Chapter 19. The Hidden Sanctuary

June 15th

It has been almost a week since we arrived at Mount Tsukuba. I've been needing to pen down my thoughts for a while. With everything going on right now and everything that happened over the last two months, let's just say that I need to vent. It hasn't been difficult, adjusting to the life at Mount Tsukuba but I am starting to miss my normal. I was meant to start at Waseda university and not travel across time and meet my family, and battle, and fall in.. no. I am not, I refuse to be in love. It was fleeting moment, locked five hundred years in the past and nothing more. What's wrong with me? My head is pounding from all of the information I've been trying to absorb for the past few days and yet my thoughts continuously stray towards the prideful lord. Is he even alive? I don't know. I hope so. Fuck. I am so screwed.

Aya dropped the pencil and then collected the paper in her hand crumpling it up into a ball and then she tossed it across the room. Journaling was definitely not her forte. She moved away from the desk and decided to plunge herself into the silk sheets that were draped over her bed. She wasn't sure why this was the room her grandmother decided to place her in. Her eyes wandered the large room, her eyes falling towards the sliding double doors that led to a private ensuite. It seemed too much for one person to occupy one whole building just to herself. And yet, Chiyo insisted on her granddaughter residing in the grand pavillion.

The sanctuary was comprised of various pavillions that interconnected by pathways. It resembled the imperial palace in Kyoto but twice as large and hidden deep within the forest, guarded by an impenetrable barrier. It was a safe haven for over fifty youkai and hanyo families.

Aya burried her face into the silk sheets as her thoughts wandered to her earlier conversation with her grandmother. Her mind was working overtime, trying to process the madness of the last week.

FLASHBACK

"So tell me, what's going on? I don't want to be in the dark anymore," Aya demanded as she began to interrogate her grandmother.

There were far too many questions that needed to be answered and at this point Aya was tired of being left in the dark. Chiyo nodded as she looked at her grandchild.

"I understand Aya. Where would you like me to start?"

"At the beginning. Why did you abandon me? After I lost otousan, you shipped me off to Okayama with mamaand I never saw you again. I deserve to know why," Aya asked.

"To protect you."

"Protect me? How …?"

"Will you let me speak young lady? Your grandfather and I chose to leave you to protect you. After Hayao's death we weren't eager to risk your life … being connected with the Ishimizu legacy … it's dangerous … for some still hold a grudge against our family and what we once stood for," Chiyo explained.

"What do you mean? Who?" Aya asked.

"Well after the battle five hundred years ago and after you and Kagome's family disappeared, Lord Kisho began to cause problems and wars were ignited. It did not end until 1819 when your father killed Kisho in combat. However, the dragon cursed us and our bloodline with his dying breath. Since then, the loyal members of Ishimizu clan have been hunted and killed by the curse,"

"A curse? I'm sure that's just a superstition obaasan," Aya replied, unsure what to think of the information.

"Maybe it is. All I know is that after my son's death we weren't going to risk losing you. Your mother agreed. She is human and you with a full human disguise would have no problem fitting in Okayama. We changed your name to your mother's maiden name and forged certain documents so that the you were no longer connected to us."

"So my father? He died with Kagome's father in a car crash, right?" Aya asked, already dreading the answer.

"Yes, they were close friends. Yoshiro was head of Higurashi line and therefore connected to our via the bond of light. They died in a car explosion. All that was ever found was Yoshiro's wallet and some of his remains," Chiyo said.

"What about my mother? Where is she? Is she here?"

"She was, but she left once she learned you went to Okayama. She's been missing since," Chiyo stated sadly.

Aya's eyes widened as fear engulfed her.

"What? But you said …"

"Okayama was no longer safe,"

"But mother …"

"Nomura-san and Yoshihara-san are looking for her. They are the most trustworthy and capable out of all of us. I am sure that they'll find her. Now let me take you to where you will be staying and we can rejoin your friends," Chiyo said as she rose from her seat.

Her mother was being targetted because of her. The thought that she brought harm to her mother unintentionally burned through her angrily.

"Ok, but I still have questions," Aya insisted.

"I know child but I have already told you what I know. Once they return, you may speak with Nomura-san and Yoshihara-san,"

"I see," Aya said softly.

She paused for a moment and then looked back to her grandmother.

"Where's ojiichan?"

"I'm sorry Aya-chan but your grandfather is no longer with us. He passed away a few weeks ago."

"Wh..what? what happened?"

"He was following a lead on where your mother disappeared up north. Izumi's brother retrieved his body," Chiyo said.

"Why was he alone?"

"There aren't many of us left anymore, at least not ones that can take on an enemy of this caliber. The others … they were searching elsewhere. Your grandfather was unlucky," Chiyo said with a solemn voice.

END OF FLASHBACK

She groaned into the pillow in frustration and then peeled herself off the bed. It wouldn't do her good to remain alone, inside the grand pavillion. Instead, she made her way towards the door to check on her family. The lack of arrival of the supposed Yoshihara and Nomura was slowly causing her to go crazy. She needed her mother and it was killing her that she was unable to do anything about it. Aya made her way towards Kagome. She was sitting on the edge of the porch outside one of the pavillions, an opened laptop rested in her lap as she typed away. Souta, her younger brother sat nearby, headphones in his ears as he focused on reading his textbook. Just because they were in hiding, it did not mean that studying was over for young Souta.

"Aya-chan, have you come to join us?" Kagome said as she looked up to see Aya approach them.

"For now. How's Inuyasha doing with his history lessons?" Aya asked as she took a seat next to Kagome.

"He's managing. Jiichan is a good teacher when he wants to be. They are studying the last period of Sengoku Jidai right now and I promised I'd quiz him later tonight," Kagome said as she closed the laptop and set it aside.

"The Azuchi Momoyama period?"

"Yes, I forgot that you wanted to minor in history. What's on your mind? You look troubled," Kagome stated, observing her friend.

"I'm tired of waiting. I want news on my mother and I want them now. I don't even know this Nomura or Yoshihara. Why should I believe what they say?!" Aya said, voicing her frustrations.

"Be patient Aya. I know this isn't easy," Kagome soothed.

"Where's Haru?" Aya asked, suddenly changing the topic.

She did not want to focus on her mother. She needed a distraction so she would not simply run off out of the sanctuary in a blind pursuit.

"My mother took him for a nap. I mean she insisted. She has really embraced her role as a grandmother," Kagome let out a soft chuckle.

"That's good. I'm glad you were able to reunite with them," Aya smiled.

"Me too,"

Aya suddenly turned her gaze towards the front gate.

"There's cars approaching the gate," Aya said as she stood up.

That scent. It's so familiar. It can't be.

"You think ? … Aya wait up," Kagome said as the young mizu youkai rushed towards the entrance of the sanctuary.

Kagome walked quickly towards the gate. A flash of red ran past her, joining Aya as they observed the two figures that emerged from the luxury vehicles. Her eyes fell onto the male figure exiting the silver Audi R8.

"Sessho…maru," Aya said breathlessly.

A/N: I have decided to combine the Part I and Part II together as I do not like clutter (lol)