In Need of a Mate
So this story is inspired by one I read a long long time ago but unfortunately it was never finished T_T so this is my way of tweaking the story to my liking and finishing it. So bear with me.
This is also the first time (and hopefully not the last) you will see me wrecking havoc in the Sengoku Jidai. I really hope you enjoy this. R&R!
Inuyasha's blood takes over him every spring, every mating season. Only the strongest priestesses and priests are rounded up to place a barrier around him and Kagome is one of them. However, she does more than subdue his demon blood.
Chapter One- The Summon
"But I don't want to go!" Kagome yelled, completely frustrated with the events of the morning.
Kagome was a priestess training under the care of an older woman named Kaede. She had been with her for so long that Kagome felt as if the woman was her mother. After all, her own mother and father had died a long time ago leaving her orphaned. As a result, Kaede who had sensed the spiritual energy inside, Kagome began to train her and help her to harness these powers. They were after all living in dangerous times.
Kaede and Kagome had moved to another village where youkai slayers resided and protected its people. Kagome having been so young at the time became friends with an equally talented young girl named Sango, whose areas of expertise would be in youkai slaying. They had both learned to trust each other and fight together. Kagome's purifying energies came in handy during battle and Sango learned to protect and rely on her companion.
"Kagome, listen to what he's saying, you're not the only one going" her friend Sango replied as she dropped her weapon the Hiraikotsu to the ground. She had just finished training when she heard the sound of shouting, and Kagome's voice distinctly over others.
"Sango! I don't care how many other priestesses are being summoned to this stupid castle! I'm not a horse!" Kagome stomped her foot for emphasis. Kagome's anger had been rising and was to the point that her face was flushed. She folded her arms in her priestess robes and pointed her nose in the other direction, clearly fuming.
Sango looked at the soldiers and the messenger who had obviously travelled for weeks passing the decree around. Nevertheless, Kagome had to be the one to 'decline' to something you just can't say no to.
"Would you excuse us?" Sango asked pushing Kagome away from the group not caring whether they did or not.
"What's your problem?" Kagome hissed at her friend, her expression becoming more dangerous than before.
"My problem?" Sango squeaked out, surprised that her friend was still angry.
"Yes! Why are you taking their side! They are trying to get me to subdue some crazy ass youkai who legend has it killed a priestess in cold blood!" Kagome all but shouted at her friend.
"Kagome! Listen to yourself! You're a priestess, this is what your suppose to do. You're supposed to save the world remember." Sango said to her friend looking in her eyes for understanding. Kagome sighed in frustration.
"Ugh. Not subdue some crazed youkai from killing people." Kagome said throwing her hands up in mock surrender.
"How is it you're more of afraid of this youkai than the countless ones we see in battle?" Sango asked as she watched Kagome sit on a rock.
"They say he killed a very strong priestess, a woman who had been subduing him for years, than one day he attacked her. They said she didn't stand a chance, and no body has any idea how he got through the barrier, even now." Kagome replied, staring off into space, lost deep in her own thoughts.
"Well than we better not waste anymore time, we have to make sure he stays subdued." Sango smiled at Kagome. Kagome had a look of surprise on her face 'til the realization of the words dawned on her.
"Well then I better say bye to Kaede" Kagome said standing to her feet as a look of newfound determination filled her eyes.
"So how long will it take for us to get there?" Kagome asked one of the soldiers they were travelling with.
Kagome was carrying a full quiver of arrows and her bow, a bow that was infused with spiritual powers itself, which made defeating enemies effortless. Sango who was walking along side Kagome was dressed in her kimono and carried her Hiraikotsu on her back. Kirara, Sango's two tailed neko youkai walked along side her as well, joining her master.
They had left around noon and by amount of supplies the soldiers left the village with they were in for a long journey. The forest was buzzing around them with sounds. Kagome would continually stretch her aura around them trying to sense another youkai in the area. Occasionally she sensed some, but there were no traces of ill intent. She enjoyed the open area and the birds that were chirping around them. It had been along time since she left her village.
"It's a two week journey," The general replied gruffly. "I hope you two can fend for yourselves incase we are attacked. " He said looking at them carefully.
"Hai." Sango replied nodding her head. Kagome looked at Sango and she shrugged her shoulders not knowing what else to say.
"Well someone sure is grumpy." Kagome whispered into her friend's ear.
"I'll say." Sango responded back as they kept on walking.
They continued walking 'til the sun began to set. They found a small clearing and begun setting up camp for the night. Kagome who had stayed quiet for most of the day let her thoughts consume her for a moment. She couldn't help the feeling that going to this castle was going to change her life, forever. Whether it was good or bad, she didn't know yet.
"Kagome do you feel that?" Sango asked her as she came to sit beside her on the ground.
"Yes, they think we're defenseless." Kagome said closing her eyes as she stuck her bow in the ground. Whispering a few enchantments 'til a barrier erected itself around their campsite. Kagome had learned to channel her energy into an object, helping her to erect more solid barriers that required less meditation on her part.
Shouts of: "Whoa did you see that!?"
"What kind of priestess is she!?"
"That's amazing!" rang out through the campsite as Kagome opened her eyes to looking at the gaping soldiers.
"I take it these guys don't get out much." Sango said stretching her bunched up muscles. Kagome giggled at her friend. Sango relaxed near the base of a tree and Kirara transformed into her larger form resting quietly beside them.
"Will you ladies be eating with us?" One of the soldiers asked standing about 10 feet from where Kagome and Sango were resting against a tree.
"No we're okay, we brought some food from the village with us. Thank you." Kagome replied politely to the soldier.
The soldier returned back to the group and each separate party began their own dinner. As the night carried on Kagome and Sango curled around Kirara in her larger form getting ready to sleep. As they drifted off Kagome's ears tuned into on a particular conversation some of the soldiers were having.
"Every year we go through the same thing, looking for strong priests and priestesses to subdue that youkai, what's the big deal anyways?" One soldier asked.
"I heard it's cause he has no mate, he has to go through it every spring."
"Why?"
"Mating season idiot!"
"Who would mate a youkai?" One shouted
"Let alone a hanyou. These half breeds I tell you. He's probably deform and mutilated!" Another said with an air of mirth surrounding it. The rest of the soldiers laughed at this.
Kagome's insides churned. While she may have feared for her life and safety she did not approve of the way these men made fun of someone who was suffering.
'It must be painful, being purified, and kept in a barrier for months.' Kagome thought to herself turning towards the warmth beneath her. She let out a sigh as she focused on strengthening the barrier that protected them once more, hoping to keep the soldiers conversation out of her mind. Hoping to get some rest before another day of travelling.
"Excuse me Houshi-sama but Izayoi- sama has requested your presence." A servant girl of no more than 15 years old bowed low to the Monk as she entered his room.
"Very well." A young man answered as he rose from the floor. His robes were of a deep purple as well as his eyes. His hair was in a small ponytail at the nap of his neck and his staff jingled as he followed the girl out of the room.
Miroku had been in the Western Lands for quiet some time now and he had acquired a friend while here. This friend however, was the reason he was here in the first place.
Miroku reached Lady Izayoi's room and knocked.
"Come in." a voice called from the other side of t he doors.
"You requested me Izayoi-sama." Miroku asked, bowing to the lady of the house.
"No need to be so formal Miroku, please come and join me." She responded stretching her arm out towards the pillow across from her.
Miroku looked up at Izayoi and was once again captivated by her beauty. She was a petite woman whose skin was pale and had long ebony flowing hair. Her kimono consisted of several different colored robes, made from the finest silk, showing just how wealthy she was.
"Hai, Izayoi-sama." Miroku still responded formally. He walked towards her and took a seat directly across from her at the small table between them.
"How is Inuyasha?" Izayoi asked not wasting any time on small talk. She took a sip from the teacup that she held in her hands.
"He is," Miroku drawled out reaching for the second cup of tea on the table.
"He is doing better today. But I can't say how long I can keep the barrier up myself as the full moon approaches." Miroku replied closing his eyes in thought.
"There are priestesses and priests coming to the castle within the next three days. Hopefully they will be able to assist you for the next 3 months." She said looking towards the waxing moon that had begun rising steadily into the night sky.
"He strengthens every year. I'm worried he won't find a mate soon. That with each full moon he loses himself more and more." Izayoi added, looking sorrowfully at her hands.
'And if he doesn't find a mate he'll be lost to his youkai, forever' Izayoi thought as her concern for her son increased.
"I'm sure he will find a mate before the next spring my Lady." Miroku responded taking a sip of his tea that had begun to get cold.
He was trying to reassure not only Izayoi but, himself. Inuyasha's blood was stronger than they all had expected. His father was after all the great Inu no Taisho and had successfully passed on his strength as a youkai to his sons.
"For his sake, I hope so" Izayoi responded with a deep sigh.
"Excuse me, Izayoi-sama but I must attend to the barrier and continue with my mediation." Miroku said standing, bowing to her before taking his leave.
"Very well Miroku." Izayoi smiled warmly at his retreating form.
A week and a half had already gone by and Kagome and Sango were itching for a little action in battle. All that had happened so far were a few bandits that thought they were travelling alone while bathing at a hot spring. Nevertheless Sango had kicked some ass before the soldiers had burst through the clearing. Too bad that was 3 days ago. They still had 3 more days to travel but it seemed as though the general decided to take a road less travelled. This decreased their chances of battle significantly.
"I'd kill for a bath." Kagome let out as she wiped her forehead of the sweat that had begun to trickle down her face. She wanted to wash her clothes, hair, and body. However they were travelling with men, who didn't seem to care too much about hygiene especially since they were soldiers.
"I agree." Sango replied to her friend as they continued at a steady pace along with the soldiers.
Then Kagome sensed it, the familiar feeling of a youkai pressing against her reiki that had her grasping Sango's hand. Sango sensed it too as this youkai's aura was particularly easier to pick up and was much closer than they thought. Kirara bristled and ran forward in front of her companions transforming to her larger form.
"What is the meaning of this!" The general shouted as he rode his horse over to Kagome and Sango.
"Shh" Sango said as she gripped her weapon and Kagome notched an arrow on her bow. Waiting patiently for the youkai to appear. They were not disappointed as a giant centipede burst through the trees.
"Finally! Something to release this tension!" Sango exclaimed getting her boomerang ready.
The other soldiers were surprised to see the centipede but regarded their general as he shouted at them to ready their weapons and attack. The soldiers released their arrows, as Sango's Hiraikotsu cut through the centipede splitting it in half. This served nothing more than provoking the centipede and as a result it began to spray acid. Kagome who had moved away a small distance fired her arrow releasing her reiki as well. The centipede roared in pain as Kagome's arrow not only pierced, but, purified the youkai's energy, reducing it to nothing but ash.
"Well that was over quick." Sango said sounding disappointed as she caught her Hiraikotsu.
"Too quick." Kagome sighed placing her arrow back around her shoulder. She looked at the soldiers that stood gapping at Kagome and Sango surprised by their strength and tactics.
"You girls are amazing." One soldier surprise evident in his voice. Sango smirked at this. She was happy to relieve some tension from this long journey.
"Well we better keep going." Sango replied grabbing everyone's attention as they once again began to move on. However Kagome lingered at the centipede. She sensed a pull on her reiki. It was almost as if something was pulling on her heartstrings. A call; but she ignored it and turned to walk after the group.
So what do you guys think?