Chapter 1:
Kagome stared across the fire into the eyes of her watcher. Two golden orbs stared back, flames dancing across them. Her eyes began to water. A smug smile touched her watcher's lips. Kagome averted her eyes, blinking frantically to clear her blurred vision. Inuyasha snorted in triumph. "Another win for me." He retorted snidely. She mumbled a curse his way. "Care for another round?" Kagome frowned, annoyed at how pompous her companion had become. After seven rounds of a never-ending staring game, she had yet to win. Kagome was beginning to regret ever bringing up the idea of the game.
"No, I think I've had enough." She said with a sigh of defeat. Back in her time, Kagome had never lost a staring game, but Inuyasha was a competitor she couldn't compete with. Then again, it seemed to be that way with everything. He was the better fighter and the better tracker. Kagome stood up and brushed off the dirt that clung to her skirt. Still blinking to regain her vision, she walked away from the fire, needing some time to be alone.
"Hey, where do you think you're going?" Her hanyou babysitter called after her. Inuyasha never liked her wandering far. He seemed to think that wherever she went, trouble followed. Kagome couldn't really disagree with his assumption.
"Out for a walk, Mother." Kagome shouted over her shoulder, not even stopping her gait as she set out through the woods.
"Don't go too far." He called after her. "Or else I'll have to come and find you." Kagome grumbled an ok and continued to walk. Sango and Miroku would never notice her absence. They were already asleep, curled up at opposite ends of the fire. Though how they had managed to stay asleep with all Inuyasha's bragging and shouting during the staring game, Kagome had yet to discover. As for Shippou, the little kitsune was already snoring in her sleeping bag. Indeed, the only one who actually cared if she went for a little harmless walk was Inuyasha. And he cared almost too much.
Twigs snapped under her shoes as she quickened her pace, determined to reach the cliff she had seen earlier that day from the path far beneath it. Within minutes she had crossed the forest and came to the ledge. Her legs were marred with thousands of red scratches, and Kagome knew Inuyasha would yell at her for going this far, but right now all she wanted to do was stare up into the massive sky and look out over the entire valley, waiting for the promised dawn to approach.
Kagome held her skirt as she sat down, cautious to not reveal her skin to the cold granite rock beneath her. Her hair blew quietly behind her as a slight breeze came over the cliff. The moon shone down, illuminating the path they had taken through the valley earlier that day. Far away, at the horizon, stood the well, her one way to get back to her own time. Kagome longed to go home. She had been time traveling for almost a year now and both times were now beginning to feel like home, although her family only could reside in one time. Tomorrow would be her 16th birthday. Her mother would be frantic trying to get a party arranged, and her grandfather was no doubt scouring through his ancient possessions for the perfect trinket to pass on to her. Sota was probably searching high and low through malls for a hip new blouse or perhaps a sweet-smelling perfume. He always seemed to be into the present fashion, while Kagome was away. It was like the longer she was away the harder he tried to get her into the present. Kagome had a feeling he was beginning to miss her. She felt a pang of guilt shoot through her heart. She wouldn't be able to go back for the party her family was determinedly planning, awaiting her return. No, instead of going to her party and spending time with her family, Kagome would spend her birthday tracking a shikon shard that she had detected in some random youkai. The hunts were getting tiring to her, although Inuyasha seemed just as anxious to fight this youkai as he had the last few dozen.
Kagome looked down at her pale legs, patiently waiting as the moon dipped down to touch the far mountains behind her. The moonlight was bringing out the red streaks, making them extremely noticeable. Kagome let out a whine, wishing the moon would vanish altogether. She hadn't bathed in warm water in at least a month and the moon was definitely not helping to let her forget it. Thank goodness she had brought a razor to the past, although Shippou hadn't been too happy when he had cut himself on it while searching through her bag one evening. Kagome smiled a little at the memory of his expression as he complained something inside her bag had bit him. The smile vanished, however, when she remembered her schoolwork.
School was coming to a close and finals were coming up, but Kagome was stuck in feudal Japan, seeking shards in creatures she had never even believed in until falling through the well. Now she was teaming with a very stubborn, egotistical one. Not only that, but as much as Kagome tried to deny it, she knew she had fallen for the inu hanyou. The golden eyes had pierced her heart, filling it with a love that made her catch her breath whenever his eyes found hers. It was a wonder she could have done the staring contest at all. And how was she supposed to explain it to her teachers if she missed a final? "Sorry, I had." Well, actually she had already used all the illnesses she knew. Heavy period? That might work, but she doubted it. Tell them the truth? "I was busy fighting youkai in feudal Japan with a hanyou." Kagome could already see where that would land her-right in the happy house. She gave up trying to think up excuses and allowed her mind to wander aimlessly back to Inuyasha.
It was too bad Inuyasha's heart belonged to another. Her ancestor.well, kind of. Kagome was but a reincarnation of a woman infamous to this time. Kikyou, her well-known enemy. The older girl had stolen Inuyasha's heart before dying. Now, thanks to an old hag, she had been brought back to life, stealing part of Kagome's soul to survive. She wandered the world, longing to take Inuyasha's life and living on souls of the dead. Kagome hated and feared her. She was a powerful Miko once and now had become one of the undead. Kagome knew she was no competition to this demonic woman. What could she do? While Kikyou tried to take Inuyasha to hell, Kagome could.could.shoot an arrow at her. Like that would do much good when you're already dead.
A cricket chirped next to Kagome, startling her from her many thoughts. She watched it hop off into the shadow. Silence resided once again only to be broken by distant curses. She looked her shoulder at the bush the noise was coming from. A moment later, Inuyasha's claws ripped through the bush and the hanyou strode over to her. "What do you think you're doing?" He demanded. She frowned, her brows lowering over her eyes.
"I wanted some time alone. I didn't say alone with you!" She snapped back at him. She wasn't too pleased that he had crashed into the clearing right after she had been thinking about him. It was a little unnerving to say the least. Kagome tried to keep her blushing down, but knew that even in the moonlight he would be able to see it. However, he didn't comment. Instead, he met her glare, matching it with one of his own.
"I don't care if you said you wanted to be alone with Koga! You went too far from camp. It isn't safe." Kagome's lips twitched upward as she tried not to smile.
"So you would let me be alone with Koga?" Inuyasha growled.
"That's not what I meant. Now come on, it's time to go back." He grabbed hold of her hand, yanking her to her feet. She hissed.
"I'll do what I want! And I want to stay here!" He stared down at her.
"Too bad. You don't know what's good for you. Later, you'll be thanking me for taking you back." He started to walk, holding her hand lightly. She didn't budge. Feeling the resistance, he glanced back.
"I'm not coming with you." She stated, eyes blazing. Normally, Kagome would have loved to hold Inuyasha's hand. But for as long as she could remember she had watched the sunrise on her birthday. She wasn't about to break tradition. He growled a warning. She tried to growl one back, but it turned into a yelp as Inuyasha's arm suddenly wrapped around her and she was slung indignantly over his back. Her skirt flew up, causing her hands to quickly grab at it to keep it down. He continued to hold on to her tightly.
"INUYASHA!" She shouted, furious. He strode back to where he had savagely ripped the bush apart, ignoring her complaints. "I'm warning you." She was out of patience. He continued to walk. "OSUWARI!" Suddenly he let out a yip and fell to the ground. She landed on top of him. Quickly, she slipped out of his grasp and ran before the spell had worn off. She was tired of his arrogant behavior towards her and now she knew he would not only be arrogant, but pissed off when he could stand again.
Kagome jogged back the way she had come, skidding to a stop at the top of the cliff. Sighing in relief, she sat down again, resuming her peaceful position and staring up at the sky once more. The sky was already brighter; royal blue brushed with streaks of soft pink. Curses came from deep in the forest, making birds scatter from trees and soar across the dawning sky. Kagome toned out the curses and concentrated on the birds drifting above her. Footsteps pounded on the granite behind her, crushing tiny pebbles to dust as he stomped down on the stone. Kagome ignored Inuyasha's attitude.
"Osuwari." She said calmly, listening contently to the familiar thump. More curses could be heard, echoing off the boulders. Kagome stood and moved away from the outraged hanyou. The sun was about to peak above the horizon and there was no way that Kagome was going to miss it. This was her first day as a sixteen-year-old teenage girl.
The first light unfurled, rays streaming down to land on the cliff, bathing her in warmth. Kagome smiled, spinning in delight, soaking in the rays. She felt like a goddess. The sun rose steadily. She was a young girl again, on the steps of the shrine, spinning in the first light as she turned five, six, seven. Moments later Kagome had to sit down, too dizzy from twirling to even stand straight. "Happy birthday, Kagome." She said quietly to herself.
The silence suddenly became apparent to her. Glancing over, she saw the hanyou looking at her, mouth hanging open. "It.it's your.you're sixteen?" Kagome smiled. About time he noticed something. She nodded, feeling blissful, and waited for the common responses of "Happy birthday", or "Congratulations." Neither came.
"What? Never seen a sixteen-year-old girl before?" She demanded when Inuyasha's mouth dropped further. She began to think that even a response like "You're becoming an old hag" would be better than the silence treatment Inuyasha was giving her like something was dreadfully wrong.
"No.I mean yes.I mean.you were fifteen." Kagome sighed, annoyed. Could he have said anything more absurd?
"Yeah, and today's my birthday. I'm sixteen now. You know, a year older." She stood and tapped her foot, impatiently. Silence still. "People age you know."
"But.but." Kagome turned and walked back to the campsite, too annoyed with the hanyou to stick around and listen to him stutter anymore. Back at the camp, Sango and Miroku were just finishing cooking some herbs for a quick breakfast. Shippou was pacing the campsite, obviously worried by her absence. He lunged at her when she made her entrance into the clearing.
"Where have you been?" He demanded, like a concerned mother.
Kagome stifled a yawn. "Watching the sunrise." She answered, hugging the little kitsune. He relaxed in her arms, glad she had finally returned. She could hear him sigh quietly, his eyes closed sweetly.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Sango shouted, hugging Kagome tightly. Shippou's eyes shot open as he found himself between them and quickly scampered to the ground before getting squished. Kagome smiled, glad someone had remembered her birthday. Miroku approached the two.
"Happy birthday, Kagome-sama," He said, hugging Kagome as soon as Sango had stepped away. Kagome beamed. That made two people who remembered. Suddenly she felt the familiar hand wandering from the small of her back to her backside. "Miro-"
WHAM! The boomerang came down on Miroku's head. Kagome felt his arms go slack and he dropped to the ground, unconscious. She stepped away from him, laughing. "Don't you dare ruin Kagome-chan's birthday by trying your perverted tricks on her." Sango shouted. Kagome doubted he could hear a word she was saying. Shippou approached her as she left Sango to yell more at he unconscious monk.
"Here, I made this for you." He said and held out a small object covered in cloth. Kagome smiled. Her birthday hadn't been forgotten at all. Reaching out, she took the package from the tiny kitsune and unfolded the cloth. Inside was a flowering bud, a silky emerald green. Kagome looked at it carefully, wondering what it was while awing at its immense beauty.
"It opens up at night and lights up. I used it to see in the dark." Kagome grinned. It was like a flashlight, only it didn't need all those batteries. Kagome slipped it into her pocket.
"I love it!" She shrieked in joy and grabbed him in a hug. This was turning out to be a great day.
Sango shoved Miroku, still unconscious, aside so they could eat around the fire and handed her a dagger wrapped in a silky sheath. "This should come in handy, seeing how you should be taught to defend yourself." Kagome nearly jumped for joy.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" She said and squished Sango in a tight hug. Throughout the last year they had encountered tons of enemies. However, every time Kagome had had to hide, unarmed with a way to fight besides a few arrows when she could find them. Not that she was a great archer either. The dagger was perfect. A golden handle with a phoenix's head engraved on it, the eyes of the phoenix mesmerizing to the beholder. The blade was silver and nearly a foot in length. Runes were carved into it, along with a rose, petals ablaze. The design was enticing. "What do the runes say?"
"They're an ancient spell that protects the owner of the blade." Sango's voice was distant. The blade was entrancing, drawing her into it. She felt a strange connection with the blade, like it had been made for her. It caught a sunray, causing her to squint and take her eyes from the blade. She slipped it into its sheath again. The sheath was designed, looking like two silky wings encircling the blade.
Glancing up, she saw Inuyasha staring at her, eyes filled with rage and fear. "Who gave that to you?" He shouted, striding up to her, his eyes set on the blade.
"It was a present," Kagome turned away from him, not wanting him to spoil her birthday any more than he had already.
"You shouldn't have that. Hand it over." Inuyasha ordered.
"Why? So I can be defenseless again?" She shouted back. Sango and Shippou backed away from the two. When Inuyasha didn't respond, Kagome walked to her backpack and set the sheathed blade in it. Then, she picked up her pack and slung it onto her back, hunching over under the weight for a moment before straightening slowly, trying to get her balance so she wouldn't fall backwards. When the perfect balance had been achieved, she turned back to the group.
"We had better get going. The youkai isn't far. If we go now we might be able to catch up with it today." Sango looked forlorn.
"What about breakfast?" She asked. Shippou nodded, eyes tearful. He was frightened by the fight Inuyasha and Kagome were having and his stomach rumbled in protest.
"We can eat on the road. Come on! The early bird gets the worm." Kagome started down the path. Inuyasha lifted Miroku and the party set off. Shippou and Sango stayed towards the back, munching the food silently. Kagome knew they could feel the tension between Inuyasha and her, but right now she didn't want to try to make them feel more comfortable about it. She wanted only to kill the youkai preventing her from going home for her birthday.
Hours later, Kagome saw the youkai. It was a large neko youkai. The creature was over eight feet, fangs long and dripping saliva. Its head reminded her of a saber-tooth tiger she had seen the bones of in a museum back in Tokyo. Its eyes shone menacingly, reminiscences of the hunts, the battles, and the kills it had done. It walked prideful on two human- looking legs, not changing it's pace as it stepped over a log. Getting a little closer, Kagome could see it was a young male. His face reminded her somewhat of Koga. The same expression of ultimate power and control. His chest was bare and puffed out in arrogance. His arms and hands looked human, although long claws hung from each finger. She knew this would be no easy battle.
Between Kagome and the youkai was but a dozen feet of boulders. She was above him, looking down as an eagle might look down on a mouse. Only, this mouse was dangerous and could kill her without even a thought. Kagome tried to keep her breathing quiet, but panic was preventing it. Her heart raced as it had every time she came upon a youkai. Only this time she didn't have Inuyasha or any of the others to back her up with the attack. She peered out over the boulders she perched on, hoping to get a better view of where her target was going. In a few minutes the group would catch up to her. She had chosen to go on ahead, not wanting to be anywhere near Inuyasha. He was acting so haughty and demanding. A complete jerk. Of course, Inuyasha had insisted on going first that morning, but after five 'osuwaris', he finally backed off and hung back as she went on ahead, stating that he couldn't care less what happened to her. Kagome knew him better though, and had promised the youkai with the shard had still been hours away to be able to stay ahead of the group without Inuyasha spying on her from the bushes. Now she faced the youkai, alone. She had to prove her worth to the group. The blade would help her do so.
In a few minutes the youkai would be gone again and they would once again be tracking it. Kagome sighed impatiently. She couldn't wait for them. Suddenly the sand beneath her feet shifted. Kagome shrieked as she felt her legs go out from under her. Desperately, she tried to grab onto something, anything. Sheer granite greeted her palms, shredding them but offering no hold. Pain shot through her legs as the boulders tore at her bare skin. A second later Kagome found herself falling down the little distance that separated her from the menacing youkai.
Kagome slammed into the ground face-first. Luckily it was soft dirt, but her whole body ached none-the-less. She had rolled down the boulders unmercifully. Blood flowed down her legs and she knew she had gashed them. Slowly, her body protesting, she sat up. In front of her stood the youkai, glaring down at her, smirking.
"Well, well. A little village girl." The youkai looked down at her, arms folded smugly across his chest. He looked very smug. Kagome wondered briefly how he could have mistaken her for a village girl, but decided it wasn't the time to ponder that. She let out a whine of fear, only making him smile, showing off his fangs. "They're my favorite snack." Kagome's eyes searched the area for her pack containing the blade. Spotting it on top of a boulder high above. It must have fallen off as she had rolled. She noticed one of the straps had ripped and her suspicions were confirmed. There would be no way to reach it before she was ripped to shreds. Kagome's eyes went wide in fright. There was no getting out of this easily. She was alone with a vicious youkai.
Slowly, she stood on wobbling legs to face the youkai. She knew she had to fight the youkai alone or die trying. Inuyasha was no where close by and wouldn't be able to get to her in time, thanks to her lie of distance earlier that morning. Kagome kicked herself mentally remembering how smugly she had lied to him. There was only one thing she could think of doing to fight the youkai. She opened her mouth. "INUYASHA!" She shouted as loud as she could.
The youkai began to pace. "Go ahead. I'll give you a ten second head start." He hissed. She gulped. Inuyasha wasn't coming. She was shaking now, but didn't move. "Don't want to run? Fine. Have it your way." He stopped pacing and faced her squarely. She continued to shake. Any second now he would attack her, slamming her to the ground and ripping her apart. She couldn't let that happen. She had to fight. However, the youkai wouldn't wait for her to prepare for battle. She was defenseless as always. Her mind went blank in fear.
Suddenly the words came into her mind. Without thinking, she began to speak them aloud.
"Aliu yhaj kuli mau Frei amu sei ali Bei oi aio fae halo"
She chanted the words over and over, unsure why she felt the need to do so. Suddenly her mind focused on her palm. Sensing a change, she glanced down at her hand. A blinding ball of white flames was nestled in her palm. She raised it over her head, holding it with both hands. It made her hands tingle, but didn't sting and burn like normal fire would. Kagome continued to chant the words subconsciously. Her voice was no longer in her control. The ball of flames grew until it was almost a foot and a half in height.
The youkai stared at the flames in surprise and shock. Suddenly his attention fell from the ball to her. He lunged toward her. Kagome sensed this more than saw it. With a last word, she threw the ball at the youkai.
It struck him in the chest. The burning flames spread over his body and his eyes went pure white. The youkai's mouth fell open in shock and then emitted a scream of pain and terror as he fell backward to hit the ground with great force. The scream turned to a shriek as he tried to extinguish the flames. His hands frantically slapped himself as he stood, but it was hopeless. The flames engulfed him in white light. Kagome stared in horror.
The flames flickered in his eyes and drew out a wisp of black smoke. The youkai slumped to the ground once more, lifeless. The flames, however, hovered in the air, surrounding he wisp of smoke. It seemed to burn the smoke itself. Kagome watched, unable to move away from the astonishing flames. The wisp of smoke had been extinguished now and the flames were compressing around where it had been. A moment later the great ball of flames was no bigger than a pebble. It fell to the ground. Kagome went to it.
The ball had become as white as a star and appeared to be a small pearl, although Kagome knew this was no pearl. She picked it up and slipped it in her pocket. She had no real reason to do this, but every sense in her commanded that she should do this, so she decided it wouldn't hurt to. Once the small stone was in her pocket, she turned to face the youkai. He lay on the ground, dead. Kagome realized then what the black smoke had been: his soul. Shivering at the memory of what she had just seen, she squatted beside him and took the shikon shard she had sensed in his eye.
A noise made her turn suddenly to the boulders she had fallen from earlier. Inuyasha stared down at her, eyes wide in horror. She realized he had just witnessed at least some of what had happened. She gulped, unable to avert her eyes from his. She had never seen the least bit of fear in his eyes. Now she saw panic in them.
Kagome stared across the fire into the eyes of her watcher. Two golden orbs stared back, flames dancing across them. Her eyes began to water. A smug smile touched her watcher's lips. Kagome averted her eyes, blinking frantically to clear her blurred vision. Inuyasha snorted in triumph. "Another win for me." He retorted snidely. She mumbled a curse his way. "Care for another round?" Kagome frowned, annoyed at how pompous her companion had become. After seven rounds of a never-ending staring game, she had yet to win. Kagome was beginning to regret ever bringing up the idea of the game.
"No, I think I've had enough." She said with a sigh of defeat. Back in her time, Kagome had never lost a staring game, but Inuyasha was a competitor she couldn't compete with. Then again, it seemed to be that way with everything. He was the better fighter and the better tracker. Kagome stood up and brushed off the dirt that clung to her skirt. Still blinking to regain her vision, she walked away from the fire, needing some time to be alone.
"Hey, where do you think you're going?" Her hanyou babysitter called after her. Inuyasha never liked her wandering far. He seemed to think that wherever she went, trouble followed. Kagome couldn't really disagree with his assumption.
"Out for a walk, Mother." Kagome shouted over her shoulder, not even stopping her gait as she set out through the woods.
"Don't go too far." He called after her. "Or else I'll have to come and find you." Kagome grumbled an ok and continued to walk. Sango and Miroku would never notice her absence. They were already asleep, curled up at opposite ends of the fire. Though how they had managed to stay asleep with all Inuyasha's bragging and shouting during the staring game, Kagome had yet to discover. As for Shippou, the little kitsune was already snoring in her sleeping bag. Indeed, the only one who actually cared if she went for a little harmless walk was Inuyasha. And he cared almost too much.
Twigs snapped under her shoes as she quickened her pace, determined to reach the cliff she had seen earlier that day from the path far beneath it. Within minutes she had crossed the forest and came to the ledge. Her legs were marred with thousands of red scratches, and Kagome knew Inuyasha would yell at her for going this far, but right now all she wanted to do was stare up into the massive sky and look out over the entire valley, waiting for the promised dawn to approach.
Kagome held her skirt as she sat down, cautious to not reveal her skin to the cold granite rock beneath her. Her hair blew quietly behind her as a slight breeze came over the cliff. The moon shone down, illuminating the path they had taken through the valley earlier that day. Far away, at the horizon, stood the well, her one way to get back to her own time. Kagome longed to go home. She had been time traveling for almost a year now and both times were now beginning to feel like home, although her family only could reside in one time. Tomorrow would be her 16th birthday. Her mother would be frantic trying to get a party arranged, and her grandfather was no doubt scouring through his ancient possessions for the perfect trinket to pass on to her. Sota was probably searching high and low through malls for a hip new blouse or perhaps a sweet-smelling perfume. He always seemed to be into the present fashion, while Kagome was away. It was like the longer she was away the harder he tried to get her into the present. Kagome had a feeling he was beginning to miss her. She felt a pang of guilt shoot through her heart. She wouldn't be able to go back for the party her family was determinedly planning, awaiting her return. No, instead of going to her party and spending time with her family, Kagome would spend her birthday tracking a shikon shard that she had detected in some random youkai. The hunts were getting tiring to her, although Inuyasha seemed just as anxious to fight this youkai as he had the last few dozen.
Kagome looked down at her pale legs, patiently waiting as the moon dipped down to touch the far mountains behind her. The moonlight was bringing out the red streaks, making them extremely noticeable. Kagome let out a whine, wishing the moon would vanish altogether. She hadn't bathed in warm water in at least a month and the moon was definitely not helping to let her forget it. Thank goodness she had brought a razor to the past, although Shippou hadn't been too happy when he had cut himself on it while searching through her bag one evening. Kagome smiled a little at the memory of his expression as he complained something inside her bag had bit him. The smile vanished, however, when she remembered her schoolwork.
School was coming to a close and finals were coming up, but Kagome was stuck in feudal Japan, seeking shards in creatures she had never even believed in until falling through the well. Now she was teaming with a very stubborn, egotistical one. Not only that, but as much as Kagome tried to deny it, she knew she had fallen for the inu hanyou. The golden eyes had pierced her heart, filling it with a love that made her catch her breath whenever his eyes found hers. It was a wonder she could have done the staring contest at all. And how was she supposed to explain it to her teachers if she missed a final? "Sorry, I had." Well, actually she had already used all the illnesses she knew. Heavy period? That might work, but she doubted it. Tell them the truth? "I was busy fighting youkai in feudal Japan with a hanyou." Kagome could already see where that would land her-right in the happy house. She gave up trying to think up excuses and allowed her mind to wander aimlessly back to Inuyasha.
It was too bad Inuyasha's heart belonged to another. Her ancestor.well, kind of. Kagome was but a reincarnation of a woman infamous to this time. Kikyou, her well-known enemy. The older girl had stolen Inuyasha's heart before dying. Now, thanks to an old hag, she had been brought back to life, stealing part of Kagome's soul to survive. She wandered the world, longing to take Inuyasha's life and living on souls of the dead. Kagome hated and feared her. She was a powerful Miko once and now had become one of the undead. Kagome knew she was no competition to this demonic woman. What could she do? While Kikyou tried to take Inuyasha to hell, Kagome could.could.shoot an arrow at her. Like that would do much good when you're already dead.
A cricket chirped next to Kagome, startling her from her many thoughts. She watched it hop off into the shadow. Silence resided once again only to be broken by distant curses. She looked her shoulder at the bush the noise was coming from. A moment later, Inuyasha's claws ripped through the bush and the hanyou strode over to her. "What do you think you're doing?" He demanded. She frowned, her brows lowering over her eyes.
"I wanted some time alone. I didn't say alone with you!" She snapped back at him. She wasn't too pleased that he had crashed into the clearing right after she had been thinking about him. It was a little unnerving to say the least. Kagome tried to keep her blushing down, but knew that even in the moonlight he would be able to see it. However, he didn't comment. Instead, he met her glare, matching it with one of his own.
"I don't care if you said you wanted to be alone with Koga! You went too far from camp. It isn't safe." Kagome's lips twitched upward as she tried not to smile.
"So you would let me be alone with Koga?" Inuyasha growled.
"That's not what I meant. Now come on, it's time to go back." He grabbed hold of her hand, yanking her to her feet. She hissed.
"I'll do what I want! And I want to stay here!" He stared down at her.
"Too bad. You don't know what's good for you. Later, you'll be thanking me for taking you back." He started to walk, holding her hand lightly. She didn't budge. Feeling the resistance, he glanced back.
"I'm not coming with you." She stated, eyes blazing. Normally, Kagome would have loved to hold Inuyasha's hand. But for as long as she could remember she had watched the sunrise on her birthday. She wasn't about to break tradition. He growled a warning. She tried to growl one back, but it turned into a yelp as Inuyasha's arm suddenly wrapped around her and she was slung indignantly over his back. Her skirt flew up, causing her hands to quickly grab at it to keep it down. He continued to hold on to her tightly.
"INUYASHA!" She shouted, furious. He strode back to where he had savagely ripped the bush apart, ignoring her complaints. "I'm warning you." She was out of patience. He continued to walk. "OSUWARI!" Suddenly he let out a yip and fell to the ground. She landed on top of him. Quickly, she slipped out of his grasp and ran before the spell had worn off. She was tired of his arrogant behavior towards her and now she knew he would not only be arrogant, but pissed off when he could stand again.
Kagome jogged back the way she had come, skidding to a stop at the top of the cliff. Sighing in relief, she sat down again, resuming her peaceful position and staring up at the sky once more. The sky was already brighter; royal blue brushed with streaks of soft pink. Curses came from deep in the forest, making birds scatter from trees and soar across the dawning sky. Kagome toned out the curses and concentrated on the birds drifting above her. Footsteps pounded on the granite behind her, crushing tiny pebbles to dust as he stomped down on the stone. Kagome ignored Inuyasha's attitude.
"Osuwari." She said calmly, listening contently to the familiar thump. More curses could be heard, echoing off the boulders. Kagome stood and moved away from the outraged hanyou. The sun was about to peak above the horizon and there was no way that Kagome was going to miss it. This was her first day as a sixteen-year-old teenage girl.
The first light unfurled, rays streaming down to land on the cliff, bathing her in warmth. Kagome smiled, spinning in delight, soaking in the rays. She felt like a goddess. The sun rose steadily. She was a young girl again, on the steps of the shrine, spinning in the first light as she turned five, six, seven. Moments later Kagome had to sit down, too dizzy from twirling to even stand straight. "Happy birthday, Kagome." She said quietly to herself.
The silence suddenly became apparent to her. Glancing over, she saw the hanyou looking at her, mouth hanging open. "It.it's your.you're sixteen?" Kagome smiled. About time he noticed something. She nodded, feeling blissful, and waited for the common responses of "Happy birthday", or "Congratulations." Neither came.
"What? Never seen a sixteen-year-old girl before?" She demanded when Inuyasha's mouth dropped further. She began to think that even a response like "You're becoming an old hag" would be better than the silence treatment Inuyasha was giving her like something was dreadfully wrong.
"No.I mean yes.I mean.you were fifteen." Kagome sighed, annoyed. Could he have said anything more absurd?
"Yeah, and today's my birthday. I'm sixteen now. You know, a year older." She stood and tapped her foot, impatiently. Silence still. "People age you know."
"But.but." Kagome turned and walked back to the campsite, too annoyed with the hanyou to stick around and listen to him stutter anymore. Back at the camp, Sango and Miroku were just finishing cooking some herbs for a quick breakfast. Shippou was pacing the campsite, obviously worried by her absence. He lunged at her when she made her entrance into the clearing.
"Where have you been?" He demanded, like a concerned mother.
Kagome stifled a yawn. "Watching the sunrise." She answered, hugging the little kitsune. He relaxed in her arms, glad she had finally returned. She could hear him sigh quietly, his eyes closed sweetly.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Sango shouted, hugging Kagome tightly. Shippou's eyes shot open as he found himself between them and quickly scampered to the ground before getting squished. Kagome smiled, glad someone had remembered her birthday. Miroku approached the two.
"Happy birthday, Kagome-sama," He said, hugging Kagome as soon as Sango had stepped away. Kagome beamed. That made two people who remembered. Suddenly she felt the familiar hand wandering from the small of her back to her backside. "Miro-"
WHAM! The boomerang came down on Miroku's head. Kagome felt his arms go slack and he dropped to the ground, unconscious. She stepped away from him, laughing. "Don't you dare ruin Kagome-chan's birthday by trying your perverted tricks on her." Sango shouted. Kagome doubted he could hear a word she was saying. Shippou approached her as she left Sango to yell more at he unconscious monk.
"Here, I made this for you." He said and held out a small object covered in cloth. Kagome smiled. Her birthday hadn't been forgotten at all. Reaching out, she took the package from the tiny kitsune and unfolded the cloth. Inside was a flowering bud, a silky emerald green. Kagome looked at it carefully, wondering what it was while awing at its immense beauty.
"It opens up at night and lights up. I used it to see in the dark." Kagome grinned. It was like a flashlight, only it didn't need all those batteries. Kagome slipped it into her pocket.
"I love it!" She shrieked in joy and grabbed him in a hug. This was turning out to be a great day.
Sango shoved Miroku, still unconscious, aside so they could eat around the fire and handed her a dagger wrapped in a silky sheath. "This should come in handy, seeing how you should be taught to defend yourself." Kagome nearly jumped for joy.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" She said and squished Sango in a tight hug. Throughout the last year they had encountered tons of enemies. However, every time Kagome had had to hide, unarmed with a way to fight besides a few arrows when she could find them. Not that she was a great archer either. The dagger was perfect. A golden handle with a phoenix's head engraved on it, the eyes of the phoenix mesmerizing to the beholder. The blade was silver and nearly a foot in length. Runes were carved into it, along with a rose, petals ablaze. The design was enticing. "What do the runes say?"
"They're an ancient spell that protects the owner of the blade." Sango's voice was distant. The blade was entrancing, drawing her into it. She felt a strange connection with the blade, like it had been made for her. It caught a sunray, causing her to squint and take her eyes from the blade. She slipped it into its sheath again. The sheath was designed, looking like two silky wings encircling the blade.
Glancing up, she saw Inuyasha staring at her, eyes filled with rage and fear. "Who gave that to you?" He shouted, striding up to her, his eyes set on the blade.
"It was a present," Kagome turned away from him, not wanting him to spoil her birthday any more than he had already.
"You shouldn't have that. Hand it over." Inuyasha ordered.
"Why? So I can be defenseless again?" She shouted back. Sango and Shippou backed away from the two. When Inuyasha didn't respond, Kagome walked to her backpack and set the sheathed blade in it. Then, she picked up her pack and slung it onto her back, hunching over under the weight for a moment before straightening slowly, trying to get her balance so she wouldn't fall backwards. When the perfect balance had been achieved, she turned back to the group.
"We had better get going. The youkai isn't far. If we go now we might be able to catch up with it today." Sango looked forlorn.
"What about breakfast?" She asked. Shippou nodded, eyes tearful. He was frightened by the fight Inuyasha and Kagome were having and his stomach rumbled in protest.
"We can eat on the road. Come on! The early bird gets the worm." Kagome started down the path. Inuyasha lifted Miroku and the party set off. Shippou and Sango stayed towards the back, munching the food silently. Kagome knew they could feel the tension between Inuyasha and her, but right now she didn't want to try to make them feel more comfortable about it. She wanted only to kill the youkai preventing her from going home for her birthday.
Hours later, Kagome saw the youkai. It was a large neko youkai. The creature was over eight feet, fangs long and dripping saliva. Its head reminded her of a saber-tooth tiger she had seen the bones of in a museum back in Tokyo. Its eyes shone menacingly, reminiscences of the hunts, the battles, and the kills it had done. It walked prideful on two human- looking legs, not changing it's pace as it stepped over a log. Getting a little closer, Kagome could see it was a young male. His face reminded her somewhat of Koga. The same expression of ultimate power and control. His chest was bare and puffed out in arrogance. His arms and hands looked human, although long claws hung from each finger. She knew this would be no easy battle.
Between Kagome and the youkai was but a dozen feet of boulders. She was above him, looking down as an eagle might look down on a mouse. Only, this mouse was dangerous and could kill her without even a thought. Kagome tried to keep her breathing quiet, but panic was preventing it. Her heart raced as it had every time she came upon a youkai. Only this time she didn't have Inuyasha or any of the others to back her up with the attack. She peered out over the boulders she perched on, hoping to get a better view of where her target was going. In a few minutes the group would catch up to her. She had chosen to go on ahead, not wanting to be anywhere near Inuyasha. He was acting so haughty and demanding. A complete jerk. Of course, Inuyasha had insisted on going first that morning, but after five 'osuwaris', he finally backed off and hung back as she went on ahead, stating that he couldn't care less what happened to her. Kagome knew him better though, and had promised the youkai with the shard had still been hours away to be able to stay ahead of the group without Inuyasha spying on her from the bushes. Now she faced the youkai, alone. She had to prove her worth to the group. The blade would help her do so.
In a few minutes the youkai would be gone again and they would once again be tracking it. Kagome sighed impatiently. She couldn't wait for them. Suddenly the sand beneath her feet shifted. Kagome shrieked as she felt her legs go out from under her. Desperately, she tried to grab onto something, anything. Sheer granite greeted her palms, shredding them but offering no hold. Pain shot through her legs as the boulders tore at her bare skin. A second later Kagome found herself falling down the little distance that separated her from the menacing youkai.
Kagome slammed into the ground face-first. Luckily it was soft dirt, but her whole body ached none-the-less. She had rolled down the boulders unmercifully. Blood flowed down her legs and she knew she had gashed them. Slowly, her body protesting, she sat up. In front of her stood the youkai, glaring down at her, smirking.
"Well, well. A little village girl." The youkai looked down at her, arms folded smugly across his chest. He looked very smug. Kagome wondered briefly how he could have mistaken her for a village girl, but decided it wasn't the time to ponder that. She let out a whine of fear, only making him smile, showing off his fangs. "They're my favorite snack." Kagome's eyes searched the area for her pack containing the blade. Spotting it on top of a boulder high above. It must have fallen off as she had rolled. She noticed one of the straps had ripped and her suspicions were confirmed. There would be no way to reach it before she was ripped to shreds. Kagome's eyes went wide in fright. There was no getting out of this easily. She was alone with a vicious youkai.
Slowly, she stood on wobbling legs to face the youkai. She knew she had to fight the youkai alone or die trying. Inuyasha was no where close by and wouldn't be able to get to her in time, thanks to her lie of distance earlier that morning. Kagome kicked herself mentally remembering how smugly she had lied to him. There was only one thing she could think of doing to fight the youkai. She opened her mouth. "INUYASHA!" She shouted as loud as she could.
The youkai began to pace. "Go ahead. I'll give you a ten second head start." He hissed. She gulped. Inuyasha wasn't coming. She was shaking now, but didn't move. "Don't want to run? Fine. Have it your way." He stopped pacing and faced her squarely. She continued to shake. Any second now he would attack her, slamming her to the ground and ripping her apart. She couldn't let that happen. She had to fight. However, the youkai wouldn't wait for her to prepare for battle. She was defenseless as always. Her mind went blank in fear.
Suddenly the words came into her mind. Without thinking, she began to speak them aloud.
"Aliu yhaj kuli mau Frei amu sei ali Bei oi aio fae halo"
She chanted the words over and over, unsure why she felt the need to do so. Suddenly her mind focused on her palm. Sensing a change, she glanced down at her hand. A blinding ball of white flames was nestled in her palm. She raised it over her head, holding it with both hands. It made her hands tingle, but didn't sting and burn like normal fire would. Kagome continued to chant the words subconsciously. Her voice was no longer in her control. The ball of flames grew until it was almost a foot and a half in height.
The youkai stared at the flames in surprise and shock. Suddenly his attention fell from the ball to her. He lunged toward her. Kagome sensed this more than saw it. With a last word, she threw the ball at the youkai.
It struck him in the chest. The burning flames spread over his body and his eyes went pure white. The youkai's mouth fell open in shock and then emitted a scream of pain and terror as he fell backward to hit the ground with great force. The scream turned to a shriek as he tried to extinguish the flames. His hands frantically slapped himself as he stood, but it was hopeless. The flames engulfed him in white light. Kagome stared in horror.
The flames flickered in his eyes and drew out a wisp of black smoke. The youkai slumped to the ground once more, lifeless. The flames, however, hovered in the air, surrounding he wisp of smoke. It seemed to burn the smoke itself. Kagome watched, unable to move away from the astonishing flames. The wisp of smoke had been extinguished now and the flames were compressing around where it had been. A moment later the great ball of flames was no bigger than a pebble. It fell to the ground. Kagome went to it.
The ball had become as white as a star and appeared to be a small pearl, although Kagome knew this was no pearl. She picked it up and slipped it in her pocket. She had no real reason to do this, but every sense in her commanded that she should do this, so she decided it wouldn't hurt to. Once the small stone was in her pocket, she turned to face the youkai. He lay on the ground, dead. Kagome realized then what the black smoke had been: his soul. Shivering at the memory of what she had just seen, she squatted beside him and took the shikon shard she had sensed in his eye.
A noise made her turn suddenly to the boulders she had fallen from earlier. Inuyasha stared down at her, eyes wide in horror. She realized he had just witnessed at least some of what had happened. She gulped, unable to avert her eyes from his. She had never seen the least bit of fear in his eyes. Now she saw panic in them.