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The Hunt For The Shikon No Tama	By : Ericedwyn Category: InuYasha > General Views: 2114 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
TITLE:  The Hunt for the Shikon no Tama
Author:  Ericedwyn
Disclaimer:  Inuyasha and all his friends were created and lovingly brought to life by Rumiko Takahashi.  I am merely celebrating them.
A/N:  All text in ‘___’ are thought expressions, **__** are from comm links, and ~__~ are telepathic messages.
Prologue IV: Loss

~* Outside of You Han Nin City, Six years ago *~
“But Mama, I can do “It” and purify as many as I can.” Kagome offered, ready to help. “It” being the simple pet name she coined for her terrifying purifying circle, at the age of six.
“No, Kagome.” Kaede replied, a little exasperated. “Stay here with the others.”
“But Mama, I want to help,” the eleven year old persisted.
“No, and that’s final.” Kaede gave her youngest child her most fearful and sternest look, before she ran ahead.
“Go to where the children are. Please hurry!” Kaede shouted as she passed a human woman with two small hanyou children in her arms, who were on their way to You Han Nin City as they were leaving it. The Miko pointed to The Hunter Pack children.
Kaede ran until she was about a hundred feet from the others, and began her assessment of the incoming invasion. She loosely notched three arrows to her bow, as she singled out the key youkai to take out first.
Kenjiro stuffed his thirteen year old son’s hands with ofudas. “Miroku, Kikyou, Kagome! Raise a barrier. Sango, Shippou! Help and protect the civilians.” He commanded, as he ran to take a stand to the left of Kaede, halfway between his teammate and the children—his staff, ringing as he did so.
**Kenjiro to Meiyo… do you read me? 80 plus lower youkai heading towards You Han Nin City. ETA four point five minutes. Over.**
**Copy that.** He heard Meiyo reply. **I have visual. Kirara and I are two minutes away. I’ve alerted Sesshoumaru-sama and the city’s security. Be careful, they have a saimyoushou hive. Over.**
Kenjiro cursed under his breath at the mention of the hive. A word of warning, from three years past, came unbidden into his mind. “From this point on, using your Kazaana will determine whether you live or die.” The monk Mushin had warned him, when he sought help the last time.
**Copy. Thanks for the warning. Over.** He ran his fingertips over the covered palm of his right hand, as if it itched.
The trip to You Han Nin City, the first and largest of the three mixed race cities in the Western Lands that Touga had founded as refuge for mixed families, was a routine quarterly trip for Kaede and Kenjiro to feed the barriers with their spiritual powers. It was a time when they let the kids run around and just be kids, and the kids came today unarmed.
Kenjiro checked behind him. The pack children flanked the civilian family in the barrier like a cross with Kagome up front, powering the large barrier she had erected. He saw the barrier crackled with energy after Miroku placed a fourth ofuda on the wall of the barrier, before his son let him know the barrier was all set. Miroku then positioned himself at Kagome’s left. Kikyou took the right side, on standby to take over for Kagome, if needed, and to be another set of eyes inside the barrier. Sango, with her back to the rest at the rear, watched out for any activity behind them and any at You Han Nin City, which had raised their alarms and was in complete lock down. He heard Shippou give the human woman some comforting words as she let the kitsune take hold of one of her children.
He turned around and called out to his teammate up front. “Kaede. The barrier is set.”
“Good.” She glanced back and met Kenjiro’s eyes, and immediately knew what he was thinking. They had just powered up the barriers with their spiritual powers. They were not in full form. The Miko felt a knot form in her stomach.
“We’ll do what we need to do,” the priest voiced gravely, as he watched the back of Kaede’s head nod forward.
“Let’s reposition. Kenjiro take center, and Kaede, Kirara, and I will flank you ahead.” Meiyo went to say as he flew over them on Kirara to give his commands. He delivered a full quiver to Kaede, who pulled the sling over her head. “Sesshoumaru-sama is on his way. He is nearest to us, but he is still coming from the Eastern Lands.” He turned to Kaede as he hovered. “Let’s engage and move the fight further away from Kenjiro’s defense line.” Meiyo gave his comrade a wink, before readying Hiraikotsu. “Ladies first.”
Kaede met Kenjiro’s eyes, and then took a last look towards the children behind the barrier. With a nod at Meiyo, the Miko raised her bow, carefully aimed, and pulled the bowstring taut before releasing the arrows with tips lit with purified light, taking out three youkai leading the attack. She ran forward as she reached back into the nearest quiver.
Meiyo sped forward and released Hiraikotsu soon after the first arrows flew.
After a brief prayer, Kenjiro drew an invisible rectangle in the air--12 feet by 9--with his staff in front of him, and raised a holy barrier wall he could move and manipulate to work as a purifying shield.
~*~
When Sesshoumaru solidified from his ball of light, he saw red at the sight of Kagome being catapulted in the air, through her barrier, by a burrowing youkai who was in the middle of being purified. He heard the girl land in a thud, which seemed to echo in his ears, near Kenjiro, who quickly removed the seal and cover of his wind tunnel to suck both youkai and saimyoushou that closely swarmed around them.
The inuyoukai’s eyes tainted even deeper red when the metallic smell of the young girl’s blood reached his nose, and the beast inside compelled him to attack and quickly rid all the invading youkai in sight until all that were left were tattered bits and parts, falling like tainted rain to the ground.
Meiyo grabbed Kaede by the arm as he swooped by her, and pulled her up to sit behind him on Kirara, and made their way to the others. They were too busy keeping youkai from moving pass them to have seen Kagome and Kenjiro’s plight.
They watched as ahead of them, Kagome and Miroku loomed over Kenjiro, who writhed in pain, his covered, cursed hand clutched tightly in his other. Miroku pulled the rosary from Kenjiro’s wrist to wound it around his father’s cursed hand, while Kagome placed her pain-free hand on the priest’s arm to send healing energy to hopefully stay the spread of the poison from the saimyoushou Kenjiro sucked in and to help with the pain.
Kikyou, who had taken charge of the barrier protecting the rest after Kagome was pushed out of it, dispersed it finally, and ran towards Kagome. She had felt her little sister’s stark pain when she landed, and she could still feel her in pain. “Kagome-chan!”
“I’m fine, Onee-chan. In some pain, but fine. Brief Mom and Uncle Meiyo.” Kagome replied while concentrating on the healing.
Sesshoumaru teleported by Kenjiro’s side, gave Kagome a quick glance over and discreet sniff, before he lifted the priest to his feet and supported him. Kagome stood up to keep her connection to Kenjiro. “I will take Kenjiro and Kagome back. Take care of the rest here, and return quickly,” the inuyoukai commanded to Kaede and Meiyo who were making their descent.
Kagome had seen Miroku’s look of anguish, and silently met the daiyoukai’s eyes before she glanced at Miroku.
“Come.” Sesshoumaru called out to Miroku and gestured for him to come closer, then immediately pushed them up in the air with his youki before a bright light enveloped them and they sped away.
As soon as Kirara landed, Meiyo immediately made his way to the civilians, Shippou, and his daughter. Kikyou covered the steps towards her mother to fill her in on what had happened.
~*~
Shortly after arriving in the Infirmary, Sesshoumaru left to collect the antidote, while the children made the unconscious Kenjiro more comfortable on his hospital bed.
The daiyoukai returned quickly and injected the antidote on Kenjiro’s arm. “Keep watch on your father while I tend to Kagome.” Sesshoumaru commanded, then led the young girl to the next room and lifted her to sit on the edge of the hospital bed.
Kagome winced as he began to peel the cardigan off her left shoulder. Blood and stripped skin clung to the fabric, while fabric clung to her skin. Sesshoumaru turned to gather medical supplies from the drawers and cabinets behind him, and began to tear at packets of sterile antibacterial wipes.
“No broken bones.” Sesshoumaru murmured as he cleansed the area and peeled more of her cardigan off.
“I was able to plan my landing a little.” Kagome said in a strained voice, as the daiyoukai worked the cardigan slowly off her arm.
“Describe your pain and level.”
“The most pain is from my upper arm just below my shoulder. There’s pain shooting down from my shoulder to my fingers. I do have a little soreness on the outside of my thigh and calf from where I landed also, but I think my jeans probably helped. My pain level is 5.”
Sesshoumaru searched her eyes. “Do you want something for the pain?”
“No. It’s not really so bad. My pain tolerance is getting higher and higher, I guess.” Kagome suddenly joked. “I bet one day, childbirth would be a breeze.”
Something flickered in Sesshoumaru’s eyes, but Kagome could not catch and identify it, as the young man quickly turned away to grab gauze behind him.
“My upper arm is probably going to be black and blue later…”
“As dark as your uniform, I am sure.” Sesshoumaru gave her a small smirk as he turned, then softly applied a cool salve from her shoulder to her hand. He covered the more tattered area with layers of gauze squares, then begun to wrap a long length of gauze bandage around her arm.
“Thank you, Sensei. I feel better already.” Kagome gave Sesshoumaru a bright smile. Kagome regularly asked all who tended her in the infirmary to make her laugh to help her through any healing, procedure, or shots. She especially liked it when she didn’t have to ask for one and a joke was freely given, and most especially when Sesshoumaru would try. Although, he would only do so when no one else was around.
“Sesshoumaru-sensei?”
“Hn.”
“Uncle Kenjiro used his Kazaana. Is he going to be alright?” Kagome asked worriedly.
Kenjiro had been sidelined and kept away from field duty during the last three years due to the Kazaana’s size. Each year, it grew, and grew even larger when used on a large scale. Kenjiro had just done that and sucked in poisonous insects as well.
Sesshoumaru continued wrapping until he tied the bandage to secure it, then looked straight into the young girl’s eyes. “This Sesshoumaru… does not know.”
~*~
Kenjiro’s eyes fluttered open, and slowly turned his head to look at his surroundings. Outside one of the windows, whose blinds were not yet shut, it was dark, and he glanced up at the wall clock that displayed “10:57”. He glanced down his body and saw the top of his son’s head, pillowed by his arm on his bed. On the other side, Kagome did the same.
Kenjiro reached out to pet Kagome’s hair, and when she stirred awake, he asked, “What are you doing here, Sweetie? You should be in bed.”
“I wanted to make sure you were okay.” Kagome stood up and leaned towards him. “Do you need anything, Uncle? Water? Something for the pain?”
“Maybe some water….” Kenjiro scooted up a little on the bed, but stopped when he espied the bandages peeking from Kagome’s sweater. “Wait. How are you? You fell pretty hard earlier.”
“I’m okay. It looks worse than it is.” Kagome chuckled, and stood to pour some water from a pitcher to a plastic cup with her good hand. She dropped a straw into the cup before she held it out to Kenjiro.
Kenjiro sipped until the cup was empty, and Kagome refilled it for him, but left the cup by the stand near the bed when Kenjiro shook his head.
“I’m sorry,” the young girl said after a moment.
Kenjiro frowned as he turned to her. “For what?”
“You had to use your Kazaana today.” Kagome said in a very small voice.
Kenjiro reached for her hand. “Sweetie, you don’t have to be sorry for that.”
“That’s what I told her earlier.” Miroku yawned as he straightened up on his chair. “Kagome-chan didn’t believe me.”
Kenjiro smiled at his son, and then squeezed Kagome’s hand. “I used it to protect all of us. No one was at fault… well, except those youkai who attacked us.”
“But…”
The priest interrupted immediately. “If I have a do over, I would do the exact same thing. It was the only thing I could have used to protect us all quickly.”
Kenjiro grabbed Miroku’s hand in his free one. “You both did well today. I’m very proud of you and the other children. You all stepped up today to protect that family.”
Kenjiro gazed at the children’s hands in his, and prayed. ‘Kami-sama, please help us defeat Naraku soon, so these kids won’t have to be a part of this anymore.”

~* The Hunting Pack's HQ, Five years ago *~
The sun was beginning to set when Kenjiro and Miroku made it back to HQ. After dropping off their luggage at their residential apartment and groceries in the kitchen, they headed towards the Control Room.
“How are things up here?” Kenjiro asked the lone occupant sitting at one of the communications station.
“Uncle Kenjiro! Miroku-kun! Welcome back! I thought you weren’t coming back home until another week or so.” Kagome scrambled out of her chair to hug the two new arrivals.
“Dad missed you guys.” Miroku joked.
“Just Uncle?” Kagome elbowed the fourteen year old.
The teen grinned in response. “Where is everyone?” Miroku asked.
“Oh yeah, you two left just before they did, but Touga-otousama and Mama are on their working honeymoon, beefing up the barriers in the Western Lands. It’s been about 10 weeks, so they should be back in two weeks.” Kagome reported as she counted off people with her fingers. “Kouga-dono is still in the Northern Lands, dealing with clan stuff. I’m not sure when he will be back though. Onee-chan and Inuyasha are at You Han Nin City. Uncle Meiyo and his family are visiting their village and will be back early next week. Sesshoumaru-sensei is probably still helping Shippou prepare for his upcoming exam.”
“Seems like things have been quiet.” Miroku said as he and his father scanned through the electronic logs at one of the stations.
“Yeah. We’ve managed to take care of things… Well, mostly Sensei and Inuyasha have.”
“Well, we picked up some groceries. I’ll start dinner. Why don’t you meet us in the dining hall in about 45 minutes?” Kenjiro smiled. “Let Shippou know.”
“He’s gonna make oden, Kagome-chan.”
“Oden!” Kagome exclaimed, as her eyes glazed over. “That would be heaven, Uncle! Inuyasha has been feeding Onee-chan, Shippou, and I mostly instant ramen since Uncle Meiyo and his family left.”
~*~
Kagome and Shippou walked into the dining hall, but nothing yet was laid out, so Kagome went to check the kitchen. Through the glass windows of the double doors to the kitchen, she caught the sight of Kenjiro comforting his crying son in his arms. Kagome took a few steps away from the windows, and leaned against the wall beside one of the doors.
“I’m scared, Dad…” She heard Miroku’s muffled voice.
“I’m scared too, Son, but let’s spend as much time as we can together.”
The twelve year old girl sadly contemplated what she had just seen and heard, and wept.

~* The Hunting Pack's HQ, A few weeks later *~
Kenjiro felt the gnashing that came from deep within the wind tunnel that made its way steadily to the palm of his right hand. With his other hand, he shakily pulled an envelope from the inside of his jacket… one that he carried for some time and would sometimes take out to add to the letter it contained. He clutched it to his chest.
The monk quickly made his way to the blue dojo, where he knew his superior was conducting training, and announced himself before he slid the door open to step in.
“Sesshoumaru-sama. It’s time.” The priest said, in a very unusually calm voice, while his body shook.
Kagome gasped and immediately ran towards him. “Uncle Kenjiro…” She hugged him tightly.
Kenjiro hugged her back, and then pushed her at arm’s length, to look straight into her eyes. “Miroku wants to leave with me.” Kenjiro begged. “He has to live.”
“Please give this to Miroku…” He placed the envelope in Kagome’s hand. “…after.”
Sesshoumaru somberly walked past the two, and waited for Kenjiro to step through the threshold. They would go to the designated safe zone Touga had set up for Kenjiro, which was outside of the HQ’s barrier.
Kenjiro looked back towards Kagome. “Please tell Miroku that I love him very much and that I will watch over him and all of you.”
Kagome followed out to stand by the doors of the dojo, and watched as the two men neared the exit at one far end of the hallway.
“Dad!” Miroku called out, as he jogged down the hallway from the opposite end of the hallway. “Wait up!”
Kagome turned at his voice, surprised. The preteen barely had time to lash her arm out to hook around his the moment the teen reached her.
“Just the person I was looking for! I need help.” She said breathlessly, as she dragged him towards where he came from, just as she heard the sound of the door closing down the other end of the hallway.
“Hey, can it wait? I have to talk to Dad.” Miroku tried to pull away, but Kagome tightened her hold.
“No, it can’t. I really need you to come with me.” She pulled, but she could not hide the panicked look on her face.
The look gave him pause, and then everything dawned on him. “No!” Miroku violently trashed and made every effort to pry his arm from the girl. “Let me go!” He gave a strangled cry. “I want to go with him!”
“No! He wants you to live!” She choked out, as she fought to keep her hold.
Miroku freed himself and ran, but Kagome caught up and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, the envelope she held crumpled in her tight fist.
A blinding light from outside flared through the windows, and they had to look away. It followed with a surge of energy that prickled the hair on their skin.
“Dad!” Miroku screamed out, and then bawled. ‘You can’t leave me…”
The teen fell to his knees, and Kagome followed, as she kept her hold from behind him. She sorrowed against his back, various forms of “sorry” fell endlessly from her lips.
And the young one left behind wailed, the brokenness in his cries echoed through the hallway. A moment later, the teen felt a sensation underneath his covered, sealed hand that suddenly burned and erupted open into the unwanted Kazaana in the middle of his right palm. From sheer painful torment, both from his father’s death and the physical emergence of the curse, Miroku blacked out.

To be continued
Glossary:
Kami-sama – God, deity
Otousama – very formal for father
Saimyoushou – Naraku’s youkai wasps aka “Poisonous Insects of Hell”
- 5
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The Hunt For The Shikon No Tama