Kaya's Story (An InuYasha Fanfic)

Chapter 24: Return to the Village of Half-Demons

 As we walked through the forest, Ryu began asking questions. Some of his questions I answered, some I didn't. He continued to ask questions until we reached the barrier for the village. He squeezed my hand, before pulling us both through the barrier. As we entered the barrier, it started to form visible cracks. We both froze. At that moment, I realized something I should have before. This barrier was the one I had created 50 years earlier, during my first visit to the village. "Ryu," I asked, "where are the sutras that sustain the barrier?" "You told Father and I that you placed one in the four directions," he replied. "Alright, let's see what I can do." I said as I took off to begin my work on the barrier.

When I came to the first sutra, I found it was radiating weak spiritual power. I bent down and it picked up only to have it crumble to dust in my hand. While letting the dust fly away in the wind, I began looking through the few pockets in my kimono, hoping to find some spare sutras. I was in luck. Or at least I thought I was. I pulled a sutra out and found it was blank, so I decided to try something I had never done before. Placing the blank sutra on the ground, I ran to go replace the other three. When I finished, I ran to the center of the village and sat down. I placed the fifth sutra in front of me and started the silent prayer. After a while, I opened my eyes to find I had put up a small barrier around myself plus a larger barrier around the village itself. I looked down at the sutra in front of me to find it had the glowing words of the prayer. I stood up and Ryu ran up to me. He picked up my necklace from its place on my chest and examined it without a word. I looked around and found the villagers were staring in awe at the barrier. I looked back at Ryu, watching him as he examined the glowing pendant. I looked up when I heard footsteps approach. It was Hiro, who looked between the two of us. I felt Ryu place the pendant back in its place before he turned to his Father. "Father, Kaya has returned to us." Ryu stated, happily. I smiled, "It's good to see you again, Hiroshi."

Hiroshi was at a loss for words, but only for a moment. "Ryu, can you Kaya to our hut?" "Of course, Father." Ryu grabbed my hand again and we took off towards their hut. When we reached their hut, he led me inside and we sat down in front of a small fire pit. Releasing my hand, he created a blue flame like had done in the forest; using them to light the fire. "Ryu," I asked, "what are the blue flames?" "It's foxfire; it is a part of my fox-magic. Fox demons can use it to play tricks and create illusions." He replied happily. We sat in silence until Hiro entered the hut. He sat down across from us, looking suspicious. It took me a moment to figure out why he was looking at us that way. Ryu must have noticed too because he pulled his hand away as a slight blush appeared on his face. Hiroshi laughed and began to ask questions. By the time he had finished, I had explained everything, from what happened with Kikyo and InuYasha after I had left to falling into the well and losing my memories to returning to this world. All he did was nod, taking in all the information I had given him. "I see you've been through quite a lot," Hiroshi stated. "I guess, it was nice though to return and see you all again," I said, smiling. "How long are you staying?" Ryu asked. He had been silent the entire time, so it startled me when he spoke. "Just a few days, but I will try to visit as often as I can now that I'm back," I stated. Ryu nodded and looked down. An awkward silence formed but was soon interrupted by Hiroshi who started explaining how things had been since I left. We talked until it became very late and Hiro and Ryu retired to their rooms for the night. I stayed in the main room, watching the flames dance across the wood in the fire.