Chapter 7 - Graves and ghosts

Chapter 7-Graves and ghosts

Kagome stared at the flames of the campfire as they licked higher; she bit her lip nervously as she tried not to think about all the dreadful things that could have happened to Inuyasha in the past few days since he had gone missing.

A comforting hand on her shoulder brought her back to her present situation; she looked over her shoulder into the worried face of Sango and smiled wanly.

“I’m sure he’s alright, Kagome.”

“Of course he’s alright!” Shippo’s voice was wavered although he tried to keep it steady. “He’s got too much of a thick skull to get hurt.”

Miroku moved around the campfire to sit by Kagome, the smile on his face was hopeful as ever.

“Of course, if you want any comforting..”

TWACK!

Miroku moved away with a hurt expression on his bruised face; Kagome sighed as she turned back to Sango and Shippo.

“Are you sure we’re going the right way?”

Shippo nodded.

“His scent is easy to follow, especially after we found that….er…never mind.”

Shippo fell silent as Kagome paled, she vividly remembered following the trail until they had come upon a large pool of dried blood; Shippo easily identified it as Inuyasha’s by the scent.

Fighting back tears Kagome stood up and looked around, for miles all she could see were fields and a forest.

“This is useless! We’re never going to find him here, if he was injured he could never have walked this far.”

Sango and Miroku exchanged nervous glances; each knew the other was thinking that Inuyasha must have been taken, probably by Naraku.

Kagome caught the glances and she glared fiercely at the pair as if they were responsible for Inuyasha going missing; haughtily she lay down in her bedroll and closed her eyes.

Once they were sure Kagome was asleep Miroku and Sango crept closer together to carry on an earlier conversation.

“Have you remembered why these lands seem familiar yet?” Although Miroku’s voice was barely above a whisper it woke Kagome, however, she stayed still and listened.

“No, but I know that I’ve been here before. These fields, that village we passed and that forest; I know I’ve seen them before.”

“Have we traveled here searching for the jewel shards?”

“No. This memory is old; from my childhood, I remember running through these fields when I was eleven or twelve.” Sango gasped suddenly in recognition. “My father brought me here when I was young to teach me about the more dangerous demons; the ones even the exterminators tried to avoid. These are the Western Lands.”

“What’s so bad about the Western Lands?” Shippo’s shrill voice cut the still night air like a knife.

Kagome could pretend to sleep no longer; she was too interested in why the Western Lands held such dread for even the exterminators.

“I’m interested too.”

Sango and Miroku jumped at Kagome’s voice and smiled guiltily.

“We didn’t want to worry you.”

“Tell me.”

“Alright,” Sango took a deep breath. “The Western Lands are the most fertile and beautiful in all the world; therefore, of course, all the demons wanted to be the ruler of such a place – only the most powerful of demons won the right to make this land his family’s. Despite his power he was a just and fair ruler and the people loved him dearly; he had 2 sons, when he died the title of Lord passed to his eldest son – Sesshoumaru.”

“So this is where we’re heading?” Kagome’s voice was shaking; Sesshoumaru disturbed her more than most demons. “Sesshoumaru’s home?”

“Yes, it seems Inuyasha must be in the castle itself.”

Kagome almost jumped to her feet; thoughts of Inuyasha in pain and at the mercy of his older brother swam in front of her eyes; she had her bedroll packed away in an instant.

“Then what are we waiting for, lets go! Shippo, lead the way.”

“Erm, okay Kagome.” Shippo seemed a little taken aback but did as she asked setting off towards the forest; anxiously Miroku and Sango followed behind.

Soon the group was walking under a canopy of leaves which made the dark night even darker, barely even able to see her own hand in front of her face Kagome concentrated on following the sound of Shippo’s voice as he argued about food with Miroku.

With a grunt Kagome pitched forwards onto her face, rubbing her shin where she had caught it she twisted round to look at what she had fallen over.

“Sango! Miroku! Shippo!” Kagome’s scream cut the air making the others run to her; Miroku already had his wind-tunnel half uncovered before he realized what had caused her to scream.”

“Graves, but whose?” Miroku murmured bending down to get a closer look.

Crudely inscribed on each was an inscription in the same hand.

‘Here lies Shioma, beloved mother.’

‘Here lies Ukil, simply beloved.”


(Meanwhile)

As Sesshoumaru slept cradling Inuyasha in his arms the orb, which was lying forgotten on the floor began to glow brightly.

Bright tendrils of light snaked out and surrounded the two brothers wrapping them in a rainbow together; a shadowy face seemed to emerge from the lights and smile sardonically.

“My son,” it’s voice came from the depths of the orb as it stared at Sesshoumaru. “My son, I tried to warn you about half-breeds but you wouldn’t listen. Perhaps it is better if you find out for yourself.”

The light blazed like the sun just once and then the room was dark and silent once more; the two brothers slept soundly unaware that their lives had been changed forever.