A young maiden collected flowers outside of Lady Kaede’s village. Her basket was half full with various colored flowers for the evening’s event. The young maiden was fair to look upon. Her face was smooth; not a wrinkle on it. She had beautiful blue eyes and nice pink lips. Her hands were soft even after all the work she has done around the village. The young maiden picked a flower with a bee on it. The violent shaking of the flower provoked the bee to anger. The bee stung the maiden on her right hand. She let out a small cry of pain. Her eyes watered. She tried rubbing her hand but a firm hand, not of hers but of a man, grabbed her stung hand. The maiden looked up to see her helper. The sun shone behind Miroku giving him a celestial appearance. The young maiden’s eyes widened at the sight of him.
“The bee’s poison concentrates near the sting,” Miroku removed the bee’s stinger from her hand then stroked her hand softly. “I must stroke your hand to avoid inflammation. Soon, the pain will go away.”
“Thank you for your help, Monk.”
“This is the least I can do for you,” he let go of her hand. “Please, call me Miroku.”
“The pain is gone,” The maiden made different motions with her hand to insure it was feeling better. “Thank you so much! How can I repay your kindness?”
“I ask only two things: first, allow me to assist your flower collecting,” he grasped her unharmed hand. “And second, will you bear my children?”
The maiden was surprised with Miroku’s last request just as all the other women Miroku has asked reacted.
“You can give me your answer later” he smiled. “We should continue collecting the flowers. The festival will start soon and we must continue to make the preparations.”
The maiden nodded. The monk is very handsome but I can’t bear his children, she thought to herself. I am but a servant girl and he is of high regard….
Miroku carried the basket of flowers back to the village with the young maiden following closely.
*******
Sango sat under the shade of a tree on a hill overlooking the lush, green valley’s ponds. For some reason Sango wore a disgusted face. Kagome joined her and asked what Sango was up to.
“I’m making sure that pervert doesn’t do anything to that young girl,” Sango frowned.
Kagome looked down from the hill spotting Miroku and the young maiden collecting flowers. Sango seems jealous of Miroku, thought Kagome. Miroku is always caressing other women and assisting them. Why doesn’t she tell him how she feels about him? Or maybe he knows? Or maybe she doesn’t want him to know.
“I’m glad to see you are well, Sango,” Kagome said at last.
“Yeah, we needed some real rest. Where’s Inuyasha?” Sango changed the subject.
“He went for a walk.”
“By himself?”
“Shippo went with him.” Kagome pulled a bag of potato chips out of her backpack and handed it to Sango. “I’ve brought you a snack.”
“Thanks, Kagome.”
Kagome sat next to Sango. “Sango, can I ask you something personal?”
“Um, sure, Kagome.”
“Do you sometimes get jealous of Miroku?”
Sango froze as she ate. “Excuse me?” Sango pretended not to hear the question.
“Come on, Sango, do you have, you know, feelings for Miroku?”
“Kagome, what makes you think such a thing?”
“Well, I’ve noticed the attitude you get when Miroku is with another woman.”
“I just don’t like it when he fondles other girls and women,” Sango conjured an excuse.
“I understand that, Sango. I must admit, he can’t control himself. But why does it seem like you’re hiding something?”
Sango was feeling uncomfortable and Kagome knew it.
“Sango? Do you plan to tell him how you feel?”
Sango hung her head. “What would it matter if I told him? How would I know he’ll change his ways? What am I doing even thinking about this?! How could I ever love a pervert? He’d probably forget about me quickly!” Sango stopped talking. Had she just said all that out loud? She turned to look at Kagome. Kagome stared back at her with surprised eyes. “Kagome—”
“Don’t worry, Sango. I won’t tell Miroku.”
The two girls sat together under the tree watching Miroku eating the bagged snacks.
*******
“Where are we going again?” asked a curious Shippo.
“We’re just walking around the village,” Inuyasha said becoming agitated by Shippo.
“Now shut up and let me concentrate!”
Inuyasha walked with his gaze set ahead of him.
Shippo followed thinking to himself. Concentrate? What’s Inuyasha concentrating on? Maybe he’s thinking about Kagome? Or maybe he’s thinking about how to defeat Naraku? “Concentrate on what, Inuyasha?” he exclaimed at last interrupting Inuyasha’s concentration.
Inuyasha swung his hand over Shippo’s head so quick he proved the old saying “The hand is quicker than the eye.” Inuyasha took a few steps before Shippo realized he had been hit. Shippo shed tears as he rubbed the lump on his head. “What was that for?”
“For bothering me! Listen, you wanted to tag along so just tag along! Don’t ask what doesn’t matter! We’re going back to village already.”
Shippo sat on the road. Inuyasha noticed the footsteps behind him had stopped following. He turned around and saw Shippo sitting on the ground. He let out a sighed then walked over to Shippo. “What are you crying about now?”
Shippo did not answer. Why can’t Inuyasha treat me nicely? After all, I did help save his life.
“Hey, Shippo, I’m talking to you!”
“Why can’t you treat me nice?”
“What?”
“Why can’t you treat me more than just a kid? I helped save your life!”
“You didn’t save my life Raygan did.”
“You never even thanked me for helping you!” Shippo gasped with tears streaking down his face. “You wouldn’t be here had it not been for me!”
Inuyasha looked into Shippo’s watery eyes a bit touched by his speech. “Look, I’m sorry, Shippo. There. Can we get a move on?”
Shippo crossed his arms and turned his back to Inuyasha. “Not until you acknowledge my part in rescuing you!”
“Whatever you say!”
Inuyasha lifted his fist in the air. Shippo peeked behind him to see Inuyasha ready to strike at him and screamed. “Okay, okay! You win! Let’s get back to the village!”
“Humph, it’s about time! Come on.”
The two of them continued back to the village.
I don’t want to tell Shippo the real reason I came out here. If I did he’d tell Kagome. Kagome must not know I went looking for Kikyo. I know she was nearby. Sigh, but now her scent is gone.
*******
The young maiden and Miroku walked in interlocked arms. Miroku carried the flower basket as the two of them talked and laughed on their way to the village. They almost looked like a couple about to wed. Just then they stopped. Kagome and Sango stared back at the two love birds.
“Sa-Sango, Kagome, hey, what a surprise!” Miroku said nervously.
The young maiden was unhappy about Miroku knowing Kagome and Sango offering a hint of jealously. “So, Miroku, have you been with these two women also?”
The young maiden’s words echoed in Kagome’s head. Women? I’m not that old!
“Sango and Kagome are my friends!” Miroku tried to make the young maiden understand who they were. “You mustn’t take this meeting the wrong way.”
Sango took advantage of the opportunity to turn the young girl against Miroku. “So, Miroku, you haven’t given her the ‘bear my children’ speech yet as you asked me?”
Miroku made a shocked face. The young maiden was even more shocked than he was. She slapped Miroku leaving her mark on his face, pulled the basket off his hand and ran back to the village. Miroku rubbed his face. Sango stood with arms crossed a bit proud.
“Sango, what did you do that for?” he asked rubbing his cheek.
“I didn’t want her to be another victim of your womanizing!”
“I think it’s more that, Sango. Are you jealous of the fact that I was attracted to a younger woman?”
“Younger woman?” gasped Sango.
Miroku’s head swung to the side by the brute force of Sango’s slap. Miroku’s face now had hand prints on both sides. Sango turned her back to Miroku and headed back to the village. Kagome followed. Miroku was dazed but headed back to the village anyway. Kagome kept her pace but slowed down when she heard a familiar voice call out to her. Kagome looked around and saw Shippo running towards her.
“Kagome!” shouted Shippo as he hopped into her arms.
“Hey, Shippo! Did you two have a nice walk?”
“Inuyasha kept hitting me!”
Inuyasha arrived right on time to hear Shippo debrief Kagome on their walk around the village. As Kagome listened to Shippo’s complaints she gave Inuyasha a cold stare. Once their eyes met Inuyasha stopped in the middle of the road knowing he was in trouble.
“You ought to treat Shippo a little nicer, Inuyasha,” Kagome said then continued walking to catch up with Sango. Shippo and Inuyasha looked at one another stunned that Kagome did not do something about the way Inuyasha treated him.
“How could you let Inuyasha get away with it, Kagome?” Shippo continued whining to Kagome.
“I can’t be looking after you all the time, Shippo. There will come a time when I won’t be there to put Inuyasha in his place.”
“But it’s not fair! I’m a kid!”
“Don’t you want to grow up to be a strong demon?”
“Well, yeah, but I’m not that strong yet.”
“What do you want me to do? I’m not going to say to Inuyasha ‘sit’—”
A loud thud was heard behind them. The ground underneath Kagome and Shippo trembled. Kagome turned back to see Inuyasha’s head buried in the ground.
“Ops! Sorry, Inuyasha!”
Shippo smiled. Serves him right!
“I can’t believe I let that slip,” Kagome repented. “He’s only just recovered from his wounds!”
Kagome ran to help Inuyasha on his feet. Shippo understood why she did not want to hurt Inuyasha. He hung his head in shame for wishing Inuyasha ill.
“Inuyasha, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you,” said Kagome trying to lift Inuyasha off the ground.
“Next time be careful with your words!” shouted Inuyasha angrily.
“I’m sorry. Can we catch up to the others now?”
Inuyasha dusted himself off and continued on his way to the village. Kagome walked behind him feeling bad for hurting Inuyasha.
*******
“Lady Kaede, I thank you for your hospitality, but I must be going.”
Raygan was indeed grateful for all the treatment he had received in Lady Kaede’s village, but something inside him kept telling him to leave. Dragon and Kirara chased one another across the streets of the village in a game of tag.
Lady Kaede was greatly enjoying the company of Raygan and his dragon. “I wish not to bid thee farewell. I pray ye stay for another day at least until tonight’s festival is concluded.”
“What kind of festival are you preparing for?”
“We are to celebrate the Day of the Dragon.”
“The Day of the Dragon?”
“The Day of the Dragon is an ancient tradition in this region. My village works hard to prepare for this day for soon after the dragon spirit will give us a new year. We pay respects to the Great Dragon for its mercy and bid for a better year.”
“Lady Kaede, you have bribed me into staying another night.” Raygan bowed lightly. Lady Kaede returned his gesture.
Footsteps and chattering came from down the road. Raygan lifted his head and saw Sango and the others closely behind her. The morning sun shone gently on Sango. She had an angelic appearance, but that appearance was ruined by the disgusted face she wore. Raygan went over to welcome them.
“Morning, Sango,” he said.
“Morning,” she replied in a sad but angry voice.
Curiosity ran through Raygan’s mind as to why Sango would be so angry. Miroku then greeted Raygan. Raygan noticed the fading slap marks on Miroku’s face then knew why Sango was bitter.
“Is there something wrong, Raygan?” Miroku looked at Raygan with a confused face.
“Nothing is wrong,” Raygan looked at the slap marks. “I wanted to let you know I will be staying another night.”
“Well, that is great to hear!”
Kagome overheard the conversation and was pleased Raygan had decided to stay. Inuyasha could not really care if Raygan had decided to leave or stay. It didn’t mean anything to him.
Miroku smiled only at the thought of many beautiful women dancing later in the evening. “Indeed, this will be a night to remember,” Miroku daydreamed.
“Nothing special’s going to happen tonight,” Inuyasha spoiled the moment.
“Inuyasha,” said Kagome trying to make him take his words back. “I’m sure tonight will be a blast!” she added.
Shippo, Miroku, Inuyasha and Raygan gave Kagome a blank stare.
“You want tonight to be a ‘blast?’” asked Inuyasha with some concern.
“Oh, ‘blast’ means ‘a great time.’” Kagome explained the modern definition of the word.
The others acknowledged then parted to prepare for the evening event.
*******
The quiet, night sky was interrupted by the loud crackling and bright light of the fireworks. The bright flashes of the fireworks lit the amazed faces of the villagers. Kagome rested her head on Inuyasha’s shoulder as they both watched the rainbow explosions in the air. Old folk music cheered the adults. Some got up to dance. Others kept watching the fireworks. Some ate. Others talked and played.
Inuyasha forgot about his troubles. He forgot about the Shikon Jewel. Right now all that mattered to him was Kagome. Her fragile body leaned against him not for protection but for comfort. Inuyasha gave Kagome reason to stay in the Feudal Era: himself. Kagome filled Inuyasha’s emptiness in his heart. He did not want her to go. He did not want any harm to come to her. He knew that they would soon be heading off in search of more shards. Inuyasha was ready. His wounds had healed. His strength had returned. But now was not the time to be thinking about the jewel shards. Now is the time to enjoy the night with Kagome. Nothing could ruin the night for the two of them.
Then Miroku laughed.
Well, nothing could ruin it but Miroku. Inuyasha and Kagome sighed at the sight of Miroku surrounded by four beautiful women. The women tugged at Miroku’s clothes each begging him to dance with her.
“Ladies, ladies, there’s plenty of time for me to dance with each of you! Now, I’ll dance with you first.” Miroku chose the most beautiful of the group. Her green garments matched her eyes. Miroku guided her with one hand and took her near the instrument players.
Shippo ate a delicious treat Lady Kaede had prepared. Dragon sat on the steps of Lady Kaede’s house watching the people celebrate. The Parade of the Dragon was starting. Villagers got up and danced around the giant caricatures. Children laughed and played. Raygan sat by Lady Kaede’s porch enjoying the celebration, but he felt a bit uneasy for some untold reason. Lady Kaede stepped out of her home to watch the dragon parade. She looked down on Raygan.
“Does our representation of the Great Dragon suit thee, Master Raygan?”
“This is a fascinating celebration. I was not aware dragons were held in such high respect in this land.”
“How many dragons own ye?”
“I have lost my count. I do not keep track of them. It has been so many years of purifying evil dragons.”
“I understand. How is it that ye came to be a Dragon Master?”
“My family on the Continent has its roots on the first dragon hunter to turn an angry dragon into its subordinate. Lord Chen was his name. He ventured into the cave near my village. The cave was rumored to house the fiercest dragon ever known. Once Lord Chen learned of the dragon’s lair, he wanted it for his own. He used purification techniques he had learned during his years as a priest and created a potion in which to submerse his arrow heads to purify a dragon’s heart. My ancestors afterward carried the tradition. The eldest son of every generation becomes a dragon master. I was fortunate enough to be the eldest son of my father.”
“That is very amusing.”
Loud fireworks interrupted their conversation. Shippo jumped and clapped at the bright displays of fire. Lady Kaede’s door opened from the inside. Lady Kaede and Raygan turned around. Sango exited the house wearing a beautiful blue kimono. Her hair was arranged in nice locks hanging off to her front and back sides. Kirara ran out too. Raygan stood on his feet to welcome her to the evening celebration. Sango bowed gently.
“Sango, are ye feeling better?” asked Lady Kaede.
“I’m feeling much better.” Sango searched the crowd and spotted Miroku dancing with other women. She did not let it get to her. Instead, she approached Raygan. “Raygan, can I have the pleasure of a dance with you?”
Raygan nodded gently and interlocked arms with Sango. They made their way through the crowd. Kagome noticed Sango with Raygan and brought Inuyasha’s attention to them.
“Well, well, looks like Sango’s trying to get back at Miroku, huh Kagome?”
“Wrong, Inuyasha. Sango feels lonely. She wants to be with Miroku but Miroku’s, well, he’s Miroku.”
Inuyasha was confused but shook the thought off. He did not want to hurt himself trying to understand how women think.
Kagome looked at Inuyasha.
“Why are you looking at me like that for?”
“Inuyasha, do you ever feel lonely when I’m not around?”
“Me? Lonely? Come on, Kagome! That’s stupid!” He lied to hide his true feelings. Kagome kept her eyes fixed on him. “What? Okay, do you ever feel lonely when you’re back in your time?”
“Yes,” she said softly.
Inuyasha was stunned. She misses me? “You do?”
“Of course, Inuyasha. I’ve been with you for so long; it’s weird just being away from you.”
“Well, now that you mention it . . .” Inuyasha could not finish his sentence.
“Now that I mention what?” She looked into his eyes.
“Nothing.”
“Tell me.”
“I guess I do get kind of lonely when you’re not around,” Inuyasha confessed. Kagome smiled. “But not that I miss talking to you or looking at you! I miss you because you can cook! I miss the progress we make in, in looking for the jewel shards. I don’t miss the nice way you smell.”
“Oh, Inuyasha,” she responded to his denial. She looked deep into his eyes then slowly drew closer to him. Inuyasha started to move too. Kagome closed her eyes and readied her lips. Inuyasha closed his eyes too, but before they could kiss something stung Inuyasha. Inuyasha slapped his hand on the back of his neck. Something floated down like a feather onto Inuyasha’s hand.
“Myoga!”
“Hello, Lord Inuyasha. It’s good tasting you—I mean it is good seeing you again. Heh, heh.”
Sango and Raygan danced in formal style.
“Sango, have you been well? I have noticed you have been upset or sadden lately.” Sango did not want to respond. “What’s wrong?”
“Raygan, I really don’t wish to talk about Miroku right now.” Sango froze. Did I say that out loud? Gasp! I did! What’s Raygan thinking now?
“I understand now,” he said. Raygan looked over his shoulder at Miroku. Miroku was with yet another woman laughing and dancing the night away. Raygan turned back to Sango. “Sango, I believe I understand your pain.”
“Raygan, I didn’t mean for his name to slip.”
“It’s quite all right so long as you are comfortable dancing with me.”
Sango smiled softly and nodded. They continued dancing.
*******
Kagura peeked through the opening of Naraku’s door. There sat the evil demon Naraku meditating. Kagura paced the hall thinking of what to do about Raygan. She passed by another hall when a voice called out to her.
“You little rodent!” Kagura was startled by the monotonous voice of little Kanna. “How many times must I tell you not to sneak up on me?”
“What are you thinking of doing, Kagura,” asked Kanna holding her soul-sucking mirror.
Kagura knew Kanna expected something. She thought of a fib to tell Kanna in case Kanna alerted Naraku of her intentions.
“I’m thinking about Raygan. He defeated me in battle. Now I want a rematch.”
“Naraku wants Raygan alive, does he not?”
“I know that, Kanna!” Kagura frowned. “I must still face him to make sure this Raygan is as powerful as I reported he was.”
“You intend to face him again, do you? What if he destroys you?”
“Humph, he won’t.”
“I hope you emerge victorious, older sister.”
“Thanks for having much faith in me,” responded Kagura sarcastically.
Kanna continued on her way down the hall to another room in the castle. Kagura walked in the other direction towards the front of the castle. Creepy little girl. Kagura next thought of how she could convince Raygan to aid her in defeating Naraku. I know he is powerful but can a mortal really defeat Naraku? I know Inuyasha and his friends wouldn’t believe me if I asked them to help. Inuyasha would try to destroy me on the spot! Argh! I despise being Naraku’s incarnation! I’m proud of the powers I have, but not proud of being a slave to Naraku’s will! A small glimmer of light seeped out of a room Kagura passed by. She stopped and peeked through the door opening. There, at the center of the room stood two jars atop a table decorated with demonic seals. The jars glowed red. Inside the jars were Kagura’s and Kanna’s hearts. My heart! If only I could have you! I’d enter this room and take back what is rightfully mine, but Naraku sealed the room with a barrier to block Kanna and me from entering! Only a mortal could enter this demon barrier.
Kagura turned away and gasped at the figure standing next to her. Naraku stood stern with a serious gaze in his eyes.
“Looking for something, Kagura?”
“Naraku, I was just . . . uh”
“You want your heart and you’re willing to do anything to get it.”
Kagura did not respond with an affirmation but with another fib.
“Naraku, if I’m able to get Raygan to serve you, will you give me my heart?”
“Kagura, are you trying to bargain with me? If you are, I’m not interested,” he declared coldly.
“Then let me face him once more! I want to fight Raygan again! He defeated your demons soundly and nearly struck me down! I want to teach him a lesson!”
“What makes you think you are a match for him?” Naraku chuckled at her request.
“You really want to know what he’s capable of, don’t you? Let me face him again.”
“Try not to get yourself killed, Kagura.”
“I won’t fail you, my Master.”
Naraku stared at Kagura suspiciously. Kagura’s blood ran cold. Had Naraku bought her story or seen right through the lie? She calmed down as Naraku motioned to return to his room. A streak of sweat fell from Kagura’s brow. Naraku believed her. Kagura looked around her to make sure Kanna was not near. She looked back into the room where the jar housing her heart was. She hoped liberation was near. She walked out of castle making sure she was not followed by Naraku’s insects. She plucked a feather out of her hair. The feather morphed into the size of a canoe and carried her in the air in the almost moonless night. Kagura left in search of Raygan.
*******
“Naraku’s curse was passed down from generation to generation in my family. This wind tunnel ended my father’s life as it will mine unless I find Naraku and defeat him.” Miroku explained the history of his curse to a group of young women sitting on the ground around his chair. They listened with saddened hearts. “I could meet my fate tonight or tomorrow or sometime soon. Before I die I want to give my son an opportunity to destroy the evil demon Naraku.”
“So you have a son?” A girl in the group asked Miroku sorrowfully.
Miroku bowed his head lightly, closed his eyes and responded to the girl, “I have not found a woman to carry my child as of yet.”
Some of the women in the group gasped excitedly. A girl volunteered to carry Miroku’s child. Another woman got on her feet and told Miroku she was willing to bear his children. Another woman volunteered then another and another.
Miroku was flattered. I must be in heaven! These women want to bear my children! This will be a night to remember! Miroku got on his feet. “Ladies, I could only spend time with one of you at a time.”
“We’ve got the whole night!” shouted a woman.
“In that case, we should not waste any of it!” Miroku tried to hide his smile.
He chose the most beautiful woman of the group first and guided her to a hut. Raygan stopped Miroku from proceeding.
“Miroku, may I have a word with you?”
“Um, certainly.”
Miroku excused himself from the maiden.
“Miroku, what are you doing?” Raygan was bothered by Miroku’s behavior.
“I’m only spreading the night with the joy of the event.”
“You are womanizing!”
“I would not put it so harshly.”
“Miroku, none of these women like you. They do not want to spend their lives with you but someone in this festival does. Miroku, Sango is crushed. You have not spoken with her since the morning. She wants to share this special evening with you.”
“Sango will forever remain my celestial female of choice.”
“Why have you not even seen her tonight? She is miserable.”
“I guess I should have a talk with Sango. Where is she?”
“She should be by the refreshment stand.”
“Thank you, Raygan.”
Miroku turned to the maiden and apologized for not being able to spend time with her. Miroku cut through the crowd calling out Sango’s name. Sango picked up a small bread roll from a plate when she heard Miroku call out to her. She turned in search for him. She spotted Miroku, but Miroku had not spotted her. He continued searching and calling out to her. Sango entered the crowd bumping and pushing towards Miroku. Miroku called out her name and bumped into someone else.
“Monk! It is you!” The young maiden that picked the flowers in the morning stared right into Miroku’s eyes.
Sango was a couple of meters away from Miroku. She pushed through the people in her way. Her heart raced with anticipation to hear his voice. Her soul longed to be with him. A smile began to form on her face as she neared Miroku. At last she made it to Miroku, but she could not run into his arms. The young flower maiden hugged Miroku with her lips locked on Miroku’s. Sango’s heart sank. Her eyes swelled up.
“You bastard!” she shouted.
Miroku pushed the flower maiden off him. The people around them quieted and turned their attention to Sango.
“Sango! This is not what it looks like!” Miroku explained in vain.
“It’s not? How is a kiss supposed to look like, Miroku?” she shouted.
“I was looking for you.”
“So you gave up your search and decided to replace me with this girl? You sicken me!”
“Sango—”
“Shut up, Miroku! I don’t want to hear from you anymore!”
Sango ran from him. Miroku tried to follow but the flower maiden held on to him.
“Stay with me, Monk.”
Miroku pulled the maiden’s hands off him and left in search of Sango.
*******
Raygan took a seat outside of the village party. He looked up at the night sky sprinkling with stars. A star shot across the sky.
“Having a good time, Dragon Master?” a voice said in the dark.
Raygan searched for the voice’s origin.
“Down here, Master.”
Raygan looked down at a dot on the floor.
“A flea?”
“Yes, Master. I am Myoga, a good and courageous friend of Master Inuyasha.”
“If what you say is true then you are my friend as well.”
“I am most grateful, Dragon Master,” Myoga said with a bow.
“Most of what he said is true,” added Inuyasha. “Except Myoga ain’t courageous. He’s a coward,” continued Inuyasha.
Raygan didn’t mind it much. Instead of calling out Myoga for lying, he changed the subject. “How is Kagome, Inuyasha,” Raygan inquired.
“She went to go check on Sango,” Inuyasha looked up as another firework crackled in the night sky. “Stupid Miroku hit on another girl on his way to talk to Sango.”
The three of them stayed quiet for a while with only the villagers’ music, cheering and dancing filling the evening sky. Another firework brightened the night taking the form of the serpent demon Raygan fought off. The flash brought to memory a question Inuyasha had for a long time but had since forgotten.
“Raygan, let me ask you something. What is your sword made out of? I noticed it has a lot of power much like my Tessaiga.”
“My sword belonged to my grandfather,” Raygan explained. “It was forged with dragon fire deep inside a cave somewhere near the Mountains That Touch the Sky. My grandfather made the sword out a strange metal. The metal is light yet as strong as iron. Using secret magic, he gave the sword powerful strength. My father told me that his father did so to make the sword strong enough to penetrate the scales of powerful dragons threatening villagers. A pack of dragons attacked a village and feasted on the women and children and gored the men. My grandfather was the only dragon master at the time. He made the sword light to not tire easily in battle. Realizing that demons were also a growing threat, he made the sword powerful enough to weld against them in combat.”
“You could say he killed two birds with one stone when he forged that sword,” added Myoga.
Inuyasha touched his sword’s handle briefly explaining to Raygan how Inuyasha fought his brother for the Tessaiga. When Inuyasha finished his story Myoga quickly changed the subject. Hopping onto Inuyasha’s shoulder, Myoga asked “Master Raygan, you must tell me more about you and your kind.”
Raygan began explaining how he ended up being a Dragon Master.
*******
“Lady Kaede, is Sango here?” asked a tired Miroku.
Shippo looked up at Miroku. “What you do this time, Miroku?”
Miroku gave Shippo a cold stare.
“She is inside, Miroku,” answered Lady Kaede. “Ye mustn’t enter. She does not wish to see ye.”
“But I must talk to her!”
“She looked pretty angry to me,” Shippo warned Miroku. “You best wait a bit for her to cool down.”
Miroku sat on the porch pondering to himself and feeling terrible for ignoring Sango. Dragon sat next to Miroku trying to cheer him up to no avail.
*******
“Fascinating. So tell me, why do you seek to capture more dragons if you already have an entire legion under your command?” Myoga asked.
“My goal is not to capture as many dragons and I can,” Raygan clarified. “My goal is to become a Dragon Lord.”
“A Dragon Lord? What for?” Inuyasha raised an eyebrow.
“As a Dragon Lord I will not require arrows to purify a dragon’s heart. The dragons will obey me unconditionally.”
Raygan is like me, Inuyasha thought to himself. He longs to be a Dragon Lord and I want to be a full-fledged demon.
“Why do you wish control dragons unconditionally?” Myoga was curious.
“I can summon any dragon in the area to come to my aid in times of trouble, but my intentions are to defend my land. For many years demons have come to create havoc on my village and other villages in the land. With a host of dragons at my command fewer men will die in battle.”
Inuyasha hung his head mediating on Raygan’s intentions. Myoga commended Raygan on his honorable intentions. A moment later the music stopped. The village people were preparing to call it a night with each heading their own way back to their homes. The festival had finally come to an end.
Raygan rose to his feet. “Friends, I must be taking my leave,” he announced he overstayed his welcome. “I must fetch my things.”
Without holding him back, Inuyasha and Myoga walked with Raygan to Lady Kaede’s house.
*******
Kagome closed the door behind her as she exited Lady Kaede’s house. Miroku jerked up like a startled dog.
“Kagome, can I speak with Sango?” he asked innocently.
“Not now, Miroku. She’s still angry at you.”
“Miroku never learns his lesson,” said Inuyasha.
Miroku turned around to see Raygan, Myoga and Inuyasha returning from the festival.
Raygan knelt down to greet Dragon. “Dragon, it’s time to go.” He turned to Kagome. “I know Sango wants to be alone, but I must enter the house to gather my things.”
Kagome nodded. Raygan entered Lady Kaede’s house while Inuyasha and Shippo frowned at Miroku trying to make him feel worse. Kagome just tried not to look at him. At last, Miroku spoke up. “What can I say? I’m a man! I can’t help the fact that I’m attracted to women!”
Kagome faced Miroku. “You don’t expect to be a womanizer the rest of your life, do you?”
Miroku stayed quiet not knowing how to respond.
Sango sat in the corner of the room staring blankly at the adjacent wall when she noticed Raygan enter the room but said nothing. Raygan walked over to his gear and applied his body armor on himself.
“Raygan, why are you putting your armor on?” she replied at last.
“I am leaving, Sango,” Raygan clipped on his dark blue breast plate. Sango’s heart skipped a beat. “I must return on my way. My stay on this land is limited. I must make haste.”
“What are you looking for?”
“I seek a cavern housing a powerful dragon demon.”
“Why do you seek him?”
“He will make a great addition to my legion of dragons.”
Raygan tied on his weapons. Raygan’s powerful sword lay on a bench. Sango reach over to it, glanced at it then handed to Raygan. Raygan grabbed his sword as his eyes met with Sango’s. A warm feeling came over Sango. She wanted to turn away but couldn’t. She opened her mouth to speak all the while conjuring up something other than expressing the way he made her feel.
“What is the name of your sword?” she asked trying to cool down the moment.
“‘Flaron’ because of the glow it makes when it consumes demons.” He girdled his loins. “Sango, I pray we met again.”
Sango nodded sadly not wanting him to leave. Raygan’s presence is what she needs; the presence of a real, honorable man.
Raygan gathered all his belongings, headed to the door, stopped and said to her, “It was a true pleasure having met an honorable demon slayer,” he smiled. “I shall not forget you.”
Raygan exited the house. The others paid him with respect as if he were a person of authority. Raygan thanked Lady Kaede for her hospitality, said his farewells to Shippo, Kagome, Miroku and Kirara then walked together with Inuyasha for a distance. Once they reached the end of the village Raygan said farewell to Inuyasha and Myoga sitting on Inuyasha’s shoulder.
“Raygan, I never thanked you for saving my life,” said Inuyasha.
“You are very welcome, Inuyasha,” Raygan thanked him a bit of surprised. “May our paths cross again.” Raygan whistled to Dragon. The little dragon ran ahead while his master put on his mask and ran after the transforming Dragon. Raygan leaped on Dragon, and with his great wings Dragon flapped into the air carrying Raygan.
Once Raygan and Dragon were out of sight Inuyasha headed back to the village. Myoga all the while stayed quiet.
Kagome waited for Inuyasha by the entrance to the village.
“Inuyasha, tomorrow we leave in search for more shards,” Kagome focused her attention on her tasks so as not to miss Raygan too much. “I sense the presence of a shard of the Shikon jewel. It is very faint but not far.”
Inuyasha nodded but he did not feel hurried. “We leave first thing in the morning. Get some rest, Kagome.”
They all went to rest to prepare for the morning journey.
*******
Dragon soared in the sky every once in a while shaking his neck as to ward off an inconvenient twitch. Raygan tried to keep a clear mind but the vision of Sango’s troubled face haunted him. Sango reminds me so much of her.
Dragon swooped down to the ground and landed softly.
“Dragon, why have you landed?” his master demanded to know.
Dragon turned north. Raygan turned in the direction dragon pointed. In the distance he caught the sight of a giant feather being carried by the wind approaching fast. Kagura, the wind sorceress, had found Raygan.
