Adult-FanFiction.org : Anime

Bonds of Time	By : eternalstarhaven Category: Sailor Moon > Crossovers Views: 4450 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Inyusha and Sailor Moon are the work of other authors and anyone that thinks they can make a profit is fooling themselves.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Life's Lessons

Chapter Six

Miroku scowled, peeling the squirming fish from his robes. "Do you mind? It takes ten hours to wash and dry these things!"

Fishing in a frozen lake, Miroku had finally managed to find a spot where they can rest and hide from the demons at the same time. It had been a dangerous journey, Naraku sending more and more of his minions to find Tranquility. He was starting to wonder if Sesshomaru and the others could have kept her safe?

Naraku was holding nothing back at obtaining the gentle female, Tran reminding him of a curious kitten. She certainly got into enough trouble like one. They were surrounded on all sides by white peaks and trees. Even if InuYasha and the others figured out that he was in the northern mountains, he seriously doubted they could track him in places long forgotten.

There was plenty of coverage and more than enough time to teach her the lessons she needed to survive. Miroku smiled, having enjoyed the past six months. Her bruises were less on her arms and legs, and the black eyes had nearly vanished entirely.

He was impressed with her fighting skills, already teaching her the advance skills of his order. She could block most of his attacks and was constantly adding techniques of her own. If it hadn't been for his experience with other demons, Miroku was positive she would have defeated him by now.

Miroku prayed that everything he taught this girl would be enough. She was damn good and it frightened him to think that Naraku would succeed and turn her into something unrecognizable and lethal. She would tell him of the future she had come from, describing scenes that made no sense to him. What was a car?

He would ask her about her fighting style, but Tranquility honestly didn't seem to know. She had watched several master fighters and tried to copy their style, but they were too precise and too accurate for her to simply have picked up. They felt familiar, was all she would say.

The first few weeks had been difficult on them both. Tranquility screamed in fear of Naraku's future and Miroku would find himself trying to calm her for the rest of the night. Yet there was something more, a hint of a darker past that she never remembered upon waking.

These were the moments when he saw her cry, and he wanted nothing more than to drive all her demons away. She was such an innocent, that not even the old Miroku would have considered taking advantage of her. She trusted him with a childlike innocence and was always watching everything he did. Tranquility was an usual demon.

Unlike InuYasha, Sesshomaru, and Koga, she trusted him completely. There was no half way with her. Miroku found himself growing attached to her, seeing her as the sister he never had. Tran laughed when he mentioned it to her, replying that he acted like a protective older brother. She didn't seem to mind.

Miroku sighed. How many times had he pulled her out of danger? Tranquility would smile when he gave her a sharp warning about something, confused when he hid them from the demons that tracked them and excited when they hunted for their meals. She knew so little about the dangers of his world, Miroku often snatching her away from poisonous plants or snakes.

Definitely a cat, he muttered in silence. She was curious about everything, no matter how dangerous it was. She climbed trees, crawled into holes that were often too small, and fell into water holes that Miroku had to fish her out of. Occasionally he would catch a glimpse of Sango and Kirara in the sky, but they never came close. As promised, she had done as he asked, keeping the others away.

I wonder if she knows.

Another fish slapped his face, Tranquility throwing another before Miroku assaulted her with several snow balls. Squealing in protest, she ducked behind a tree, crouching low to the ground. Yep, most definitely a cat. He was curious to why she hadn't made her first transformation, and found that he was thankful for it.

Demons had a strange ability to track each other, probably because of the youkai that eventually revealed itself. They gave off powerful auras, and was like a beacon to those that a younger one didn't need attention from. How much did it have to do with her forgotten past? Miroku had caught hints of her other life, some of the events she screamed about in her sleep having no relationship to the events she had already spoken to him of.

He threw his staff, knocking the snow from the branches and watched it fall on her head. Tranquility struggled to pull free. Laughing, he walked over, helping her up. She couldn't believe how much fun she had when she was with Miroku. He could be serious when needed to be, but Miroku much preferred to be smiling or goofing off.

Life had been hard on Miroku, and from what she had seen, on most humans from the Feudal Era. Yet, here they were, running from every demon imaginable and he was still able to enjoy everything around him. She shook the snow off and followed him towards the fire, helping clean and prepare the fish. "You're getting better," he praised.

Tranquility's eyes became distant, but only for a moment before she was smiling again. "It had seemed so easy." Miroku was looking forward to the change. If he were able to bet, he would wager everything he owned that she was a feline. Her unique eyes missed nothing, and they would become narrow slits when she had spotted something to hunt.

Miroku had had a difficult time explaining to her why it was necessary to kill animals for food, but a few days of hunger quickly had her believing him. Her first kill had been a wild stag, her reward being several cuts. Tranquility didn't seem to care as she wiped the blood from her face and hands.

He taught her how to skin and cook the meat, to use the fur for clothing and to make jewelry out of the bones. There wasn't a part of an animal that he wasted, saying it was sinful to nature and to the gods. Tranquility in return taught him things that he had no clue as to where she picked up.

Ideas would suddenly pop into her head, ones such as changing their shoes for moccasins that left no footprints in the snow. It was her stunt after the second month that had freaked him out the most. Using the blood of her kills, she would often disguise their scent, adding to their evasion of her friends and Naraku.

A few more months, and Miroku doubted she would need his help for much of anything. She knew how to wait patiently in a tree, hide from even the most alert creature and how to kill without ever making a sound. It was always a sight to watch her in action.

Miroku didn't even want to think about what would happen once Sesshomaru or Koga caught up to them. He couldn't determine anything about Artemis yet, but preferred to remain on the safe side and keep running and hiding. He had been noticing a gradual change in her. Tran was happier, and she seemed to forget about her problems for several days before they were on the move again.

She was learning to have fun, and she never felt lonely any longer. Tran still missed Sesshomaru, but it was easier knowing that he was safe and that Miroku was helping her. If it hadn't been for the Monk, she never would have made it this far. Even he was starting to admit that Naraku was a major issue. He still believed that Sesshomaru and the others could prevent her horrible fate, but Miroku wasn't about to take a chance on it.

Their first month of travel was mostly in fields or on hay wagons. She learned the most during this time, always interacting with the people Miroku visited. The people loved her, surprised at her gentle nature and her affection for children.

Miroku had learned that babies were an issue. She loved them, but they always seemed to make her cry. Tran couldn't even say why, only that it hurt to hear their first moments of life. Reincarnation was not a new concept to Miroku and often their death in the previous life was a violent one.

Half way through the second month, they began to run into other demons, trying to avoid them without a fight. It had been nearly impossible and Naraku always seemed to be close on their heels. He seemed to want Tranquility as badly as he wanted the jewel shards and the idea terrified Miroku. Fox Demons responded to her easily, and Miroku couldn't possibly see the power that Naraku was so desperate to have.

She was too gentle natured. Could she really become so powerful that Tran would slaughter all of her friends? Tran seemed to believe it and became all the more determined to stay away from them. It had taken her time to accept Miroku, but he never once let his guard down.

Miroku remembered seeing the affects of Naraku in Sango's younger brother, and it was terrifying. According to Sango, he had been a gentle person, still in the training stages of becoming a demon slayer. That had all changed the minute Naraku took control, turning Kohaku into a lethal killing machine.

He didn't care how long it took, but until Tran fully remembered her past or made her transformation, he would never leave her to fight this battle alone. Miroku doubted that she would want to anymore. Tranquility was totally reliant on him, accepting the fact that she was not as strong in the Feudal Era as she was in hers.

Tranquility was becoming an exceptional cook, and they often took turns switching out and competing to be the best. After they had finished off their meal and cleaned up around the fire, they rested, hidden by a small cave that opened up further back. The cave connected to several other tunnels, some leading to hot springs and lava pits.

She loved to explore, and would be gone for several days before she returned to the surface. Miroku had learned not to worry, discovering that she had perfect vision in the dark and never got lost. It would prove to be useful if they should ever need to flee in a hurry.

It was at those times she was always the saddest. She had recently returned from one of her wanderings and Miroku had spent all afternoon trying to cheer her up. "You miss them." It was a statement and she didn't even bother trying to hide her feelings anymore.

"I can feel him," she whispered. "Sesshomaru has been close for several days. That's why you haven't seen me. I couldn't afford to have him find us."

"And the others?"

"If Sesshomaru is here, then it's safe to assume that the others are as well."

"Perhaps it was time we moved on anyway," he sighed.

"Miroku?" The monk looked frightened, but he was too much of a friend to say anything. His face had taken on a shade of green. "What's wrong?"

"I think now is a good time to tell you why I'm just as eager to stay away from Sesshomaru and the others as you are. If they catch me with you... Naraku will be the least of my problems."

Tranquility released a fierce growl, her eyes flickering before they returned to normal. Did they just change colors? I could have sworn they had turned a golden-silver.

Miroku was like a brother to her, and no matter what her feelings towards Sesshomaru or Koga, they would never be allowed to harm the gentle monk. Well... Almost gentle monk. Miroku did have his moments when he scared the life out of her. They seemed to come out the most when they were training and when she was doing something that threatened her life.

The monk could be a whole other person, sadistic and deadly. Moving closer to the fire, he pulled his knees to his chest, and rested his chin on them. "I've already told you about the curse Naraku placed upon my ancestor, but I kind of left out small little details."

"From generation-to-generation, the curse would be passed down until there were no other male descendants. I am the last male of my line. Every year, the tunnel became bigger and stronger. I knew eventually it would have destroyed me and the thought terrified me."

"I had two options. One was to find a woman to bare me a son and the second was to kill Naraku. Seeing how the second was almost an impossibility, I tried to find the woman that would grant this request. Perhaps any woman would have done, but I guess even a cursed monk had his standards. Could anyone blame a guy for wanting beauty and charm. It wasn't the kind of woman that I wanted, but the way I approached them that got me in trouble."

"Let me guess," Tranquility giggled, "You were a womanizer." Miroku blushed, but nodded. "What happened to make you change? You don't act like that around me."

"To be perfectly honest, Tran, I don't think I could have. You're too innocent and I see you as a little sister. I'm not saying your not attractive, just that I can't find it in myself to take advantage of you."

Miroku threw another log onto the fire, continuing with his story. "Sango is what changed."

"The demon slayer?"

"She was everything that I had taught myself to avoid. Sango was beautiful, strong, but extremely lethal when you make her angry. She was a demon slayer, but I couldn't help but fall in love with her."

"I can't even remember when I started to like her, or when I started to change. Women no longer held the same appeal and I stopped harassing them. A few months ago, Sango had been badly hurt and I bandaged her arm. I guess I deserved it, but I had been trying so hard to change."

"Sango thought I was going to take advantage of her, and slapped me before I even had a chance to move away."

"I can't say that I blame her, but Sango should have been more patient. Perhaps she did notice the changes and didn't know how to respond. Instead of thinking about how she felt, she instantly blamed it on your past actions."

Miroku gave her a sheepish grin. "That was Sango outside the cave that morning," she asked.

"Hai."

"Why didn't you go with her?"

"To give her time to think about what she wants. As long as I'm around, she'll always try to act as if I mean nothing to her."

"Do you regret traveling with me?" Miroku heard the tremor in her voice, and sighed.

"I miss Sango, but no. This quest has given me a chance to learn a few things as well."

Moving closer to the fire, Tranquility closed her eyes and drifted to sleep. "Miroku?" she asked, her voice thick and slurred.

"Go to sleep, Tran."

"I promise to keep you safe."

"That better not mean you're running off," he growled. She was already asleep, never hearing his last words. "Crazy kid."

Miroku felt her that night, the same person that had talked to him a few times before. The first time they had connected, he had been startled and slightly angry. He quickly learned she meant no harm, only that she was curious. You're worried about her, she said.

The others know I'm here, don't they?

Hai.

I don't know if I should be grateful, or terrified.

Artemis has accepted your presence in her life. He doesn't like it, but he rather have a fighter near her than Tran trying to do this on her own.

You know who I am?

It wasn't that hard to figure it out. Even Sesshomaru added the equation together and came up with the answer.

You're not making me feel any better,' he grumbled. 'Sesshomaru isn't exactly the friendliest person in the world.

Sesshomaru would never do anything to harm Tran. He may bare his fangs at you, but I have a strong feeling Tran will give him a nasty fight over you.

She is a bit over protective, isn't she?

According to Rei and Kagome, it was a good idea that she had no idea that I was nearby or the life I lead before now.

Why?

I died twice, and it wasn't pleasant. Artemis has no idea either, and I don't think I'll tell him for awhile.

Who is Tran to you?

She's the sister I never met. Tran never saw me before she died in the past, and I was adopted when she was four.

You had a question to ask me?

Artemis wants to know if she's managed to transform yet?

No, and that bothers me.

The girl paused, returning a few moments later. Artemis doesn't like it. She should have been able a long time ago.

I think it has to do with her past and her fear that Naraku will be able to find her if she does. The ability is there; I've seen signs of it. She's instinctively fighting it.

Artemis wants you to keep protecting her. He understands why you continue to hide her. Naraku's demons have been attacking non-stop. There doesn't seem to be an end to them.

How bad is it?

Do you really want to know?

I need to know what we're up against.

Sango was badly injured yesterday and Kagome was poisoned. Artemis has spent the last several hours with Rei trying to heal them.

Rei? I think I've felt her a few times.

She's a psychic. I'm impressed that you can hide from her as easily as you do.

It's an ability I picked up from a tribe of monks several years ago. They taught me several techniques of the mind that make it impossible for demons to scan my location.

That still doesn't explain how you've managed to hide your scent for this long. Artemis is quite frustrated that you've managed to elude him.

I'm not surprised. He is a Solarian after all, but then again, so is Tran. I think a part of her does remember. She comes up with some unique ideas that I don't think she learned in the modern era.

The woman laughed. I think you've upset my guardian. He's invented a few more swear words.

Happy to oblige.

Keep her safe, Miroku. She still won't talk to any of us. All we want is for her to be happy.

I aim to please, my lady.

Sango's right. You're an impossible flirt. I can see why she likes you so much.

He felt her leave and Miroku felt better knowing that everyone was alive. Miroku didn't like the idea that Sango was hurt, but at least she was taken care of. Tran was whimpering in her sleep. Miroku had been around long enough to know that she was having a nightmare and he doubted that it was about Naraku. She had learned to block the half-demon from her mind. These were memories of the past, the dark ones she tried so hard to forget.

"My baby," she cried. "Stop! Please don't do it!" She screamed, her body convulsing and thrashing around violently against the floor. Miroku grabbed her, holding her tight as she continued to live in the past.

"Tran..." He whispered, stroking her soaked hair. "Shhh... It's only a dream... Let it go..."

"Rin..."

Miroku felt as if the wind had been knocked out of him. What the hell did Rin have to do with Tran and was it the same child that now traveled with Sesshomaru?

She couldn't scream; everything was dark and her body hurt. A sharp pain stabbed through her chest, filling her lungs with blood. They were ripping her stomach open, tearing out the life she had created. No! She wanted to tell them, drowning in her own blood.

A foot slammed into her belly, her muffled cry ignored. They kept her alive for hours, and as the last of her blood spilled to the ground, her captors had ripped the bag from her head and struck her savagely across the face. She didn't even know how she was still alive, her stomach torn open and her baby screaming at her rude entrance into the world.

Grasping her chin, they looked into her dying eyes and laughed. "Sesshomaru will die, but not before he sees the bodies of his wife and freak of a child!" Not giving her a chance to respond, he pulled his knife and slit her throat. Her vision dimming, she reached up her hand, stretched towards her baby girl. Rin, I will... A silver light bathed the camp they had taken her too, taking with it Tran's life and sending the baby to a time and place where she would be safe and protected.

"Tran, please wake up!" Again she screamed, striking Miroku painfully across the face. He had been trying for several hours to reach her, but nothing seemed to work. I need your help! He cried out to her sister.

Miroku immediately felt the presence of three people, all giving him their strength. The past has its grip on her, a male voice growled. It's killing her.

How do I help her?

Call to her. You're the only one close enough. We will lend our strength.

Miroku didn't recognize the voice, but he trusted it. "Tran! It isn't real! Let it go! You're hear, in a cave!"

With his connection to the Solarian, he was able to see her nightmares and recoiled in horror. He witnessed her brutal death again and again, and the flash of light before she died. God, I don't understand! Miroku never thought he could hate his own kind until that moment, but he did.

Now is not the time! Tran has placed all of her trust in you, and it's that trust that we're depending on to bring her back!

Miroku forced back the need to puke, but was unable to stop the flow of tears. The scene was replaying itself, but before they could begin hurting her again, he captured her in a protective embrace and carried her away into the darkness, away from the horror of that night. Tran, please come back. You don't have to live that anymore.

It hurts! Make it stop! I don't want to remember this! Please! Make it go away!

A golden and silver light surrounded them, erasing all memories of her past. Miroku knew it was the right thing to do, unable to see her suffer. That night would have sent her over the edge, and none of them were prepared to allow it to happen. Miroku, the voice roared.

He trembled in terror. This one he knew, and he was beyond angry. Sesshomaru had never been so terrified in his life, and he grieved over the child the humans had ripped from his wife. He didn't understand the silver light, nor did he try to. All he knew was his wife had been savagely slaughtered, his child taken from him.

I won't keep her from you, Miroku sobbed in anguish. God, just don't let her see that again.

Miroku couldn't stop crying, rocking back and forth with the unconscious woman in his arms. He didn't understand, his heart couldn't comprehend such hatred and violence. He showed them their location; it didn't matter if Tran would be angry about it later. Her running was insane, and he couldn't allow it. Not after what he had just witnessed.

"Mi..ro..ku..." She was awake, staring at him in pain. Images kept returning, struggling against the power trying to block them.

A tear hit her cheek, but she didn't seem to notice as she held his robe painfully tight. She couldn't close her eyes; she saw their faces, the blood and... "Humans..." she sobbed, Miroku holding her like a broken child. "They..."

"Tran, please let it go. You don't have to remember." His gentle words only made her cry harder, Miroku continuing to rock her. She was beyond his ability to help, knowing he had did the right thing by calling to the others for help. "Shhh... Let it go."

As he waited for one of her friends to arrive, he held her throughout the night, talking to her. Miroku hated her silence, the tears that would never stop on either of them. For the rest of his life, he would never forget that scene. She stared at the fire, unable to fall back asleep, nor would Miroku have allowed it.

"Miroku?" She whispered, afraid that he would leave her alone in the dark. He was exhausted, but he forced himself to remain awake.

Her eyes were filled with pain, Artemis unable to fully erase the memory. He needed to be closer, still a few hours away. In the mean time, Miroku would have to keep her calm and talking. "What is it, Tran?"

"Do you believe in re-incarnation?"

"Hai."

Pulling his cloak tighter around her shoulders, he tried to think of the right words. "Kagome is the re-incarnation of another soul, but I'm starting to think it was someone completely different. Everyone seems to think she's Kikyo re-born."

"Kikyo?"

"She was a Miko that protected the Jewel of Four Souls."

"I see glimpses of my other life," she finally admitted. "Some are good, but most of them make me sad and afraid."

"Tran, stop. We're not going to allow anything else to happen to you. Please, you have to trust in the strength and love of your friends."

"Miroku, I'm glad we met. Kagome and yourself show a side of humanity that make me believe they're still worth protecting."

How could she possibly think that after what the humans had done? Her soul was as pure as they came, but scared by the cruel hatred of the past. There was nothing he could do except be her friend, and to continue protecting her.

Before he had met InuYasha and Shippo, he had believed that all demons were evil or needed to be strictly controlled. Now Miroku knew that, like humans, that demons could be both good and evil. He had no idea where Sesshomaru stood. He was a force to be feared, created by the humans that had murdered his mate.

Artemis was the first to appear, the large Panther, pressing his nose against her feverish skin. Tran whimpered another wave of light washing over her. There were tears in his beautiful coat, and with a cry, he curled against the girl he had protected for so long.

Koga was next, just as devastated as the Solarian. Rei had been connected to Serenity, both women suffering from the nightmare with Tranquility. The wolf demon couldn't find it in himself to hate the monk, not when he looked into his eyes and saw the raw pain and horror. Miroku had been willing to die for her.

The last to join them shook the very foundation of the mountain, steam coming from his mouth and nose. Everything in him screamed to kill the human, unable to see him as a friend. All he could picture were the humans killing his wife and it was driving him crazy.

Koga blocked Sesshomaru's vision of Miroku, Artemis quietly telling the human to release Tran and slowly back away. Tran would never forgive Sesshomaru if he killed Miroku, and used their bodies to push him towards the entrance. The monk was petrified, but if Sesshomaru killed him, he wouldn't have blamed the Western Lord.

Sesshomaru took a step towards her, his eyes never leaving the two demons nor the human. He snarled, torn between going to his mate and destroying the threat to her life. Artemis growled, prepared to defend the human if necessary. Tranquility whimpered again, covered in sweat. Sesshomaru inched closer, placing his body between her and them.

He had felt the moment her barriers had dropped, re-living every moment and Miroku's cry for help. It was the only thing stopping Sesshomaru from completely destroying him. Slowly, he lowered himself to the cavern floor, wrapping himself protectively around her trembling body.

"Let's go," Koga whispered to Miroku. "Stay behind us, and do not draw attention to yourself. None of us will be able to stop him."

Miroku didn't argue, knowing his life hung by a thread. Sesshomaru was beyond reason, his youkai fully prepared to defend his mate. Once outside the cave, Miroku collapsed and started to cry uncontrollably. It didn't matter that he was breaking down in front of two powerful demons. All he could see was the blood and the baby.

He heard a sound of shimmering music, but didn't notice the Panther had shifted forms until he was kneeling before him, his eyes a piercing blue. Miroku could look in them forever, wondering how they could change colors the way they did? "She was bound to remember. You could not have stopped it."

"Does she have to?"

"For the moment, no. Sesshomaru knew what I was doing, and he didn't fight it. We would have lost Serenity as well; she was fully connected to Tranquility."

Tranquility was in a world of chaos and confusion. At times she would be surrounded by the blood and piercing pain of the knife, others she could only feel the calming presence of her mate. She didn't even ask how he had found her, Tran couldn't be away from him.

She slowly touched his face, needing to feel him, to know that he was really there. It was the only thing that temporarily took the pain away, even with the full effort of Artemis trying to take the memories away. He snarled and growled, unable to think clearly.

Sesshomaru had felt every thrust of their knives, every cry and the tearing of her flesh. She had purposely hid this from him in the past, but unable to cope with the trauma of remembering, Sesshomaru had finally seen the truth. The Western Lord had never known that she was carrying his child. She must have been at least five or six months before they took it.

The Demon Lord roared his cry of pain and loss, bringing more tears to the companions that had searched for Tran. InuYasha had never known his brother to grieve, Serenity still rocking back and forth in terror and pain. Rei had curled into a fetal position, sobbing uncontrollably.

Artemis and Koga returned a few hours later, the Panther carrying Miroku and settling him near the fire. The Monk was still in a state of shock, having witnessed Tran's thoughts and nightmare personally. It had nearly destroyed him, holding a woman that he had no idea how to help.

"What the hell happened?" InuYasha demanded, watching the entire camp fall apart. Sango had weakly thrown back her fur blankets, holding her side as she crawled to the devastated monk. She had never seen him like this and it broke her heart.

Gently she wrapped her arms around him, Miroku quickly latching on with a strangled cry. Sango was clearly frightened. Now would be the perfect time for Naraku to strike, their team unable to function or fight back. "What happened?" she begged, looking at Koga and Artemis. They were strangely quiet, nothing like the confident demons she had seen the past six months.

Artemis went to Serenity, while Koga went to Rei. For hours all that could be heard throughout the mountains and trees were the sounds of their tears, screaming and crying. It was Koga who told them what happened, the others unable to speak or repeat what they had discovered.

Kagome and Sango blanched, while InuYasha truly understood Sesshomaru's hatred of humans. The Miko, long after everyone had cried themselves to sleep, stared at the stars. Of all of us, Tran has suffered the most. When will it stop? She pleaded.

Sesshomaru couldn't recall several days, his mind a cloud of grief. He forced her to sleep, unable to watch her cry anymore. Artemis returned daily, joining his powers with Sesshomaru. Both knew she was unable to cope with the past, and it was cruel to make her.

A child. He still couldn't wrap his mind around the concept, his heart breaking again and again at the loss. Sesshomaru had never known and it was tearing him apart. The days were a blur, the Western Lord unable to focus on anything but his mate.

His youkai was unusually silent, only wanting to help its mate and mourn the loss of what it had never held. It was Miroku that broke through to them, having remembered something about the visions, having been forced to see it again and again. "She's alive."

"Who is?" Sango asked him, stroking back his hair. He had slept with his head in her lap for several days, unable to let her go.

"The child. Tran did something, but I don't understand it."

Serenity came up to the monk, her gaze penetrating and sad. Gently she took his face, the moon on her forehead blazing to life. She gasped, immediately sharing the information with Artemis. Do you understand?

Incredible, Artemis spoke. She tapped into an unknown power and pushed her child into another time. It was her last dying wish.

"It's Rin..." Miroku stammered, not making a lot of sense.

"The human child," Koga gaped.

"Do you know where she came from?"

"She was human. What did I care?"

"I think we should ask Sesshomaru where she came from."

Artemis was shocked, never having heard of this kind of power. Tran, without the aide of the Silver Crystal or her mother, had somehow managed to send her daughter into another time period. "Sesshomaru." The demon lord snarled, still trapped in his own world.

"Dammit, would you pay attention."

The dog demon lifted his powerful head, his teeth pulled back. Artemis was just as deadly, his claws fully extended. "Leave us," Sesshomaru commanded.

"The child," He persisted. "Where did you find her?"

"Why do you speak of Rin?"

"Miroku wants to know where she came from."

"She was in a field, silent and wandering."

Artemis couldn't believe what he was hearing. Sesshomaru had somehow found his daughter, and had no idea that it was her. "Why was she silent?"

Sesshomaru shrugged, "This Sesshomaru does not know."

"We need to know. Don't you understand? Tran somehow sent her daughter to a time where she would be safe and protected!"

"The child is dead," Sesshomaru growled.

"No, she's not. Miroku said he saw Tranquility use a silver light. The baby vanished, and the power took what life she had left. She's alive, and her name was Rin."

"Rin is human," he said, suddenly not so sure.

"Is she? Tran can easily be mistaken for one. She has yet to go through the transformation. Would Rin be any different?"

Sesshomaru didn't dare hope that Artemis was right. Had he been protecting his own child the entire time? Is that why he couldn't find it in himself to part with her? She had reminded him so much of his mate, that it never occurred to the demon lord she was his daughter.

"How is this possible?"

"She is half Lunarian. The power she used was not a Solarian ability."

Sesshomaru shook the fog of grief and depression from his mind, unable to change the past. "Have the Phoenix go to Rin and bring her here. This Sesshomaru will find the truth of the human's words."

"She left while I was trying to convince you."

The dog demon left the cave, moving towards the stream to wash his coat and face. Artemis sat at the entrance, watching the sky and land for intruders. Unaware of Tranquility, none of them saw the red glow pulsating around her small body.

Naraku was trying to touch her mind, but she was fighting back. Hands and feet turned into paws, her body curving towards the ground. The dead fire flared to life, engulfing the young demon female in its warmth. She didn't remember the nightmare from a few days before, but Naraku was still all too real.

Tranquility roared in open defiance, her gold-silver eyes focused on the dark shadow creeping towards her. It lengthened into a large spider, several more joining it. He had finally come for her. She was glad Miroku was no where to be seen, unaware that Sesshomaru had been by her side for over a week.

The half-demon laughed, surrounding her in a dark mist. Tranquility screamed and swiped at the cloud, the tendrils wrapping around her body. "Fighting is pointless," he purred.

Artemis came charging in, but was thrown back by a wave of darkness. Tranquility roared, opening a mouth full of sharp teeth. Her new claws sank into the granite floor, struggling against her restraints. Tran's fur was a rich red, her eyes a golden-silver.

She felt Sesshomaru rush towards the cave, and as he leapt towards Naraku, they vanished. Tran roared, the last sound either of them heard. Tran! He sounded his challenge, his voice the very promise of death. "Get Koga!"

He's already on the move, Serenity told him. We'll catch up.

Artemis was racing beside Sesshomaru, trying to keep their connection with Tranquility. It was faint and fading fast. Don't let him win! Artemis begged her.

I am not so easily defeated, Artemis! Her voice was tired, but she still had a lot of energy to fight Naraku's attempt at controlling her.

InuYasha carried Kagome on his back, Miroku riding behind Sango on Kirara. Koga had taken Serenity, all of them racing against the clock. The final battle had begun, Naraku making his move. At last, everything would finally be decided.

Miroku was angry. "I can't believe I broke my promise!"

"Miroku," Sango called, looking over her shoulder. "There was nothing we could have done. Naraku struck at our weakest moment and took full advantage of it. He would have killed you."

"He's going to change her."

"We'll get her back," she promised. "I'm not giving up on my brother, and you're not giving up on Tran!"

"Thank you, Sango. I'm glad we're doing this together."

"I hated keeping away." Sango gave him a sneaky smile. "By the way, I hope you can convince Artemis, Koga and Sesshomaru you two didn't do anything."

"Sango!" He shouted in protest. Miroku soon realized she was teasing him, trusting him completely. "When this is over, I'll show you what I didn't do," he promised.

"Only if you can catch me first," she challenged.

"Tran is like a sister." Showing her his hand, Sango could only stare in wonder.

"She cured it?"

"She used a silver light then too; that's the only reason why I thought about what I saw in her dream. She was so exhausted that she fainted. If she were close to death, that kind of energy would have finished the job."

"Naraku won't be easy to defeat."

"If he manages to change her, we concentrate on Naraku and keep Tran distracted."

Sesshomaru was losing her. Stay with me, he ordered.

Don't... she pleaded. Already I feel him taking control...

You have to keep fighting.

She didn't answer, Naraku taking full control. She can no longer hear you. Come if you dare. Know that you will kill her or die by her hand.

Tranquility hung in the air, too weak to shift back. She had been fighting for hours, feeling Naraku slowly take control. He knew how to open the right doors, fueling her pain with a dark hatred. No, there has to be something good to remember.

Was there, he whispered softly in her mind. Why would they try to make you forget? They don't want you to see the truth! The humans took everything from you, and your friends helped them. Is that what a friend is for? You spent your entire life protecting them.

Tranquility stopped snarling, letting Naraku come closer. All you know is betrayal and loneliness. Was it not your own parents that forced you upon the Western Lord? Did he not even try to stop them? She was confused, but he wouldn't stop. Image after image flooded her mind, but they were only of the battles between Sesshomaru, Koga, and the humans. Naraku intentionally blocked the good memories, wanting only the hate to survive.

Where was Sesshomaru when you needed him? He allowed the humans to take you, to take the child you never got to hold. You know the truth, young one. They hated you; they all did.

She tried to shut him out, but Naraku was winning and they both knew it. It can't all be bad! Isn't there anything worth remembering! She cried. Naraku smiled, touching her furry face. Soon he would unleash all her hate and rage, directing it towards the very people that stood in his way. It was so simple and he would be able to fully tap into her power.

"I too am hunted, Tran." His voice wavered, Naraku pretending to be afraid. Tran lifted her head, studying him carefully. "The monk's grandfather tried to murder me; was I not to defend myself? Will you let them kill me? I can't fight them all. I'm all alone, with no friends to help me."

Slowly he released her, watching her closely. She made no move to attack, stepping closer to the half-demon. She lifted her muzzle to his face, her tail moving back and forth slowly. "That's it, Tran. Help me fight our enemies. You're the only friend that I have."

All her resistance was gone; replaced by hatred and a desire for revenge. They had taken everything from her. She would kill them all, humans and demons alike! All of them were evil; they were all her enemies! Naraku laughed, feeding her a wave of darkness that consumed her heart and soul. All she could see and want was blood.

Home

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter

Saiyan_jin_Pepper@hotmail.com
- 5
- 6
- 7
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Bonds of Time

Life's Lessons

Chapter Six