Inuyasha: A New Beginning
By:
Guardian Angel
Chapter Four
“And that’s what happened,” Nina said. She had just explained her and Inuyasha’s dream. “Now, I have a question. Anna, how did you get here?”
“Well, after several hours of waiting for you to call me back, I started getting worried. So, I decided to go to your house to see if you were all right,” Anna said. “When I got there, you weren’t home. I got really worried and tried opening your door to see it was open. I went in and looked around. Your brother’s room was a mess. Well, I then went to your room. That’s what made me even more surprised, suspicious, and worried. I was in the center of the room and I started sinking into the floor and there was blue light around me. Next thing I know-“
“You’re in a well,” Nina said. “When you’re out of the well, you found you’re surrounded by forest. You began looking around and just happened to find me. Oh, and it’s not Inuyasha’s fault that I got poisoned.”
Anna sighed and shook her head. She then looked towards Nina. “Before your wound had disappeared, there was pink light around you. I got worried and scared. Inuyasha and you were still asleep while that was happening.”
Inuyasha looked towards Nina. Kikyo and Kagome didn’t have those kinds of powers. How can she have them?
Nina thought about what Anna had said and shrugged.
“How can you both have the same dream and be in it together?” Anna asked.
Nina sighed. “I really don’t know. All I know is I actually feel the pain and that it was very real.”
Inuyasha nodded. The only dreams I can think of that had me and someone else and we both had it and could actually talk to each other were the ones Kagome and I had, but that was because of some legend that came true. How are Nina and I able to do it, too?
“You could feel pain?” Anna asked. “I don’t think that’s a good thing.”
“Maybe,” Nina said.
Inuyasha looked towards Nina. “Who’s Inu-chan?”
“Inu-chan?” Nina asked. She thought about this. “He was an old friend of mine. Well, kind of. He wasn’t exactly real. Well, until I was in second grade, whenever I fell asleep, I dreamt about him and me. I met him back when I lived in San Diego and when I was in pre-school. There was a park next door to my house. Well, it was night in my dream and I went outside and there was a little boy there. He was kind of mean to me at first, but soon he began being nice to me. I told him my name and he told me his. From then on, whenever I fell asleep, I played with him. He had told me I was his only true friend. Everyone else was mean to him. He said I was the only nice person. Those dreams felt so real. And he was my only true friend until I met Dani, Linda, and April, but they moved. So, then, until I met Anna and my other friends, I had trouble finding friends again. Anna is my best friend. At least one of them anyway. I have four best friends unless you count Inu-chan. I never saw him again after first grade. I completely forgot about him until I had that dream with Inuyasha.”
Inuyasha looked at Nina surprised. “I had similar dreams until Kagome freed me from the spell Kikyo had put on me. Kagome came from the year 1997. When she came and woke me up, I stopped having the dreams.”
“1997? That was the year Inu-chan never appeared in my dreams ever again,” Nina said.
“There was a little girl in my dreams. She kind of a friend, I guess. But I was always asleep. So during the day I always had to find something to do. During the night, she came and we played. I told her everything about me. She was my first real true friend. At first, I was mean to her because I had always hated human children ever since the whole thing with them never wanting to play with me and teasing me. But the girl continued being nice to me anyway. So I started being nice to her. I even started protecting her from nightmares that entered our dreams and she tried protecting me from mine. She was always there when I needed her and I was always there when she needed me. We were then best of friends. Her name, I think, was Nina,” Inuyasha said.
“She had my name?” Nina asked.
Inuyasha nodded.
“Well, there probably are a lot of Ninas out there,” Anna said.
“Yeah. It’s probably just a coincidence,” Nina said.
“Maybe,” Inuyasha said. But so far, as long as I lived, some how everything ends up not being just a coincidence.
“I need a weapon to help you guys fight,” Anna said.
“Don’t look at me for help,” Inuyasha said.
“Well. Sango’s still around, so I don’t think you should have a boomerang,” Nina said.
“Why not?” Anna asked.
“Because Sango does,” Nina said.
“So?” Anna asked.
“So, we can’t have two people with boomerangs,” Nina said.
“Use a spear,” Inuyasha said.
“No,” Anna said.
“How about throwing daggers or ninja stars or throwing axes?” Nina asked.
“No,” Anna said.
“Then how about no weapon at all,” Inuyasha said.
Anna sighed. “I need a weapon. I want to help.”
“Throwing daggers and a sword,” Nina said softly.
“Fine with me,” Anna said.
“Yeah. It ‘s best to have a close combat weapon and a long distance weapon,” Inuyasha said.
“Inuyasha, don’t we have to go in town to get the weapons?” Nina asked.
“Uhhh, I kinda forgot about that,” Inuyasha said sheepishly scratching his head.
The three heard rustling in the bushes.
Inuyasha unsheathed Tessaiga and put Nina behind him.
Anna stood beside Nina.
“Who’s there?” Inuyasha asked.
“Be not alarm, old friend,” Miroku said walking out of the bushes with his hands up.
Sango and the two children joined him.
Inuyasha sheathed Tessaiga and crossed his arms. “Why if it isn’t Miroku the lecherous monk and his wife, Sango, the demon huntress.”
“Don’t forget us,” Sakura and Kai said jumping at Inuyasha.
Inuyasha caught them. “How could I forget Sakura, the cute little warrior, and Kai, the courageous monk.”
The two children smiled and giggled. Inuyasha’s eyes lit up as a smile reached his lips. Sango, Miroku, and Anna smiled.
Nina smiled as well looking towards Inuyasha. He’s so good with children and look how happy he is. I haven’t seen him so happy like that since… since ever. Inuyasha.
Inuyasha playfully growled as Sakura and Kai tweaked his ears. The children started giggling again.
Miroku cleared his throat. “Kai, Sakura, it’s time for Daddy and Mommy to talk with Inuyasha. You know what that means.”
Sakura and Kai groaned. “But Daddy-“
“No buts,” Sango said.
The two kids sighed and climbed out of Inuyasha’s arms.
“Come on. I’ll play with you two,” Nina said still smiling.
“Okay,” the two kids said running over to Nina.
Nina took their hands and began walking further into the forest. “Don’t worry. We won’t go to far and will come back here if we run into trouble.”
Inuyasha watched as Nina and the kids drew farther and farther away. He smiled. She’s more like Kagome than Kikyo. And yet she’s so much more than Kagome and Kikyo. He turned to face Sango and Miroku. “So, what is it?”
“Inuyasha, um…”
“Anna,” Anna said helping Miroku out.
“Right. Inuyasha, Anna, you two might want to take a seat before I start telling you what has happened since you were gone,” Miroku said.
“What do you think they’re talking about?” Sakura asked picking flowers.
Nina looked towards Inuyasha, Anna, Sango, and Miroku to see them deep in conversation. “Probably about Naraku or…” She looked down at the ground sadly. “Or Kagome.”
“Nah. They’re probably talking about Naraku and how they’re gonna kick his butt,” Kai said.
Sakura watched Nina curiously. “You know, I’ve seen paintings of Kikyo and Kagome and you look just like them. How weird is that?”
Nina looked at Sakura surprised. “Do you really mean that?”
Sakura nodded.
Nina shook her head. “Sakura, I-I could never be anything like them. They’re much more beautiful than me.” She looked back down at the ground. “And they both won Inuyasha’s heart. I-I could never be able to do that. He’s beyond my grasp. He still loves Kagome and should he ever show those same feelings towards me it’s because he’s thinking of Kagome.” She sighed.
Sakura watched Nina with even more curiosity. “Nina, are you trying to say you’re in love with Inuyasha?”
Nina began blushing. “N-no. Not at all.”
“In late April, Naraku came and began attacking countless villages and towns. He then said that he is now the leader of all our lands. He came to our home village and attacked. He threatened to kill Sakura and Kai if Sango and I did not obey him. Sesshomaru had been helping Naraku. I didn’t see Rin or Jaken with him, which means Naraku’s threatening to kill them if he doesn’t obey him. Sango is now a seamstress and I am just a monk,” Miroku said. “We are unsure of what has happened to Kaede, Shippo, or Koga.”
“Tell me, Miroku, why is it, then, that humans, half breeds, and demons are living peacefully side by side?” Inuyasha asked.
“That is only how it appears,” Miroku said. “The truth is that all humans and some half breeds are slaves to demons and other half breeds.”
“What? How? Why?” Anna asked.
“Naraku now rules these lands and what he says goes,” Sango said. “He doesn’t want Inuyasha as his slave. He wants Inuyasha as one of his guards and he wants the Shikon Jewel.” She looked towards Nina. “Which means you’ll have to protect Kagome’s reincarnation.”
Miroku nodded. “In this new war, she’ll need to be trained in using her priestess powers as well as her demon ones. We must find Kaede to train Nina in using her mystic powers. You should train her in using her demon powers in the meantime.”
“Sure, I’ll train her,” Inuyasha said looking towards Nina.
“Could you watch the children while we’re gone?” Sango asked.
“Of course,” Anna said. “They seem to like Nina anyway and Nina loves children.”
“Great,” Miroku said.
“Don’t let Naraku get his hands on them or else. Got that, Inuyasha,” Sango warned.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know,” Inuyasha said.
“Don’t worry. We won’t,” Anna said.
Sango and Miroku left.
Nina looked towards Inuyasha and Anna to see Sango and Miroku leaving. She got up. “Come on, guys. I think we can go hang out with them again.”
Sakura and Kai ran over to Inuyasha again. Nina slowly followed them.
“So, what did they want?” Nina asked once she had reached Inuyasha.
Inuyasha put Sakura and Kai down as his expression changed from happiness to seriousness. “Go and play with Anna.” He then looked towards Nina. “I’m going to train you in using your demonic powers.” His face softened. “They’ll help you out.”
“Okay,” Nina said.
Inuyasha nodded and began training Nina.
Rin gazed out of her window and sighed. She was remembering when Naraku had summoned her into his throne room. Sesshomaru had been there. The demon hadn’t aged one bit while she had. She was now fifteen years old while Sesshomaru was probably in his seventies or eighties and yet he didn’t look it. She hadn’t seen Sesshomaru in such a long time. “At least he’s still alive and okay.” She felt her heart start to beat faster. What is this feeling? Why do I feel like this?
Sesshomaru stood beside Naraku’s throne. That girl that was with Inuyasha looked so familiar and acted very familiar, too. And how did she know my name and how does she know Rin? Inuyasha, as much as I hate to admit it, hurry up and kill Naraku because I need your help to save Rin.
“Now make your claws appear and strike down that tree,” Inuyasha said pointing a finger at a tree.
Nina nodded and charged at the tree. She then clawed it. She felt pain go through her fingers and looked down at her right hand. Her nails were normal. “Inuyasha, it didn’t work.”
Inuyasha went over to her puzzled. “It didn’t?”
Nina showed him her hands.
“But why not? They worked when you attacked Sesshomaru,” Inuyasha said.
Nina sighed. “Yeah, but I don’t even know how I did it.”
Inuyasha looked at her. “Do you want to give it another try?”
Nina bit her lip. “Yeah. I’m not giving up.” Her hands turned into fists as a look of determination reached her face.
Inuyasha smiled. “Well, then let’s go back to our starting point.”
Nina looked up at him and smiled. “Okay.”
“And that’s how you play gold fish,” Anna said as she passed out the cards to herself, Kai, and Sakura. “When you get better at this I’ll teach you how to play poker, speed, and twenty-one.”
The two children smiled. “Okay!”
Anna sighed and looked towards Nina and Inuyasha. He’s making her work too hard. He should give her a break.
Nina clawed at the tree again. Still nothing happened. She looked down at her hands again. “Why won’t it work?!” She felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked at her shoulder to see the hand and followed it up to Inuyasha’s face.
“You’re working too hard. You should get some rest,” Inuyasha said. “Maybe it’ll come to you later.”
Nina sighed and nodded. “Whatever you say.”
“Hey, Nina, I have a question,” Inuyasha said.
“Yeah?” Nina asked.
“When did you accept your demon side?” Inuyasha asked.
Nina shrugged. “I-I guess when Sango had said I was half demon or maybe it was after I had said you weren’t a freak for being half demon or maybe it was when I had attacked Sesshomaru. I really don’t know when except that it’s cool. Guess it was fate. And it was right there in front of my face, too.”
“Wadda ya mean?” Inuyasha asked.
“Well, in astrology I’m a Libra, I was born in October which is between the months September and November, it’s autumn in October, I balance out good and evil very well-“
“Can you explain it a little less complicated?” Inuyasha asked.
“Okay. Well, in astrology the Libra is a balance. I would tell you more, but my astrology book is at home. Anyway, there are three months of autumn and they are September, October, and November. October is between them, thus, balancing out the two months. Autumn balances out summer and winter meaning it’s not too hot, but not too cold either. Just right. And, as you know, I can balance out good and evil very well. Since I’m a, um, well, might be a priestess and half demon, I have pure blood going against evil blood, but I seem to make it so they don’t battle. Also, half demons are between being a human and being a demon. Inuyasha, for me, this was meant to be. It’s my destiny,” Nina said.
“Can you balance out all that the Shikon Jewel stands for?” Inuyasha asked. “The four souls? Courage, friendship, wisdom, and love?”
“Um, I’m not sure,” Nina said.
“Well, you were pretty brave back there when you were fighting Sesshomaru and Naraku so you have courage covered. You were fighting to defend a friend so you have friendship covered,” Inuyasha said.
“And that friend was you,” Nina said.
“Whatever,” Inuyasha said. “The only ones I’m not sure a bout are wisdom and love.” He looked away and into the forest. “Kagome had balanced out the Shikon no Tama. She always had courage and friendship covered from the beginning. Soon, she acquired wisdom. After we had confessed our feelings to each other, she gained love.”
So, Kagome balanced out the jewel? Nina thought. But even though she had, Naraku was still able to kill her.
“Nina, you’re too much like her,” Inuyasha said. “Just like her, you’ve already got courage and friendship covered.” He let out a sigh.
“That maybe true, but Naraku won’t kill me so easily,” Nina said.
“How do you know?!” Inuyasha asked.
“I don’t!” Nina practically yelled. “But if you’re with me, you’ll protect me and Naraku will have a hard time getting to me. Plus, I’ll use my mystic powers as well as demonic ones. So, even if he does get pass you he’ll have a hard time trying to hurt me.”
“But I was suppose to protect Kagome and I failed,” Inuyasha said.
“No, you didn’t,” Nina said. “Now, let’s go get some rest, ‘kay.”
Nina and Anna sat down on a rock.
“Nina?” Anna asked.
“Yeah?” Nina asked.
“Do you, um, like Inuyasha?” Anna asked.
“Of course I do,” Nina said. “He’s cool and great with children. He’s really brave and he’s a great friend.”
Sango and Miroku began climbing up a mountain.
“Sango?” Miroku asked.
“What?” Sango asked.
“Do you think that Inuyasha maybe falling for Nina?” Miroku asked.
“What do you mean?” Sango asked.
“Well, Inuyasha had fallen in love with Kikyo. After Kikyo had died and Inuyasha had been freed from her spell, I think he fell in love with Kagome who just happened to be Kikyo’s reincarnation,” Miroku said. “Point being that Nina is Kagome’s reincarnation and yet she is just like Kagome and Kikyo. That, plus, she’s a half breed.”
Sango shrugged. “I don’t really think so considering they just met.”
“Yes, but who knows. Maybe it was love at first sight,” Miroku said smiling.
Sango rolled her eyes. “I doubt it.”
Miroku looked up. “We’re almost there.”
“Nina, that isn’t what I mean,” Anna said.
“Then what do you mean?” Nina asked as the wind began to blow by.
“What I mean is-“
“Nina!” Sakura cried jumping out of nowhere and into Nina’s arms.
“Huh? What is it?” Nina asked.
“You’re it,” Sakura said.
Inuyasha and Kai joined them.
Nina smiled. “Oh. Am I now? Well, you better watch out.”
Inuyasha smiled and crossed his arms. “Feh. Like you can catch me.” He closed his eyes.
Nina’s smile widened and she jumped at Inuyasha knocking him down onto the ground. “Looks like I just caught you.”
Inuyasha’s eyes opened and his smile widened as he uncrossed his arms. A mischievous glint lit his eyes. “Heh. Well, now I’m it and since you’re not running away, I can tag you.”
“We’ll see,” Nina said and got up. She then ran into the forest.
Inuyasha got up and dusted off his clothes. He continued smiling and lifted one of his claws playfully saying, “She will pay.” He then ran off into the forest.
Sakura and Kai giggled. Anna smiled.
Nina continued running until she arrived at her destination. She stopped in front of the Go-Shinboku Tree. She leaned against it, slid down it, and crossed her arms. She let out a sigh. She then opened her eyes and watched as the birds flew by. She uncrossed her arms and rested her hands in her lap. “It’s so peaceful here.”
Inuyasha stopped running once he reached Nina. He hid behind on of the trees and watched Nina.
Nina got up and turned to leave. Just as she was about to walk she heard a cry. She turned around to see Inuyasha lunging at her. Inuyasha knocked her down onto the ground. Nina let out a yelp of surprise and grabbed the sleeve of his shirt dragging him with her. Nina looked into Inuyasha’s eyes. Inuyasha smiled triumphantly.
“Heh. Looks like I got ya,” Inuyasha said.
Nina smiled. “Yeah. You got me all right.”
Inuyasha’s smile widened.
“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” an evil voice asked.
Inuyasha and Nina followed the direction the voice came from. Naraku stood there with an evil smile. Inuyasha got up and unsheathed Tessaiga. Nina got up and stood behind Inuyasha.
“Naraku,” Inuyasha said bitterly.
Naraku’s smile widened.
Miroku knocked on a door. Sango stood next to him. The door opened. Standing there was Kaede.
Miroku bowed. “Good day, Lady Kaede.”
“Miroku? Sango? Has ye escaped Naraku?” Kaede asked.
“Not really,” Miroku said. “We snuck out.”
“Kaede, we’re here to talk to you,” Sango said.
“I see,” Kaede said. “Enter and help yourself to some tea.”
Naraku looked towards Nina and spotted the Shikon Jewel on the necklace she kept it on. “Give me the jewel and I shall leave.”
Nina covered the jewel with her hand. “No way!” I shouldn’t have left my bow and arrows back with Anna and the others. Oh, no! Anna and the others. What if Naraku got to them?
“Do you value your life, girl?” Naraku asked.
Nina smiled and said, “Not that it’s any of your business, but I do my life as well as my family’s and friends’ lives which is why I will never give you the Shikon Jewel.”
Naraku glared at her. She maybe Kagome’s reincarnation, but she’s a bit too arrogant for her own good. Naraku then began charging after Nina.
Miroku and Sango sat down in front of the small table that had teacups on it. The two helped themselves to some tea. Kaede took her seat on the other side of the table.
“So, why is ye here?” Kaede asked.
“To bring good news as well as bad,” Miroku said.
“Very well,” Kaede said. “Speak.”
“The good news is Inuyasha is back and-“
“Inuyasha is back?” Kaede asked as her face began to lighten up.
“Yes,” Miroku said. “And-“
“Kagome will be very happy once I tell her,” Kaede said.
“Kagome?!” Miroku and Sango asked in unison.
“You mean she is still in the world of the living?” Miroku asked.
“Kagome’s alive?” Sango asked.
“Aye, she is,” Kaede said. “She is in the other room.”
Just then, the door opened. Entering the room was a little girl who appeared to be two or three years old. She had white dog-ears on her head, long white hair that reached her waist, and brown eyes that were covered by her bangs. She wore a light purple kimono with green leaves on it and was barefoot. She also had claws.
The girl cocked her head to the side. “Who are you guys?”
“I am Miroku and this is Sango,” Miroku said.
The girl smiled. “My name is Izumi.”
“Izumi, huh,” Sango said.
“She is Kagome’s daughter,” Kaede said.
“What?!” Sango and Miroku asked in unison.
Miroku smiled. “It all comes clear now. That explains everything.”
Sango hit him on the head.
“Ow. What was that for?” Miroku said rubbing his head.
“For being you usual perverted self,” Sango said.
Just then the door opened again and a young woman entered the room. She had long black hair that was in the style Kikyo wore hers in and brown eyes. She wore priestess clothing, white socks, and sandals.
Sango gasped. Miroku’s eyes widened.
“Ka-Kagome,” was all Sango managed to say.
Miroku was completely speechless.
The woman looked towards Sango and softly said, “Sango?”
Sango smiled and got up. “It is you, Kagome.”
Kagome smiled as tears began to fill her eyes. “It is you, Sango and Miroku.” She began crying.
Sango went over to her and hugged her. “There, there. We’re here now.”
Izumi looked up at her mother confused. “Why’s Mommy crying?”
Kagome stopped crying, wiped her tears away, and looked down at her daughter. “Mommy’s crying because she’s so glad her friends are here.” She sighed and smiled. “This is your uncle, Miroku and your aunt, Sango.”
Sango and Miroku gave Kagome a look. Kagome shrugged.
“Is that all?” Kaede asked.
“Huh? Oh. No,” Miroku said. “Inuyasha also brought, um, what we thought was the reincarnation.”
Kagome’s smile widened as her eyes lit up. “Inuyasha’s back?”
Miroku nodded. “Anyway, he brought the reincarnation here and the Shikon Jewel has been revealed. Nina has it and is protecting it while her best friend, Anna and Inuyasha are protecting her.”
“Reincarnation? Nina? Huh? What’s going on?” Kagome asked confused.
“We’ll explain everything later,” Sango said.
“So, the jewel has been revealed. That is bad,” Kaede said. “Has Naraku found out?”
Miroku sighed. “Yes, he has. He knows Inuyasha’s back.”
“That is very bad,” Kaede said.
Inuyasha slashed at Naraku. “Don’t even think about it.”
Naraku smiled. “So, you wish to protect this one, too, eh. Haven’t I taught you anything?”
“Shut up and fight,” Inuyasha said.
“Yeah, you jerk!” Nina said.
Naraku looked towards Nina. “Why do you call me such a name?”
“Because you purposely try to ruin people’s lives. You turned Kikyo and Inuyasha against each other. You turned Kohaku against Sango. You gave Miroku the wind tunnel that will surely shorten his life especially if it gets bigger. You killed Kagome…” Nina stopped talking. The scene began to change. Soon, Nina saw a wounded Kagome lying down on the river’s shore. Kagome got up and began walking. She then tripped over a rock. Kagome groaned and got up. Her breathing was ragged and she was all dirty.
“Inuyasha, where are you?” Kagome asked. She then passed out.
Then a woman appeared and went over to Kagome. “Is she alive?” The woman checked for a pulse. “She is alive. Poor thing. Look at her.” The woman began carrying Kagome off to somewhere.
The scene then changed back to what it originally was. Nina smiled. “Let me rephrase that. You wounded Kagome badly, but did not kill her.”
Naraku looked towards Nina puzzled.
Inuyasha also gave her a puzzled look.
“What do you mean?!” Naraku demanded.
“I mean you failed in killing Kagome,” Nina said. “All we have to do is find her and unite her with the one she loved most. At least you didn’t totally ruin someone’s life.” Her smile widened.
Naraku glared at her. How does she know about this?
Inuyasha’s eyes lit up as he turned to face Nina. “You mean Kagome’s really alive?”
Nina looked up at him still smiling. “Yep. She’s all right.”
Inuyasha smiled. “Great!”
She could be lying to me, Naraku thought. Nay. She would never lie to Inuyasha. Especially about this sort of stuff.
Inuyasha turned back around to face Naraku as his smile disappeared and his eyes glared at Naraku. “Now, I will avenge Kikyo’s death and kill you for harming Kagome.” He began charging at Naraku.
Naraku used his miasma. When it had cleared, Naraku was gone.
“Come back here, you coward!” Inuyasha yelled.
“I will be back, Inuyasha. Not only to kill you, but also to get the Shikon no Tama. And I will also kill Kagome if I find she is with you. Ha, ha, ha, ha,” Naraku’s voice said his laughs echoing through the forest.
Inuyasha turned to leave. “Come on.” He then turned to face Nina and smiled. “We have to tell Anna, Sakura, and Kai the good news. They’re going to have a new aunt.”
Nina smiled. “Well, let’s not keep them waiting.”
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