Chapter 8 : The Truth Behind the Legend



Everyone nodded, agreeing with Inuyasha's decision to abduct the young woman. Kagome looked around, searching for any objects that could have been the girl's belongings. In the far corner of the room, beside a window was a sword. Kagome stood, squinting as she walked towards to the blade. Inuyasha instinctively followed her, realizing what she was gazing at.

Once they both reached the corner their eyes grew larger, surprised at what they were seeing. The sword was narrow; the blade sharpened so well it left a large slit in the floor of the hut where it was placed. The length of it was nearly twice that of the girl's height, there was no possible way this woman could hold such a weapon. Inuyasha retrieved it, holding it tightly in his hand, it was quite heavy. He examined it thoroughly. The blade was forged from type of metal Inuyasha did not recognize; no doubt it was quite strong. The handle was wrapped in rich silk and red velvet with a gold grip ensuring a comfortable grasp when used; it was in fact a grand weapon.

While Inuyasha gazed at the sword Kagome looked beside the window, where the blade had been placed. There were other objects there. She bent down, taking them into her grasp. A kimono, blue and black laid out in her arms, the precise size of the woman's figure. But what also lay in her arms puzzled her even more. She held an instrument, a violin, aged greatly, but very elegant. The bow was strung with horse hair, though its hue was not white, but silver. The violin itself was wooden, though the metal strings were not the cold, grey that they should have been, but were also silver, just as the hair of the bow was.

Sango, with Shippo on her shoulder now, walked to Kagome's side, leaving Miroku to the woman. "What is that, Kagome?" Kagome searched over the instrument again before replying to her friend.

"It's an instrument, its called a violin, its very common in other countries, though I've never seen one in this era before." Inuyasha reversed his attention from the sword to the objects Kagome possessed. "I've never seen one of those either."


While the majority of the group gazed at their findings, Miroku found himself watching their new captive. The woman was quite unique.

He had never seen a woman with such an appearance. Her hair lay straight and thick, not at all tangled, surrounding her shoulders and chest. Her lips were a shade of red that portrayed a light, wet glaze. She seemed so unconventional, so different. Inuyasha joined Miroku on the floor, kneeling to his side.

"Look at this." Miroku turned to the hanyou, seeing what he was directing him at. Inuyasha held out a sword in front of him, indicating for him to look at the grip. There, on the red velvet and silk, was a name...Raphael Santko . The signature had been written in blood, black blood, youkai blood.

Once Inuyasha recognized that Miroku had read the title, he brought the blade of the sword to the monk's attention, there was a name printed there also... Bahina . This alias, however, was not written in blood, but printed directly in the metal of the sword. Miroku spoke after reading the titles. "That's an odd name Raphael, I have never heard of it, nor the second, Bahina ." Inuyasha replied while still gazing at the weapon.

"Yeah, we think it's pretty weird too." Kagome walked over, with Sango and Shippo beside her, interrupting their male friends' conversation. "Inuyasha, you should look at this as well."

The hanyou and monk rose from their position, walking over to Kagome, while she held out her arms, holding the violin and bow. Miroku retrieved the instrument and glanced at what Kagome had directed him to. On the body of the instrument, near the strings and bar, were two inscriptions, the first read: 'My dearest Jade, I leave you my most cherished possession, use it well. All my love...your mother, Moira Santko .' The second deciphered: 'My darling daughter, when you have become of age, my blade shall become yours, Bahina and this enchanted instrument, will ensure your protection, as your mother and I cannot. I love you my precious, Jade, live for us both. Raphael Santko .'


Once they all had read the inscriptions a long silence stretched. All six companions were confused, yet intriuged by their findings. Who was this woman? Why had she been held by Naraku? Were these objects actually hers? All these questions plagued their minds for sometime, until Inuyasha spoke.

"Alright we better get going." While the hanyou spoke, he walked over to the girl and retracted his claws further, preparing to slice her constrictions. With two quick swipes the ropes were slashed, revealing the wrists and ankles of the girl. All for limbs possessed large wounds where the ropes had been, indicating struggling over long periods of time. Kagome walked over to the young woman with her kimono in hand.

"C'mon Sango, help me dress her. You guys wait outside until we're finished." Miroku and Inuyasha nodded and exited the room, joining Kirara outside, while Shippo , too young to comprehend the full equivalence of a naked female, stayed behind with the two young women. Sango gently pulled the sheet completely from the girl, revealing the rest of her abused body. Gashes and bite marks lay bleeding above her breasts and pelvis. Bruises of Naraku's grip on her knees and neck still gave blue and purple hues on her flesh. It was obvious that this woman had been tortured sexually for some long years.




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