Title Ten Years After

Author landofhekwt

Prompt Past (unsung heroes)

Rating K

POV Shiori

Word Count 295

Warning none

Summary Shiori and her mother spend 10 years searching for Inuyasha

"Mother. Just a little further. When we reached Edo Castle they told us that Inuyasha's Forest was this way."

Her mother did not answer, but continued to trudge onward head to the ground. It had been like this day after day since they left their ocean village by the demon bat caves.

Their village had been destroyed that day. Even though the demon bats had died in the fall out, the villagers had blamed them for the deaths and the destruction of the village.

They knew they had to move on. The question was where to move. Her mother knew that they would be treated the same no matter where they went.

Shiori had no place among humans or demons. The only person who had ever treated her well was Inuyasha. He had fought to save her even though it was in his interest to kill her.

They searched for Inuyasha for ten years. Following rumors and legends of a hanyou with a demon blade they moved from village to village. Staying until the local drove them out.

Shiori had grown up on the road. She was now an adult. Her mother had aged prematurely. They had traded places. Shiori now took care of her mother who could no longer do strenuous physical labor.

They had been refused entrance to Edo Castle. Demons and hanyous were not welcome in time of war, but they were told of the Inuyasha's Forest. A mythical place. Perhaps the legend really lived there.

A village bell tower loomed on the horizon. Rice paddies guarding the approach. A torii gate with stairs leading to a shrine and a forest beyond. Shiori hoped that at last they had arrived at their destination. She knew her mother could go no further.