Through Blood and Fire

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha. He belongs the brilliant Rumiko Takahashi!


Chapter 13: Truth Unveiled

“Well what is it like then?” asked Sesshoumaru.

Nico gave a sigh and began to explain her tale, making sure to leave some parts out. Namely the ones that let on about how she is Kagome’s cousin. She didn’t want these people to hate her any more than they probably already did.

“I was out walking, when I came across this shrine. I decided to go in and check it out. There was al hol house, so I went inside to make a wish. When I approached the well, a man came out, the one we fought off. Bankotsu was it? Anyway, he grabbed me and pulled me into the well. When we came out we where in some forest. He brought me to this spot, where he continued to call me “Kagome” and said that he would take me to Naraku. That’s where you guys came in,” she said pointing to the three Inus. “Both he and this Naraku, kept calling me “Kagome”. That’s why I was so curious as to whe whe was,” she finished.

Everyone just stared at her, mouths agape. Nico looked at them, confused. “What did I say?” she asked.

Kouga walked towards her. “Did you say you came through a well in a shrine?”
“Yes.”

He continued his approach. “Was it the Higurashi shrine?”
“Yes.”
Kouga grabbed her shoulders, a breath away from her. “That can’t be,” he barely whispered.

The others were looking at her strangely. She was in the spotlight in a big way.

“What do you mean?’ she asked.
“The well was sealed,” said InuYasha, “with very powerful magick. No one could break through it.”
“Least of all a mere human,” stated Sesshoumaru, intrigued at this possibility.

Kouga shook Nico. “How did you get through? That stupid Bankotsu never had enough stre to to even scratch that spell. How did you get through?” Kouga’s voice was urgent.

Nico decided she might as well tell the truth about breaking the charms placed on the well. She looked at everyone, then at Kouga.

“If you’ll let go of me, I will tell you.”

Kouga jerked his hands from her, as if he had been burned, but he did not move away. The others had closed in around her. She was beginning to feel claustrophobic. She cringed back a little and Taki and Sango took notice. Instantly, big sister mode kicked in in both of them.

“Okay everyone give her a little room. Back off,” said Taki.
“She said she would explain it but she can’t if you don’t give her room to breathe,” said Sango.
“Thank you.”
“We’re sorry, but you see, Kagome was a really important part of all of us and when she left, it crushed us all. Now your saying that you came through the same well she used to come through, so we’re all a little on edge. Please tell us how it happened,” stated Sango reassuringly.

Nico began.

“As I said, I was walking around the shrine. It had been calling to me for some time. I can’t explain it, but I had this feeling like there was something in the shrine that wanted my attention. So I followed the feeling until I came upon the well house. It was locked and there was a barrier all around it. I tried to approach it, but it jolted me back. Now any normal person would take the hint and leave, but this feeling had gotten stronger and I couldn’t just ignore it. So I got up and tried again. My na~ha always said I was very stubborn.”
“Your na~ha?” questioned InuYasha.
“My mother.”
“Oh,” was all InuYasha said.

“This time the barrier gave me little hassle. I walked right through. I approached the doors and saw they were locked. Previously, I had found a key hidden in this very old tree. I put it in the lock and it started to shake. It came open and vanished into thin air. oughought this was very weird but I continued on.
I opened the doors and there was the well. It had a bunch of boards on it and numerous charms. I wanted to pick one up and see what they were. But as soon as I got close enough, it shocked me. It was then that I noticed the well was glowing a soft pink. I had to know what was on those charms. Again I reached out, but this time instead of shocking me, they all disintegrated as soon as I touched them. The boards split down the middle and exploded off. The soft pink turned into a bright pink. It was almost blinding.
When it finally died down, I got up and went over to the well. I looked down and there was that Bankotsu guy. He jumped out, grabbed me, jumped back down into the well and here I am.”

Everyone just starred at her.

“How could you have broken that seal. It’s just impossible,” said an astonished Sesshoumaru.
“I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry.”
“Sorry!” exclaimed Kouga. “Now we can go into the future and bring back my Kagome!”
“We can go get Kag-mama?!” exclaimed Shippou.
“Our pack will be whole again!” screamed Taki as she and an ecstatic Sango embraced.
“And we can also send this poor girl home,” stated a very happy Miroku.

Everyone was excited and happy. To them it was like a miracle. But their mood was about to change as soon as InuYasha ask something that had been on his mind since Nico had began her story.

“What were you doing at the Higurashi shrine in the first place?”
“Huh?” was all Nico could say.

Everyone else looked first at InuYasha then at Nico.

“Yes, indeed what were you doing there? Kagome told us a long time ago that her family had closed the well off to the public. No one but she, her mother, or her grandfather were allowed near the shrine,” said Kouga.
“I’m new to Japan. I just moved there about three weeks ago. I didn’t know.”
“But surely you would have read the sign out front or taken notice to the locked gates,” continued Kouga.

Now everyone was alert to the situation at hand. Something was not right.

“Who are you and what were you doing trespassing on the shrine?” growled out InuYasha.
“No human could have broken that many spells, especially the one placed by Kaede. Then to fight against Bankotsu and Naraku like you did, shows you are not human. Show your true form.”
Nico was confused. “This is my true form. I am just human.”

InuYasha, Kouga and Sesshoumaru began to advance on Nico. Taki stepped in front of Nico. “Back off guys,” she growled.
“It’s okay, Nico, just tell us the truth. They won’t hurt you. I won’t let . I . I promise,” stated Sango.

Nico looked around terrified. If she told them the truth, they would hate her. Hell, these three might even kill her. Especially Kouga. But she could blame him. She fought in her head for the right choice. The battle must have been playing on her face.

“Nico, are you alright? What’s wrong?”
“There is something I have to tell you.”

Taki and Sango looked at each other. Miroku and Shippou came and stood beside Sango, Kirara at their heels. The advancing youkai stopped. Once again all eyes were upon her.

“Well, spit it out, girl,” growled Kouga.
“Cool it Kouga,” growled Taki.
“What is it, Nico. It can’t be bad, can it?”
“Yes. Your going to hate me once I tell you. But I wouldn’t blame you.”
“What do you mean?” asked a concerned Shippou. He jumped into her arms.
“I haven’t been completely honest with you.”
“Well you better start, wench,” said InuYasha.

Nico just glared at him. The battle with Bankotsu playing back through their minds. She kicked his ass for such rude remarks and she would take on this guy as well.

“Nico, please tell us what is it you haven’t been honest with us about,” asked Sango, concerned.

Nico took a deep breath.

“First off. Nico Morisato is not my full name.”
“Well what is your full name?” asked Taki, hurt setting in at the fact that Nico had lied to her about her name.
“My full name is Nicohacqua Takoda Morisato Higurashi.”

Everyone jolted, shocked at what she had just said.

“I am Kagome’s cous

Nico looked around her. She wanted to run away and hide. She felt like the worst thing in the world right now. Now that they know, I wonder what they are going to do to me?