Beautiful Souls

Sometime during the night the heavy snowfall had relented and now the morning sun rose hot in the eastern sky, turning ice into slush at an astonishingly rapid pace. Nearly every citizen of the small village had crowded into the temple at the Houshi Ryokan to join in worship with the visiting monk. Kagome stood outside the entrance, attempting to put off having to go into the stuffy room for as long as possible.

Not a single one of the villagers neglected to sneak a glance at Kagome as they passed, and the awe on their faces was obvious. She sighed, smiling politely in response to their whispered greetings. Apparently, rumors had flown throughout the village since their arrival yesterday, and even the children watched her with wide, expectant eyes.

Kagome was surprised at the sheer number of people who had turned out for Miroku’s ceremony. Although it was still early, most of the men and women who lived here would have already been busily engaged in the routine of their daily lives – whether in field or home. She took it as a good sign; the hope of the villagers had not completely failed them if they were so eager to hear the prayers of a Monk, and possible kami. Even those who were not able to enter the temple, due to the current dogma against the impurity of the sick and menstruating women, were gathered outside to listen.

Sensing Inuyasha nearby, Kagome raised her eyes to the nearest trees, searching for the signature flash of red that would pinpoint his location. “Are you coming?” She asked quietly, knowing he wasn’t to far away and would hear her.

A soft thump on her left caught her attention, and Kagome smiled as Inuyasha came towards her, scowling. “It won’t take too long, I promise.”

Inuyasha snorted. “Stupid Bouzu… doesn’t he know we have more important things to do than pray?”

Kagome linked her arm through Inuyasha’s and led him inside the temple. “The village needs this. They know something’s going on, and a little faith can’t hurt them. Besides… I’m feeling the need for prayer myself,” she admitted.

Inuyasha met her eyes for a moment. “We’re going to be fine… if we ever get out of here, that is.”

“I know... we will. Just be patient, okay?” Kagome’s voice dropped to a whisper as they took their places with the rest of the villagers.

Sango, Kohaku and Shippou were already inside near the front where Miroku stood preparing for the ritual. The villagers allowed the hanyou and miko to pass through them, and the volume of whispering increased as they did so. Kagome had only a moment to smile at Sango before Miroku faced the crowd and the room fell silent.


At Miroku’s urging, everyone knelt as he began offering prayers to the kami. Sango was surprised when she recognized the prayer her husband had chosen as the Kinensai – or, the Prayer for Good Harvest. It was a prayer that was very important to farmers and their families, but usually only accompanied the traditional festival that occurred every spring before the harvest season. It was currently summer; several months too late to be asking the kami to bless their crops, but somehow, the taijiya recognized that the villagers had more of a need for it now than ever.

After finishing the Kinensai, Miroku immediately began his second prayer, asking for peace in their land. It had been quite some time since he had led any kind of ceremony, much less one with so many attendees. The monk was glad he could remember all the words, but couldn’t help noticing the odd sensation that trickled down his spine as he chanted, as though something larger were acting through him that day. He ignored it, launching into his third and final prayer - the one asking for safety.

It started low and far away, but suddenly, Inuyasha was aware of a rising murmur of voices beginning to surround him. Without thinking about it, the hanyou slid one hand down to wrap around Tetsusaiga’s hilt and opened his eyes, scanning the room for the disturbance. At first, he saw nothing. Now everyone around him was whispering to one another. Every face held fear and astonishment as they looked up towards the front of the room. Inuyasha began to turn his head to follow their gaze just as Kagome put a hand on his arm.

“Inuyasha… look,” she said quietly, tugging at his sleeve.

It shouldn’t have surprised him but somehow, it did. As Miroku stood, invoking the spirit of the kami to protect and strengthen them all, a soft pink glow had surrounded him. As Inuyasha watched, he realized that the now familiar aura was growing stronger, and had probably been doing so since the prayer began. The hanyou looked at Kagome, and then past her to Sango, wondering what they should do.

Sango felt Inuyasha’s gaze land on her, and she managed to tear her own away from Miroku to see the question in the hanyou’s eyes. ‘Should we do something?’ Looking back to her husband, she could hear his voice getting stronger with each word of prayer that left his lips. The sound reverberated around the room, filling it. Everyone else had fallen deathly silent, and those who were able to take their eyes off of the monk were now bowed low to the floor, seemingly in awe.

Kohaku touched his sister’s shoulder and leaned in to whisper, “Aue-ne… look at their faces!”

Sango searched the crowd, focusing on those few that remained upright in shock. One woman, not far away from them, had clasped her hands together in front of her chest. Tears glittered in her eyes and the glint of an expression… joy, maybe? Glancing at the other faces, she could easily see the same emotion – and a few others - echoed all around the room. Suddenly, Sango could understand what they must be experiencing.


These villagers had been living in a perpetual state of worry for months now. Their livelihood was threatened, their way of life falling to pieces, their very existence in danger of total annihilation, and they believed that it was all because their gods had been angered. Now, just when things were at their worst, a group of strangers arrive promising to make things right, and possessing the strange abilities necessary to do so. To these people who had suffered so much, the travelers must appear to be an omen – a sign from the gods that all would be well again. The kami had sent their own to make things right.

A deep sense of humility and responsibility settled in Sango’s stomach as she took all this in. Inhaling deeply to restore her strength, she once again met Inuyasha’s eyes, and smiled. The hanyou searched her face, seeking his answers there. He must have found whatever he was after for a moment later he nodded back, understanding. There was no need to worry.

Miroku felt tingly. It was an unusual sensation, but he was aware that he’d been experiencing it for a few minutes longer than he’d first realized. Prayers finished, the monk opened his eyes just in time to catch sight of the pink aura surrounding him before if faded away into nothing. Blinking in surprise, he took in the worshipers spread out before him. With the exception of his family and a few others, every member of the village continued muttering silent prayers of thanksgiving, face-down in supplication.

Seeking his wife’s eyes, Miroku silently questioned Sango, asking if all was well. She smiled reassuringly, as did Kagome when he turned to her. Inuyasha stared back at him in amusement and shrugged his shoulders before standing to cross the room and stand beside him.

“Flashy bastard, aren’t you?” Inuyasha muttered, leading him outside the temple with their companions close behind.

“That was…” Miroku stuttered, unsure of what he wanted to say.

“Really incredible!” Shippou piped up, jumping onto the monk’s shoulder from behind. “How did you do it, Miroku?”

Miroku shook his head. “I’m not sure. I didn’t even really know what was happening until I opened my eyes.

Kagome stepped up next to him on the side opposite her mate. “ What were you thinking about while you were praying, Miroku?”

The monk took a deep breath, trying to recall . “I started the prayer for safety… and I was thinking about my family - about us. I prayed for the safety of the village, but in my head I was asking specifically about us.”

Nodding, Kagome smiled widely. “See? That just proves my theory! The Shikon no Tama works off of our emotions for one another. Midoriko said that we were strongest as a team, and I just bet she knew that the Jewel would react off of us.”

Miroku smiled wanly. “It seems likely, but am I supposed to feel this tired now? I didn’t feel this way when it happened before.”

“That’s because there was always someone else sharing the energy with you,” Kagome said decisively. “ It makes sense, right? I mean, till now, I’m the only one who’s used the energy by myself. Otherwise, at least two of us were ‘activated’ when the aura appeared.” The miko nodded as the concept became clearer. “It’s a lot of power for just one of us, and so we get weaker after using it. When we work together, the power is shared, and we are strengthened by the connection.”

Sango got an idea. “So, when we fight as a team, it’s like the Shikon no Tama is whole again. That’s why we were able to defeat the hebi youkai back at home so easily… we were using the power of the Sacred Jewel.”

“Keh, if that’s the case then killing this Snake Queen will be easier than I thought!” Inuyasha never liked it when things got too easy for him, but he wasn’t about to argue now.

A worried looked crossed Kagome’s face as she again remembered their premonitions of the fight to come. “Just the same, let’s be extra careful, you guys. She’s gotta be pretty powerful to be able to control the weather and keep the kami from stopping her.”

Before anyone could respond, the temple doors opened and Zengoro came to join them. From inside the shrine came the sounds of music and dancing - a traditional celebration in honor of the kami. The aruji was quiet, but he smiled warmly as he studied each of them in turn.

Miroku was the first to speak. “I apologize if this morning’s ceremony was a little more… eventful than you’re used to. I admit, it took me by surprise as well.”

Zengoro remained silent for a moment further, before turning to look back at the temple. “Can you hear the music from within? The singing? The laughter? This is the first time my people have celebrated in many months. For now, they are happy, and do you know why that is?”

Miroku frowned, looking troubled. “Look, I think I should tell you… we’re not really…”

“Gods?” Zengoro faced the monk again and smiled widely. “I know this. You all have a source of energy that is beyond this world, but you yourselves are of this world.”

The aruji addressed them all. “I am an old youkai, but there is much I do not know. I do not know who you are, or how you know the things you do. I do not know what brought together such an unusual group, or why you choose to fight when you would be safer to do otherwise.” Zengoro paused for a moment. “I do know, however, that you have done more for this village with just your presence alone, and for that we shall always be grateful.”

As the aruji began leading the way back towards the dining room where Chizuko had prepared them breakfast before the journey, he stopped once more, turning his head to the side so that they could hear his words. “Everything in this world has a spirit, as you know. Rocks, trees, animals… they all have their own ‘kami’. You may not be gods, but your kami are strong within you. In a way, that does indeed make you divine.”

*************************

Miroku was beginning to feel more like himself after eating the meal Chizuko had prepared for the travelers. The simple fare of local fruit and miso soup was satisfying and filling, warming the monk from the inside out. He, Shippou and Inuyasha were the only three remaining at the table, as Sango, Kagome and Kohaku gathered their belongings together in preparation for the climb up the mountain.

Kirara had spent the morning with Chizuko, and the two seemed to have become friends. The nekomata followed the woman around the room, watching her intently with curious eyes.

Sango giggled as Chizuko surprised Kirara by sweeping her up in a powerful hug, cooing to the cat in a tiny voice. “She likes you,” the taijiya explained to the youkai as the nekomata’s eyes glazed over with joy.

“She is one delightful creature,” Chizuko replied, rubbing the cat beneath her chin. “She helped me with breakfast and I told her all about my life on the mountains here. I’m going to miss her when she leaves.”

A sad smile crossed Sango’s face as she watched the woman and her companion bond. “Maybe… since Zengoro-sama is coming with us, maybe Kirara would like to stay with you?”

The nekomata’s ears twitched, and her head twisted to focus on Sango. Leaping out of Chizuko’s arms, Kirara faced the taijiya and transformed as if going into battle. Giving a soft meow, she came to her friend and gently rubbed her head against Sango’s stomach, letting everyone know, in no uncertain terms, what she was trying to tell her.

“It appears that Kirara won’t allow you to go without her, and although I would enjoy the pleasure of her company, I must agree with her. I would feel much better knowing that she was by your side instead of my own.” Chizuko smiled at the young woman. “She is like a child to you, isn’t she?”

Sango nodded as she began rubbing one of Kirara’s ears absently. “Yes. I’ve known her for what seems like forever. She’s my friend, but I love her as if she were my own child.” Meeting Chizuko’s eyes, she smiled. “ Does that sound strange to you?”

Chizuko shook her head. “Nothing really sounds strange once you’ve lived as long as I and my husband have. You’ll find that very few of the older youkai have much tolerance for the younger generations, but living among humans, Zengoro and I have adapted more easily, it seems. A hanyou with a human mate, a demon slayer with a nekomata – it’s different, but possibly an omen from the kami that our races are not always destined to be at odds with one another. I live to see that day.”

Sango smiled. “You will,” she told the woman quietly.

Zengoro came back into the room and added a small pack to the pile of supplies gathered in the corner. In addition to Kagome’s well-worn backpack, a small purple cloth that held some of Miroku’s belongings and a coral colored bundle of Sango’s were packed and ready to go. Miroku’s sebai, Sango’s Hiraikotsu, Kohaku’s Kekkaigiri and Kagome’s Tatsujou stood there as well, serving as a reminder to the group that they were heading into battle.

“Before I forget,” Chizuko began, momentarily leaving the room and returning with two baskets. Each one was about the size of Shippou, with a long leather strap attached. “I gathered some food for you to take with you. It is possible to climb Mt. Hakusan and return in one day, but who’s to say how long you may need to be prepared for.”

Shippou’s eyes shone as he eagerly lifted the lid of the nearest basket and began rummaging. “Thanks, Chizuko-sama… this is great! This is so much better than the stuff we usually eat on the road!” The kitsune immediately flushed bright red and turned to Kagome who tried to hide her amusement and pretended to be angry.

“Oh, really?” The miko said archly.

“Sorry, Mama… I didn’t mean it as an insult,” Shippou repented sheepishly.

“Mama?” Chikuzo repeated with a burst of laughter. Looking from Inuyasha to Kagome, she asked, “and how did a kitsune cub become the child of a human and an inu hanyou?”

“They adopted me.” Shippou explained proudly. “My real Mama and Papa died, and Inuyasha helped me avenge my father’s death. Now I live with them.”

Zengoro shook his head. “I do hope that someday, we may sit together and hear your full story.”

Kagome grinned. “Don’t worry, we’ll be back.”

“Is everybody ready?” Inuyasha asked, having finally finished his breakfast.

Zengoro turned to his wife and took her hands. “All will be well. Take care of the village and I will return before you know it.”

Kagome smiled and wrapped her arm through Inuyasha’s, watching the older couple surreptitiously. “Do you think we’ll still act like that after thousands of years?” she whispered.

Inuyasha snorted, “Keh.” He was aware of a grin covering his face at the idea of spending thousands of years with Kagome, but he didn’t try to repress it. “Let’s get out of here. We’ve got a snake to take care of.”

Kagome smiled and gathered her belongings. Inuyasha hadn’t responded her question, but she’d seen the answer on his face.

The seven travelers and their host left the spa and were immediately encircled by a stifling heat that took their breath away. The ice and snow from yesterday’s freeze was melting rapidly underneath the angry sun, and everything seemed in danger of becoming bogged down in the resultant mud. The air was humid, and walking felt like moving through water.

By the time Inuyasha and the others reached the newly made opening in the trees, all of them were sweating profusely. Glances were exchanged without words before the hanyou took the lead, following the narrow trail winding out of sight of the village. Kagome was just behind him, and he stifled the urge to send her back to wait for him at the spa. Looking at her over his shoulder, the defiant determination in her eyes told him that she had guessed what he was thinking, and would have none of it.

Although he kept his face impassive, Zengoro felt his curiosity grow with every step as he followed the hanyou and his mate around another turn. As the trail widened slightly into a small clearing, the aruji wondered just how these two had known this path existed. Mt. Hakusan was his home; he had traveled its peaks and valleys for centuries on end before descending to live amongst the mortals with Chizuko. Neither elk youkai had been aware of the narrow trail that, if it continued in this manner, would take them directly to the uppermost shrine more quickly than any trail marked on the maps.

That such paths existed Zengoro had no doubt. He did not claim to know everything about the wilderness of his homeland, but that outsiders would know something he did not, made the aruji wonder, not for the first time, just who these strangers were.

Shippou watched the aruji surreptitiously, as he took in their surroundings. The young kitsune was equally fascinated with the mountain as with the man walking slightly ahead of him. The boy had spent time with only a handful of full-blooded youkai, especially the kind who were more peaceful in nature than the ones that Inuyasha fought on almost a daily basis.

Besides that, Zengoro was old… older than anyone Shippou had ever met, and it was this that intrigued him most of all. As a race, Kitsune were usually smaller and weaker than most demons, and they had a tendency towards peacefulness - less malicious than playful. As a result of this combination, many did not live as extended a life as, say, an inu youkai would. Elk youkai were also among those who were at risk from other demons, or even humans, due to their passive nature. For Zengoro to have achieved so great a lifespan, Shippou wondered what more there was to the aruji than met the eyes.

When Zengoro noticed him watching, Shippou quickly turned his full attention to the forest, blushing as he marveled at the enormity of the trees surrounding them. Within the shelter they created, high above their heads, it was almost as if the group had entered an entirely new world – one unexplored by man or beast. The heat was still oppressive, but relieved slightly in the shade provided by the ancient bowers.

The walk was even very nearly made pleasant, due to drops of melting snow that rained down on them from where it had been prevented from reaching the earth through the branches and leaves. Up ahead, Shippou could hear Kagome sigh in relief when the water touched her face, and he smiled at the beauty created by what appeared to be an indoor rain shower.

The kitsune noted their landmarks, pretending that he was an explorer – like Indiana Jones – searching through foreign jungles for hidden treasure while trying to avoid capture by numerous enemy forces. Shippou practiced walking quietly over the debris of the forest floor, stepping first on the ball of his paws and then rolling the rest of the foot down, just the way Inuyasha had taught him. Beside him, Kohaku noticed what he was doing and began to imitate the action, silently joining the game without needing to ask what exactly it was.

At the rear of the group came Sango and Miroku, both riding Kirara. Sango had insisted that her husband rest as long as he could until he regained his strength after that morning’s display of Shikon power. The monk had refused, declaring that she had more need of Kirara’s support than he, because of the baby. The two had quietly argued until Inuyasha decided that he’d had enough, and told the two to either have both of them ride, or shut up and move their feet.

Sango had to admit, the brief respite from the climb had done a great deal to release the tension she’d been feeling in her lower back for the last few days and, with the water now trickling down on them from the trees, she only waited for Miroku to suggest that they walk again, since there was no way she was going to do it. Her husband was looking much better than he had a few hours ago, but his eyes were closed and he appeared to be meditating, indicating that he still was not feeling his best.

Miroku found that he couldn’t concentrate on his own breathing, but instead had focused his attention on the rhythm of Sango’s inhalations, timing his own to them. The effect was oddly soothing, and he felt his energy increasing once more. He hated feeling like an invalid, and began wondering if there was a way to gain control over this power in order to use it without suffering such negative effects.

A loud roar of anger and pain erupted from Kirara, who reared back, dumping her riders onto the ground without ceremony. Sango winced as her backside impacted with the hard earth, but didn’t have time to cry out before needing to drop into a roll to avoid being trampled by the suddenly enraged nekomata.

Kirara shook herself violently, twisting her head and giving the impression that she was chasing her tale. The fur on every part of her body was standing on end, and her ears were pricked straight up as well. She did not respond when Kohaku called her name from where he’d dropped down beside his sister and instead, continued to thrash wildly, keening sharply.

“Snakes,” Inuyasha muttered furiously. “Why does it always have to be snakes?” Ignoring the odd look Kagome gave him, the hanyou reached for his sword, but realized that it would do him no good. Wherever the serpent was hidden, it was probably still too close to Kirara to chance using the weapon. Flexing his claws, the hanyou searched for any sign of the slithery creature.

“Inuyasha!” Kohaku shouted. “Over here!”

Following the boy’s extended hand and pointed finger, Inuyasha saw the snake, fangs still firmly embedded in Kirara’s leg. The nekomata must have started thrashing at the moment she was bitten, and now the hebi youkai continued to cling for dear life. The serpent was creamy in color, practically blending in with the fur of its victim except for a tiny, violent green stripe that raced down its back.

The snake’s body was wrapped tightly around Kirara’s leg, and Inuyasha knew that he’d have one hell of a time removing it without injuring the large feline as well. The hanyou took a moment to watch for any semblance of rhythm in her frenzy, trying to find an opening.

With Kohaku huddled over her protectively in case Kirara headed their direction, Sango was unable to rise from where she had rolled to after falling. This was almost worse than when Miroku had been attacked, for none of them had known the cause of his possession. It was obvious to the taijiya that her friend and companion was only too aware of the significance of the bite, and was doing everything she could to retain control of herself and warn her loved ones that she was both in danger, and possibly dangerous.

As Sango watched helplessly not five feet away, the snake raised its pale head and struck a second time, pumping more of the manipulating poison into the nekomata. “Kirara… no!” she screamed as the cat shuddered to a halt under the increased flow of venom in her veins.

Without preamble, pink energy shot out of Sango’s hand as she reached an arm out towards Kirara. The aura attacked the hebi youkai with enough force to send it flying into the trees beyond, and Inuyasha was after it in an instant.

Kagome ran to Kirara, not stopping to think of the consequences should the cat attack her. Placing her hands on the large, soft head, she commanded the nekomata’s attention with a call of her name. Two red eyes focused on the girl before her, and a low growl issued warningly from her throat before the warmth of the pink aura engulfed them both for a brief moment.

Mere seconds later, Inuyasha’s raised voice could be heard as he gave a triumphant cry. This was followed by a piercing shriek as the hebi youkai fell beneath his powerful blade. The hanyou carried the creature back to the trail, showing it to the others before tossing the carcass to the side in disgust.

“How is she?” Inuyasha asked his mate.

Kirara had collapsed to the ground, and Kagome checked to make sure she was breathing properly. “I think she’ll be alright. Now that the snake’s dead, the venom should wear out of her system pretty quickly.”

Sango quickly crawled over towards her friend, putting a hand on Kirara’s neck. She could feel a pulse, slow and steady, beneath the layers of fur and flesh. Sighing with relief, she called the nekomata’s name softly, bending to see her face. Wide eyes opened gradually and instantly locked onto those of the taijiya.

“Oh, thank the kami,” Sango muttered as Kirara lifted her head slightly to lick her cheek with a faint mew. “Are you alright?” Kirara made an attempt to stand, but quickly sunk back down with another quiet yelp. Sango quickly hid her worry behind a smile. “Don’t worry… you’ll feel better soon enough. Transform back and I can carry you.”

“No way,” Miroku said calmly. “ You aren’t in any shape to carry yourself, let alone Kirara. Kohaku can carry her and I will carry you.”

Sango frowned, “Miroku, I’m fine. Being pregnant doesn’t make me and invalid.”

The monk nodded, “That may be true, but you used a powerful blast of the Shikon energy on that snake… and I know from experience how that drains a person.”

Sango knew he was right. The only reason she was still on the ground was because she wasn’t sure she trusted her legs to hold her just yet. All the same, she knew that Miroku was still recovering from the same affliction, and she refused to tire him further than necessary before the impending battle.

Inuyasha must have guessed Sango’s thoughts, for he went to her without a word, and lifted her carefully onto his back. Turning to Miroku, he said, “I’m gonna need you to fight later, and I don’t need you even weaker than you already are, so don’t argue.”

And that was that. Kagome grinned at her husband as he walked back towards her, amusement sparkling in his eyes. Once Inuyasha resumed the lead, everyone fell into line again, continuing their way through the mountain forest.

Zengoro, who had been silently watching the events, unsure of how to help, quickened his step to catch up with Kagome. “The way you all reacted… you weren’t kidding when you said you’ve handled this kind of thing before. I’m impressed.”

Kagome smiled, “ Thanks,” she accepted. “That ranks pretty low on our list of action sequences though… usually it’s not that easy.”

“You mean you’re used to fighting much worse creatures?” Zengoro looked amazed.

“Well…” Kagome hesitated, still unsure of how much she should share. “ Let’s just say that we’ve spent the better part of the last three years fighting for at least one of our lives… on a daily basis.”

The aruji solemnly met her eyes. “Promise me one thing… that you will tell me all about you and your friends as soon as it is possible.”

Kagome thought, and then nodded. “I will… it won’t be for many, many years, I’m afraid… and it won’t happen the next time we meet… but when we return for a third time, we’ll tell you everything.”

*********************

“Excellent,” Kuroseirei grinned. “How soon will they be here?”

Yaichiro’s grin matched that of his Queen. “At their current speed, they should reach the Mountain’s peak when the sun has only just begun its decent into the sea.”

“Hmm… a little faster than I’d like.” The snake Queen tilted her head thoughtfully, “how are they enjoying the weather?”

“They are most uncomfortable, my Queen, but their suffering is eased by the shade within the forest, and the melting snow suspended in the trees.” Yaichiro reported, anxious to see how the lady would correct the situation.

Kuroseirei frowned thoughtfully, tapping one pointed nail against her pretty chin. “Let me see… snow would be too much – I do want them to get here, after all. Maybe a little storm will dampen their spirits.”

Light flashed in the hebi youkai’s eyes, and the world above the shelter of her aquatic kingdom exploded in a fury of sleet and hail, competing only with the intensity of the snake demon’s laughter at her own joke.

*****************
Shippou couldn’t remember ever feeling more miserable in his life as he trudged through the mud in silence. Slivers of a clear blue sky had peaked through the trees above throughout the morning, and therefore, they were afforded no warning of the maelstrom that suddenly erupted with a crack of thunder and a flash of lightening. Two hours later, the kitsune and his friends were freezing cold, soaked to the bone and still slogging through a thickening sludge of dirt and leaves on the forest floor.

Too tired to shiver, Shippou dragged his feet, wondering if his body would hurt any more than it already did if he dropped in his tracks. Looking up, he could tell that his companions were tired as well… except for maybe Inuyasha, who pushed forward as though the rain had issued him a personal challenge. The only clued that the hanyou had even noticed the downpour was the fact that he’d removed his fire rat haori and draped it over Kagome to offer a little more protection.

Glancing backwards, Shippou noticed that Miroku, Sango and Kohaku, who carried Kirara, looked worn, but none of them said a word as they moved on as steadily as zombies. Zengoro was directly in front of him, and the grim set of his mouth told the kitsune that he had no intention of being the first to give up on this task.

Sighing heavily to himself, Shippou realized that if they were going to make it to the shrine in one piece, he was going to have to do the hard work all by himself. Taking a deep breath to try and regain some of his strength, the fox demon sprinted forward to the front of the procession, leaping onto a leg of Inuyasha’s hakama and climbing up to sit on top of the hanyou’s head.

“Hey, you baka!” Shippou began, pounding his little fists onto Inuyasha’s skull. “ We need to stop and rest! Don’t you care about the rest of us? He-ey!” His attack was interrupted when the half-demon grabbed him by the tail and swung the boy around to face him. Resisting the urge to start apologizing, the kitsune glowered in his best impression of the man he now faced, hoping that he looked even a little bit menacing.

Inuyasha scowled right back at Shippou, resisting an even more painful urge of his own. He knew the kid was right; they needed to find shelter for a while or none of them would be in any shape to face even the smallest of threats. His expression softened as he tried to decide what to do.

“Inuyasha… I think we’re near that cave,” Kagome suggested.

Inuyasha blinked in confusion before he remembered what she was talking about… the cave where they had sought shelter from the snow and fog on the way down the mountain. The same cave where their pup had been conceived. The hanyou frowned again, recalling how uneasy he had been about the mountain the last time they were here. The result of their experience in the cave had been the most peculiar of events, and although he really didn’t want to go back there if he didn’t have to, it might be their only option.

Nodding, Inuyasha sighed. “Alright. Come on.” Sniffing the air, the hanyou lead the way hurriedly through the rain. It was that peculiar odor that drew him – the one from the scars in the dirt on the valley floor above, and that he’d recognized on the snake that had attacked Miroku. It was a smell that he’d associated with Mt. Hakusan, but as they reached the opening in the cliff wall, he realized that this scent seemed to linger in certain areas, and vanish completely in others.

This was the first time Inuyasha had caught a whiff of it all morning and even in the rain, his sense of smell shouldn’t have been diminished enough that if the scent were there, he wouldn’t have noticed it. This only made him more uncomfortable, but he knew that they could not continue much further in this weather.

Kagome too, felt the fingers of apprehension tickle her spine as she entered the cavern. It was not unlike the feeling of being watched, and the miko turned around in the opening, looking back out into the gloom of the day. The other members of their party had already come inside, and she could see no one out there who would explain her tinge of anxiety.


Zengoro stepped to stand beside Kagome, following her gaze outside. “Ah, the Sacred Dog,” he commented with evident delight.

Kagome glanced at the aruji in confusion before turning to look where he was pointing. The small bronze statue of a dog stood as if frozen in time, looking just as wretched in the storm as the girl felt herself. “I remember that,” she muttered softly, unable to tear her eyes away.

“You… remember it?” Zengoro repeated evenly, with a frown.

Blushing, Kagome attempted to recover, “I mean that I remember hearing something… about a Sacred Dog. What does it mean?”

The aruji stared at Kagome for a moment, but if he didn’t believe her story, he didn’t let on. Looking at the icon, Zengoro began the tale. “Many years ago, and not long after Taicho-sama left our mountain, a scruffy looking dog appeared, coming down out of the mountain. Her coat was matted with dirt, and her paws bled as though she had traveled a great distance. Her skin hung from her loosely in some places, but tight enough that you could count her bones in others.

“The three farmers who had found her, brought her to my spa, wondering what to do. Chizuko tried to feed her, but she was frenzied, barking furiously and pulling at our clothes. On of the men thought that she was wild, and ought to be killed, else she hurt someone. I was not so sure, and when I allowed her to pull me forward a little, the dog raced ahead, turning to see if I would follow.

“My mate, the three villagers and I followed the dog up the mountain, many times forcing our way through the wilderness when no mortal had walked before. It was at this very cave that we ended out journey, and our little guide led us inside. Hidden far in the back was a litter of tiny puppies. They were weak with hunger, but alive, and eagerly began feeding as soon as their mother lay down beside them. It appeared that she had given birth not far from here, but there were too many puppies for her to carry down the mountain on her own, although what she was doing there in the first place, I can never know. She had stayed with them until her own food supply had run out, and then came to find help.

“We brought her down, and the villagers were so impressed with the tale that the dog and her puppies were taken in immediately. When she died, a group of farmers had this effigy of her made and placed next to the cave in remembrance of her devotion.” Zengoro smiled and looked at Kagome.

“There is a legend that says if a woman is having trouble conceiving a child, she should come here and ask the Sacred Dog to speak to the kami on her behalf. That is how she earned the name ‘Sacred Dog’, and anyone in the village would tell you that this legend is true.” Shaking his head with a smile, he gave one more fond glace to the Sacred Dog statue and went to help Miroku with the fire he was building in the back of the cave.

Kagome turned to see Inuyasha staring at her with a shaken look in his eyes, and she smiled with weak reassurance. With as many odd things as they had seen over the years, somehow this hit closer to home, and she couldn’t help but think that the sooner they killed this snake demon and got the heck out of there, the better off all of them would be.

A large alcove in the rear of the cave made a perfect fireplace, and was even enhanced by the presence of an airshaft to carry the smoke from their fire up through the mountain, releasing it into the turbulent squall above, where it would hopefully dissipate before being noticed. The waterlogged climbers huddled close to the stone walls as the heat began to seep into the rocks and empty space surrounding them. Tension replaced all attempt at conversation, making silence their solitary companion as clothing dried and wrinkled skin became smooth again. Chizuko’s lunch was unpacked and eaten without a word as every stared into the fire.

Miroku had closed his eyes, allowing himself to be drawn into meditation by the hypnotic sounds that filtered around him. The steady pounding of the rain outside was beginning to slow, hinting at the end of the sudden deluge. Wind howled through the caverns like a living creature, shrieking and wailing for their attention while grasping desperately at their clothes and hair. The fire popped and cracked as tiny specks of tree sap ignited and burst within the flames.

The soft plip-plop of trickling water was followed by a steady hiss from the fire, sizzling into steam and hitting the surprised monk in the face. Miroku’s eyes blinked open in surprise and he stared at the fire. Water had indeed begun dripping down from outside, and it quickly threatened to extinguish the flames.


”What the….” Inuyasha stood up as he noticed the filtering water forming a puddle in the bottom of the fireplace and, as the flames guttered and began smoking, he leaned over to peer up the air passage in the ceiling. No sky was visible at the top of the vertical tunnel, as it curved its way upwards through the rock. However, there was no doubt that water was leaking in somehow.

“Does it make sense to anyone that a place so obviously created for a fire would have a leak?” Sango puzzled.

Kagome shrugged. “It’s probably just a flaw in the formation of the cavern,” she guessed.

Inuyasha frowned, but didn’t say anything. Something felt off to him about this. Maybe it was just a result of the general uneasiness he’d been feeling all afternoon, but he was certain there was something here that he wasn’t seeing… something important.

“Flaw in the formation,” Inuyasha muttered under his breath. The fire had finally gone out, allowing the hanyou to step fully into the niche and examine the walls more closely. It was not unusual for caverns to be formed with these kinds of airshafts, whether by nature, or man. Although he had first assumed this to be the result of the former, further inspection told him that either human or youkai hands had crafted this channel into the sky. Crude iron tools had been used to chip away at what may have once been a much smaller vent in the ceiling, but was now large enough for a man to climb into.

Surprising his friends, Inuyasha leapt into the aperture, balancing on a lip that had been formed around the outside of the hole. Using both his eyes and hands, he realized that footholds had been carved into the stone at regular intervals, allowing someone to climb upward and deeper into the mountain.

“Hey,” Inuyasha called to those below him. “There’s a way to climb up here. Anybody else curious to find out where it leads?”

Silence was his only response, at first. Then, without a word, Kagome came to stand beneath her mate and held up her arm for him to grab. In seconds, she had begun the climb, and was soon followed by the others. Inuyasha took up the rear, ready to catch anyone who slipped. Shippou and Kirara clung tightly to his back, and it wasn’t long before all of them were swallowed into darkness.

Kagome climbed steadily, making sure to feel for her next foot and hand hold as she went, reporting to those beneath her if one felt crumbly. She couldn’t seen anything in front of her, and it was hard for the girl not to imagine what might be lurking in the shadows, just in front of her sightless eyes.

“Stop,” Kagome called, taking a moment to catch her breath. She closed her eyes, and then realized it didn’t make much of a difference – she couldn’t see with them open anyway.

“You okay, Kagome?” Inuyasha’s voice echoed up to her.

“Fine,” she answered, grateful that her voice didn’t break. “I can’t see anything.”

“Didn’t you bring that flashing light thingy?” Shippou asked.

“Oh!” Kagome exclaimed. She’d forgotten all about her flashlight. “It’s in my backpack,” she replied. “I can’t get it while we’re like this though. We’ll have to keep going and look for somewhere I can stop for a second.”

“Shippou!” Inuyasha exclaimed, sounding more irritated than worried.

Several soft gasps announced the kitsune’s route as he scrambled over the bodies that separated him from his mother. When Shippou reached her familiar scent, he pulled himself up onto her backpack.

“Where is it, Mama?” Shippou asked.

Kagome exhaled the breath she’d been holding since she’d realized Shippou’s intent. “The small pocket with the zipper on the bottom of the front,” she instructed. After some light tugs and rustling noises, she heard a triumphant exclamation.


“I got it!” Shippou depressed the button on the barrel, and a beam of light sliced through the dark.

“Great,” Kagome breathed. “Can you shine that ahead of me, and still hold on tight?”

“No problem.”

They resumed their ascent, at times progressing at odd angles, and even walking on flat surfaces whenever the tunnel became horizontal enough. With the exception of the glow from Kagome’s flashlight, no light penetrated the rock walls, and time could not easily be determined by any of them. It may have been hours, or minutes in which they traveled in this manner, following the continuing seep of water to its source even as it began to slow to an ooze.

As the tunnel turned again sharply, Kagome discovered that they would have no choice but to proceed for a little while on the slanting floor, as the angle of the climb was far too steep to risk. No one had spoken since the flashlight had turned on, except for the occasion word of caution from the miko in the lead. It was as if each of them expected to find something ahead of them that lived, and monitored their approach closely.

Slowly, the air around them seemed lighter, and Kagome realized that the gloom was dissipating as well. The passageway started inclining again, but as she reached the point where they needed to climb again, soft drops of rain flicked onto her nose. Looking up, a tiny window opened into the storm outside, high above their heads.

“That can’t be where the water’s coming from,” Zengoro stated matter-of-factly. “The angle of that opening would prevent enough water to get inside.”

“He’s right… look.” Sango pointed to the stream of water. “It’s on the opposite side of the wall from that window… it has to be coming from somewhere else.”

“Let’s keep going then,” Kagome suggested, sticking her foot into the next groove on the wall.

Inuyasha put a hand on her shoulder. “Wait… let me go first this time. If there’s something up there, I want to be the first thing it sees.”

Another fifteen feet higher, and Inuyasha found his hand landing onto a flat surface much larger than a foothold. Pulling himself up with his arms, he crawled onto the landing and turned around to help the others up. Therefore, he was the last person to stare in shock at the sight before them.

Completely encased in a hard crystal shell of ice, and half covered with a layer of volcanic ash sat the remains of a Shinto temple, trapped beneath the apex of the mountain.

“My word,” Zengoro breathed. “What has happened to our temple?”

The trail of water came from the large slab of ice, having been melted by the fire set in the cavern below.

“We must be near the top of the mountain,” Inuyasha said, stepping closer to the temple. “It probably sunk straight down.”

“More than that,” Zengoro corrected. “We’ve climbed right into the belly of the dormant volcano. I’ve never heard of such a tunnel within the body of these mountains. Who could have created it?”

“Guess there’s no way to know,” Inuyasha said, moving closer to the shrine. “A better question would be, ‘how are we gonna get up there?’”

“You’re not,” said a voice from the shadows.

******************************************************************************

A/N: Almost all of the characters in this story are brought to you by the genius of Rumiko Takahashi, and the letters O, V & E. I do not own the characters, they own me.

Hi again everyone! We’re getting so close that I decided to leave you with a little cliffie of death (Mwah-hah-haaaah....) I got some negative feedback for the last lemon... sorry to disappoint! Coming up next is some good fightin’ so I’ll see you then!

Fran - Yay! I’m so glad you’re enjoying my little story. (Little she says... chapter 23 people! Waa-hoo!) I hope this chapter pleases too. It ended up in a totally different place than I’d envisioned, but hey! Those damn plot bunnies can’t be stopped, I tell ya!

AngelEvie - I’m trying to! I hope this is a worthy chapter!

PJ - Hey there! I missed ya! Kouga *thinks* he’s not done trying for Kagome, but before he can go after her again.... I’ve said too much already! I really liked how that scene ended up, and although it would be fun to release some frustration on the wolf, I like him too much to hurt him! It’ll all be in his one-shot, I promise! I’m glad you liked my hentai mind at work... it’s fun!

New Fan - Okay, normally I wouldn’t answer a question like this, because of the whole suspense factor. However, I will assure you that I am a HUGE fan of happy endings, and am only occasionally drawn to the darker side of life. I’m using my force, Luke! Besides, how could I do a sequel without my heros? (It’s alive!) ;)

cjflutterbye - Your name is so cute!!! Sess is such a hoot, isn’t he? He just assumes everyone will do what he wants, but he knows how to play the game. I love the Sess-man! I hope you liked my brain lint!

Diane - Yay me! I’d like to win, but if I don’t, I won’t be disappointed. I love to let characters actually grow and develop because it’s so rare to see it on tv or in a series. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is great about that, and I adore that show because of it! I’m glad I’m still inspiring you and I can’t wait to see what you’re working on now! (Yay us!)

Inuzands - One happy ending, coming right up! I’m a sucker for ‘em! Thanks for continuing to read! I love the reviews!

Kumiko - Ooh! I’m glad you enjoyed the cookie! I baked it especially for you, ya know. ;) Enjoy the chapter!

Stuey - It’s so hard to get these to you ahead of time! I usually post them as soon as I finish them. I’m sorry you weren’t impressed with the lemon. I wasn’t trying to rush, but the current situation just didn’t really lend itself to something more wild and passionate. I’ll try better next time! There will be 25 chapters total... we’re almost there! The one-shots will begin right after that!

Rikki Bowersox - I try and update sometime between Friday and Monday pretty regularly. I’ll e-mail ya when I sign back on to aol! (I’m on Netscape right now... it’s easier!) Thanks for reading and thanks even more for reviewing!

Vikki - Aw, I’m sorry! I hope your brother is feeling better! I always know you’re gonna review, I just can’t wait to read what you have to say! I’m glad you enjoyed the lemon... I’ve had people tell me it was too rushed and another say that their passion is dying! (NO!!!) MUST TRY HARDER!!! Enjoy!

Inuficcrzy - I hope this pleases!

Juice - More, coming right up! With cookies!

Lori - Yay! Thanks for the encouragement! I love it! Keep enjoying the story, and I promise to do my best to make it entertaining!