#shosetsu inuyasha

[naominotaisho]

Kagome meeting Inuyasha for the first time...

(Fragments taken from the novelization: Shosetsu Inuyasha).

(A boy…?)

It was a boy. He looked tall and slender, and about the same age as Kagome. He was standing leaned against the trunk of Goshinboku, bathed in the sun streaming diagonally through the branches. What she’d seen as fire was a scarlet garment and pants, what she’d seen as smoke was beautiful silver hair that extended down his back.

What was strange was that his body was wrapped in many of Goshinboku’s thick roots.

It was as though Goshinboku had captured him.

When she got closer, Kagome let out a small gasp. (An arrow! A white-feathered arrow!) A single arrow was pierced into the boy’s left breast. The arrow looked like it had been weathering the elements for quite a long time. Nevertheless, the boy wore a very calm expression, with his eyes closed quietly. He looked like an innocent sleeping child, with his head slightly tilted and bathed in the sunlight filtered through the tree…. It was a peculiar sight.

But Kagome got the feeling that she’d seen something like this before. Where? An illustration in a picture book a long time ago? A picture of a martyr she saw in a church? Or something she saw in a long-forgotten dream…?

“Um… what are you doing?" She asked this assuming he was asleep, but the boy didn’t budge. His scarlet clothing appeared to be stained in a few spatters of blood.

As if guided by some unseen force, Kagome climbed onto the thick roots entwining the boy in order to get closer.

“Hello…?” she attempted again a little closer, but again there was no response.

Kagome examined the boy’s face. She wouldn’t call him handsome, but he was unblemished. His eyebrows gave her the impression that he was strong-willed. Lashes long enough to cast a shadow on his face… When the sunlight filtered through the trees, his silver hair shimmered like a million stars.

(I wonder who he is…)

[naominotaisho]

El verdadero bello durmiente <3

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[naominotaisho]

Shōsetsu InuYasha:

Translation By: Patches

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Chapter 11: Soul Transfer 1 When Sakasagami no Yura had struck her with that inferno, Kagome was so terrified that she couldn’t move.  All she could do was crouch on the ground, wrap the cloak that Inuyasha had lent her around herself, and curl in on herself while she tried to withstand the heat of the flames. (Am I finally going to die now?  I’ll never see Mama, Jii-chan, or Souta again…)  But after a few dozen seconds had passed, Kagome began to think it strange.  The flames were burning brightly around her, but Kagome had no sensation of her body being burned.

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Inuyasha’s clothing was like some sort of ultra-high performance fireproof outfit. She wondered how much time had passed.  When the flames subsided and she tentatively peeked her head out from other the cloak, Kagome realized that Inuyasha’s cloak really had protected her.  The ground around her had changed color due to being burned at a high temperature, and there was no trace of any of the grass and trees that had been growing there, yet Kagome herself was unharmed.  Not even a single burn.  Thanks to Inuyasha’s fire rat cloak…! (Inuyasha… That’s right, what happened to Inuyasha?!)  When Kagome looked out into the valley, she was appalled at what she saw.  Yura’s nest had fallen to pieces, with skull-laden bundles of hair streaming out in all directions.  In the midst of this, she could see even at this distance that Inuyasha had been injured.  Yura had him cornered and was taunting him. (I want to go and help him!) she thought, but all her ideas felt futile.  (But… if there is something I can do, I want to help Inuyasha!) Something that Kagome could do.  That would be shooting arrows, and seeing things that other people couldn’t see.  In this situation, there had to be some way to make use of that, right…?

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At that moment, there was a glimmer of light at the edge of her vision.  “…?!"  When she looked again, one of the skulls atop Yura’s nest was glowing. (The main line of the hair that Yura controls… The light looks the same…)  She tried staring at it harder.  The light became steadily clearer.  Ah… it wasn’t the skull that was glowing.  She was able to see that there was something glowing inside of it. (Here I go.)  Kagome resolved herself.  The place where the glowing thing was was awfully high up.  On top of that, the only way up would be to climb the skull-laden bundles of hair.  She was scared just imagining it.  Her legs were frozen.   Even so, she’d still thought to herself, ‘here I go’.  Right now, this was all she could do.  She couldn’t stand forcing Inuyasha to have to face hardship all by himself.

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2 (Why?!  She should have been burned to death by my “Onibigushi”, so why is that woman unharmed?!)  Yura was confused.  Regardless of how much spiritual power she had, she wasn’t an oni or a powerful youkai.  She was just an ordinary human, so why?!  Even so, right now that woman was currently making her way up the hair on Yura’s nest.  Why? Could she have seen it?  No, that wasn’t possible.  Even so, she had to stop her.  Right now. “Die!"  Using her red comb, Yura broke off a piece from a nearby bundle of hair.  The bundles of hair the woman was clinging to undulated, and she let out a terrified shriek. (All right, I’ll make you fall with the next one).  When Yura attempted to dissipate the bundle of hair again, "What’re you doing looking away from me?!”

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Inuyasha suddenly came and slashed her across the back.  Not wanting to miss the opportunitiy, he’d drawn out Benigasumi, which had been lodged in his hand.  How dare a mere hanyou use her precious Benigasumi! With a darkly swelling anger, she shouted, “You be quiet!"  Yura manipulated her hair and flung Inuyasha against the rocks.  Naturally she retrieved Benigasumi right away.  "Hmph.” Thanks to having delivered a powerful blow, Inuyasha gained a fearless smile.  “Cutting or stabbing you does no good, but now you’re strangely in a hurry.  Is there something bad where that woman’s going?” Bingo.  But she wouldn’t let him see her distress.  She’d deal with the hanyou later, but she had to kill the woman first.  That’s what Yura had decided.

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3 The bundles of hair from Yura’s nest were frighteningly difficult to climb.  The surface was oddly slippery, and trembled and swayed each time Kagome applied her weight.  Not to mention there were skulls strewn about.  There was a pungent stench that was a mixture of blood, dirt, and rotting flesh… Thorough all that, Kagome continued to climb while encouraging herself.  (All right, just a little further to the glowing skull…) When she thought that, suddenly one of the strands of hair began swaying completely differently from before.  Violently, as if trying to throw Kagome off.  “Eek!"  She desperately clung to the bundle of hair, and somehow managed not to fall.  Her chest was pounding, and it felt like all the blood had drained from her body. (Has Yura discovered me?!)  When she turned around, she saw both Yura and Inuyasha looking her way, talking about something.

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“Inuyasha!!” Kagome called to him in a loud voice, pointing up towards the glowing skull.  “That skull… there’s something in that skull!!” “Tch!"  Yura clicked her tongue and leapt into the air. "Wait, Yura!  You’re not getting away!"  Inuyasha ripped apart the bundles of hair binding him with his strength alone, and lept high in the air after her. (I’ve gotta hurry and get to that skull.)  Kagome desperately tried to clamber up the hair, but she wasn’t able to.  Yura had leapt to the nest above Kagome, and shouted, "Kushi no Ori!(1)” and lifted her left hand high above her head.  Following the movement of Yura’s hand, all of the bundles of hair began to move.  They seemed to be haphazardly going this way and that, but they lifted up all at once, stretching high into the air.  Almost like they were coming together to form some kind of warped Christmas tree. (1) “Comb Cage”, but like with “Kushi no Kago”, is written as “Hair Cage”.

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It was decorated with skulls in place of a star, bells, and tinsel, so it was a rather creepy tree. The writhing, growing bundles of hair wrapped around Inuyasha’s body as he charged at Yura, dragging him inside.  Kagome was also dragged inside the writhing bundle of hair against her will.  “….!” The inside of Yura’s nest-turned-tree was hollow.  The long, overlapping hairs wiggled with a light rustle.  The scent of blood, dirt, and decay was even stronger here.  It felt like being in the belly of a beast. The hair that Kagome was just barely clining to gave a large jolt, and Kagome’s hand began to slip, threatening to drop her.  “Ugh!"  She frantically stretched out her hand, trying to grab onto the hair.  Her right hand touched something solid, so she grabbed onto that. Thank goodness, she thought… but when she looked up, Kagome saw that she’d stuck her fingers in the eye socket of a skull.  "Eeeew!  I touched it!”  

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She instinctively shuddered. “If you don’t like it, then let it go."  Yura came rushing from above her at a violent speed.  "You’ll be in the same state soon enough!"  Yura threw her sword at Kagome with a whizz. ”…!“  It was impossible to dodge.  It landed a direct hit on Kagome’s right upper arm.  Kagome cried out as an indescribable pain and shock ran through her.  (My arm….!)  Her arm had been cut off!  Ahh, my arm!  My arm! "Yes!"  Yura’s voice faded into the distance as Kagome fell.  Down, down, down, into the cavern within the tree made over multitudes of overlapping hairs. But her fall suddenly halted.  It was Yura.  The hairs she was manipulating wrapped around Kagome’s arms and lifted her up. ”…?!“  Before she realized it, Yura’s questioning face was in front of her.

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“Just what are you?  Why aren’t you injured?” “Huh?"  When she was told this, she looked with a gasp and saw that her right arm was not cut.  It was still stuck to her shoulder just as it always had been ever since she was born. (I’m not cut…?)  It still hurt, though.  But it wasn’t pain from a cut, it was pain from being struck by the sword.  She’d probably be nursing a big blue bruise there in a while.   (Is it thanks to this cloak that I wasn’t cut?)  Kagome examined the crimson cloak wrapped snugly around her.  Inuyasha had said that it was stronger than basic armor.  Just like back in the flames, she was sure that it was this cloak that had protected her this time as well. "It’s strange.  Your body is that of a mere human as far as I can see…"  Yura, not knowing about the power of the cloak, observed Kagome with a tilted head.  But, it seemed that she felt it was useless to just think about it.  "If the sword won’t work, let’s see if this will!” Shuun!  Yura moved the fingers of her left hand, and a strand of hair wrapped around Kagome’s neck.  It was very thin, but also a ridiculously strong hair.  It was the same hair that had taken those soldier’s heads, arms, and legs in a single instant.

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The hair that had killed those sparrows in flight.  That was the hair that was currently around Kagome’s neck.  Yura tightened the hair.  A sharp pain ran through her neck as blood began to spurt out. (She’s gonna kill me!  No!  I don’t want to die!  No… no… Help me!!) “Hijin Kessou!!” Inuyasha’s voice came suddenly.  Crescent-shaped blades made of blood came flying in with a roar, cutting off Yura’s left arm at the elbow.  At the same time, the hair broke away from Kagome’s neck. “Impossible!"  Yura’s eyes went wide, unable to believe what happened.   When Kagome looked up, she could see Inuyasha’s figure from between the overlapping bundles of hair.  "Inuyasha…"  When Kagome called out to him, her voice was small and hoarse.   She… made it out alive.  When she thought that, her body’s strength was sapped, and felt like her energy had gone somewhere far away. "Don’t pass out!  I’m not gonna look after you!”

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Inuyasha leapt down and firmly grabbed Kagome’s hand.  Contrary to his blunt words, his hand wrapped around Kagome’s firmly and warmly. (Inuyasha’s hand… is so warm…)  It wasn’t just her hand, but like he’d wrapped her fearfully trembling heart in warmth.  Kagome put all her strength into her own hand, gripping Inuyasha’s hand back firmly. Rumble rumble.  Something that sounded like a seismic roar reverberated, and Yura’s nest began to sway. “Wh, what is it?!” “Yura’s nest is collapsing!"  The overlapping bundles of hair trembled, and the skulls chattered their teeth as the nest suddenly began to collapse.  Caught in the middle of it, Kagome and Inuyasha fell as well.  All while firmly holding each other’s hands… "Heh, looks like with both her arms gone, she can’t hold up the hair anymore,” Inuyasha said while falling.  

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“She was stubborn, but this is it for her.” But it wasn’t over yet.  Benigasumi came flying through the air with a whizz, stabbing into the pit of Inuyasha’s stomach.  Firmly gripping the handle was Yura’s severed right hand.  Another spurt of blood erupted from Inuyasha’s already blood-stained white kimono. 4 The two of them hit the ground along with the skulls.  “Dammit!"  Inuyasha made his annoyance clear as he got up.  Right next to him, the woman who had fallen with him appeared to be looking around searching for something while her face was marred with the pain from the fall.   There was nothing but skulls surrounding them.  The skulls with which Yura had formed her nest.  The pitiful people whom Yura had killed… "Where are you, Yura!” Inuyasha yelled angrily.

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“You’re a fool, Inuyasha,” Yura’s voice came in return. “….!"  When he looked, he saw Yura standing atop a mountain of densely-packed skulls. "You thought I couldn’t do anything with my arms cut off?"  Benigasumi withdrew itself from Inuyasha’s stomach and floated next to a smugly smiling Yura, awaiting its next order. Inuyasha couldn’t believe it.  (Both arms are cut off, there’s a hole in her chest…  With so much damage she can still control the hair?  And she’s still alive?!) As if to answer his question, Yura said, "I’m immortal!"  Triumphantly, Yura thrust Benigasumi at Inuyasha again.  The cold blade shone in the moonlight, and the oni sword steadily approached him. However, suddenly, the sword stopped in the air.  ”…?!“

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Yura looked like she’d received a severe shock, her eyes wide and her body rigid. (What happened…?!)  Looking around, he noticed that the woman wearing the fire rat cloak was holding one of the skulls.  With a serious expression, she was trying to stab an arrow into it.  (Did she find that skull she mentioned before?!) “The hairs coming out of this skull are attached to Yura’s hands!"  Whether she was talking to Inuyasha or herself, she continued to intently stab the arrowhead into the skull.  With a crack, a small crack appeared in the skull’s crown. "Ugh!"  Yura let out a muffled groan.  Yura’s previous triumphant expression now gave way to intense anger.  "I’ll kill that woman!"  She recalled Benigasumi from where it hung in the air pointed at Inuyasha.  Now she flew straight at the woman. "Look out!"  The woman was too absorbed with stabbing the arrow to notice.

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Benigasumi’s sharp, cold blade was headed straight for her head. Right then, the arrow completely pierced the skull.  The skull split in two with a loud shatter.  Inside the skull was a comb.  The tiny comb was a transparent white, likely made of bone. “A comb!!"  Inuyasha’s eyes widened.  The arrow had split that comb in half. Paaaaan…!  At that moment, a dim light burst out.  A gasp came from Yura’s throat.  The oni woman who had boasted of being immortal was floating in the air stiff and wide-eyed. And then… Benigasumi fell to the ground with a clatter.  Like a candle going out, Yura’s figure vanished.  All that was left was her black leather kimono and red ribbon flapping in the wind.

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5 Kagome sat in dazed disbelief for quite a while.  The terrifying oni woman was no more.  She was gone for good. “That damned Yura… she transferred her soul into that comb,” Inuyasha said.  “That’s why no matter how much I cut or stabbed her, it didn’t do anything.” “Inuyasha!"  Kagome returned to her senses and came running to Inuyasha.  "Inuyasha, you’re… horribly injured."  Inuyasha’s white kimono was completely red.  She wondered just how many cut’s he’d received.  She hadn’t realized it was this bad until now.  "It’s all because you lent me your robe…"  Inuyasha had to have known that back when he lent her his fire rat cloak back at the well shrine.  Giving away his cloak meant that he would get injured.

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He knew that, and yet Inuyasha had turned over his cloak to Kagome.  He’d been concerned for her safety. “Thank you for this…"  Kagome gently took off the fire rat cloak and returned it to Inuyasha. "Yeah."  Inuyasha was as blunt as ever. "Hey… we need to get you patched up.” “This is nothing.  More importantly, where’s the Shikon no Tama?!” “Oh…"  Kagome spotted it next to Yura’s kimono.  She knew its light by now.  "Got it."  She retrieved the charm bag from between the kimono and sash.  From within it, she held the tiny shard in the palm of her hand. (Collecting the rest of them… I wonder just how many there are…)  Just a little earlier, it had felt hopeless.  A bit overwhelming.  (But I think we’ll be okay) Kagome thought.

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(If I’m with Inuyasha, I’ll be okay.)  She had no basis for that, but that’s what Kagome thought.  She remembered when they were bounding across forests and fields chasing after Shibugarasu while she rode on Inuyasha’s back.  That she was oddly unafraid. (Back then, I thought it was because I was desperate.  But that probably wasn’t the case…)  She wasn’t afraid because she was with Inuyasha.  That had to be it… Lost in her thoughts, she turned around with a gasp when she heard Inuyasha say, “Let’s go, Kagome.” “Eh…?"  She looked at him blankly while Inuyasha scowled awkwardly. "What?” “You called me Kagome…  It’s the first time you’ve said my name…” “So what?"  Inuyasha scowled further. "Don’t you think that means we’re getting along better?”

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When Kagome leaned in to examine his face, Inuyasha turned his head to look away in a huff. “Keh.  Don’t get too excited.  Who’d get along with a stupid woman like you?"  Even though his words were harsh, this time she was able to smile when she heard them. "What?  We’re safe because of me!"  Kagome gave him a slap on the back, and Inuyasha’s face contorted with a gasp as he fell over onto the ground.  "Wait, what’s this about?!  If it hurts, you need to tell me!” “Shaddup."  Kagome looked on in amazement at Inuyasha’s unrelenting stubbornness. Can’t be helped.  He really was violent, selfish, mean, quick to anger, and refused to listen to others.  "But we’ll be okay,” she whispered to herself, smiling.  And things would be okay.  As long as she was with Inuyasha. END

[naominotaisho]

Shōsetsu InuYasha:

Translation By: Patches

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Chapter 10: Dilemma 1 When Inuyasha saw the reincarnated miko engulfed in the flames of “Onibigushi”, despite handling all the pain up until now in a collected manner, his face showed signs of distress for the first time. (Oh, how interesting.)  Yura loved watching someone being forced to show emotion.  She preferred watching anger, sadness, and hatred, however. “There aren’t even bones left of that woman."  She figured she’d try saying something to prod him even further. As she’d expected, Inuyasha shouted, "You bitch!” which pleased Yura immensely to see him boiling with anger.

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“Are you sad that that woman is dead?  Aww, poor thing."  Naturally, it’s not like she actually felt sorry for him.  Yura generally had no understanding of feeling "sorry” for anyone other than herself.  “Don’t worry.  Soon enough I’ll be sending you to the next world to join her!” When Yura rushed at him with Benigasumi drawn, Inuyasha curled the fingers of his right hand.  The sharp claws glinted. (Hah, still trying to resist) thought Yura, but, Inuyasha made an unexpected move.  He stuck those sharp claws into his own chest.  Yura was startled momentarily to see his blood stain his clothes. (Don’t tell me he’s so upset at that woman’s death that he’s trying to kill himself, But that wasn’t it.  Inuyasha drew his blood-stained fingers from his chest and shouted, “Take this!  Hijin Kessou!!” and swung down his right arm.

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The spray of blood flew through the air in a crescent shape. (Blades of blood?!)  Yura hurriedly tried to dodge, but she was a moment too late.  The blades of blood came flying with a howl and sliced off Yura’s sword-wielding right hand at the wrist. “…!  My hand…"  Yura looked at her right arm, which now had nothing beyond the wrist, and felt a bit sad.  She felt sorry for herself that this had happened to her.  And that she couldn’t forgive that terrible hanyou who did this to her. "Heh, without your hand, you can’t control your hair, either.” The hanyou’s words stung her heart.  “You… should play nicer with girls."  As she said that, Yura put the red comb from her left hand in her mouth.

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2 “You… should play nicer with girls.”     Inuyasha glared at Yura as she placed the red comb from her left hand in her mouth.  “The hell are you talking about?!  What you’ve done is something unforgivable for either a man or a woman!” Yura held the comb in her mouth.  She dragged her left hand along the comb.  It seemed she was combing through the bundle of hair entwined about her left hand. Then, the skulls hanging by hairs from Yura’s nest began to chatter their teeth.  “…?!"  Yura moved the comb further.  Her nest began to collapse.  The multitude of skulls writhed within the long hairs and came charging at Inuyasha all at once.

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A torrent of hair like an avalanche or tsunami pummelled Inuyasha. “Ugh!  Get off me!"  He swung his claws, crushing the skulls charging him.  He destroyed them one after another as they continued to press in. Until Inuyasha sensed a lethal force rapidly approaching behind him.  He hurriedly turned around, and a sharp pain ran across his shoulder. "Eh…?!"  He’d been cut.  Blood was spraying out.  When he looked, he saw that Yura’s right hand that he’d cut off earlier was flying around holding Benigasumi.  Yura was undoubtedly manipulating it with some invisible hairs. "So close.  Just a little more and I’d have had your head."  Yura looked at Inuyasha regrettably.  "How about another go?!"  She moved the fingers of her left hand nimbly.  Her right hand holding Benigasumi came flying. "Hijin Kessou!"  Inuyasha thought he could turn the tables on her, but the countless bundles of skull-bearing hairs moved between Inuyasha and Benigasumi like a curtain, acting as a wall to stop Hijin Kessou.

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“Tch."  Just as he clicked his tongue, a heavy shock and a sharp pain pierced his back.  Yura had used his momentary distraction by the skulls to manipulate her right hand and stab him through the back with Benigasumi. "Now now, where are you looking?!"  Yura made a large sweeping motion with her red comb.  The skulls charged from all directions, wrapping Inuyasha’s body in bundles of hair and swinging him around. "Dammit!"  Inuyasha gritted his teeth.  He wanted to fight back, but with the bundles of hair and Yura’s right hand, Inuyasha’s body was tightly bound and he was becoming unable to move. "Hmph.  So a hanyou really is just half-baked,” Yura mocked while approaching him.  She delicately placed her red comb in her sash and said, “You poor thing.”

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With a face that didn’t show a bit of pity at all, she reached into her cleavage and gave him a glance of the bag containing the Shikon no Tama.  She was just teasing him with it.  “You wanted to use this to become a real youkai, didn’t you.”   She came close and gazed at Inuyasha haughtily, holding Benigasumi in her left hand.  “Now don’t move.  If I don’t get a clean cut on your neck, that beautiful hair will get stained in blood,” Yura said with a glimmer of a smile, raising Benigasumi high above her head.  When she swung the sword down, the blade glinted coldly in the moonlight. “Hmph… quit jerking me around!"  Inuyasha put all his strength into his right arm.  As if someone like her could cut off his head!  What a joke! Thunk!  He’d punched Yura straight through her chest. ”….!“  Yura’s eyes went wide.  Inuyasha’s right hand was sticking out her back.  When he retracted his hand, there was a gaping hole in Yura’s chest that he could see the mountain through. "Keh… that’s what you get,” Inuyasha said as he did so.

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Suddenly, there was a sword stuck through the back of his hand.  “…?!” It was Yura.  Yura had pierced Benigasumi through his hand.  Even though she had a gaping hole in her chest, she was unperturbed.  “How brazen of you.  Sticking your hand in a woman’s chest right after meeting her.” (She’s… she’s fine?!)  He stared in disbelief as Yura wiggled the fingers of her left hand, manipulating the blood-stained hairs.  The bag containing the Shikon no Tama that Inuyasha had clutched in his right hand lifted into the air, returning to Yura’s hand. “Hmph.  Looks like you grabbed the Shikon no Tama while you were at it.  You just don’t know when to quit.” Where is it?!  Inuyasha searched frantically.  (Where is her weak spot?!) “Hm?"  Yura scowled abruptly.  It seemed like she was feeling the hairs on her left hand tug at her on their own. Yura turned around and gasped.

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When Inuyasha followed her gaze, he saw red cloth fluttering in the wind.  Since it had been used to attack Inuyasha earlier, Yura’s nest was no longer a ball, but a scattered mess of separate streams of hair.  The red cloth was in the process of scurrying up one of those streams. Inuyasha knew what it was.  The red cloth was the fire rat cloak.  That woman - the one who was the reincarnation of Kikyou - was boldly climbing Yura’s nest. “That woman!  She should have burned to death!” Yura said in a low voice.  Her face was unlike any she had shown until now: grim.

Next Chapter >>

[naominotaisho]

Shōsetsu InuYasha:

Translation By: Patches

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Chapter 8: Return 1 Kagome slowly submerged herself up to her shoulders in a bathtub full to the brim with hot water and keenly savored the euphoric feeling.  The smell of her lavender and rosemary bath oils.  The clean tiles.  The fogged mirror.  The fluffy towel and bathmat for when she got out of the tub.  Plenty of moisturizing body lotion and a hot air hairdryer.  The soft sweater she put on when she went to her room, and the central air conditioning that kept the room pleasantly warm… “Ahhh…. My house really is the best…”

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Lying on top of her comfortable bed, Kagome could hardly express how grateful she was at returning to her own time.  (It’s like it’s not even real… That just a little while ago I was in the Sengoku era.)  The bandage that Mama had put on her cheek was the only reminder that what happened in the Sengoku era was real.  It was covering the injury she’d received from being cut by Sakasagami no Yura’s hair. (I wonder who that Yura girl was…  She said she was after the Shikon no Tama, so I guess she’s a youkai?  She looked human enough to me, but the stuff she said and did was pretty scary.)   Yura’s image reappeared in her mind.  “Now die!"  When she remembered how she’d said that and thrown her sword, she got goosebumps. (… I wonder if that other world is okay.)  Mukade Jourou, Shibugarasu, Sakasagami no Yura….  In only three days, just those three had come after the Shikon no Tama.  Probably even now (although "now” was a weird thing to call it), an unbelievable number of mononoke were no doubt hunting down the scattered pieces of the jewel…

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“Listen, Kagome, Inuyasha.  You two must use your powers to search for the Shikon no Tama shards and gather them back into their original form."  Even though Kaede had said that, she felt a bit guilty about just going back home like that. (Inuyasha would be furious if he found out that Yura took the jewel shard from me.)  Thinking about that, Kagome returned to her senses.  (That’s right, Inuyasha!  Didn’t he say, "I can do this all on my own”?  That’s why I figured I might as well go home.  On top of that, he called me “disgusting”, too!)  Her stomach churned just thinking about it.  She’d never met anyone so violent, selfish, ill-mannered, ill-tempered, callous, and unreasonable! (Hmph… That’s right, Inuyasha would be fine without me.  He said so himself.) “All right!”

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Filled with resolve, she clapped her hands together loudly.  Like she was completely ridding her mind of the existence of that other world.  (Forget it all!)  It was already settled, anyway, since there was no way for her to go back there.  The seal on the hidden well would never be broken again…. 2 Dinner was oden.  On the living room table sat a burner, on top of which was a bubbling pot full of delicious-looking satsuma-age, chikuwa(1), daikon radish, and eggs. “Waah!  It’s oden, it’s oden, it’s oden!"  Kagome took a long whiff of the smells coming from the pot.  It was probably a bit ill-mannered, but she couldn’t help it.  She got excited again when Mama served the rice.  "Ahh, it’s white!  The rice is white!  Ooooh, every grain is shining!” (1) Oden is sort of like fondue with a pot of boiling water that ingredients are cooked in.  Satsuma-age is a fried fish cake.  Chikuwa is a tube of processed fish paste.

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It was completely different from the food that Kaede served her.  Well, the Sengoku era had grilled river fish, vegetables, and other fresh foods that were good.  But to someone whose taste buds were used to modern food, the so-called “simple diet” was a bit harsh.  Though it probably was closer to diet food… “Ahh, what a wonderful world…"  Kagome gazed at it in tears.  Jii-chan and the others were looking at her perplexed, but she didn’t care.  Kagome happily grabbed her chopsticks with an "Itadakimaasu!”(1) and immediately popped a wiener into her mouth. But at that moment… Dosu dosu dosu… There was the echo of rough footsteps from the hallway, and suddenly someone slammed open the sliding door. “…?!"  Who could that be…  but when Kagome turned around, she couldn’t believe her eyes. Somehow, Inuyasha was there.  And he already looked mad. (1) "Itadakimasu” is the general Japanese saying before beginning a meal.

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“You bitch… who told you you could go home?!” “Heh?  Inuyasha?"  She couldn’t believe that Inuyasha had come to her house.  "Why are you here?” “I followed your scent.  There’s no other woman with a stench like yours.” “I mean, where did you come from?!” “From the well, stupid.” “The well?!  But the well is…"  As she was speaking, Jii-chan began to look increasingly upset. "Say it isn’t so!  I sealed that well with the Higurashi Shrine’s historical heirloom talismans…” Interrupting him, Inuyasha pulled off a talisman that was stuck to the shoulder of his clothing and waved it around.  “By seal, you mean this piece of paper?  Doesn’t work at all.” “…!!"  Gaan!  Jii-chan froze in place with his face stuck in a silent cry. "Anyway, hurry up and come with me!”

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Inuyasha suddenly grabbed Kagome’s arm, forcing her to stand. “H, hey!  No!  I need to eat my oden!” “So what?  Just come on.!"  Inuyasha continued to tug at Kagome forcefully to get her to come along. "I said no!” “Hold it right there!"  Mama stood in Inuyasha’s way with a stern expression. "What?"  Inuyasha glared at her with frighteningly angered eyes, but Mama didn’t flinch a bit. (Thank goodness.  Naturally Mama would come to the defense of her precious daughter.) Her sentiment was short-lived, however, as Mama suddenly gripped Inuyasha’s ears in each hand, and with an excited face began to rub them.  "Are your ears real?” Souta cheekily came up beside her.  “Me next, me next!” he said, gazing longingly at Inuyasha’s ears. “Mama, this isn’t the time for that…”

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She was a bit hypocritical to protest when she’d done the same thing herself, but when she happened to look back at Inuyasha, she gasped.  (Hair…!)  A single strand of hair was wound about the shoulder of Inuyasha’s crimson clothing.  It was thin, but long, and extended out of the living room and down the hall.  Her heart began to pound.  Could that be Yura’s manipulation hair?!  But it couldn’t be… “Inuyasha, that hair!” “Hm?  Hair?” “You… can’t see it?!  Look, right here!"  When she reached out to grab it, the hair extended and tangled around Kagome’s hand like it had a mind of its own.  "Ah!"  She tried to shake it off in a panic, but the back of her hand was cut and began to bleed red. "K, Kagome, why are you bleeding…?!” “Nee-chan!” “What happened?!"  Jii-chan and the others looked at her, startled.

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(I’m… the only one who can see this hair!)  With a strong uneasy feeling, Kagome darted for the door. “Kagome!” “What is it?!"  Lacking the time to answer Mama or Jii-chan, she flew down the hallway.  The hair extended down the hallway and out the entrance to the outside. (There’s no way hair this long can be normal!)  The hair was connected to the shrine holding the hidden well.  When she rushed into the shrine, Kagome stopped suddenly at what she saw.  The lid of the well had been removed, and countless strands of long hair were waving about in large bundles like tentacles.  (Yura’s hair…!  It came following us all the way to this world!) Inuyasha followed close after her, and spoke with an arrogant tone as usual.  "So I guess Kaede-babaa was right that your eyes are the only thing you’ve got going for you, huh.” “Look, you…"  Kagome glared at him, frustrated at his tone.  "You brought some pretty unwelcome baggage with you!”

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“What, it’s just a strand of hair.” “It’s not just one!” When Kagome said that, “Kagome!” “Nee-chan!” “What happened?!"  Jii-chan and the others came running, looking worried. "Don’t come in here!!” Kagome yelled forcefully and shut the shrine door with a slam.  The rarely-used bolt latched securely. “Hey, Kagome!” “Please open the door!” “Please, go back the house!  I’ll explain everything there!  If I open the door now, bad things will happen!"  Yes, bad things, all right.  No matter what, she had to stop it here.  If she let that Sakasagami no Yura come over to this world, there really would be no stopping her.

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But Yura certainly seemed to be in the process of coming over.  The bundles of hair extending from the well were increasing in number and speed.  Hundreds of thousands of writhing, squirming bundles of hair were bursting out like a fountain. “Inuyasha!  In front of you!"  One of the bundles extended like a tentacle and attacked. "Here?!"  Inuyasha swung his claws randomly.  Though he cut a few of the hairs and they fell to the floor, other bundles of hair immediately came after him, wrapping around Inuyasha’s arms and legs and lifting his body into the air.  "Dammit!"  Relying on the sensation of the bundles of hair touching him, he ripped them off one after the other.  "These damn things!"  But even after ripping them off and throwing them on the floor, the hair continued to move and repair itself.  It then formed itself back into a bundle and attacked again. (No good… there’s no end to them!  There has to… there has to be something…)  Looking around, Kagome saw something shine for a moment.

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“…?!"  It was a single strand of hair sticking out.  It was just another one of the hairs coming out of the well, but it was giving off a light.  (Ah!)  Was that… no, it had to be.  Kagome was certain.  (That’s the main hair controlling the others!) Kagome rushed to the glowing strand of hair, avoiding the other attacking hairs.  "Inuyasha, this one!  Cut this hair!” “Hn?  Here?!"  He swung his claws blindly again, but as if it was teasing him, the glowing hair briskly avoided his claws. (It’s no use; Inuyasha can’t see it… If only there was some way I could make it visible…)  Then it suddenly occured to her.  (That’s it!  That’s the only way.) Kagome gripped the main hair in two places with both hands, then firmly ran her upper hand along it.  (Ow…!)

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A sharp pain rain through her as blood flowed out.  The blood ran down the hair.  “Inuyasha!” “…!  I see it!"  Inuyasha leapt into the air and sliced through the hair that had been rendered visible by Kagome’s blood. Instantly, the hairs that had been attacking fell to the floor as though they had lost all life, then vanished with a hiss. "It’s finally over…"  Inuyasha exhaled in relief, while Kagome racked her brain. (That’s weird…  If Sakasagami no Yura was after the Shikon no Tama, she already has it…  But if she came chasing after us all this way… does that mean she’s after Inuyasha and me, too?!)  If that was the case… (If I stay here, Jii-chan, Mama, Souta, and even my friends at school would end up getting caught up in this and have terrible things happen to them…) Not to mention this was Kagome’s fault to begin with for shattering the Shikon no Tama…  When she thought about that, Kagome’s mind was already made up. "Inuyasha, we’re going back!” she said as she rushed to the well.

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“Heeh, you sure seem to have a good idea of what’s going on.” “Even though I don’t like it."  When Kagome spoke, Inuyasha removed his crimson garments without a word and draped them over Kagome’s head.  Inuyasha’s scent reminiscient of a sunlit field was now casually wrapped around her.   "Inuyasha…?” she looked at him blankly, and Inuyasha almost seemed embarrassed as he averted his gaze. “That cloak is made from the fur of the fire rat.  It’s stronger than basic armor.” “…!"  That was surprising.  Inuyasha was… she’d thought he was violent, selfish, cruel, quick to anger, inelegant, and ignorant of others, but here he was looking out for her and lending her his own clothing.  To think he was actually capable of kindness.  It was surprising, but she was still happy about it. "Th… thank you…."  The words came out of her mouth so naturally.

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But his reply was nothing to be happy about.  “It’s only because you have such a weak hide.” “…."  The corner of her cheek twitched as Kagome replied, "You’re the weird one.  I’m normal!” Without replying, Inuyasha gripped Kagome’s shoulder.  “All right, let’s go!” “Right!” The two of them leapt into the well with great vigor.  This was the third time Kagome had entered this well since she was pulled in by Mukade Jourou.  But this was the first time she’d jumped into it of her own free will.  The two of them rapidly fell into the deep darkness below.

Next Chapter >>

[naominotaisho]

Shōsetsu InuYasha:

Translation By: Patches

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Chapter 7: The Bone-Eater’s Well 1 Inuyasha headed back towards the village with an uneasy stomach.  That disgusting woman’s voice ran through his head: “I’m going home.  Goodbye, Inuyasha."  And on top of that, she’d taken the one remaining shard of the Shikon no Tama with her. And then she’d gone all, "Oh, this?” and waved it in his face, then used that damned kotodama rosary to slam him into the hard ground, and as if that wasn’t enough she had to leave it with something as humiliating as “I’ll hang on to this”…

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(Keh, I’m better off without a woman like her, anyway.  What’s with her getting that worked up over one measly shard?!)  Just watch, he’d gather every remaining shard himself.  (And then if that woman comes crawling back, I’ll just threaten her with Sankon Tessou until she coughs up the last shard!) When he reached the outskirts of the village, Inuyasha suddenly felt an unusual presence rapidly approaching.  He reflexively took a defensive stance, and what appeared before him was five women.  They were fully human just from looking at them and what he sensed with his nose, but they were strangely all floating in the air.  They were all wielding dangerous-looking knives and scythes which they all swung down at once, attacking Inuyasha. “The hell are you doing?!"  Inuyasha moved nimbly.  As he fended off the attack, he grabbed two of the women’s arms.  Spinning around, he struck the remaining three women with their bodies. The women all fell to the ground.  Giving them a good look, he realized he recognized all of them.

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“What’s this?  You’re all women from the village, ain’t ya?"  Why were the village women attacking him?  Not to mention humans flying… (On top of that, why does everyone have blank expressions like dolls?) When he turned his head, he heard a familiar voice: "You must not harm those girls!"  It was a voice he rather disliked. "That you, Kaede-babaa?"  Inuyasha turned around dejectedly and scowled.  Kaede had a deep wound in her shoulder.  Her white miko garb was stained bright red with blood.  Possibly due to the blood loss rendering her not strong enough to even stand and walk, she came crawling to him along the ground.  However… "What’re you doin’ all covered in blood?” “Is that all you have to say?” she responded.  The fact that she was able to respond immediately in such a disgruntled fashion indicated that her injury was not life-threatening.

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“Hey, so just what happened here?” Inuyasha asked as the women who had fallen on the ground rose lazily into the air once again and glared straight at him.  “Are they after me?!” “The girls are merely being manipulated by someone.  You must not harm them.” Inuyasha was shocked.  “The hell are you doing covering for them, Kaede-babaa?  Didn’t they nearly kill you?” “Do you not understand, Inuyasha?  If you do not seek out and defeat the one who is manipulating them from the shadows, then there would be no point in it.” “So where are they?” “Where is Kagome?  Summon her here.” Inuyasha grimaced at the name he’d rather not hear.  “What the hell would calling that woman here do?  By the time I did that, we’d all get killed!"  In reality, it was irrelevant whether he liked her or not, since he simply was not at leisure to look for Kagome right now.  The women floating in the air had begun to move again.

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This time they weren’t just swinging their weapons blindly.  They began to encircle Inuyasha at a slight distance, floating slowly around the circumference of the circle with Inuyasha at its center. “What are they thinking now?!” “Inuyasha, the hair!  Cut the hair that binds those girls!” Kaede shouted. “Hair?!  What’re you talking about?!  I don’t see anything like that!"  But Inuyasha unexpectedly understood the meaning behind Kaede’s words.  He could clearly sense that there was something, although unable to be seen normally, like a fine thread bound around their bodies.  That sensation must have been strands of hair.  But this wasn’t any ordinary hair, as it had to be ridiculously long.  Almost like extremely long and thin strands of metal. The other ends of the hair that bound the girls wrapped around Inuyasha’s arms and legs as though it had a life of its own.  The girls spun around him, enveloping him tightly… "Dammit!”

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Frustrated at an attacker he couldn’t even see, Inuyasha swung his strong arms in an attempt to shake off the threads that bound him along with those at their ends.  But the hair bound him securely and would not let go. “Shaking off those girls is useless, Inuyasha!” Kaede spoke sharply.  “The hair comes from behind those girls… from somewhere much farther away!” Kaede squinted intently.  Though invisible to normal eyes, by utilizing her spiritual powers she was trying to make out the hair. “Ohh, behind the girls, huh?"  Inuyasha smirked.  "Then isn’t their puppetmaster kind of an idiot?  Even if I can’t see the hair, I can still drag out the person on the other end!"  Inuyasha grabbed the hair attached to him in a bunch, relying on feeling to tell where it was, and pulled with all his might. But his plan failed.  He had expected some resistance when pulling, but there was none.  It was like he was unravelling thread from a spool…

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When pulling as hard as he could didn’t work, Inuyasha was flipped over on his back and slammed violently into the ground. “Dammit!"  Getting up quickly, Inuyasha examined his surroundings with a severe expression.  He didn’t know who he was up against, but this person who could manipulate people from the shadows was a more formidable opponent than he first thought. 2 Sitting on a pine tree branch on the outskirts of the village, Yura chuckled.  That hanyou had just tried to drag her in.  He’d had a good idea, at least. (It’s too bad for you that the hair in my "Kushi no Kago” can grow.)  Even from this distance, Yura could pick up on the hanyou called Inuyasha’s movements.  Even without being able to see him, she could infer his actions from the feedback from the hair in her “Kushi no Kago”.

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It was like the hairs attached to her fingertips were acting as nerves.  Thanks to her forcing the village girls to encircle him, Inuyasha’s body was already sufficiently bound in hair. “Now then, I suppose it’s about time I took your head."  Yura began to manipulate the many hairs attached to both hands into a cat’s cradle figure.  Bending and extending her fingers, extending and bending, like playing an intricate tune, finely and delicately. Right middle finger, left pinky finger, right thumb… now her Kushi no Kago had carried the hanyou’s body into the air. Left ring finger, right middle finger, index fingers of both hands… the hanyou was bound to the trunk of at thick zelkova tree. Right pinky finger, left thumb, middle fingers of both hands… oh, look, now the hanyou can no longer move. "All right, this will do."  She firmly tied many strong hairs about his neck.  (All right, let’s take off his head with a nice, clean cut!)  Yura gathered together the countless hairs intricately tangled between her palms.  With a breath, she quickly spread her arms, pulling the hairs taut with a great amount of strength. The sense of something thick being sliced through reathed her fingers.  ”….?!“  Yura frowned.

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(Hm?  This feeling…)  That wan’t the sensation she was expecting when cutting flesh.  She’d cut through something tougher…?   (I know, it’s that zelkova tree I had him tied to!)  But Yura was sure she hadn’t made a mistake.  She’d made sure her hair was tied around Inuyasha’s neck.  So for it to have cut only the tree rather than his neck would mean… (Does that mean that this hanyou called Inuyasha is more resilient than I thought?)  Yura gave a little chuckle.  (How interesting!)  Getting something easily was boring.  Something you had to work for had more value, and was all the more precious. (I’ll get his head for sure.)  Yura got an excited chill down her spine just thinking about how she might go about that.

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3 “Dammit, I thought I was gonna die."  Inuyasha rubbed his hand over his neck, which had just before been wrapped in hair, and panted. Kaede could only be amazed at Inuyasha’s strength.  "If you were an ordinary human, you would have certainly lost your head.”   The zelkova tree that Inuyasha had been bound to was currently chopped up and scattered about the ground like a boiled daikon radish.  “I’d thought that thing was pretty sturdy, but it still ended up like this.”   But it didn’t look like the mastermind behind the hair was about to give up.  This time, he could see several of the village men come floating in the air, bearing weapons in their hands.  “Tch, more of ‘em.  I’m not making any progress."  Inuyasha suddenly hefted Kaede onto his back.

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“Hey, old woman, you can see the hair, can’t you?!  Show me where the boss at the end of those hairs is!” Kaede frowned.  “I am injured, and even if I was not, I cannot see that far.  That is why I have been telling you to call for Kagome from the start.” “…."  Inuyasha pouted with a snort.  "So she can see ‘em?” “Yes."  Kaede nodded deeply.  She only knew two people besides herself who held enough spiritual power to be able to see the hair.  One was Kagome, and the other was Kikyou, who was no longer here. 4 When she regained consciousness, Kagome didn’t know where she was.  (Where…?)

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It was someplace dark.  (What happened to me…?)  When she tried to slowly get up, her memory returned with a gasp.  (That’s right.  I was attacked by that girl manipulating the hair…)  She’d fallen into the dry well.  That meant she was at the bottom of that dry well now.  As evidence of that, strewn around Kagome’s body were the bizarre white bones of Mukade Jourou. (Thank goodness I wasn’t stabbed by one of those bones.  But…)  That girl Yura had thrown a sword down the well after Kagome.  Even so, Kagome was uninjured.  (I wonder why that sword didn’t hit.  And where did Yura go…?) At that time, she heard voices coming from above her head.  “You’ve looked inside the well how many times?” Eh?  That voice was…?!  Her heart fluttered. “But, Nee-chan really did go in there!” Yes, there was no doubt.  That was definitely…! Looking up, Kagome saw the figures of Jii-chan and Souta peering down into the well.

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“J, Jii-chan!  Souta!” Kagome called to them in a loud voice.  Jii-chan and Souta were startled.  Jii-chan hurriedly switched on his flashlight. “Oh… Ohhhhh!  Kagome!” “Nee-chan!  Uwaah, thank goodness!"  They both cried in happiness when they saw her. Jii-chan said he’d go get a ladder, but Kagome shouted, "I’m fine!  I just want to get out of here quick!” and climbed up the wall of the well herself. The well wasn’t in a forest, but inside the shrine, just the way Kagome had always known it.  When she exited the building, she was on the grounds of the Higurashi shrine, with the main shrine, the office, the gateway, and her house all visible.  Beyond the trees were the neighborhood houses and telephone poles.  She could hear the sounds of cars on the nearby street, and somewhere in the distance a school bell chimed. The scenery and sounds here were completely different from the ones in the Sengoku Era.  These were all things familiar to Kagome. (This is my era…)

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Kagome picked up the cat Buyo, who was meowing at her feet.  (It’s not a dream…  I’ve come home…!)  Buyo’s warmth and weight were telling her that this was reality. “Kagomeee!  Ahh, you’re all right!"  Mama was crying as she hurriedly ran to Kagome and hugged her with great force, and Kagome started to cry a little as well. 5 Three days prior. After seeing Kagome dragged into the darkness of the well by Mukade Jourou, apparently Souta had gone running crying to Mama and Jii-chan to tell them what happened. "A ghost, you say?” “What are you saying, Souta?” “I’m saying a ghost came out of the well and kidnapped Nee-chan!”

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It wasn’t exactly a story one would immediately believe, but Souta was insistent.  Both of them also knew that Souta wasn’t the kind of kid who would tell that sort of lie.   After confirming that Kagome had not gone to school, nor was she in the house or anywhere in the shrine, they were more open to believing Souta’s story.  They had nothing to base it on, but Jii-chan and Mama both had the feeling that Kagome was all right.  Almost like they were convinced she was currently somewhere far, far away, but would be home soon… “Oh, that’s right, I went ahead and called the school to tell them you’ve been out sick,” Jii-chan explained to Kagome, who had returned to the house and was sipping tea with a sigh.  “Said you were laid up with horrible neuralgia.” “N… neuralgia?!  Why that, of all things?"  Neuralgia was just way too unappealing…  Kagome made an annoyed face and said, "In this case, couldn’t you have said I had a cold or a headache or something more common that didn’t sound like such a bald-faced lie?  If you’re going to lie in a way that no one is going to believe, don’t bother to lie at all."  But Jii-chan was just proud of it.

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Kagome then explained what had happened to her over the past three days.  About traveling through time into the past.  And being told she was the reincarnation of a miko who had ties with mononoke.  About meeting the hanyou called Inuyasha…  It was a story normally no one would ever believe, but her family accepted it surprisingly easily. “The history of this shrine’s Bone-Eater’s Well states that it is a phantom well that causes the bones of mononoke to disappear to somewhere.  We didn’t know where that ‘somewhere’ was until now, but if it refers to another place in time, then Kagome speaking of traveling through time is entirely plausible,” said Jii-chan, stroking his beard. Mama concluded, “So you’re saying that well is a passageway from one era to another.” It was only Souta who worried, half-crying, “Eeeh?!  So you mean more ghosts might come out of that well!?” Hearing that, Jii-chan stood up immediately and said, “Hmh, it certainly is a danger.  We can’t leave it as it is,” and left for the small shrine with carpenter’s tools in hand.

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“What are you going to do?!"  Kagome followed after him to wach, and Jii-chan secured the lid on top of the well, then nailed it down with long nails.  He then brought talismans from the shrine office, then deftly wrote something on them in ink and stuck a generous amount of them all over the well’s lid and edges.  He then brought a staff with brand new white paper tassles and swung it around over the well while reciting a prayer. "That should do it.” “Jii-chan, should do what…?” “It has been sealed.  Not only by the miraculous power of the talismans, but by a powerful barrier as well.  This well will never open again."  Jii-chan stuck out his chest. (So if it’ll never open again…)  Kagome gazed at the sealed well.  No more youkai would ever appear from here.  There was no way for her to go to that other world.  The path connecting the two eras had been closed.

Next Chapter >>

[naominotaisho]

Shōsetsu InuYasha:

Translation By: Patches

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Chapter 6: Sakasagami no Yura 1 Should she try to get home as soon as possible, or stay in this era while longer and search for the Shikon no Tama with Inuyasha…? As Kagome struggled with which path she should choose, she greeted yet another new morning in Kaede’s house.  Even if she decided she’d rather go straight home to her own time, it wasn’t like she could just go ahead and do that.  There was no guarantee that even if she jumped into that dry well that she would cross through time the same way as she had when she’d come.   Kagome still had one other problem on top of deciding what she should do from here.

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Something more pressing and urgent.  And that was… a bath.  She really wanted to take one. (I can’t believe it!  They don’t have baths in this era?!)  According to Kaede, there were apparently bath-like structures in the houses of aristocrats and lords, as well as temples, but she didn’t know if they were the same as those in the modern era.  But the houses of normal people had no bathrooms. (Even if she says there’s none, I can’t take it anymore!  I’m covered in blood, I’m covered in mud, and I’m not going to be able to stand staying this way!)  She just wanted a soak in some hot water.  When she was at home, she had nice-smelling bath salts, herb-infused shampoo that made her hair smooth, and body lotion made of olive oil that made her skin soft, but now such things were unattainable luxuries. But she didn’t need any of that right now.  She just wanted some hot water.  That would be enough. When she asked this of Kaede, she briskly replied, “Not possible.”  

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Even so, after some more pestering, she relented. “I suppose it cannot be helped.  While I cannot help you with hot water… well, come with me,” she beckoned. Things seemed to be looking up, but instead she was led to a river.  “This is where the children often bathe themselves in the summer.  However… it is quite cold.” “It… it does look cold."  It was almost the end of autumn now.  On top of that, today had been a cloudless, windy day.  The wind chill was quite low.  Not to mention this place was just a river, so there was nothing to obstruct prying eyes. "Whatever, I’m getting in!"  Kagome had made up her mind.  If she couldn’t get any hot water, cold water was fine.  She didn’t care if it was cold or chilly or if there was a danger of someone seeing her…. "I see, I understand,” Kaede said, assisting her.  First, to the villagers she said, “Kagome-sama is going to be purifying herself.  It is for the sake of strengthening her spiritual power.  If a man were to see her, a terrible punishment from the heavens will befall you,” her face taking on a chillingly eerie expression.

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She also brought out a miko outfit for a change of clothes.  It seemed to have originally been Kikyou’s.  And so that Kagome wouldn’t catch cold once she got out of the river, she started a fire on the bank. “There, Kagome, now all should be well.” “Thank you."  She used the shade of a rock near the shore in place of a changing room and swiftly removed her uniform and undergarments.  With a brisk movement, she jumped completely into the water. "C-c-c-c-cooold!"  She instinctively wanted to jump out of the water due to the chill, but somehow she managed to bear it and submerged herself in the current.  "Brrrrr….."  Her teeth were rattling. "Kagome, do not push yourself and come out,” Kaede called from beside a warm-looking fire on the shore.  But she couldn’t just give in here.  Kagome would bear it with all her might.

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After a while, her body got used to it.  It gave her some time to look around.  The river was full of beautiful, pristine water.  The bright late autumn sunlight streamed straight to the bottom of the clear water, making shining patterns of light on the river bottom.  She could clearly see the rocks on the bottom, along with green water plants swaying as though they were waving, as well as several fish darting amongst the plants. (This is probably the river that runs behind my school.)  But it was hardly possible to imagine this being the same river as the one in her era, as that one had much less water, and it was murky and polluted… Kagome bounced along the bottom of the river on her tiptoes.  The water was deeper here, so she slowly swam around.  Her body that had been soiled by the touch of Mukade Jourou and Shibugarasu felt like it was being purified by the clear water. She suddenly remembered she’d been bitten by Mukade Jourou and looked at her side.  She could still see a faint scar, but it had practically already healed. (I wonder why, given that I was bitten so badly?  Is it really because I’m Kikyou’s reincarnation?)

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Kaede had no doubt anymore that Kagome was Kikyou’s reincarnation.  That’s why she gave Kagome the task of finding the shards of the Shikon no Tama. (But I don’t even believe in myself.  Yeah, I’ve been able to see the light from the Shikon no Tama so far, but I don’t know if I’ll always be able to.)  And then there was… (I’m supposed to join forces with Inuyasha, but he hates me.  And for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with me… something about whatever happened between him and Kikyou in the past…)  There was no way they’d be able to find the Shikon no Tama together if he kept up that attitude. As she was thinking that, Kagome happened to turn her eyes upward and froze with a start.  Inuyasha was on a cliff protruding by the riverbank, staring right in her direction. “S… Sit!!” The moment she said that, Inuyasha instantly struck the riverbank below the cliff with a “Gueh!” that sounded like a squashed frog.

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“Oh, were you there, Inuyasha?"  Kaede turned her head towards him looking not the least bit surprised as she continued to tend to the fire. "D, dammit, I forgot about the kotodama(1) rosary."  Inuyasha struck the ground with his fist in frustration.  During that time, Kagome hurriedly exited the river and moved to the makeshift changing room in the shadow of the rock. (I can’t believe it!  He’s a peeping tom!)  The blood went to her face as her stomach churned.  "You’re disgusting, sneeking around spying like that!” she complained as she peeked her head out from behind the rock. “Aah?"  Still on his belly, Inuyasha looked at her like he had no idea what she was talking about.  "You thought I was peeping?  Keh, you’re an idiot.” “Wh, what’s so idiotic about it?!” “Hah.  I was just…” But Kaede interrupted him.  “You came to steal the Shikon no Tama shard, I would assume.” Kagome couldn’t believe her ears. (1) “Kotodama” (言霊) means “power of words” and is used to define Inuyasha’s rosary

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(Eh?  So he didn’t come here to peep?) As if to confirm Kaede’s suspicions, Inuyasha defiantly replied, “You figured that out, Kaede-babaa?” “It is useless.  The Shikon no Tama shard has been entrusted to me for the time being,” she said showing him a peek of the shard kept in a charm bag. “Ahhh, dammit!"  Inuyasha’s face showed full of disappointment. (Wh, what’s up with that!!)  Kagome felt the blood rush to her face further.  She’d already been flushed when she thought he was peeping, but now that it had turned out he’d come to steal the Shikon no Tama shard, for some reason her anger had only multiplied. Kagome quickly put on the miko outfit that Kaede had prepared for her.  She was lucky that her house was a shrine.  She would wear miko garb for the New Year at the request of her grandfather, and for the summer festivals she would wear a yukata.  Because of this, she was able to put on the kimono herself. During this time, she overheard the exchange between Kaede and Inuyasha.

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“Goodness, I gave you too much credit before.  No sooner had I told you to combine your power and gather the Shikon no Tama shards, and you are already plotting to steal it.” “I wasn’t planning to steal it!” “Oh?"  Kaede didn’t give any indication that she believed him at all. "I just figured it would be safer if I hung onto it.” “I see…” “I ain’t lyin’!  Look, I said I’d hook up with that disgusting woman in order to get the Shikon no Tama back!"  As he said that, Inuyasha turned around as he had noticed Kagome come out from behind the rock, whether by scent or by sound. But when he turned around… "Ah…?!"  Inuyasha’s eyes went wide. "How rude!  Calling me disgusting.  Do you really hate me that much?"  But it didn’t look like he was listening to her.  Inuyasha’s face stiffened and he skittered back from her like a spooked animal.

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He remained in that position simply staring at Kagome. “What’s with that attitude?!” “Shaddup.” “‘Shaddup’ isn’t an answer!” “Now now, settle down.” When Kaede attempted to get between them a woman holding a child by the hand came rushing in, out of breath.  “Kaede-sama!” “What happened, Ine?” The woman called Ine’s face was pale.  “My daughter back home… Kiyo suddenly collapsed!” “What?  Kiyo?!"  Kaede rose quickly.  It seemed that she wasn’t just a miko, but acted as a doctor as well.  "Kagome, Inuyasha, I shall return to the village ahead of you to see to this matter."  She handed over the charm bag containing the Shikon no Tama fragment to Kagome.  "Now, no more fighting.”

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With those parting words, she left with Ine. (Ugh, I’ve got a bad feeling being alone together with him…)  Kagome glanced at Inuyasha.  As soon as she did, he turned his nose up and looked off to the sky.  She had a pretty good guess as to why he would behave so blatantly unnaturally. (It’s Kikyou.)  Wearing this miko garb, Kagome had to look even more like Kikyou now.  (But so what!  I seriously don’t get it!)  Ignoring him, she went to the riverbank to wash her uniform and hang it on some branches in lieu of a clothes line.  Through all of this, she could feel Inuyasha’s gaze on her back.  (It’s like he can’t look away from me…) Suddenly, Inuyasha opened his mouth.  “Hey.” “What?” “Take off your clothes.” “Take off…?!”

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Kagome was speechless.  The blood in her body surged with a shriek, and before she’d realized it she’d hit Inuyasha on the head.  If she could have, she would have gotten some huge rock off the riverbank and smashed it over his head with all her might. “Y, you bitch, what was that for?!” “You’re disgusting!” This time it was Inuyasha to be angered by Kagome’s words.  “Don’t get the wrong idea!  I didn’t say get naked!  I just meant to change back into that weird kimono of yours!” he said, pointing at her sailor uniform. “Hmm.” “What?” “Is it because I look like Kikyou?” she cut right to the chase. “That’s got nothin’ to do with it."  Inuyasha turned and faced away, making a forceful grunt.  He might say it had nothing to do with it, but just looking at him made it obvious that it had everything to do with it. (It’s like he’s still in grade school!)

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Even Souta probably wouldn’t act this obviously immaturely…  (I guess there’s nothing I can do about it…)  Kagome conceded a little and decided to try some casual conversation.  “Look, if we’re going to have to work together from now on, you can’t just start picking fights over everything…” However… “Keh!"  It didn’t appear that her partner had the slightest interest in making conversation.  "I’m fine with it.  I can collect the Shikon no Tama shards all by myself.” Snap.  Something inside of Kagome snapped audibly.  “Ah, I see.  So you’d be fine without me."  With that, she gathered up her still-wet sailor uniform and shuffled off. "Hn?  Where do you think you’re goin’?” “I’ve made my decision.  I’m going home.  Good bye, Inuyasha.” “Going home… hey!"  Inuyasha stood up impatiently.

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“What, you can’t stop me."  But even more maddeningly, Inuyasha didn’t actually try to stop her. "Just leave the jewel shard here, then.” (Ugh… this guy would do anything for the jewel, wouldn’t he.)  Dumbfounded, Kagome said, “Oh, this?” and produced the charm bag containing the jewel from her bosom and dangled it in front of Inuyasha’s nose as if to show it off.  And then… “Ah!"  Inuyasha’s face turned greedy. "Sit!” she said with a sharp voice. “Damn you~!” Inuyasha growled with a resentful voice while planted into the ground, but she didn’t care. “I’ll hang on to this."  Kagome kept walking without turning around.  Heading towards the forest with the dry well.

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2 “This way, Kaede-sama."  Ine led Kaede to her house outside the village.  Kaede remembered how panicked she’d been.  Ine’s daughter Kiyo had been healthy since she was a baby and rarely even caught colds.  What could have happened that would cause her to suddenly collapse…? "She was fine just this morning…” Ine explained as she opened the door.  In the cramped room, Kiyo was lying down with her eyes closed, her face pale. “Let me see…"  Kaede came close to examine her, but took an unexpected breath.  She could tell just with her one eye.  Kiyo had no ordinary condition. (Someone has captured her soul…?!)

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Someone.  Yes, there was no doubt it was the work of someone evil… “Ine, get down!"  As though prompted by Kaede’s voice, Kiyo’s blank eyes opened.  And not just that, but her body limply hung in the air. "What’s wrong, Kiyo!” Ine called to her daughter in a distraught voice.  But Kiyo gave no response.  Her daughter had always laughed, cried, and made all sorts of faces, but now her face showed no sign of vitality or emotion.  Like she was just a doll…  Like some puppet being manipulated by a puppeteer, Kiyo hung in the air with both arms spread wide. (Uh!)  Kaede was appalled.  She could see many thin strands attached to Kiyo’s arms and legs.  (Are these the threads controlling her?!  No, they are not threads…  They are… strands of hair?!)  They weren’t something that could be seen just by looking carefully.  They would merely vanish and reappear, only faintly visible.

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But there was no doubt.  It was hair.  Countless long, thin hairs were manipulating Kiyo’s body like puppet strings. A knife was laying discarded on the dirt floor.  It suddenly floated into the air.  She could see that it was being manipulated by strands of hair attached to it, just like Kiyo. The knife flew towards Kiyo.  The fingers on Kiyo’s right hand opened and caught the knife, gripping it firmly. “Oh no!"  Kaede backed off in a panic.  However, Kiyo swung down the knife a moment earlier.  Without any hesitation, she aimed straight for Kaede… 3 She saw the dry well through the grove.  Yesterday she’d been kidnapped by bandits right around here.

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So as to not have a repeat of that unfortunate event, Kagome carefully gave a look around the area to make sure there was no one else around before approaching the dry well. (I’m going home.  No matter what, I’m going home.)  Her only reservation was having not said a single word to Kaede before leaving this era.  (I didn’t even thank her for taking care of me, and I’m still borrowing these miko clothes from her, so I won’t be able to give them back.) And then of course there was the Shikon no Tama that she’d shattered with her arrow…  (But, there’s nothing I can do about that, right…?)  So long as Inuyasha had that attitude of his, even if Kagome remained in this era it would be impossible to gather the Shikon no Tama shards.  (So there’s no reason for me to stay here any longer…) As if shaking off her doubts, Kagome rushed to the dry well.  She knew it was probably pretty deep, but she had every intention of just jumping right in. But… Peeking inside, Kagome hesitated.  (Bones…!)

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From the gloom at the bottom of the well, she could see many shining white monsterous bones.  There were still patches of fresh blood in places. Now that she thought of it, Jii-chan had mentioned, “That well is called the ‘Bone-Eater’s Well’ because long ago it was used to dispose of the remains of mononoke."  Kaede had also said the same thing: "The Bone-Eater’s Well is where we dispose of the remains of mononoke."  She had also said, "After a number of days, the corpses disappear to somewhere.” (So these bones are Mukade Jourou’s…)  A chill ran down Kagome’s back.  When she looked closer, there were a lot of similarly-shaped bones.  Small cylindrical bones with sharp pieces resembling elephant tusks protruding from both sides.  They were no doubt the bones of Mukade Jourou’s lower body.  Sections of that centipede part… “No… I don’t want to go in there…"  Kagome’s memory of being caught by that centipede body and almost suffocated resurfaced, and she shakily sank down where she stood.

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(What do I do…)  If what Kaede said was true and those bones disappeared after a few days, she could probably wait that long and try to leave again.  The thought of having to touch Mukade Jourou’s bones made her sick, not to mention if she jumped in on top of those sharp bones, she’d get impaled and end up with severe injuries, or if she was really unlucky, dead… Flap flap!  The sudden sound of birds wings snapped Kagome back to her senses.  When she turned around, she saw a sparrow had fallen on the ground. “…!"  Kagome gasped.  It was like it had been cut by an incredibly sharp blade.  Its body had been cut in two, and its wings had also been severed, and as though it hadn’t realized what happened to it, was still twitching on the ground. (What happened to it?!)  Probably the work of a new youkai.  (Has another youkai appeared seeking the Shikon no Tama shard?!  Is it watching me from somewhere close by?!)

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Seized by fear, Kagome stood up.  But when she did, a sharp pain ran along her cheek.  “Ah!"  When she touched it, she found that it was bleeding. She looked around again in astonishment.  Many thin threads were spread along that side.  When the sunlight reflected on them, they looked like a spiderweb for trapping prey. (No, they’re not threads… they’re strands of hair!)  But they couldn’t be ordinary strands of hair.  It was some sort of special hair strong enough to be a weapon…  And when it had touched Kagome’s cheek, it had cut it.  And it wasn’t just her cheek.  When she looked, the sleeves of her miko outfit had also been cut in several places.  The same must have happened to that poor sparrow.  It had unknowingly flown into them and had become a sacrifice to this dreadful trap. (To be capable of this, it has to be a youkai…!)  Vigilantly, she looked around again. "Hmm, so you can see them,” came a voice suddenly.

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“…!"  She turned around, careful not to touch the hair surrounding her, and saw the owner of the voice.  (A girl?!) She looked maybe two or three years older than Kagome… if she was in the modern era, she’d probably be in high school.  She didn’t look like a youkai, but an ordinary human.  Her hair was cut in a bob style and she wore a red ribbon in her hair as a headband.  She was wearing an oddly sexualized black leather kimono that was open wide in the chest and hardly covered half her thighs.  She had large eyes and white skin, her lips red like cherries.  She could easily be said to be an idol or a model. All of the hairs surrounding her were attached to the fingers of both the girl’s hands.  She was standing atop one of the tightly stretched strands of hair.  It was reminiscient of a spider lying in wait for its prey atop its web. (Unlike Mukade Jourou and Shibugarasu, she looks completely human, but… is she really a youkai, too?) She took her time looking Kagome over, saying, "I’m surprised that you’re able to see my ‘Kushi no Kago’(1).” (1) “Kushi no Kago” literally means “comb cage”, however it’s written with the kanji for “hair cage”.

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“….!” “But just seeing it still does you no good.” “Who are you?” Kagome asked. “Sakasagami no Yura,” she revealed, giving a bewitching smile.  “But you don’t have to remember it.  Since this is the end for you,” she declared calmly as she quickly moved the fingers of her right hand.  The hair surrounding her glistened as if given a life of its own, wriggling around Kagome like some kind of animal.  Her kimono and hakama were becoming damaged. Kagome tried to instinctively cover her face, but Yura’s aim wasn’t Kagome’s body.  A single strand of hair moved quickly and slipped into Kagome’s bosom, taking hold of the charm bag containing the Shikon no Tama shard. “Ah!"  By the time she’d noticed, the charm bag was already in Yura’s hand. "U-fufu…"  As she laughed, she took a peek into the charm bag, but, "Oh my, what happened to my precious Shikon no Tama?”

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She had a look of astonishment as she scritinized the shard. “G, give that back!” Kagome shouted forcefully. “No way."  Yura calmly returned the shard to the bag, then smirked.  "You may die now.” “Eh…!?”   Yura rushed at Kagome as she drew a small sword from her hip.  Byuu!  The cold flash of the sword passed right in front of Kagome’s eyes.   “Ah!"  Kagome drew back reflexively.  "Eeek!"  But the well was just behind her.  Kagome lost her balance and tipped over the edge of the well, falling inside.  Straight towards the floor littered with Mukade Jourou’s bones.

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4 Although she saw the miko fall into the well, Sakasagami no Yura didn’t really rush.  “You can’t escape!"  To ensure the miko was finished off, she threw her sword into the well.  Naturally there was a strand of hair tied around the sword’s handle.  She could manipulate it better that way than in her hand.  "Now die!” However, something was strange.  She never felt anything hit.  “Hm?!” She retrieved the sword with the strand of hair.  There wasn’t a drop of blood on it. Yura stood on the edge of the well and peered down inside it.  “She’s gone!"  The well was empty.  All she could see was the damp soil on the bottom.

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(What happened?  Where’d that girl go?)  She had absolutely no clue.  That girl had to have been the reincarnated miko who carried a shard of the Shikon no Tama that Yura had heard about.  Even though she was human, to be able to see Yura’s “Kushi no Kago”, she had to have considerable spiritual power. “Well, none of my business anymore."  Yura shrugged her shoulders.  The Shikon no Tama shard that she’d desired was already in her possession.  So who cared where that miko went anymore.  There was no reason to let it preoccupy her. (All that’s left is that hanyou called Inuyasha.  I’ll have to take his head for myself.)  With a swoosh, Yura gathered all of the hair surrounding her into her hands.  This was starting to become interesting, and Yura began to hum a little song.

Next Chapter >>

[naominotaisho]

Shōsetsu InuYasha:

Translation By: Patches

Page 114

Chapter 5: Kagome’s Arrow 1 Inuyasha fervently pursued Shibugarasu, who had now transformed into a larger and more powerful form.  He leapt strongly off the ground while carrying Kagome on his back, piercing through the wind…   The surrounding scenery rapidly passed behind them.  The scenery was completely different from Kagome’s era.  There was little that was constructed by human hands, but other than that it was all natural scenery like forests, fields, rivers, and ponds…  It was a completely unfamiliar world to Kagome. It was Kagome’s first experience with such an unfamiliar place, much less running through it in this manner, but she didn’t think it to be strange or frightening.

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Probably because of the current urgency.  At any rate, they had to do something about Shibugarasu. (It’s partially my fault it took the Shikon no Tama, after all…!)  There was still a chance.  If they could stop Shibugarasu now, they could avoid any damage.  Even though shooting it down herself had proven to be useless, if they were able to catch up to it, maybe Inuyasha could defeat it with that “Sankon Tessou” thing… Shibugarasu crossed over the forest and appeared over a small village.  It was a different village from Kaede’s.  Villagers who had been casually tilling the fields with spades and hoes looked up as they heard an ominous “caw caw caw”. “W, what is that?!” “A bird?!” “No, it’s not!” “Mo… mononoke!” Shibugarasu lazily circled overhead as the villagers went pale and scattered, when its three eyes suddenly glowed.  It seemed to have found prey to its liking.

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Shibugarasu spread its glistening bat-like wings and swooped down and clamped its Shikon no Tama-enhanced claws onto a boy that looked to be about three years old. “Aah, Kokichi!” screeched the boy’s mother who had been with him, desperately reaching her hand up to the crying child, but he was already beyond a human’s reach. However, thanks to holding the boy, Shibugarasu’s previous altitude had significantly lowered.  If Inuyasha jumped, he might just reach it.  Its flying speed had dropped comparably as well. As they gradually closed the distance betwen them, Kagome asked from Inuyasha’s back with a gulp, “Don’t tell me it plans on eating that child…!” “Yeah, I told you, didn’t I?  Shibugarasu preys on humans,” Inuyasha replied calmly as he kept a sharp eye on Shibugarasu. “Oh no!  We have to save him!” “With its prey hanging there, its movement is hampered.  That’s convenient.” “So that means you can catch up to it and save him, right?” Kagome asked hopefully, but she was thinking too naiively. “Idiot!”

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Unbelievably, Inuyasha readied the claws on his right hand.  “I’ll slice it apart along with that brat!"  Kicking off the ground forcefully to close the gap in a single bound, Inuyasha approached Shibugarasu, slashing his extended claws down immediately. "Wha!"  Kagome was speechless.  "You idiot!  You need to save the kid!"  She quickly jumped off Inuyasha’s back, grabbing the child in order to shield him from the claws.  With the sudden addition of Kagome’s weight, Shibugarasu dropped abruptly.  They were now only about as high as a typical second-floor window.  Because of this, Inuyasha’s claws, which would have hit Shibugarasu’s body squarely, only sliced through the air. ”…!“  Inuyasha glared at Kagome with angry eyes.  "Dammit, why’d you get in my way!” But Kagome didn’t have any opportunity to answer.  Shibugarasu twisted around its body and stretched out its neck.  It let out a screeching hiss and opened its crocodilian mouth wide.

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Kagome’s entire field of view was covered by rows of gnashing teeth.  Its rancid, slightly warm and bloody-smelling breath buffeted her face. It seemed to want to make a meal of both Kagome and the child. “Eeek!"  Kagome cringed reflexively and wraped her arms protectively around the child. But, just before Shibugarasu’s mouth could take hold of them, Inuyasha grunted, "Tch!” with a click of his tongue, and raised his right hand again.  “Sankon Tessou!” he shouted as he slashed his large claws. This time, his claws did not miss their target.  Shibugarasu’s body was reduced to multiple chunks of flesh falling to the ground.  Kagome and the child she was still holding also fell to the ground. “Ow!"  She hit the ground hard on her back, but at least it wasn’t anything life-threatening.

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When she looked, Shibugarasu’s claw was still attached to the child’s arm.  Its body had been destroyed, so it was only a foot, but it acted like it still didn’t want to let go of its chosen prey. “Ugh!"  Kagome tried to pry Shibugarasu’s claws off one by one and finally removed it from the boy’s arm.  Even after removing it, Shibugarasu’s foot continued to writhe in Kagome’s hand. "I’m… okay now."  When Kagome affirmed, the child let out a wail and clung to her arm crying. "Hey, woman!"  Inuyasha’s voice sailed down from above her. "What?” “Where’s the Shikon no Tama?!” “Eh?"  Kagome followed Inuyasha’s line of sight and gulped.  Shibugarasu’s body that had been rendered into chunks of flesh all over the ground had begun reforming itself. (Just like Mukade Jourou…)  The pieces of flesh flew into the sky and assembled, sticking together with a mashing sound.  It was like a video being played in reverse.

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The piece of leg in Kagome’s hand also convulsed violently, as if trying to free itself. (We have to get the Shikon no Tama back!)  Kagome fixed her eyes keenly on the Shibugarasu that was restoring itself mid-air.  For some reason, she was the only one who was able to see the light from the Shikon no Tama.  That’s why she had to find it…! With a gleam, that familiar light came into view.  “I see it!  Below the wing!” “All right!"  Inuyasha leapt forcibly.  "Sankon Tessou!” he shouted as he swung down his claws.  However, Shibugarasu had regained its prior agility due to having dropped its prey.  It nimbly dodged Inuyasha’s claws with a swish and began ascending higher into the sky, beyond the reach of Inuyasha’s jumping ability. “D, Dammit!  That damned Shibugarasu intends to just run away until it’s completely absorbed the Shikon no Tama!”

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“Oh no… We have to do something fast…!"  So she said, but after having escaped that high in the sky, catching it was looking unlikely.  This world didn’t have anything like a helicopter or airplane, after all. (What should we do?!)  At that moment, Shibugarasu’s foot in Kagome’s hand twitched violently.  (Ah…!)  Like it was planted there by the gods in heaven, Kagome got an idea in her head.  (That’s it, I could do that!)  Kagome untied the ribbon from her sailor uniform. "Hey, what do you think you’re doing tying that piece of cloth to an arrow?” Kagome was too immersed in her work to answer Inuyasha’s question.  “That should do it."  Kagome glared pointedly at the Shibugarasu still circling high in the sky.  She readied the bow, nocked the arrow, and aimed at Shibugarasu, pulling the string back all the way.  "This time…!” “There ain’t no way you’ll hit it!  You still suck at archery!"  She didn’t even pay attention to Inuyasha’s flippant words from beside her.

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She took a deep breath, then another.  Clear your mind, concentrate…  “I’ll definitely hit it!!"  Putting her prayer into words, Kagome fired the arrow. The arrow flew straight.  As it flew, she could see the red ribbon tied around it flutter.  The ribbon that firmly secured Shibugarasu’s twitching foot. (With the Shikon no Tama’s restorative power, the leg will have to rejoin the main body…!)  As she suspected, the arrow flew straight to Shibugarasu like a child running to its mother.  It didn’t stall like before, but rather approached it with increasing speed. She thought she heard a "thunk” sound.  The arrow had struck Shibugarasu perfectly, piercing its torso right through the middle. “I did it!” Kagome shouted as Inuyasha made a sound of surprise.  The villagers who had come after the abducted boy made a commotion.  Shibugarasu’s body had fallen to pieces once again.

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But the next instant… Flash! Suddenly a dazzling light burst into the sky.  The light had come from the center of Shibugarasu’s crumbled body and spread distantly in all directions.  It was a light strong enough to change the color of the surrounding landscape.  The light completely covered the sky… “Ah…?!"  She gasped as she watched the light silently fade into the sky, then vanish.  (What… was that light…?) Kagome wondered to herself.   Her chest was pounding.  She had the feeling something terrible had just happened.  No, it wasn’t just a feeling, it was more of a certainty.

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2 “Hey, is the jewel really over here?” Inuyasha asked as he was once again carrying Kagome on his back, bounding through the forest at extreme speed. “I just have a feeling.” “Be more specific!” “You say that like I can!"  She could see that there was a faint hue of the Shikon no Tama in the direction they were headed.  Kagome had given Inuyasha directions relying on only that.  There was no way she could be any more specific. At any rate, they had to retrieve the Shikon no Tama…!  Although that powerful light that had filled the sky earlier was still on her mind, she and Inuyasha had come into this forest in search of Shibugarasu and the Shikon no Tama. Zah!  Suddenly a rustling sound came fom the treetops, and Inuyasha stopped abruptly. Caw caw caw…!  With its grating voice, Shibugarasu swooped down from the sky.  Its crocodilian mouth with rows of sharp teeth opened wide, and its three eyes held an evil light.

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“Eek!"  Kagome instinctively cowered on Inuyasha’s back. Looking more closely, Shibugarasu had been reduced to nothing but a head.  It had lost its body and wings, and yet thanks to the power of the Shikon no Tama, it was still able to move freely.  It was attacking with a fierce tenacity in retribution for Inuyasha and Kagome leaving it in such a state with just a single arrow. But Inuyasha retained his composure.  "Hmph.  So you finally decided to show yourself!"  His lips curled into a sneer as he curled the fingers on his right hand.  "Just die already!"  As he yelled that, Inuyasha leapt nimbly into the air.  His crimson clothes billowed in the wind as he slammed Shibugarasu’s head into the ground, crushing it. (He really is strong…) Kagome gasped while watching him wide-eyed.  She saw a small shining object fly out of a piece of Shibugarasu’s flesh and roll onto the ground.

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(Huh?)  She tilted her head, noting that the light this small object gave off was quite similar to that of the Shikon no Tama. “Where’s the Shikon no Tama?!"  Rather than answer Inuyasha’s irritating question, Kagome made her way to where the small glowing object lay on the ground.  She had a bad feeling about this. (This… can’t be…)  She gingerly picked it up.  It looked like a crystal fragment, no bigger than the tip of Kagome’s pinky finger, and sparkled with light.  Her bad feeling was no almost a certainty. "Could… this be…” “What?!"  Inuyasha raised a quizzical eyebrow. It was difficult to say, but she had to.  "A Shikon no Tama… fragment…” “Wha…"  Inuyasha was practically speechless.

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3 “I knew something troubling had happened when I saw that light spreading through the sky."  Kaede took a small breath as she stirred the fire with the tongs. "Whaddaya mean ‘troubling’?!"  Inuyasha struck the floor with visible irritation.  "Just what happened to the jewel, already?!” Beside him, Kagome was feeling quite uncomfortable.  She was beginning to have an inkling of just what happened.  After she’d picked up the Shikon no Tama fragment-like object, Inuyasha had put Kagome on his back and hurried back to Kaede’s house.  Inuyasha found Kaede annoying and unbearable, but there was no other person available who could explain the current situation.  It seemed that the light that had filled the sky had been visible even from Kaede’s village.

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After hearing only a portion of Inuyasha and Kagome’s story, Kaede began to explain just what was so “troubling”. “That light was the light of the Shikon no Tama.  It means that the sacred arrow that Kagome fired shattered not only Shibugarasu’s body, but the Shikon no Tama as well.” “Sh, shattered?!"  Inuyasha’s eyes widened, but Kagome had a feeling it was more out of being proven right than out of surprise. "In other words…” Kaede continued in a monotone, “Fragments of the Shikon no Tama have been scattered about this land.  I do not know if it has broken into ten or a hundred pieces…  However, should even one piece fall into the hands of evil, it would spell disaster.” (Even one piece…)  Kaede’s words echoed heavily in Kagome’s heart.  She hadn’t even thought of what might happen as a result of the Shikon no Tama shattering.  Shibugarasu had attacked them so fiercely while having only a single shard embedded in it.  Even though it had already lost its body and wings and had been reduced to only a head…

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And now shards hiding that kind of power were scattered everywhere.  If even one of those were to fall into the hands of an evil youkai or a wicked-hearted human…  The world would be struck with indescribable disaster. (Is this… my fault?  Could have I done such an unthinkable thing?)  Kagome nibbled on her lip.  (But back then, it was the only thing I could have done.  If I hadn’t, Shibugarasu would have…) Kaede examined the Shikon no Tama shard in her palm for a while, but she then slowly lifted her head and looked at Kagome and Inuyasha with a fierce eye.  “Listen, Kagome, Inuyasha.  You two must use your powers to search for the Shikon no Tama shards and gather them back into their original form.” “Eh…?"  Her words were so unexpected that Kagome forgot to be confused.  (Collect the Shikon no Tama shards?  Me?  Along with this Inuyasha person?) "Heh,” Inuyasha grunted in a mocking tone.  “You sure ‘bout that, Kaede-babaa?  I’m one of those bad guys after the jewel, after all.”

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“Right now we have no choice."  Kaede frowned bitterly.  "Inuyasha, without combining Kagome’s ability to locate the Shikon no Tama with your strength, collecting the scattered Shikon no Tama would be impossible.” (But…!)  Kagome was stunned.  He might have said “You sure ‘bout that” sarcastically, but Inuyasha seemed earnest in his desire to look for the Shikon no Tama.  Well, that made sense.  His original desire was to take it for himself, after all. (But I’m different…)  Kagome had just been thinking about getting home as quickly as possible.  To the house where Mama and the others were waiting.  To the era where she originally belonged.  To the present. Today she’d gone to that well to see whether or not there was a way home.  If she hadn’t been abducted by those bandits, she would have jumped in the well.  Yes, she could have been relaxing at home right about now.  And she would have been thinking, wow, what a crazy thing happened to me. (Find all the shards of the Shikon no Tama.�� That’s a pretty tall order.)

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It would probably involve travelling all over the place.  She had no idea how long that would take.  Not to mention more terrifying youkai were bound to appear and put her in more awful situations.  She’d be stuck in this world forever… unable to return home, to her time… (But the one responsible for breaking the Shikon no Tama was me.  But… I… just want to go home!)

Next Chapter >>

[naominotaisho]

Shōsetsu InuYasha:

Translation By: Patches

Page 93

Chapter 4: Shibugarasu 1 When she awoke the next morning, Kagome was, as usual, still in Kaede’s house in the Sengoku Era.  She went to sleep hoping that today would be the say she’d wake up and she’d have returned back to her own time, but it was not the case. (It’s been two whole days since I came here now…)   She had to think of a way to get home somehow.  For instance, she could try going to that well.  (The dry well in Inuyasha’s Forest… That’s where I came out)  If she could come here by going through the well, maybe she could go back to the other side the same way…

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This morning, Kaede had left again to speak with the other village elders. “Forces of evil seeking the Shikon no Tama will descend upon this village in the near future.  We must discuss how we will fight to defend this village when that time comes.” Those words made Kagome melancholy.  The forces of evil were after the Shikon no Tama.  Which meant that what those forces of evil were really after was Kagome, the one who carried it. “Um… since it’s so important, wouldn’t it be safer for Kaede-san to hold onto it than me?” she tried to suggest, but Kaede replied with: “No, Kagome.  It must be carried by you who are Kikyou-onee-sama’s reincarnation.  You must protect it."  It looked like they were going to force Kagome to hang onto it.  Even though she didn’t know a thing about youkai or mononoke.  Those that came looking for the Shikon no Tama would certainly be in the same league as Mukade Jourou.  She didn’t ever want to have anything to do with those sorts of things again. (I need to get out of this world before they get here) Kagome thought.

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(I can just take the Shikon no Tama back to my time with me.  I mean, it was inside my belly the entire time over there, anyway.  That way the forces of evil won’t come to this village.) Kagome headed towards Inuyasha’s Forest alone.  Although it was the middle of the day, if she squinted she could just make out the faint green light through the sunlight.  If she just followed that, she should be able to get to the well on her own. Kagome proceeded through the lush forest and the destruction left behind by Mukade Jourou.  The fallen trees and branches made walking difficult.  When thinking of the position of the dry well in relation to Goshinboku, in her own era the area where she was currently walking was a station-front shopping district that led into a residential area.  There were houses and convenience stores, and a small post office. But right now, all that was here were trees.  The houses and convenience stores and post office wouldn’t be built until far, far in the future.  Even the Higurashi Shrine, with all its proud history, didn’t exist yet.  This was a completely different world from the one where Kagome was born and raised.  It was a completely unknown world separated by a daunting span of time…

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Eventually, the dry well beyond the grove of trees came into view.  (I’ll just try jumping in.  If I do that, I might be able to get home…) Kagome began to trot.  But when she did, somebody put her in a chokehold. “…?!"  She tried to shout in surprise, but another hand quickly covered her mouth. (Stop it!)  An image of Mukade Jourou’s six arms flashed through her mind, even though she should have been dead since yesterday.  In a panic, she struggled desperately to resist and free herself. "Little bitch!"  It was a rough male voice. (It’s not Mukade Jourou…)  As soon as she thought that, she was strangled by a strong force.  (…..!) In an instant her vision went black as Kagome lost consciousness.

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2 When she came to, the scenery was swaying.  (Eh?  What…?)  She was in a daze, but as her vision came into focus, she realized she was being carried over a man’s shoulder.  “Hey!  Stop it!” She struggled and attempted to escape, but the man said, “Dammit, she’s awake.” “Settle down!” said another man, blocking Kagome’s mouth.  These men were completely different from the men in the village.  They weren’t wearing kimonos, but rather wore armor directly on their bodies and swords at their hips. (Who are these guys?  Mercenaries?  Or bandits?)

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Before she knew it, Kagome had been brought into the main hall of an old temple.  It seemed to be a temple that hadn’t been in use for quite some time.  The door was gone, the wall was covered in holes, and the dilapidated floor was covered in dust. Five more men were in the main hall, seeming to be in the middle of a drinking party.  Bows and arrows, spears, swords, and other weapons were haphazardly lying about. “Gehehe, it’s a woman.” “A woman!” “She’s wearing weird clothes."  Kagome was horrified at their unabashed stares.  She was then thrown violently to the floor. "We caught her like you told us to, Boss.” (Boss?)  Kagome lifted her head and gasped.  Before her eyes was a giant, bizarre-looking man who looked like he could be a professional wrestler, holding a cup of sake. “Gehu…. gehu…"  The man spoke in what she couldn’t tell was a voice or a cough.  "Jewel…”

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“Eh?” “Give me… jewel…”   A chill went down her spine.  (This guy’s after the Shikon no Tama!)  Kaede’s words echoed in the back of her mind: “It will not only be youkai.  Men with evil in their hearts will surely also come in droves.” So that must mean that the huge man before her had to be one of those “men with evil in their hearts”.  What was worse was that he didn’t just seem to be an evil person, but downright dangerous.  His glazed-over eyes looked like they were looking at Kagome and the minions without even seeing them.  He was probably looking at something that other humans couldn’t see. “Gehu… gehu…” he said as he tilted the sake cup, but the sake spilled along the side of his mouth, flowing down his neck and into his armor.  But he didn’t seem to take any notice of it.  “Shikon no Tamaa…"  He swayed as he stood and grasped the collar of Kagome’s sailor uniform. "Eek!"  Kagome struggled he lifted her up high, tearing the Shikon no Tama off its string.

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“Ah!"  Kagome was then discared on the floor like worthless trash. "Gehu…” the man vocalized in what seemed to be happiness, and opened his mouth.  He looked to be about to swallow the Shikon no Tama. “No!  Give that back!"  In a delirium, Kagome raised her hand in an attempt to take the Shikon no Tama back. Thunk!  A sword was suddenly embedded in the floor, just grazing her nose.  ”….!!“  Her body froze in fear.  Not five centimeters in front of her eyes, the silver sword blade was still wobbling.  The giant man had attempted to dispose of Kagome, but had just barely missed. (He’s gonna kill me…!) "Gehu, gehu."  While the man was removing his sword from the floor, Kagome attempted to retreat.  However, "Hold… her…” the boss ordered. “R, right…”

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Looking a little puzzled, the minions held Kagome down. “No!  Let me go!!"  Kagome struggled in earnest.  (No!  If I’m cut with a sword like that, I’ll really die!) The menacing boss approached Kagome with unfeeling eyes.  "Gehu…"  He slowly lifted the sword above his head. (Am I really going to die here?!)  The boss swifly brought his sword down with a swish.  (Nooo!) Kagome had steeled herself, but it was not Kagome, but the minion next to her holding her down who the sword cut.  Shuuuuu!!  Blood erupted from his carotid artery like a fountain, but the minion continued to stand with a shocked look on his face.  He probably died before he even knew what happened to him. "Awawawa…"  Like the man who had been cut down, the minions holding down Kagome were too shocked to move.

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“B… Boss!!"  The minions who had been drinking all jumped up in a fright. Having had a person killed right next to her, Kagome lost all sensation in her body.  (But, why?!  Why did he miss?!)  It was fortunate that she wasn’t killed and all… but why?! Then, something else happened that she couldn’t understand.  "Gehu… I… missed."  For some reason, the boss stuck out his tongue in embarrassment. (Eh?!  Wh… what is this guy?!) "Gehu… this time… your head…"  The boss raised his sword and shouted, "Diiiee,” and began running towards Kagome in a strange manner. “No!!"  Kagome instinctively ran.  The boss brought down his sword with great vigor.

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This time he took the heads off two nearby minions in a single swipe. “Hiiiiiiii!” “Wh, what’re you doing, boss?!"  But the boss wasn’t paying any attention to his panicked minions, and instead was focused solely on Kagome.  Kagome was becoming progressively cornered within the main hall. (I’ve gotta get out of here…!)  Looking around, she saw a spear lying on the floor.  She’d never even seen nor touched a spear since she was born, but right now she had no other options.  Kagome lifted the spear, and going off her memories of what she’d seen in period dramas, tried to poise it. "D, don’t come any closer!"  Her voice was trembling and her legs were shaking.  But Kagome glared at the boss like her life depended on it. "A… a spear has reach, you know!  And you’re…” “Gehu."  With just that sound, the boss swung his sword down. Zing!  The spear’s handle was cut in half down the middle.

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“Ah!"  She didn’t even have time to lament her loss of attack range.  The boss headed straight for Kagome this time, and swung down his sword immediately. (I’m done for!)  Her entire body froze.  She was really going to die this time, right here, cut down by a sword. The moment she unconsciously shut her eyes, a bolt of red lightning flashed through the air.  "Eh?!”   Kagome’s eyes widened in disbelief.  It was Inuyasha.  Like magic or a miracle, Inuyasha had appeared.  He’d come crashing through the temple wall, crimson clothes billowing, and flown in between the boss and Kagome.  He’d even sliced the boss’s sword in half with those sharp claws. (He’s… not an illusion.)  At first she’d thought he was some sort of delusion one sees right before they die, but he was the living and breathing genuine article. Inuyasha smirked like there was nothing in this world that frightened him as he landed on the floor.

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“Inuyasha!"  Kagome was about to cry.  "You came to rescue–” But Inuyasha easily interrupted Kagome’s happy words with a much more pressing question: “Where’s the Shikon no Tama?!” “–something other than me."  Inuyasha hadn’t come for Kagome, he’d come for the Shikon no Tama. "What happened to the jewel?!” he shouted impatiently, but before Kagome could answer, he noted, “This guy, huh…"  Deducing the situation, he looked at the boss’s face.  "What a nasty smell.  It smells of a decaying corpse."  Inuyasha frowned, holding his sleeve over his nose. "Eh?"  A decaying corpse?  Kagome was confused.  She already knew that Inuyasha had a strong nose like a dog.  But the minions here had only just died.

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(Even so, he said it smells of decay…) As if to answer Kagome’s question, Inuyasha said, “You’re there, aren’t you, Shibugarasu!!” Inuyasha curled the fingers of his right hand and leapt with great force.  The sharp claws shredded the boss’s armor, and from under the armor a disgusting thing appeared.  In the boss’s left breast, there was a gaping hole.  His heart was there originally, but now there was nothing.  In its place was a crow.  But not just an ordinary crow.  It had three eyes.  It had made a nest of the bloody hole in the boss’s chest, with only its head poking out.  The crow gave a caw that sounded like a rusty hinge. “Uwaaaah!"  The minions who had come to their senses enough to scream at the horrible sight retreated in fear along with Kagome.  Only Inuyasha was calm. "You probably ate your way into his chest and settled in there last night.” The minions whispered amongst themselves while still shaking in fear.

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“Th… the boss is dead…?!” “I thought he’d been acting weird since this morning…” Gyu-gyu-gyu… Shibugarasu cawed mockingly. “Shibugarasu, you’re not all that strong so you manipulate dead bodies to do your fighting for you.  You’re a crow that makes corpses dance, that’s why you’re called Shibugarasu.”(1) Kagome gasped at Inuyasha’s words.  (It manipulates dead bodies…!  That’s horrible…)  Killing people and then using them as tools to further its own ends!  It didn’t matter if this huge man was already dead, he’d been manipulated by the deformed crow in the hole in his chest.  He was just a pathetic puppet.  As its name implied, being forced to dance in death…. “Gehu."  The boss, no, Shibugarasu’s puppet lifted his sword from where he dropped it, then swung it broadly in an attempt to cut down Inuyasha.  Inuyasha deftly countered it and leapt at the boss’s chest. "Shibugarasu!  Get out of that rotten nest of yours!!"  He brandished his sharp claws and thrust his hand into the hole in the chest in order to drag Shibugarasu out. (1) Inuyasha described Shibugarasu as "shikabane wo mawaseru karasu” (屍を舞わせる烏).  The three kanji in this phrase, 屍舞烏, are what spell “Shibugarasu”.

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But, he was one second too late.  A hole opened in the boss’s back, and Shibugaraus flew out.  Blood dripped from its scorpion-like tail.  It clutched the Shikon no Tama firmly in its beak. “Ah, the jewel!"  Inuyasha had tried to steal it, but the boss’s huge body tilted with a shudder and fell over.  With the Shibugarasu gone, he had lost his puppetmaster.  Inuyasha hurriedly pushed the boss’s body back, but Shibugarasu had already taken that opportunity to escape. "D, dammit!  Get back here!"  He threw one of the spears on the floor in vain, but Shibugarasu passed through a hole in the wall and flew out into the sky.  Inuyasha picked up a bow and arrow that was lying next to the spear and said, "Come on!"  He grabbed Kagome’s arm, who had just been standing there watching in shock. "Eh…”

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Without bothering to give her an explanation, Inuyasha suddenly dragged a puzzled Kagome onto his back. “Ack!  W, wait, what are you doing!” As Inuyasha exited the temple, he yelled, “You think you can escape, Shibugarasu?!  Dammit!"  With a great leap he began to chase after Shibugarasu, who had escaped into the air. "Here!"  While running, Inuyasha handed the bow and arrow to Kagome. "Eh…?” “What’re you doing?!  Hurry up and shoot it down!” “Eh?!"  Kagome couldn’t believe what she was hearing.  "D, don’t ask me to do something impossible!  I’ve never even held a bow before, much less shot one!” As if to give Kagome a push after her refusal, Inuyasha said, “The Shibugarasu only preys on humans, you know.  If it transforms with the Shikon no Tama, don’t you think things might get a bit ugly?!” “….!!”

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She was surprised to see Shibugarasu’s throat swell up unnaturally.  The swelled part glowed and moved towards its chest.  Light… that’s right, that was the light from the Shikon no Tama. (It swallowed the jewel!) Just as Inuyasha had said, terrible things were bound to happen if Shibugarasu were to absorb the Shikon no Tama’s power.  Kagome felt a chill when she thought of the form Mukade Jourou had taken when she swallowed the Shikon no Tama and bound Kagome with her tail.  If Shibugarasu transformed into something like that, if it gained even more power… if it used that power to begin preying on humans… she didn’t even want to imagine it, it was too frightening. She couldn’t just let it happen.  It couldn’t be allowed to happen.  And what if she really could stop it with her power?! “I’ll give it a try!"  Kagome gripped the bow and arrow. "All right!"  Inuyasha finally smiled as he continued to bound after Shibugarasu.  "Do it in one shot.  Kikyou was a master archer, after all!” “But I’m Kagome!”

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But as she spoke, Kagome gave a prayer in her heart.  (But, please, right now lend me your strength… Kikyou!)  She raised the bow, nocked the arrow, and pulled back the bowstring as far as it would go. The bowstring was a lot tenser than Kagome had anticipated.  But for her first attempt, she felt she’d pulled it back pretty good.  She thought her posture looked appropriate as well. Kagome gave a strong glare at the retreating Shibugarasu.  She had no evidence for it, but she felt this was going to turn out well.  Like some miracle would occur. (Hit it!!)  She fired the bow with all her might.  The arrow flew straight at the retreating Shibugarasu… but halfway there ran out of steam and wobbled clumsily, then fell pathetically to the ground. “Huh?"  Kagome’s face twitched while Inuyasha’s face contorted.  "Hey, Inuyasha.  When you said Kikyou was a master archer, you were making that up, weren’t you?!” Inuyasha responded in a loud voice, “No, you just suck!”

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“S, saying I suck is a bit much, don’t you think?!” Kagome replied, but in the next second she caught her breath.   Shibugarasu had begun to transform mid-air.  The Shikon no Tama it had swallowed before had begun to take effect.  Shibugarasu, whose original body was not that different from an ordinary crow’s, was overflowing  with power.  With crackling sounds, its muscles began to swell.  Its body started looking more like a crocodile’s.  Its wings expanded like a pterosaur’s, and its claws extended ferociously… Caw caw caw!  With an ominous voice, Shibugarasu opened its mouth, and rows of newly-erupted teeth appeared.  Teeth sharp as blades.  They were teeth for feeding on humans.

Next chapter >>

[naominotaisho]

Shōsetsu InuYasha:

Translation By: Patches

Page 66

Chapter 3: Seekers of the Jewel 1 “All right, if you don’t wanna die, hurry up and hand over the Shikon no Tama."  As Inuyasha curled the fingers on his right hand, he approached a step closer.  His long, sharp claws clearly reflected the moonlight, making them gleam. From behind her, Kaede said in a severe voice, "You mustn’t give it to him, Kagome,” and Kagome reflexively firmly gripped the Shikon no Tama in her hand. “Hey, woman, this isn’t a bluff.  I won’t hold back.  Especially… not for a woman with such an unpleasant smell.”

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As he said that, Inuyasha kicked off the ground with his bare feet. Slash!  Claws held high in the air flashed an arc in the night sky, and a strong burst of hot, fast-moving air collided with Kagome’s body. “Ah!"  Kagome couldn’t even budge.  In a fraction of a second, a large gouge had been taken out of the ground in front of her.  As steam rose from the ground, the smell of earth, heat, and water mixed together reached Kagome’s nose. Inuyasha returned to his original posture as though nothing had happened.  "Next one will slice you in half."  A wry smile played on the edge of his lips as he displayed his claws. "Y… you!"  Kagome glared at Inuyasha as the blood rose to her head.  "You were really trying to kill me!” “Of course I was."  Inuyasha curled the fingers of his right hand again.  He flashed his long claws again and leapt into the air.

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“Prepare yourself!” “Like I can!"  Kagome hurriedly leapt into the shadow of a nearby tree.  As before, she felt a swift rush of hot hair.  At the same time, she heard a tremendous crack. ”…!“  The trunk of a tree that had to have been decades old was torn apart like it was some brittle styrofoam prop.  The upper half of the shorn-off tree fell towards Kagome. "Ah!"  Kagome escaped in just the nick of time, but her feet became entangled, causing her to fall and unintentionally drop the Shikon no Tama. As the jewel rolled along the ground, Inuyasha shouted, "It’s mine!” like a child who just found a present. But as soon as she thought, (Oh no!  He’s going to get it!), Kaede spat, “Inuyasha!  Careless as always!” and threw something at him.

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“Something” flew through the air and landed around Inuyasha’s neck with a jangle. (A necklace?!)  It was made of round beads and magatama(1), like a rosary.  (Like one of those things worn by mountain priests in period dramas?!)  But why would Kaede give him such a thing? But while Kagome didn’t understand, Kaede shouted, “Kagome, a word to calm his spirit!” “Eh?!"  She was taken aback at hearing a term she was unfamiliar with all of a sudden. "It matters not what it is!  A word to subdue Inuyasha!” “You… you tell me this now all of a sudden…!"  Kagome had no idea what would be appropriate.  (What’s a subduing word?  Some kind of spell?  If so, I don’t know any such thing.  There’s no way I’d know that.) Inuyasha made his anger and frustration plainly visible. (1) Magatama are the teardrop-shaped beads on Inuyasha’s rosary.

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“Subdue me?!  You gotta be kidding!"  In a fit of rage, he kicked off the ground again and readied another attack at Kagome.  "Just hand over the Shikon no Tama!” His crimson garmnet and silver hair billowed in the wind, and the moonlight glistened over the soft-looking fur that covered his ears. (Dog ears… dog…  How to subdue a dog…  How to make a dog be quiet…?)  Kagome’s mind ran through words like a word association game.  If she needed a word to make a dog be quiet, there could be only one.  She knew of no other. Inuyasha’s claws were pointed at Kagome. (Here goes nothing!)  As a last resort out of desperation, Kagome shouted, “S… sit!!” It worked surprisingly well. Thump.  Like doing a belly-flop in a pool, both Inuyasha’s arms and legs spread, and he hit the ground flat on his belly.   “Gyaaah!” he yelped pitifully like a dog whose tail had been stepped on.

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As steam rose from around him, Kagome stood blinking in surprise at the now immobilized Inuyasha.  (Eh?!  What… just happened?!) The villagers raised their voices in appreciation. “Ohh, she subdued him!” “She subdued him quite splendidly!” “What a blessed act!” (Eh?  What does it mean?  Did the ‘sit’ actually work?  So if I say 'sit’, this is what happens to Inuyasha?!) “Dammit!” Inuyasha shouted bitterly as he rose.  “Wh… What the hell is this?!"  He gripped the necklace violently and attempted to pull it off.  However, he could not.   "Dammit!"  Having given up on trying to tear it off, he tried to simply lift it off his neck, but for some reason he couldn’t even do that. "It is useless, Inuyasha,” said Kaede, calmly coming forward.

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“That rosary cannot be removed by your power.” “Wha…?!"  Inuyasha fumed.  "Don’t mess with me, old woman!"  He made a motion to leap at her in an explosion of rage, but Kaede didn’t panic in the least. "Kagome, the word.” “Sit."  As soon as Kagome uttered the word, Inuyasha was thrown against the ground on his belly again.  Like perfect comic timing. (So that did do it.  ‘Sit’ really works.)  Though it was a bit mean considering Inuyasha was currently lying in a smoking crater, Kagome excitedly thought, (This is fun!)

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2 By the time they returned to the village, it was already morning. “You, come with me,” said Kaede, and Inuyasha begrudgingly came along.  Well, perhaps not begrudgingly, but rather waiting for a chance to arise to steal the Shikon no Tama from Kagome. The villagers were repairing houses damaged by Mukade Jourou.  Whether it was because it was unusual to see Inuyasha, or whether they were still apprehensive about Kagome, everyone was watching, pointing, whispering, and keeping a wary eye on them as they passed. When they arrived at Kaede’s house, the women who had been watching the house in her absence had just finished preparing some porridge.  As she was eating it, Kagome had to repeatedly fight the urge to fall asleep.  She was exhausted to her very core.   (I guess it’s to be expected.  It’s been a very long day.)  She’d intended to go to school like any other day, but she had suddenly been pulled into the well by a centipede monster, became lost in an unfamiliar world, got chased around by the monster again, met Inuyasha, had the Shikon no Tama torn from inside her body for some reason, and then…

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“Now then, we had better apply some medicinal herbs to that wound on your belly."  Kaede came over to her carrying a ceramic jar. (That’s right, I was injured…)  Mukade Jourou had bitten her with her sharp fangs, tearing away her flesh and sending blood flying everywhere, so it had to be a huge gash, but until Kaede had mentioned it, she had completely forgotten about it.  She hadn’t felt any pain since only shortly after being bitten. "Here, show me,” said Kaede as she tried to remove the top half of her uniform. “Ah, wait."  Kagome gave a leering eye at Inuyasha’s back as he lay sulking in the corner of the room.  "You there.  Don’t look.” “Keh.  Who would want to?” (… Just the way he talks ticks me off) “Now then, hurry and show me."  This time Kaede did lift up the hem of her uniform.

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“Oh my, it is unexpectedly shallow.  It does not appear any of the centipede’s venom got in.  It likely would not even fester."  As she spoke, Kaede coated the wound with something thick and strong-smelling. "Ow…!"  The medicine stung and she involuntarily let out a cry. "Hahaha!"  Inuyasha laughed in a way that sounded intentional. "What’s with your attitude?  It’s like you’re a little kid."  Kagome felt a prick in her skull.  It was like every time this guy spoke, it made her so mad.  Even though when she’d first seen him at Goshinboku, sitting there with his eyes closed, she’d unconsciously thought he was beautiful.  She’d thought he was amazing when he defeated Mukade Jourou with a single attack.  But aside from that, he was an asshole.  Ever since before he’d just been sulking like a scolded child. "However, this poses a problem,” Kaede said as she put away the medicine jar. “Eh?”

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“Now that the Shikon no Tama has reappeared in this world, forces of evil who seek it will surely begin to swarm.” “Swarm…?” wondered Kagome, sitting back down.  “You mean more youkai like Mukade Jourou will come?” That was unthinkable.  Just Mukade Jourou was enough of a traumatizing event for one lifetime.  If she ever saw another monster, it would be too soon. But Kaede’s answer was even worse than that.  “It will not only be youkai.  Men with evil in their hearts will surely also come in droves.” “Humans, too?” “Yes, all forms of evil.  In this world of war, if one obtains the Shikon no Tama’s youkai power they can achieve any ambition.” “…!"  Kagome removed the Shikon no Tama from her pocket and examined it in her palm.  A jewel that was transparent like crystal and gave off a clear light….  Such a small jewel had that kind of power?! But it had to.  When she’d swallowed it, Mukade Jourou had gained incredible power.

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Even scattered into chunks of flesh, she was still able to attempt to return to normal.   Just what sort of horrible thing could have happened if Mukade Jourou had been able to absorb the jewel completely…?  She could only imagine, and it sent a chill up her spine. Suddenly curious, Kagome looked at Inuyasha.  “So what do you want the Shikon no Tama for?  You’re plenty strong even without it…"  And even though he got under her skin, she didn’t feel like Inuyasha was one of the "forces of evil” like Mukade Jourou.  Yes, he was violent and rude, but he was still capable of conversation once in a while.  So what would Inuyasha use this jewel for…? While he stubbornly reclined with a grunt, it was Kaede who provided the answer.  “He is a hanyou who wishes to become a true youkai.” Inuyasha’s reaction to that word was not what Kagome expected.  Although he’d been stubbornly lying down this whole time, he sprang up like a jack-in-the-box and glared at Kaede. “Old woman, what the hell are you going on about?!  You know something about me?!”

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Kaede let out a small breath.  “You do not know?  Well, I suppose you would not.  I am Kaede, younger sister of the one who sealed you, Kikyou.” “Kaede?!"  Inuyasha raised his eyebrow suspiciously.  "The hell are you talking about?  Kaede’s still just a little kid.” “It has been fifty years since then… I have aged as well.” “Fifty years… so I’ve been sealed for that long, huh?"  Inuyasha twitched his nose and grinned.  "Heeh.  So that little brat became this old hag.  So that would mean…"  For a fraction of a second, Inuyasha’s vision wavered.  "That Kikyou must be a really old hag.  Guess humans can’t help it."  The way Inuyasha put emphasis on the word "humans” made it sound like a ridicule. “Inuyasha, Kikyou-onee-sama is dead,” Kaede said bluntly. Kagome saw the mocking expression disappear from Inuyasha’s face. “It was the same day she sealed you.  She had a terrible wound…  Her final words were, ‘So that the Shikon no Tama would never again fall into the hands of evil, burn it along with my body.’”

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Inuyasha’s face returned to the mocking expression from before.  “Oh, is that so?  So that bitch bit it.  Keh, that’s a relief."  But to Kagome’s eyes, Inuyasha looked like he was really forcing himself to say that. Kaede continued her story regardless.  "Inuyasha, it is a little early for you to be relieved.” “What?” “Kagome, it is likely that you are Kikyou-onee-sama’s reincarnation.” “Eh?!"  Kagome looked at Kaede in surprise as the conversaion had abruptly turned in her direction, to say nothing of suddenly being called a "reincarnation”.  From the corner of her eye, she could swear that Inuyasha was staring at her.  “Um… what are you talking about…? "You are a mirror image of my sister.  Plus your holy powers that repelled Mukade Jourou’s arms in an instant.  You were bitten, but received such a shallow wound…” “But…!” “Besides…” said Kaede, looking at Kagome with a piercing stare.

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“The fact that you carried the Shikon no Tama inside your body is more proof than anything!” “But…!  I…"  Kagome was becoming impatiend at being unable to speak.  To say there was no way she was a reincarnation.  That she didn’t have anything to do with this miko, Kikyou. But she didn’t say it.  She didn’t say anything.  (Yes, I know the Shikon no Tama came out of my belly!  So does that mean I really am Kikyou’s reincarnation?!)  Kagome was horribly confused.  Between thinking about it and trying to organize her feelings, she was just way too tired and her brain had stopped working. As if she picked up on this, Kaede stated, "Kagome, for now I think you should rest.  After that, we will proceed from there.” 3 When she laid down near the hearth, Kagome restlessly went to sleep.

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(Please… when I wake up… let all the weird stuff that happened to me here be a dream…  The reincarnation, the youkai, the Shikon no Tama, everything…  Like that Alice in Wonderland story Mama told me about…  When I wake up, everything was a dream, please, please, please, god… I promise I’ll be good from now on… So all that crazy stuff I dreamt about being a reincarnation, pleeeeease, god… please…) And she dreamt. It was her birthday.  Mama and Jii-chan and Souta and even Buyo were singing Happy Birthday to her.  There was a melting whipped cream cake and steaming milk tea, and the living room smelled so good… That’s right, this was where she was supposed to be.  Her living room.  She’d come home.  A home where everyone was waiting.  She’d go home soon… (Go home…) she murmured as she awoke. What Kagome saw was Kaede’s sooty ceiling.  Kagome was right where she was before she fell asleep: next to the hearth. God had not heard her plea.

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“Why…?"  As she slowly arose, she sort of wanted to cry. Everyone back home had to be worried sick.  Panicked…  Mama was probably crying.  Souta… she wondered what happened to him.  He was standing right there watching when she was dragged into the well by the centipede woman.  Since he was so easily frightened, he had to have been scared to death.  But if he told them, she wondered if Mama or Jii-chan would even believe him… Just how long was she going to have to be in this place… this era?  How was she going to get back to her own time?  And why was she even all mixed up in this in the first place? Was it because she really was Kikyou’s reincarnation?  So, like it was fate, was she led here? (What do I do…?  If I can’t ever get back to my era, what’s going to happen to me…?)  The most frightening thought surfaced in Kagome’s mind, making her shudder. "No, don’t give up!” she scolded herself out loud.

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Keeping such pessimistic thoughts wouldn’t change her situation.  Just keep your eyes forward.  Just believe you’ll be able to go home.  Stop fretting and try doing something. The sunlight was streaming in through the window, so she knew it was getting to be the afternoon.  For some reason, Kaede seemed to be gone.  Having probably gone off somewhere, she didn’t see Inuyasha, either. Kagome stood up briskly and did a few routine stretches from gym class.  Once she got her blood flowing, she started feeling a little better.  At any rate, might as well try walking around the village.  And if she managed to see him, maybe try talking to Inuyasha a bit. She didn’t know what kind of past there was between Inuyasha and Kikyou.  So if she did look like Kikyou (or, rather was her reincarnation, apparently), that would probably be difficult to do without him randomly attacking her or going off to sulk.  Well, Kagome had said some pretty off-color things herself, so this would be a good opportunity to apologize. “All right, I’m going."  With great energy, she went outside. As soon as she did, everyone stared at her simultaneously.

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“Eh?!” Men who were repairing the houses destroyed by Mukade Jourou.  Women who had been fetching water.  People with spades and hoes.  Children who had been playing tag…  Anyone and everyone nearby suddenly stopped what they were doing and gave Kagome their full attention. (Wh… what is this?!)  Ever since she was originally brought to this village everyone had stared at her.  She’d thought it was the first time she’d been noticed so much in all her fifteen years of life.  But this was even more extreme.  And it was due to more than mere curiosity that people were staring at her. She knew her face was twitching, but somehow she feigned calmness as she said, “Hello~”, waved her hand, and gave a forced smile as she started walking.  But no matter how far she walked, the villagers’ gazes and gossiping voices followed her. “I heard she’s Kikyou-sama’s reincarnation.” “Apparently she’s called Kagome-sama,” they’d say.  Oh, jeez, they’re even calling her “-sama” all of a sudden…. “Now that you mention it, she does give off a feeling of divinity.” “She’s a spitting image.”

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  “Although compared to Kikyou-sama, she does look a bit vague."  Oh, she was hearing some of the less flattering comments, too. "I wonder if she’ll protect the village like Kikyou-sama did.” “Oh, thank you, thank you.” “Yes, thank you, thank you, thank you."  When Kagome turned around at those words, there were multiple elderly people bowing their heads and clasping their hands. (Gah, they’re revering me!  But I’m just me!  Just a regular middle school girl…  But everyone’s giving me special treatment because I’m the reincarnation of the miko Kikyou.) Last night, Kaede had pounded the final nail with, "Anyway, since you are the reincarnation of Kikyou-onee-sama, you must protect the Shikon no Tama from here on out.” Kagome took out the Shikon no Tama to look at it, now attached to a string by Kaede so she didn’t lose it.  She couldn’t help but sigh.

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4 Sitting on a branch of tall cedar tree outside the village, Inuyasha was sullen.  Upon awakening from his sealed slumber, he’d been told that that woman… that backstabbing miko Kikyou was long since dead. Nevertheless, now a woman who bore the face and appearance of Kikyou, but was otherwise a completely different woman, was here.  She may have been completely different, but her scent was the same as Kikyou’s, not to mention she carried the Shikon no Tama, and furthermore she arrogantly used that spell to subdue him… “That woman is Kikyou’s reincarnation?"  That brat from a long time ago who was now an old lady, the miko Kaede, had said so, but was it really true?  That woman had none of Kikyou’s calmness, and she was rather short-tempered and violent.  She didn’t seem particularly smart, and went through a dizzying array of expressions… At any rate, she was much too different from Kikyou. Still, she had managed to disintegrate the sacred arrow that Kikyou had poured her will into, so that was a plus.

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(Looks like I was the one who ended up free)  Being sealed for fifty years was nothing.  He’d surely get the Shikon no Tama this time.  (She’s not Kikyou, so I’d have plenty of opportunities, plus it doesn’t look like she can do that sealing trick) As he smiled complacently, a persimmon came flying from below.  He caught it and looked down.  He already knew by the scent without needing to look, but it was that woman.  She looked like she’d just returned from shopping, carrying a bundle of daikon radishes, a bag of persimmons, and a basket of dried fish. “That persimmon is your share.” “What’s with all the food?” “The villagers gave it to me.” “Hmm."  Inuyasha frowned.  So did that mean the humans in the village had decided to depend upon her as a miko? "Hey, how about you come down and eat with me?”

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“…."  That seemed a bit… suspicious.  This woman couldn’t possibly like him.  Was she trying to lure him down with some food so that she could exact some sort of revenge on him? But Inuyasha decided to come down.  If she left an opening, he could steal the Shikon no Tama. The woman sat at the base of the tree and began stuffing her face with delicious-looking persimmons.  He didn’t want to be seen eating the same thing as her, so Inuyasha took the largest daikon radish and began gnawing at it. "So what the hell are you plotting?"  He hated being indirect, so he got straight to the point. "Nothing really…” said the woman, innocently eating the persimmon.  “It’s just… you hate me, don’t you?” “Yeah.  You disgust the hell out of me!” The woman’s cheek twitched at the blunt answer.  “Now look!”

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“What?” “I don’t know what happened between you and that Kikyou person, but I’m Kagome.  Higurashi Kagome.  I’m not Kikyou.” “There something you wanna say to me?” “So can’t we just try to get along?” “Huh?  Get along?” “That’s right.  I hate that you hate me for no reason.” “….!"  Those were some unbelievable words.  This woman sure spoke naiively.  "You’re an idiot.” “How so?” “I don’t care who you are, in order to get the Shikon no Tama, I won’t show any mercy.” “Oh, that’s right.  You want the Shikon no Tama, don’t you?” “Yup.” “But that’s okay.” “Hn?  How is that okay?” “Well, if you start acting up, I can just say ‘sit’ and…”

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As soon as the word left her mouth, Inuyasha was slammed to the ground on his belly. “Ah, sorry.  I didn’t mean it that time,” she apologized hurriedly. (Well it’s too late now!)  This woman didn’t just look unintelligent, she was the real deal.  (Dammit, just look at me now…)  Inuyasha pledged revenge in his heart. 5 In the damp darkness, the evil, the wretched, and the vile began to stir.  Some smelled it, some heard it, and others sensed the resurrection of the jewel. The Shikon no Tama…

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The Shikon no Tama had returned to this world.  The Shikon no Tama that could turn its bearer’s desires into reality.  Ohhh, the once-lost Shikon no Tama…. Some crawled on the ground, some traversed the water, some flew in the air, but the forces of evil were searching. For the location of the Shikon no Tama…

Next Chapter >>

[naominotaisho]

Shōsetsu InuYasha:

Translation By: Patches

Page 42

Chapter 2: Inuyasha Resurrected Kagome ran.  Ran like her life depended on it.  She’d been an accomplished sprinter since kindergarten.  From athletic meets to sports festivals, she’d typically pick the footrace first. But her opponent in tonight’s race was absolutely horrible.  It was a woman – or rather a monster – with a giant centipede for a lower body.  And when it came to her, whether it be tree or fence or house, she’d just crash right through them with her writhing lower body and continue after her in a straight line. “Give me the Shikon no Tama!” she continued to demand for some unknown reason. “I told you, I don’t have the Shikon no Tama!”

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This was definitely true for the real Shikon no Tama.  And if she meant the fake ones that Jii-chan sold as charms, she didn’t have one of those, either. (Even so, why does she have to chase me around like this?!)  But this wasn’t an opponent who could be reasoned with.  The only thing Kagome could do was continue running towards the forest.  The forest with the dry well from which Kagome had come out of.  The forest which the villagers called “Inuyasha’s Forest”.  The forest where the boy with the soft dog ears was resting as though asleep… Beyond the thick trees, she could see a faint green light.  (That light must be where the well I came out of is!)  Kagome had nothing to base that on, but she knew it to be true.  She didn’t know why she knew that, though. Kagome was certain that once in the forest, the undergrowth would hinder the centipede woman’s speed.  But she was too naiive.  The centipede woman behaved as though the trees weren’t even there, destroying them as she continued to chase her at the same pace.

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Instead, the one who was losing speed was Kagome.  The roots and thick undergrowth in the forest made it difficult to run, and pretty soon the prolonged running began to wear her out. (She’s going to get me!)  She remembered the sensation of those six arms wrapping around her in the well, and a chill ran down her spine.  She was afraid to think what would happen if that thing caught her.  She’d probably… no, she’d definitely be killed! As if she could plainly see that Kagome was terrified, the centipede woman shouted, “Give it to meeee” and closed the distance between her and Kagome in an instant, bending her lower body like a spring and leaping into the air. With a burst, something large came from behind her and she felt a gust of air.  Kagome could only do one thing: cover her head with her arms like a small child and crouch on the ground… But she was fortunate.  With as much momentum as she had, the centipede woman’s body couldn’t stop immediately, so went flying past Kagome along with her unpleasant smell. “Thank goodness…”

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At any rate, she had a moment to catch her breath. “The hell are you doing against a weak opponent like Mukade Jourou?” came a voice from above her head. “Eh?"  When she looked up, that boy with the dog ears was looking her way.  He was probably the one named Inuyasha… Withou realizing it, Kagome had run all the way to Goshinboku. Though his eyes had been closed earlier in the day, now Inuyasha’s eyes were wide open and staring straight down at Kagome with a strong will. (He spoke… and moved!) Kagome intently looked for her pursuer.  "You’re… Inuyasha, aren’t you?  You just said ‘Mukade Jourou’; do you mean that centipede woman?!  Just what is she?!"  Inuyasha didn’t respond to that question. "Just beat her in one shot, Kikyou.  Just like you did when you killed me."  His words were filled with hostility, and he glared down at Kagome with a sharp look. (Kikyou again!)

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The miko Kaede had also said “You look like Kikyou-onee-sama” when she’d seen Kagome.  Did she really look that much like her?  But to so willfully make such an error, and on top of that to have such a self-important attitude… “You say ‘Kikyou’, but you’ve got it all wrong.  My name is…” But instead of listening to her protest, with a small twitch of his nose Inuyasha warned, “She’s coming.” “Eh?"  In the next instant, with a dash Mukade Jourou descended from the top of the trees.  She came down with such speed that one might as well say she was falling.  In no time, she’d grasped Kagome by the shoulder with her uppermost right arm. (She’s gonna kill me!)  Her back muscles tensed. But at that moment, multiple harpoons came flying and stuck into Mukade Jourou’s white back.  The harpoons had been thrown by the village men who had come after them.

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All of the harpoons had ropes attached to them, and with the command, “All right!  Pull!” the men all pulled the ropes together and attempted to capture Mukade Jourou. “Curse youuu!” she cursed at them while she pulled at the ropes with a strained creak. “I’m… I’m saved…” Kagome said as she sagged in exhaustion.  Her lower body was completely sapped of energy.  It was pathetic, but she was pretty sure she’d pulled her hip. “Heh, you’re pathetic, Kikyou."  When Kagome looked up, Inuyasha’s lips curled back in a smirk. "Now look, you."  Kagome stood up and glared at Inuyasha face-to-face.  "You keep on saying ‘Kikyou’, 'Kikyou’, but you’ve got it all wrong, I’m not Kikyou, I’m…” “Keh."  Inuyasha looked at her mockingly and said, "Don’t jerk me around, there isn’t another woman with a stench like yours.”

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“STENCH?!"  H, how rude!  If this guy was fishing for things to say, telling a girl about her smell wouldn’t be one of them! (I’m gonna smack him!)  As she angrily raised her hand, Inuyasha’s face suddenly took on a dubious expression. "Hn?"  He tactlessly examined Kagome’s face. "What is it?!” “You’re… not Kikyou.” “That’s what I’ve been telling you!  You finally get it?  My name is Kagome.  Ka.  Go.  Me.” But Inuyasha wasn’t listening.  “Kikyou looked smarter, and was prettier.” “Wha!!"  (This time I really am gonna smack him… with my fist!) When she balled her hand into a fist, something latched onto her waist.  "Ah!”

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It was Mukade Jourou.  She had shaken off the village men with unbelievable strength, and had returned to her persistent attempts at catching Kagome. (Oh no!) She had five arms now due to losing one in the well, and moved them all in unison to latch on to Kagome.  Her fingers gripped hard enough that they’d probably leave bruises.  Not to mention she was tugging harshly to pull her towards her. “Let gooo oooof meeee!"  Kagome had unconsciously grabbed onto Inuyasha’s hair since he was right in front of her.  By a stroke of luck, he had trails of hair hanging on either side of his face. "Ow ow ow!  Let go!” Inuyasha yelled, but she had no intention of letting go.  If she let go, she’d get drawn in by that monster and it would be all over. (That’s definitely not happening!)  Kagome continued to desperately cling to Inuyasha’s hair. Mukade Jourou clicked her tongue in frustration.  “Stubborn girl…”

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With a disturbing tearing sound, the sides of Mukade Jourou’s mouth began to split apart. “Eh?!” Kagome choked on her own breath.  Rip rip rip, the centipede woman’s mouth continued to split apart before her eyes.  It was like a zipper being unzipped, this sound reaching her ears. (What… is she doing…?) As Kagome couldn’t avert her eyes out of fear, Mukade Jourou spoke: “If you’re going to resist me, then I’ll devour that body of yours along with the Shikon no Tama!"  Like a snake trying to swallow something bigger than its head, within her wide-open mouth were rows of jagged teeth and two sharp fangs. (Devour…?  Does that mean she’s going to eat me?!) "Stop!"  She pushed back against Mukade Jourou with all her might.  Getting eaten was no laughing matter!

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When her hand touched her, Mukade Jourou was shocked away by what felt like a huge electric current.  Her arms shattered like a fragile clay pot and flew into the air.  All five arms at once. Inuyasha gasped, the villagers muttered amongst themselves, and the miko Kaede, who had shown up at some point, stared with disbelieving eyes. But the most shocked one of all was Kagome.  (The same thing happened in the well… Since when could I do something like that?!)  She stared dumbfounded at the five arms on the ground. Seizing the opportunity, Mukade Jourou initiated her counterattack.  “Curse yooou!” she shouted as she lunged at her.  Her sharp teeth gleamed. “Ah!"  A pain like she’d never experienced ran through Kagome’s left flank.  Like being jabbed with a red hot chunk of iron.  She’d been bitten by Mukade Jourou.  The intensity of the pain made her vision go red.  Mukade Jourou had mercilessly put all her strength into that bite.  Her jagged teeth were tearing into Kagome’s flesh.

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Deeper and deeper… (It hurts, it hurts, it hurts… like I’m dying… She’s gonna eat me…) The pain along with the fear coursed through Kagome’s entire body as her mind felt like it was going somewhere far away.  Blood was pulsing out of her abdomen. Teeth met with a crunch, and Kagome just knew she’d bitten off a chunk of her flesh.  Having finished her business with her, Mukade Jourou flung Kagome’s body into the air. “Ah!"  Just before she was flung and hit the ground, she felt that something came flying out of the wound in her side.  Something that had been in her body this entire time but she was so accustomed to it that she didn’t realize it.  Something with a smooth surface.  Yes… a round jewel. The villagers clamored much more loudly than they had before.  "Th… that’s…” said Kaede. “The Shikon no Tama!” said Inuyasha, eyes locked on it.

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“I knew that you’d been hiding it in your body!” Mukade Jourou’s voice gave a pleased shudder. “Shikon no… Tama…?"  Despite the pain, Kagome tried desperately to move her body from where it had fallen on the ground.  Strangely, her side barely hurt at all, and the bleeding had stopped.  Even though she’d been bitten with beast-like fangs.  Even though it had hurt so much just prior… The jewel rolled in front of her.  It was about three centimeters in diameter, transparent like crystal, and gave off a clear glow. "It came from… inside me?  Why…?!"  Feeling like she was dreaming, Kagome cautiously reached out her hand to the jewel where it had fallen into the grass. "That jewel is mine!” “Eh?"  Startled by his rough tone, Kagome turned her head up and saw that Inuyasha’s expression had changed to one of anger. "Give it to me!  Hand it over!"  That sarcastic attitude from before had completely disappeared. (What’s with them?  Between Mukade Jourou and Inuyasha, why does everyone want this jewel so badly?)

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When she attempted to take the jewel, she found her body lifted into the air once again. “Eek!"  Mukade Jourou’s centipede tail had entwined around her.  Kagome’s body was swiftly carried all the way to Goshinboku.  She ended up bound to Goshinboku by her centipede lower body along with Inuyasha. "Kukukuku…"  While chuckling deep in her throat, Mukade Jourou wrapped her centipede body around Goshinboku two or three times.  Before Kagome’s eyes, each segment of her lower body gleamed with a black light, as hundreds of legs burst forth and wriggled about. Kagome still couldn’t believe what was happening to her.�� (This is too weird to be real!  It’s my birthday!  I should be in my own warm room… Yes, and after I had steak, Mama would cut the cake.  I’d have red tea with lots of warm milk, and Mama and Jii-chan and Souta, and even Buyo would all be there…) (So why?  Why is all this stuff I don’t understand happening to me?!  This centipede monster.  Getting captured.  Why?  What did I ever do?!)

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After she’d taken her time entwining her body, Mukade Jourou looked at Inuyasha with eyes full of contempt.  “Kukuku… I’d heard there was some hanyou boy called Inuyasha or something who was seeking the Shikon no Tama… So it was you.” (Hanyou…?)  Even though it was the first time she’d heard the word, for some reason those characters automatically popped into her head(1).  (If he’s a hanyou… what does that mean?) “Don’t make light of me, Mukade Jourou."  Inuyasha had a defiant grin and stared straight at his opponent.  "A weakling like you wouldn’t stand a chance against me if I was serious."  That wasn’t the kind of imposing attitude she was expecting to hear from someone currently all tied up.  And yet… Kagome was expectant as she listened. "Hey you… you’ve been talking big since before, but are you really strong?"  If he really was strong, he might be able to get her out of this mess. ”….“  Inuyasha was silent. (1) The term "hanyou” is written as “半妖” (“half youkai”), however there are multiple Japanese character combinations that would be pronounced the same but mean different things such as “汎用” (“generic”) or “繁用” (“overused”).

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The reason for this was revealed by Mukade Jourou.  “Poor thing, you can’t even help yourself.  All that power, and it seems to be sealed away."  By the annoyed look on Inuyasha’s face, it looked like she’d guessed right.  "Kukuku, then you can just sit there and bite your finger and watch,”(1) Mukade Jourou said in a mocking voice as she extended a long black tongue from her mouth and circled it around the Shikon no Tama on the ground.  She slowly drew it into her mouth, and swallowed it with a gulp. “Ah, dammit!” Inuyasha shouted without thinking. “Oh no!"  Kaede paled.  "She swallowed the jewel whole!” “What’s going to happen, Kaede-sama?!"  The village men looked about to run. (What is it?  What’s going to happen?!) The next instant, it happened.  Mukade Jourou’s five arms that had fallen on the ground began to convulse, then moved as though manipulated by some unseen string.  They were the arms that had been destroyed when Kagome had pushed back against them before. (1) The expression used here is "yubi wo kuwaete mite”, which is literally “bite your finger and watch”, and is an expression used to mean “sitting enviously on the sidelines watching someone else succeed without being able to do anything about it.”

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The arms danced about in the air.  From the direction of the well, the arm that had been torn off earlier that afternoon came flying to join the others with great speed.  The six arms gathered together, and like gleeful children returning home, flew through the air to Mukade Jourou’s body and reattached themselves.  She became whole again without a single scratch. (This is… the power of the Shikon no Tama?!)  Kagome had been holding her breath, but this was only the prologue of the Shikon no Tama’s show of frightful power. Rip. A crack opened on Mukade Jourou’s forehead.  It started as just a slit, but quickly spread vertically along the center of her face and extended down her body. (What is this…?!) Crack crack.  With a dull sound, the skin around the edges of the crack tore then scattered to the wind like pieces of paper.  At about the same time, the skin on the upper half of her body peeled away and was flung off like a costume, left discarded on the ground.

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(She… shed her skin?!)  Yes, Mukade Jourou had shed her skin all in one piece. From beneath that skin, a new face appeared.  It was a face of bare red flesh, lacking eyelids, a nose, and lips.  Her eyes blazened with an ominous light.  And her teeth and fangs were even sharper than before… She’d been referred to as a centipede “woman” up until now, but that description was no longer fitting.  This thing wasn’t even human.  It was something one would only see in a horror movie.  But this thing was definitely real, and right in front of Kagome’s eyes. “How wonderful… my youkai power is overflowing…” Mukade Jourou cried in a trance-like ecstasy. (She… she’s happy?!)  The hideous visage before her just made Kagome shudder.  She said her youkai power was overflowing… and from the looks of it she wasn’t kidding.  The centipede lower half that was wrapped around Kagome and Inuyasha increased its strength by a few orders of magnitude. “Ugh!"  The pressure was so great, Kagome unintentionally let out a cry of pain.

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(I’m… I’m gonna suffocate!) “Hey."  She suddenly heard Inuyasha’s voice.  "Can you pull out this arrow?” “Eh?"  Enduring the pain, she lifted her head and saw an arrow right in front of her.  A white-feathered arrow embedded in Inuyasha’s chest. Almost reflexively, Kagome reached out her hand to grab the arrow.  However, "You mustn’t remove it!!” Kaede’s sharp voice came flying.  “That arrow is Inuyasha’s seal!  He must not be freed!” “What’re you rambling about, old woman?  You wanna be fodder for some centipede?!  If she manages to absorb the Shikon no Tama completely… then it’s all over!” he yelled at Kaede, as his strong eyes gazed at Kagome. “What’ll it be, woman?  You wanna die here with me?!” The word “die” flipped a switch somewhere in Kagome’s mind.

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Death!  Dying!  Dying here?!  And moreover, dying on her birthday with no one knowing?!  Here?!  In this kind of place?! (I don’t want to die somewhere I don’t even know!!)  Kagome extended her hand as if to banish the thought. “Revive, Inuyasha!!” she shouted as she gripped the arrow with all her might. Crack crack crack!  An electric shock travelled from her palm through her body with an intense scattering of sparks.  Instantly, a dazzling light spilled from the arrow, flaring up with heat and spreading along its entire length.  A powerful energy that had been forcefully pent up with nowhere to go now escaped like a surge.  Like a ferocious sleeping life force had now been awakened. From within the flood of light, Kagome wached in bewilderment as the arrow became like a mist before her eyes, then vanished.  But when the heat and light were withdrawn… “Hahahahaha!"  Inuyasha laughed like a victory jeer.  As if to physically show his joy at the freedom he had gained, he spread his arms in a flourish.

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He tore off the roots from Goshinboku that had bound him in a single motion.  He even easily shook off Mukade Jourou’s lower body that had trapped them. “Eek!"  Kagome was thrown to the ground along with multiple legs from Mukade Jourou that had been torn off.  When she turned around, Inuyasha lightly landed on the ground with fluid movements like a highly-trained fighting dog. "Curse you, booyyyy!"  Mukade Jourou rushed at Inuyasha in a fit of rage. "Let’s go, you old hag!” Inuyasha retorted as he leapt at Mukade Jourou.  As he leapt, he held out the index and middle fingers of his right hand as though making a V-sign.  Next he bent those fingers like preparing them as a weapon. “Sankon Tessou!” he shouted as he brandished sharp claws at Mukade Jourou.  His crimson clothing ruffled in the wind. The victory was swift.

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By the time Inuyasha had landed on the ground, Mukade Jourou’s body had already been converted into scattered chunks of flesh. (I… Inuyasha is… amazingly strong…!)  While she was staring in a daze, someone tapped Kagome’s shoulder. “…!?”   It was Kaede.  She was staring at the ground with a severe expression.  When she followed the direction of her gaze, Kagome saw something unbelievable.  The scattered bits of Mukade Jourou’s flesh were stirring one by one just like the six severed arms from earlier. “Kagome or whatever you are called, can you see a glowing bit of flesh?!  The Shikon no Tama should be in there.” “Eh?” Kaede gave Kagome’s back a push as she stood there in confusion.  “If you do not remove the jewel, her body will endlessly revive.” “You… you’ve gotta be kidding!"  She searched around frantically.  "There it is!"  She could see that a chunk of flesh that had fallen next to a thicket of shrubs was glowing.

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It was one of the segments of the lower centipede body. “Now, Kagome."  Urged on by Kaede, Kagome gingerly reached her hand towards the chunk of flesh. What should she do…?  Stick her hand in there and take it out?  Ughh, that’s revolting…  But she had to. Fortunately, there was no need.  When her hand neared it, the Shikon no Tama rose out of the chunk of flesh of its own accord.  Relieved, Kagome took the jewel in her hand and gazed at it in her palm. (This is… the Shikon no Tama…!)  As if to answer with an affirmative, a pure, ethereal light gently shone from inside the jewel. Kagome turned to Kaede.  "So is the Shikon no Tama… something that makes youkai stronger?” “That’s right."  However, the one who had responded was not Kaede, but Inuyasha.  "It does no good in a human’s hands."  Inuyasha raised his index and middle fingers as he had before.  "If you don’t want to become prey for my claws, be a good girl and hand the Shikon no Tama over.”  

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Inuyasha curled the two fingers. The sharp claws that had pulverized Mukade Jourou’s body in an instant just moments ago were now pointed at Kagome.

Next Chapter >>

[naominotaisho]

Chapter 1: The Sealed-Away Boy

1

The transparent jewel glittered as it reflected the sun through the paper door.

“What is this?” Higurashi Kagome asked, and her grandfather replied in a serious tone.

“The Shikon no Tama.”

“Shikon no Tama?"  Kagome examined the jewel in her hand again.  The jewel bore a tag reading "Higurashi Shrine Charm” affixed with a string and a metal ring.

“Yes.  If you have this, you will have family security and good business.  And while it is a charm, it can also be used as a phone strap or a keyring.  A bargain!”

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Jii-chan proudly puffed out his chest as he knelt atop the tatami mat in the shrine office. “But isn’t this just a regular marble?  You plan on selling these?” she stated simply, as Jii-chan sat back down with a disgruntled face. “Listen here, Kagome.  In the past, the Shikon no Tama was…” (Oh, here he goes again…)  Kagome let out a small sigh. Kagome’s house was a shrine called the Higurashi Shrine.  According to the signboards Jii-chan had placed around the grounds, it had quite the history, apparently dating all the way back to the Sengoku Era.  It wasn’t a major enough shrine to be included in any of the tourist guidebooks, but it was known to the locals and people would come during the summer festivals or the New Years shrine visits.  It also seemed to have a reputation for being effective at dispelling bad omens from items or events, therefore on occasion there would be visitors from quite a distance away. After her father died in an accident several years prior, Kagome, her mother, and her younger brother Souta all moved into her father’s family’s home, which was the shrine.  Her grandfather, who was the priest there, had been living there alone ever since her grandmother died.

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Naturally, Kagome, Souta, and Mama loved Jii-chan, but if they could fault him for one thing, it was his incessant desire to talk about the history of everything.  For whatever you could think of, he’d start off with “Now, the history of this thing…” with a smug look on his face. And since this was an old shrine, there was no shortage of things to talk about.  The 500 year-old tree Goshinboku, the covered well ominously named the “Bone-Eater’s Well”, the lanterns that were erected during the Edo period, the paving stones that were cut from the mountain… And even when he ran out of those things, Jii-chan would still talk about the pickles he got from a visitor, or the swallow’s nest in the office eavestrough, or even his own mustache; he’d proudly tell you the history of it all until your ears bled. “Anyway, Jii-chan,” said Kagome, hurriedly changing the topic, “Do you remember what day tomorrow is?” “Hmph, of course."  As Kagome had hoped, Jii-chan stopped his history lecture mid-lesson.  "There’s no way I would forget my dear granddaughter’s birthday.”

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He could confidently say that now, but in reality, he had completely forgotten it last year. “It’s a day early, but here, a present for you."  Jii-chan pulled a gift box out from under the wooden desk.  It was wrapped in beautiful paper, tied with an elaborate bow and even some artificial flowers.  He must have gotten it from a shop or a visitor, because the presentation was much too good to have come from Jii-chan. "Wah, thank you, Jii-chan!"  Kagome was expectant that the same quality could be said of the contents, but alas, she was too naiive.  From the box came what could only be described as a strange, dried object the color of dirt. "What is this?” “A mummified kappa hand that brings good fortune."  Without missing a beat, Jii-chan continued, "Now, the history of that kappa hand is…” He intended to return to the world of his own interests, but Kagome dejectedly said, “Eat this, Buyo.” As she made the motion to give it to the calico cat resting on her lap, he said, “Wah, wait, don’t waste it!” and quickly took the dried object back.

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“It’s like you don’t appreciate the value of anything at all.” “I don’t think there’s a middle-schooler alive who would appreciate the value of such a thing."  For that matter, there probably wasn’t a middle-scholer alive who would expect to receive a kappa hand as a birthday present. "Jii-chan, I’d like a different present, please,” said Kagome, making sure to add the all-important word. 2 The next day. Kagome’s 15th birthday began with lovely weather. “I’m off!” she said as she passed through the shrine’s archway, wearing her usual school uniform and backpack. “Nee-chan,” came a voice.

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When she looked, she saw her younger brother, Souta, standing at the entrance to the small shrine with a troubled face.   When referring to the “small shrine”, at the Higurashi Shrine there was an old, small wooden building located diagonally opposite the main shrine.  The “Bone-Eater’s Well” was located inside of it. According to Jii-chan, apparently “That well is called the ‘Bone-Eater’s Well’ because long ago it was used to dispose of the remains of mononoke.  Because it is such a place, one must never approach it alone.” Kagome had blown off the story as a mere legend, however Souta, being in elementary school, had completely believed it and therefore would absolutely not approach the small shrine by himself. “You’re always so scared of that place, so what are you doing over there?"  Kagome thought it strange, so she came over. "Buyo went inside."  Souta looked up at her doe-eyed. "Buyo?” “Yeah.  Nee-chan, help me look for her(1).” “Guess I can’t say no.”

(1) Japanese pronouns are gender-neutral.  Buyo’s gender is assumed based on the fact that only a female cat can be calico

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There was still plenty of time before school started, so it would be fine.  Kagome passed through the wooden door sealed off by a rope and stepped into the small shrine.  A damp, cool air wrapped about Kagome’s body.  The inside of the shrine was always like this.  It was like it belonged to a different world from the outside, always filled with its own distinct atmosphere. Down a staricase of about five steps, an old, wooden well was visible.  The well was surrounded by bare ground, as the well was originally built outside, and the shrine was only erected later to shelter it.  According to Jii-chan’s stories, the well had long since dried up and was now tightly sealed off with a heavy wooden lid, preventing anyone from looking inside. “Buyo!  Buyoo!"  Souta attempted to hide behind Kagome, calling out from the top of the stairs.  However, the stubborn Buyo did not answer. "I think she went down there,” said Souta, looking at Kagome. “So shouldn’t we go down there, too?” “But this place gives me the creeps.”

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“What are you so afraid of, Souta?  One of these days you’re going to inherit the shrine and become a priest.” “But you should be afraid of scary things, shouldn’t you?” Just then, a scratching sound came from near the well. “S, Something’s there!!” Kagome looked at Souta, who was clinging to her, trembling.  “Like Buyo?  Buyo has claws, you know.” “Nee-chan, please.” “Honestly."  With a shrug, Kagome descended the stairs with a creak.  The scratching sound was getting louder. (Huh?)  Kagome examined the well dubiously.  (That sound… it sounds like it’s coming from inside the well.)  That couldn't  be possible.  The top was tightly sealed.  The warding sakaki branch that Jii-chan had placed upon the lid was where it had always been.  Therefore, there was no way that Buyo could have gotten inside. But nevertheless, that scratching sound was coming from inside the well.  Why?

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Tickle… Something unexpectedly brushed against Kagome’s leg, causing her to involuntarily shout, “Eek!” Upon closer inspection, Buyo had rubbed up against her leg. “Don’t scare me like that,” she said while picking her up, as Buyo happily rubbed against her face again. “Agh, you scared me!  Don’t yell like that!"  Souta had fallen on his rear at the top of the steps, and was really in no position to issue such a complaint. "Listen, if you’re going to ask someone to do you a favor, that’s not the way to do it!"  When she glared at him, suddenly all the fur on Buyo’s body stood on end. At nearly the same time, Souta shouted, "N, Nee-chan!!” as the color of his face changed. She didn’t have the time to wonder why, as a loud cracking sound was heard behind her.  Like cold water, two hands came from behind her and wrapped around Kagome’s neck.  Another two cold hands gripped both of Kagome’s arms.  Another two arms wrapped about her waist. “Wha…”

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A video she’d watched with her mother last night suddenly came to mind.  It was a story about a girl who was targeted by a thug who hid in a barn.  Had some thugs hidden in the well without her knowing?  And by the number of arms, there were three of them?! But when Kagome turned around, what she saw wasn’t a thug.  A thug would have been significantly better. It was a woman.  An unnatural woman with a blank white face.   What was unnatural about her was her body.  Six arms projected from her naked upper body, while her lower body was bone.  But they weren’t human bones.  They were like fish bones, extending far behind her and writhing in a surreal fashion.  She had broken through the lid on the well from the inside and grabbed Kagome from there. (What is this thing?!)  Kagome tried to run, but she dragged her back towards the well with unbelievable strength. The inside of the well was dark.  An endless darkness that seemed to seep into her very body.  From within that darkness, she held Kagome tightly and they began to fall. “How wonderful… my power is returning…"  Along with the painfully raspy voice, Kagome was struck with an intense smell.  A rotten smell.

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The smell of something that was already repulsive decaying into something truly horrible. “My body is returning…"  Even while falling into the bottomless darkness, that thing was spreading its foul stench.  And as she said, where there was previously only bone on her lower body, flesh was rapidly appearing.  The flesh attached to the bone joint by joint, covering with shimmering skin, and from there thin legs extended pair by pair. It was an insect.  Some kind of disgusting long insect resembling a centipede.  It was so long that the end disappeared into the darkness. Kagome became nauseous.  She had to escape.  She had to get away from this disgusting creature.  But she couldn’t move.  As though the core of her head had gone numb, Kagome couldn’t move. The creature increased its grip on Kagome with its six arms.  "You… carry it."  A tongue like clam meat appeared from between black lips, and she closed in on Kagome in an attempt to lick her cheek. "G… get away!  You’re disgusting!”

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With unbearable disgust, Kagome struck the creature’s face with the palm of her hand.  But then something unexpected happened. “Ooh!"  Like a beast confronted with fire for the first time, the creature gave a sharp moan and detached itself from Kagome.  Its white face contorted in pain, and the color of terror rose in its empty eyes. (Eh?  Why?) Even so, one arm still tenaciously clung to Kagome, and with a rip, that arm was torn off at the elbow.  The creature quickly fell away into the darkness. "Curse… you…  You won’t… escape… Shikon no… Tama…"  The rough voice became gradually more distant, until nothing more was heard at all. (Shikon no Tama…?  Why?!  Why did that thing suddenly let go of me?!  And just what was that thing, anyway?!) In the next instant, Kagome’s body fell to the ground with a light impact.  The seemingly neverending darkness had abruptly vanished, leaving Kagome now on the ground. Looking up, she saw the opening to the well about three times her height above her.  Even though she’d been falling for so long…

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“I’m… in the well…?” Kagome muttered.  “What was that all about…?"  Getting grabbed by a six-armed woman whose lower half was an insect…  That sort of thing just didn’t happen in the real world. It was a dream.  It couldn’t have been anything but a dream. Sensing a touch, Kagome became startled.  On the ground next to her was a white arm.  It was the arm of that woman that had been torn off before… (It wasn’t a dream!)  Her back went rigid.  If it wasn’t a dream, then what was it? You won’t escape… Shikon no Tama…  That grating voice re-emerged in her ears.   Shikon no Tama…  That was a jewel of mysterious power that was a legend at the Higurashi Shrine.  The charm that Jii-chan had showed her the previous day was something made in the likeness of that legend.  Jii-chan had spoken of its history… No good, she couldn’t remember it. (At any rate, I need to get out of this well)

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The interior of the well was overgrown with vines.  Even though the well had been closed off in the shrine for a long time,  it appeared to have somehow gotten enough light for ivy to thrive. “Souta!  You’re out there, aren’t you?!  Go call Jii-chan!"  As Kagome shouted upward, she grabbed the vines and started climbing the wall of the well. "Eh…?"  When Kagome’s face emerged, she couldn’t believe her eyes.  She wasn’t inside the shrine.  She was outside.  Beneath the clear blue sky, green trees were swaying in the wind.  The well was on a patch of bare ground smack in the middle of a forest.  Because of this, it was no wonder the vines were able to grow as lush as they did. "What…?  What happened to the shrine…?"  Horribly confused, Kagome could only think that something terrible must have happened.  It wasn’t just the well shrine.  The entire Higurashi shrine, the house, and the surrounding buildings had all disappeared.  Souta and Buyo, who had to have been nearby, were both gone.  Around her was nothing but unfamiliar landscape.  Why?  Just what happened?! "Jii-chan!  Mama!"  As she shouted, Kagome looked around and saw one thing that was familiar.

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“Goshinboku!"  She spotted Goshinboku, whose branches always calmly swayed in the breeze through the shrine, through a thicket of bushes.  Seeing one thing familiar to her was reassuring. (At any rate, I should probably head over there!)  Kagome raced towards it. When she reached nearer to Goshinboku, a strong gust of wind heralded her arrival, causing her to unconsciously close her eyes.  The trees in the forest groaned. When Kagome opened her eyes, she saw that at Goshinboku’s wide trunk there was a beautiful bonfire burning with plumes of silver smoke. Wait, no.  That wasn’t flames and smoke. (A boy…?) It was a boy.  He looked tall and slender, and about the same age as Kagome.  He was standing leaned against the trunk of Goshinboku, bathed in the sun streaming diagonally through the branches.  What she’d seen as fire was a scarlet garment and pants, what she’d seen as smoke was beautiful silver hair that extended down his back. What was strange was that his body was wrapped in many of Goshinboku’s thick roots.

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It was as though Goshinboku had captured him. When she got closer, Kagome let out a small gasp.  (An arrow!  A white-feathered arrow!)  A single arrow was pierced into the boy’s left breast.  The arrow looked like it had been weathering the elements for quite a long time.  Nevertheless, the boy wore a very calm expression, with his eyes closed quietly.  He looked like an innocent sleeping child, with his head slightly tilted and bathed in the sunlight filtered through the tree….  It was a peculiar sight. But Kagome got the feeling that she’d seen something like this before.  Where?  An illustration in a picture book a long time ago?  A picture of a martyr she saw in a church?  Or something she saw in a long-forgotten dream…? “Um… what are you doing?"  She asked this assuming he was asleep, but the boy didn’t budge.  His scarlet clothing appeared to be stained in a few spatters of blood. As if guided by some unseen force, Kagome climbed onto the thick roots entwining the boy in order to get closer.

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“Hello…?” she attempted again a little closer, but again there was no response. Kagome examined the boy’s face.  She wouldn’t call him handsome, but he was unblemished.  His eyebrows gave her the impression that he was strong-willed.  Lashes long enough to cast a shadow on his face…  When the sunlight filtered through the trees, his silver hair shimmered like a million stars. (I wonder who he is…)  As she was taking him in, she noticed something peculiar. (These aren’t human ears…)  From within his silver hair, two ears stood atop his head, pointed like triangles, and covered in velvety fur. (Dog ears…?)  As Kagome stared at those ears bathed in the filtered sunlight, an unexpected thought surfaced. (I want to touch them…)  And just like that, she reached out her hands and grabbed the boy’s ears.  The fuzzy fur tickling her palm felt so nice.  It felt like when she’d rub Buyo’s ears, but the boy’s gave her a better feeling.

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(This isn’t really the time for this sort of thing, though…) She’d made it as far as Goshinboku, but everything around her now was unfamiliar.  If this was real, then the shrine’s grounds, main building, office, and not to mention Kagome’s house, had all been overtaken by trees and become a forest. (How did this happen?) She just wanted to go home…  But as soon as she thought that… “What are you doing over there!"  She heard a sharp voice, and an instant later, a swish of the air being pierced.  And as soon as she registered it, before her eyes embedded in Goshinboku’s trunk were several arrows, still wobbling. "Eh?!"  Frozen, Kagome stood fixated on the arrows.  She’d never seen a period play done quite like this before…  But why now all of a sudden? (Who was that…?)  Cautiously, Kagome turned around, and her mouth hung open at the unbelievable thing she saw.  Three men aiming bows appeared from between the trees. "This place is forbidden!” “Are you from a foreign land?!”

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The men training their arrows on Kagome were oddly all wearing kimonos.  Just like the arrow that had flown at her before, she’d only ever seen such plain kimonos in period dramas… 3 After that, the unbelievable things just kept coming.  The men produced some straw rope and tied Kagome up in an instant. “Hey!  What are you doing?!  This isn’t something to tie me up over!"  But no matter how Kagome shouted or resisted, they paid her no mind and forcibly walked her off. When they exited the forest, fields spread before them, and a small village lay beyond. (No way…) The village was another thing she’d only ever seen in a period drama.  (This is like something out of that video Jii-chan borrowed a while ago…  Kurosawa Akira’s ‘The Seven Samurai’.  It was a story set in the Sengoku Era…) Everything – from the simple, thatched-roof houses, to the villagers tending the fields, repairing the houses, watching the children, and washing clothing – seemed to be at home in this village.

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Everyone in the village was staring shamelessly at Kagome.  In her fifteen years of life, this was the first time she’d received so much attention from people. “She was in Inuyasha’s Forest, you say?” “She wears strange clothing.” “Wonder if she’s a spy.” “If so, you think another war’s gonna start?” “Pretty odd for a spy.” “You think she’s some sort of kitsune in disguise?” “Careful.  She might be some kind of nasty youkai.” Kagome was led to the middle of the village while overhearing such whispers. “Sit here quietly until the miko Kaede returns!"  The men tossed Kagome into a worn-down shack near the rice fields. "Hey!  Would you listen to me for a second?!"  But they ignored her protests and quickly left her.  "Why is this happening…?"  She pouted and attempted to undo the ropes that bound her hands and feet, but it was no use.  Looking around in confusion, she saw that the shed housed farming tools like spades and hoes, along with stacks of straw and firewood.

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In any case, it appeared to be a storage shed. (But seriously… what is this place?)  Had she gotten mixed up in some on-location period drama film shoot?  (Did they mistake me for one of the actors?)  No, that can’t be it.  The cameras that should have been around for a TV or movie shoot were absent, nor was there any production crew.  But in that case, what WAS this? (Time travel…?)  That term suddenly crossed her mind.  That thing that came up a lot in comics and movies.  Where a person jumps through time and suddenly finds themselves in the past or future. So, she’d time-traveled to the Sengoku Era…? (No way!  That sort of thing doesn’t happen in real life!)  However, aside from that, there weren’t any terms she could think of to explain her current situation… High up on the wall of the shed was a skylight window.  The light streaming in bore the color of the sunset, but at that moment she sensed a person at the door again. (Who’s there?!)

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When she turned, the men who had brought her here entered, and an old woman appeared behind them.  Her somewhat overweight body was clothed in a white kimono and scarlet hakama: the dress of a miko.  Her long white hair was pulled back behind her, and in her hand she carried a bow.  She must have lost an eye, as a black eyepatch covered her wrinkled face, while the remaining eye shone with a sharp light. (I remember they mentioned a miko Kaede-sama a while ago.) “Who are you?  Why were you in Inuyasha’s Forest?” she inquired in a low and carrying voice as she approached Kagome, but when she saw Kagome’s face, her remaining eye went wide.  “It cannot be!  Give me a good look at your face.” Kaede took Kagome’s jaw in her hand and lifted it upward, then said something ridiculous.  “Try to make yourself look a bit more intelligent.” (Oh, come on!)  Kagome was indignant.  If she was asking her to look intelligent, it meant that she thought her current face didn’t look intelligent.

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How rude!  She did well enough in school, after all! “You look like her…"  Kaede’s voice was shaking slightly.  "You look like Kikyou-onee-sama.” “Huh…?” Since Kagome didn’t understand, Kaede explained it to her in a plain tone.  “My elder sister was named Kikyou, and she was a miko who protected this village.  She bore strong spiritual power and a pure heart to which I could never compare… She was such a kind elder sister.  It was fifty years in the past now, when I was still a child, when she died following the battle with that Inuyasha.” (Inuyasha…)  Kagome thought to herself.  (The villagers and Kaede both said that I had been in ‘Inuyasha’s Forest’.  So does that mean that’s the name of that dog-eared boy from Goshinboku?  Inuyasha…) “Bring this girl to my house,” Kaede ordered the men. She was taken to a crude house next to a small archway.  Well, it’s not like it was that house in particular that was crude, since all the houses in the village pretty much looked like that.

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Since the only thing providing warmth was a fire pit, the inside of the house was still cold.  The chill night air easily entered through the gaps in the wall.  Kaede began to stir the contents of a pot over the fire.  It seemed to be some kind of porridge. (I’m hungry…)  Come to think of it, she hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast.  But today, Ayumi and the others were going to bring over some chocolate brownies after school for her birthday party.  And Mama was going to cook steak for dinner.  And then she was going to celebrate with some cake from the new shop in front of the station. And yet, for reasons she couldn’t understand, here she was, cold and hungry.  Just thinking about it made her want to cry. When she snapped back to the present, Kaede was holding out a bowl of porridge.  “Why do you not eat?” Kagome flourished her hands that were still tied together.  “Could you please untie me!” “Ah… forgive me, I did not realize."  Kaede first freed her wrists, then unbound the rope from her legs.

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“Phew…"  Loosening her stiff limbs, Kagome took the bowl.  She didn’t know if it was made of millet or what, but it was warm and tasted good.  Her chilled body warmed from the inside, and her spirits rebounded. "So… is this not Tokyo?"  She figured it was probably pointless, but she wanted to try asking the question that had been nagging her the most. "Toukyou?  I have never heard of it… Is that your homeland?” She got that by “homeland” she meant “hometown”, but it still took her a few seconds.  “Um, yeah.  And I really want to get back there.” “There is no reason you cannot return.” “Well, you might say that, but…"  She didn’t know the important bit of "how” to get back… “You are an odd one.  You have a peculiar manner of speech, and your clothing is quite uncustomary.” When Kaede tilted her head, from outside there was a snapping sound like something breaking, followed by a huge shriek. “…?!"  Kaede bolted for the door much more quickly than her appearance would assume, with Kagome following after.

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“What happened?!"  When Kaede forcefully pulled back the woven door, something huge came flying out of the darkness of the night and fell to the ground in front of them with a crash. "Eek!"  Kagome recoiled involuntarily.  The thing that had come flying was a horse.  There was a gash in its flank like it had been bitten off, from which its white rib bones were exposed and blood spouted out like a fountain. "Horrible…"  Kagome stared at it, dumbfounded. She returned to her senses after hearing a shout.  "Mo… Mononoke!” “It’s her…"  A familiar form was rampaging through the village.  It was that woman who dragged Kagome into the well!  … No, not a woman.  She was something much more sinister….  Yes, a mononoke… a youkai!

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As it greedily chomped on the horse’s flesh with fangs that protruded from its mouth, it coiled its lower centipede half about, destroying houses and continuously pressing forward. Glare.  Its eyes unexpectedly stopped on Kagome. “I found you!"  A delighted smile appeared on its already creepy face, and it turned to head towards Kagome.  The villagers attacked frantically with spears and arrows, but the centipede woman was undaunted.  Instead, many of the villagers were injured when it shook them off its lower centipede half. "Give me the Shikon no Tamaaa!"  With a swift dash, the centipede woman headed straight for Kagome. "Did she say ‘Shikon no Tama’?!"  The color of Kaede’s face changed as she stared at Kagome gravely.  "Do you carry the Shikon no Tama?” “I’m not carrying anything like that…!"  However, the youkai seemed certain that Kagome was indeed carrying it. (That thing is after me.  If this keeps up, the villagers will end up getting all mixed up in this…)

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Several men breathlessly ran to Kaede.  “Kaede-sama!” “Spears and arrows don’t work on it!” “Yes.  We have no choice but to drive it to the dry well.” Upon hearing Kaede’s words, Kagome gasped.  “Dry well?!  You mean….” “There is an old well in Inuyasha’s Forest.” (That’s the well that I came out of!)  Kagome was certain of it.  “Hey, which way to the forest?!” “It is at the eastern outskirts of the village.” Kagome followed Kaede’s gaze.  Beyond the fields, she saw a thick forest bathed in light.  “That glowing place, right?!  I got it!” “What did you just say?!  You are able to see the miasma invisible to the normal human eye?!"  Kaede’s words struck like a bolt of lightning, except that Kagome didn’t hear them.  She was already running like crazy.

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“You can’t escaaape!” cried the centipede woman.  She’d drawn its attention and was leading it out of the village.  To the light in Inuyasha’s Forest. 4 Pulse. His heart gave a powerful pump of blood. Having sunken to a place where no light could reach, Inuyasha’s consciousness suddenly returned. Pulse.  Pulse. The blood from his heart began coursing around Inuyasha’s body.  His power swelled.  His sunken consciousness lifted to the surface. Inuyasha opened his eyes.  His nose twitched.

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“I smell her.  The scent of the woman who killed me.  She’s getting closer…” Peering out into the darkness, Inuyasha smirked menacingly.

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As she picked up the jewel, the girl’s face was colored by deep sorrow. “Onee-sama, such horrible wounds!  We must tend to you quickly…” The girl silently shook her head to the younger sister miko who had come running.  “I am beyond saving.  Therefore, listen well.  Burn this along with my body.  So that it may never again fall into the hands of evil, I will take the Shikon no Tama along with me to the next world…” As the flames of the pyre engulfed the body of the girl clutching the Shikon no Tama, the boy, his freedom stolen by the exorcising arrow, silently closed his eyes. Like sand and water, time flowed on until there was no one left who remembered what happened. This was a story of long ago…

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