Do you remember? Do you remember how this came to pass?
Blood seeped into the ground, her blood.
Think back, you have to think back.
Just a mirror image of a thousand others.
You must think back; he is dieing.
Only hers was different. She was what stood between more deaths.
"Who's death?"
Remember, you have to remember.
…...
Sunlight filtered through the healthy canopy above, shining dappled light to the forest floor. Her only company was the faint crunch of autumn leaves underfoot. Breathing in the cool air relaxed her always-tense body as she made her way to the old familiar structure that held her goal. Cracked wood made up the small well, covered up by thorny vines and time.
Peering over the edge, she clenched her fist around the metal handle of the object in her hand and quickly dropped it in. A splash of confirmation greeted her from the impenetrable darkness inside. Using a fair amount of strength in her arms, she soon hauled the now full bucket back up. Lifting her prize, she began her return journey, following the beaten trail.
"Kagome!"
She turned to acknowledge the traditionally dressed slayer, noticing the sharp tinge of a blush on her pale skin.
"Sango, did you have another job that brought you near our humble village?"
Her sentence was formal, but the laughing and slightly mocking tone said otherwise.
"Y-yes, what other reason would I be here?"
Kagome's cool façade stopped with that.
"I happen to know you've been quite taken with one of our monks."
The Cheshire smile that accompanied the statement was enough to bring the young woman's slight blush into full bloom.
"I don't know what you mean!"
Her smile grew.
"He's yours if you want him, you know."
The brunette sighed and looked around suspiciously before whispering.
"You're right, mine and every other woman's that asks."
She spoke seriously, from the heart.
"His heart has been yours since you punched him for touching you."
The woman stared.
"That would be an odd way to put it."
The miko nodded and serenely added.
"But the truthful way."
She smiled a small insecure up-turn of the lips and shifted to face the village.
"Well, your odd wisdom has at least made me feel a bit better; you're a good friend, Kagome."
Kagome stepped forward to join her.
"Let us continue on?"
With one unsure step, she moved forward.
"Yes."
…...
The village was considered a safe haven for humans and youkai alike, one of very few that coexisted peacefully. Kagome was credited, her kind heart and determined attitude towards youkai creating a unique coexistence that was slowly catching on. She, however, would credit Shippo for the amazing feat; the small Kitsune having showed up hurt and newly alone, fueling her passion for what seemed like an impossible idea.
As she began to raise him, to have him join her small family, she thought about how many other youkai children were out there just like Shippo. Now, there was a small temple in the middle of the now thriving village containing twenty small children of various culture, breed, and age. Adult youkai frequented the village as well, drawn by the curious idea and held by the selfless gesture.
She was quite a sight for both humans and youkai alike, a miko watching over young youkai and hanyou in a human village. For hanyou it was a sign of hope, for certain youkai and humans a chance at peace, for others an unacceptable practice. For Inuyasha, it was sanctuary, the one place he was not looked at with disgust, a place that was now his home.
Within hours, he had a place among them, more so then he'd ever had at his so called home, and now he couldn't imagine any other place he'd rather be, not that anyone would care about his absence. He had even found someone, a woman who did not care about his demonic blood, Kikyo. He wasn't lack for friends anymore either, Kagome being at the top of his list. For once in his life, he was happy, content, and he'd fight to keep it that way.
…...
She had only been gone a couple minutes. How could twenty kids on their way to adulthood get so worried from her being gone just a couple minutes? She didn't have a good answer for it as she was tackled to the ground by several slightly furry, and a few scaly, small bodies.
"Oof!"
She gradually regained her standing position as some of the older ones calmed down and got off, leaving behind smaller, easier to move, children.
"Now what has you strong young adults so out of sorts?"
Yes, stroking a child's pride was always the way to get information, as it was with many adults. A young purple-haired dragon youkai stepped forward and spoke in a small voice.
"Some men came into the village!' 'They yelled at Inuyasha and Kaede, and were very rude…I think they were looking for someone and didn't find them."
The young boy looked back at the group of wide-eyed kids.
"We thought…we thought they had taken you; you were gone so long."
Shippo, who seemed to be in the process of trying to meld with her leg, added on.
"I hope they don't find who they are looking for; they- they didn't feel right."
The miko nodded, and in a motherly manner, dropped to her knees and held out her arms. They crowded around in a practiced manner, hanyou, youkai, and human, seeking comfort from the ebony-haired miko.
"I- I like to say that I'll never leave, that I'll never go anywhere, but you all know I can't predict what may happen in the future.' 'You are strong little ones, and although I can't say I'll never go anywhere, I can say you'll never be left alone again."
Her gaze drifted to each determined and teary-eyed girl and boy.
"But for now let's think of happier things."
Picking up the miraculously un-spilled water bucket, she made her way to the kitchen.
"Who wants to help cook dinner?"
The sound of small running steps followed her in.
…...
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