What do you think Koenma really sent us here for?”
“I already told you.”
Kuwabara thought that it sounded like there was much more to it, but said nothing more. He tried to concentrate on the scenery around him rather than the ache in the backs of his legs, the weight of the bag he carried. He tried to push Yukina’s face out of his mind, as thinking about her only made him want to see her more.
It had taken all he had to not to demand to return when it became obvious that they were going to be there awhile. He couldn’t believe he was going along with this…but really he had no choice. It had been his decision to come. And now he was in this strange world in the past where he could just feel the monsters lurking, waiting to attack at any second. He now knew why his spirit abilities had felt like they’d been heightened when he’d first arrived.
The demons in the human world in this era were everywhere, like an infestation of them. He could sense it in the air, the demonic energy, so powerful and thick it almost made him feel like he was choking. It was exactly like being in the demon world. Even though they’d only fought Sensui, he’d never shaken that feeling of being surrounded by millions of other beasts, just lurking in the darkness waiting to attack. This place was like that. Walking through the countryside, everything looked peaceful, serene…and he was scared.
Still, he at least wasn’t forced to travel alone with people he didn’t know. They seemed ok. He wasn’t sure he wanted to adjust to this place, or these people, but if he had to, he was going to make himself. He was just tired, achy, and wanted something to drink. He wished he’d brought water bottles or something.
A loud rumble and the ground vibrating underneath him quickly brought him out of his thoughts. He looked around, fighting the urge to panic. “What is that?!” he shouted. Kurama was also looking around, just as startled as he was. Miroku and Sango, on the other hand, looked poised for battle.
“Where’s it coming from?” Miroku asked Sango.
She pointed to the left. “Over there.” Shippou ran behind her, ducking for cover.
“What’s going on?” Kuwabara asked again.
“Get ready,” Sango replied, her hand on the large boomerang she carried. “It’s a large one.”
“Large WHAT?!” At this point Kuwabara was exasperated that he wasn’t getting a straight answer, but then it hit him.
Almost literally.
He didn’t have time to get an answer as a…thing…that looked like a massive insect came barreling out of the woods, sending dirt and debris flying in their direction. Something hit Kuwabara in the head and he staggered back, stunned. “W-what the hell is that?”
“Centipede demon,” Sango replied casually. To her, it should have been obvious.
Kurama had his rose whip out in no time. Kuwabara recovered from his dazed state in time to ignite his spirit-sword…only to see Sango launch her boomerang and cut it in half with one swoop. The thing fell dead to the ground as Sango caught her weapon in mid-air and landed on the ground. Miroku and Shippou applauded.
Kuwabara gaped in awe.
Kurama smiled and tucked the rose behind his ear, the red petals disappearing into his hair. “Well done,” he commented. “That’s quite a weapon.”
“It serves its purpose,” she replied. “Come on, let’s hurry on in case there’s more around.”
They continued walking in silence, the air seeming to be very thick. It was quite uncomfortable for all of them, especially Shippou, who was used to the light, easy banter between his normal travel companions. It was obvious that no one knew what to say. Shippou took it upon himself to start a conversation. He hopped on Kurama’s shoulder, startling him.
“You don’t care if I ride on your shoulder, do you?” Shippou asked.
Kurama wanted to say he did care, but he really didn’t. “No, I suppose not,” he replied, and said nothing else. Shippou looked disappointed, but didn’t let that get him down.
“So, can you guys fight pretty well?”
“We do what we can,” Kurama said. “I suppose you could say we fight well.”
“Really, what kind of weapon do you use?”
“Whip.”
Shippou didn’t find it very impressive. “A whip? I don’t see you carrying one?”
Kurama stopped and pulled out the rose from behind his ear. He held it out in front of him and waved it to one side, transforming it into the whip. Shippou was amazed. “How do you do that?”
“Demon magic,” Kurama replied, returning the whip to its rose form and tucking it back behind his ear. “I can control plants using magic. I can also turn my hair into thorns.”
Shippou was a bit more impressed. “I can’t wait to see that,” he said. Then he turned to look at Kuwabara. “So, where’s your weapon?”
Kuwabara shrugged. “I use a spirit-sword.”
Shippou was confused. “I don’t see you carrying a sword.”
“I can’t use it unless I’m actually in a battle. It would be a waste of energy.”
“I don’t get it.”
“You will. You’ll see the next time we fight something.”
Shippou seemed satisfied with that answer, and tried to think of something else to talk about.
At that point Miroku yawned and stopped. “It’s getting late. Why don’t we rest here for the night?”
Everyone agreed, and a fire was started. The group sat in silence, watching the flames, while they munched on some of the snacks that Kagome had packed for them. Each of them were lost in their own thoughts, and like before, the air between them all was awkward. It was about to drive Shippou nuts, but he kept his mouth shut. He had to admit that even having Inuyasha chase him around would have been better than this.
Finally Kurama spoke. “Hiei mentioned this morning that you told him something interesting about the tree in the forest where we came out of the well,” he said to Miroku. “I’m interested to know more about this tale. Is it true that the girl, Kagome, is a reincarnation of the priestess Kikyo?”
“Indeed.”
Kuwabara was interested. “Kikyo? Where have I heard that name before?”
“History books, perhaps,” Kurama replied. “She was a priestess that lived right around this era, although I imagine she’s dead now if Kagome is her reincarnation…right?”
Miroku coughed. “Yes and no. She was brought back to life. A sad, unfortunate experience for her, I’m afraid. She parted this world in extreme hatred of Inuyasha. His was the last face on her mind as she died, and the moment she opened her eyes as a construct of bone and earth, there he was. Naught but her hatred for him sustains her now, though I must say she is an intriguing one. Sometimes I don’t know if she’s out to destroy Naraku or help him.”
Miroku told them the story of the situation between Kikyo and Inuyasha, then of her rebirth, as told to him by Kagome. He recalled the incidents in which she gave the Shikon jewel to Naraku, as well as others which made them wonder which side she was really on, if any.
“Hers is a tragic story,” Kurama noted. “I wonder if we’ll meet up with her during our travels.”
“I’m sure, though she tends to turn up sometimes to dissuade Inuyasha from whatever he’s doing at the moment. If any group sees her first, it will be his group.”
“Does Inuyasha still care for her, then, even though she tried to kill him and sealed him to that tree?”
“It would seem so,” Sango said. “It’s very sad for Kagome. It’s so obvious, though, that he cares deeply for Kagome, as well. He seems devoted to both, but then again, I don’t really think Inuyasha knows what he’s doing. He's a complicated person.”
Kurama smiled slightly. “Yes he does seem that way. He seems very gung-ho."
Miroku and Sango both laughed. "You have no idea," Miroku said.
Kurama chuckled. "Interesting, though, is the power of that sword he wields. How did he come across a weapon like that?”
“It was his father’s,” Shippou interjected. “I wasn’t around when he found the sword, but Kagome told me that he and his brother fought over the sword on their father’s grave. Inuyasha cut his brother’s arm off. I would’ve liked to have been around to see that!”
“What kind of demon is his brother?" Kuwabara asked.
"Inuyasha’s brother is full-demon, and not nearly as agreeable as Inuyasha…if that’s saying anything,” Miroku said with a smirk. “He is quite powerful, though.”
Kurama was still interested in hearing about Kikyo. He had heard about her before, and not in history books. “The priestess Kikyo…does she still have her holy powers?”
“Of course,” Miroku replied. “No, death hasn’t taken them away from her. She is still quite powerful.”
Sango noticed the look on Kurama’s face and wondered why he looked so uneasy. “Are you worried that she’ll attack you?”
“No, it’s not that…I’m really not worried about seeing her…it’s very complicated,” he said, looking away. “It’s no big deal, I suppose.”
A/N (continued): Whew! I hope this chapter moved the story forward a little, if not the next one will. Next chapter will be focusing on the other group and Kouga may show up! I've also decided (roughly) on romantic pairings, but I'm going to wait awhile to release that information. You'll find out soon enough. I'm sure some of you won't be happy with me, but I can't please everyone. By the way, I have to say thanks to everyone who has reviewed. I'm glad so many people like this fic! Keep reviewing!