Kaya's Story (An InuYasha Fanfic)

Chapter 76: Hojo's Ancestor and the Demonic Blade

Kagome returned to her world roughly two days ago. I was staying with InuYasha and the others until she returned, which they found surprising. That was understandable. Every time Kagome had returned home, I had left, but not this time. I couldn't risk Chiyoko trying to fight me again, so here I was staying in a village I hadn't spent more than three hours in since I had returned. Honestly, though, I found it relaxing for the most part. Even with InuYasha keeping a close eye on me, which might I add has gotten old. Anyway, a couple of hours before Kagome was supposed to return, InuYasha and Shippo walked into Kaede's hut with a man who looked exactly like an old classmate of mine named Hojo. He apparently had run into InuYasha and his friends once before and somehow became Shippo's vassal. Akitoki had come in search of Kaede for guidance on where he could purify an heirloom of the Hojo family called the Ken blade. It is part of the Naginata of Kenkon, which is a demonic weapon of heaven and earth. The blade has been bringing the Hojo family misfortune, so Akitoki was a quest to purify it at Mt. Hakurei; before it collapsed, that is. The rumor is a natural disaster caused it to collapse, but we know there was nothing natural about the collapse. Everything he told us was purely information-based, that is until Akitoki unwrapped it. It didn't affect me much, but InuYasha, on the other hand, got bewitched by it almost instantly, which was very concerning. Especially since Akitoki begged us to accompany him on his journey to Furai Shrine, which was the purest place Kaede knew of in the region. Shippo and I agreed but InuYasha said no because it would slow down our search for the Jewel Shards. As of right now, he is in a tree on the outskirts of the village, sulking, like he normally does. Kagome left to straighten him out when she returned, leaving the rest of us with Mrs. Higurashi's wonderful cooking.

Shortly after Kagome returned with InuYasha, we headed out in the direction of Furai Shrine. It was interesting to watch how much the Hojo from Kagome's time and this Hojo had in common, specifically their shared crush on Kagome. He would occasionally look down at her from his place on Kirara's back. It was kind of sweet, but I honestly felt bad for the guy because he either chose to ignore what was going on between Kagome and InuYasha or he was completely oblivious. I am willing to bet it's the second one. After traveling for a while, we stopped at a tea house for a rest. InuYasha was as impatient as ever and complained about having to stop. I rolled my eyes and continued to listen to their conversation. I apparently had zoned out because the next thing I know I am face first on the ground. I wish InuYasha would keep his stupid thoughts to himself. Once we finished, Kagome and InuYasha left to go fill up water bottles. I will give Akitoki this much, he sure was brave for a human. Even with all of the misfortune that has befallen him because of the blade, he's still trying to dispose of it in a proper way to keep others from suffering. After Kagome and InuYasha returned, the area around us began to rumble causing us to look up to the cliff behind us. Several large boulders were rolling towards us causing InuYasha to draw Tetsusaiga, making quick work of the boulders using a wind scar. Moments later, I caught the scent of gunpowder. InuYasha and Shippo had caught the scent as well and Sango pointed out what looked like a giant bird-shaped kite just before it dropped a lot of bombs in our general area. We moved out of the way of the first volley and InuYasha stopped the second with a wind scar. Kagome's sacred arrow made the potential assassin retreat. Sango and Kirara went to investigate the ridge and found where the boulders had originated from. I'm honestly starting to agree with InuYasha, we needed to dispose of the Ken blade and now.

Just as the sun was starting to set, we stopped to rest and began talking about the events that had unfolded earlier in the day. InuYasha again suggested Akitoki just through the blade away or give it to the person who had attacked us. That's when Akitoki revealed it was half of a powerful demonic blade that had been split in two. Not long into our conversation, the call of a crow caused us all to look up only to find Myoga was a passenger on the crow. When he landed on InuYasha's nose, InuYasha smacked him causing him to fall into InuYasha's open hand. Myoga explained that he had been sent by Totosai to ensure that InuYasha sealed the Ken blade. Of course, InuYasha protested. When Myoga continued, I had to try hard to keep from laughing. Apparently, InuYasha is the only one who can seal the blade. It was forged on the order of the leader of the demon ninjas, Hoshiyomi. Kaijinbo had been the one to forge this evil weapon and Tetsusaiga was the only blade strong enough to seal or destroy it. Not that I was to upset about that because Tenkari had been acting strangely, so after the Ken blade was sealed I was going to talk to Totosai about it.

About dark, we set up a fire and sat down to talk about our next move when I heard distant explosions. The assassin had returned with more firepower. They dropped bombs all around us, surrounding everyone but Akitoki and Kagome who took off running. Every time we dispersed a wave of explosives another came and surrounded us. One such explosion sent Kagome and Akitoki over the edge of the cliff and none of us could do anything to help them.