Souls of Wandering
Chapter one:
Betrayal
The sound of footsteps patter almost inaudibly along the wide dirt path as the group travels in tense silence. Such strange company lied within the band: two human girls – one a slayer and the last of her people bent on revenge with her lovingly protective kitten, the other from a different time and the reincarnation of a dead priestess (whose soul still walked the earth) –, a money hungry and beyond annoyingly perverted human monk, an adorable little fox child who lost his family in a treacherous way…and the DOG! Or at least that's what Kagome could only describe him as at the moment. The half-demon with the cocky, foul, rude, heartless, greedy, judgmental attitude!
Seeming to sense the anger rolling blatantly off of the beautiful reincarnation little Shippo hops out of Kagome's arms and points to the glistening lake to the party's right. "Look," his cute raspy voice coaxes, "it's so pretty! Let's have lunch on the bank." He gives her that irresistible pout. "PUHLEEEEEEEASE?"
Miroku and Sango stop walking and turn to the lake. It was a lovely sight – so calming and relaxing…exactly the atmosphere that everyone needed right about now – and it was bound to be much cooler by the water. Miroku agrees, "Perhaps it would be best. We've been traveling non-stop since last night and the afternoon sun is growing hotter." He adds with his arms folded across his chest, eyes closed and a deathly serious expression, "The girls might wish to bathe naked in the lake and I intend to observe thoroughly."
With a growl both Kagome and Sango face Miroku angrily and spring in for an obvious attack. Kagome punches Miroku on the head while the demon slayer grabs him by the collar and knees him with full force in the groin. Miroku lets out a squeal and collapses to the ground. Kagome balls up her fist and shakes her head with a weary shame. Miroku could be very good company, and she really cared for his safety just like the others, but his perverted advances were tiresome. If he lost the whole "I need you to make my baby" mentality then perhaps he would be a much more enjoyable partner and friend and wouldn't have to constantly fall prey to their rebukes. "In your dreams!" Kagome defies.
Sango adds in a heated agreement, "You filthy minded monk!"
Miroku defends weakly, trembling from the pain, "I only meant in protection. There are many dirty scoundrels who would take advantage over two beautiful naked maidens bathing."
"You mean like you?" Sango demands. She turns and links arms with Kagome, both heading victoriously down the embankment, Shippo hopping alongside them letting out a sigh at Miroku's constant ignorance. If there was one thing the child learned from being around the monk and half-demon it was: "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." At first the little cub wasn't exactly sure of what it meant when he heard Kagome and Sango mutter it before. But after observing the constant abuse to the woman lusting monk and often cruel half-demon by the girls (and hearing the men murmur it as well) he came to realize what the saying meant…and it couldn't be more right. If there was one thing for sure that Shippo knew he wouldn't do when he grew up, it was to piss off a woman.
An aggravated voice calls from ahead the party, "We're not stopping." Inuyasha taps his bare foot on the ground impatiently. "We've got a lot of ground to cover, thanks to Kagome."
The maiden from the future frowns and rolls her eyes irritatingly. She is about to respond to her sometimes friend, sometimes enemy's comment when the kitsune youkai child jumps hastily up and down. "Just ignore him Kagome. I do"
Inuyasha balls up his fist and shakes it threateningly at Shippo, who all too usually flinches and takes immediate cover behind Kagome's leg with a yell of growing fear. The half-demon begins, "Why you little-!"
"Knock it off Inuyasha," Kagome commands with a stump of her foot. "Just because you're mad doesn't mean you have to take it out on everybody else."
"Mad? No. I'm not mad – I'm pissed!"
"And your point is?"
"There's a significant difference!"
"Mad, pissed, hungry," Kagome chides with a shrug of her shoulders, "it all means the same with you. There is no difference." Miroku coughs as Sango giggles. Her laughter cuts off quickly, however, as she slaps the monk's slowly extending hand away from her butt, giving him a scolding stare. Inuyasha growls in boiling embarrassment, trudging resentfully behind the others as they descend upon the lake when he realizes that they wouldn't pay him any mind. Despite Inuyasha's dark demeanor, the group manages to enjoy their lunch quite well. Kagome notices the constant looks of anger that Inuyasha shoot in her direction and does her best to ignore them. But she was boiling herself inside and didn't appreciate his cold attitude. Just who did he think he was? But before the girl can reflect any further, she hears Shippo give a yell before running into her arms. He had been chasing a water snake who, tired of the child, striked at the demon before retreating into its watery domain. The teen scolds the boy while inspecting him, finally letting him go to chase the frog that was hopping at the water's edge.
Sango pulls her knee up to her chest and turns to her new best friend while Kirara purrs against the slayer's thigh. "Shippo really loves you Kagome. You're like a mother to him."
Higurashi smiles softly. "Yeah," she says as she leans forward unto her upraised knees, "I guess so. He doesn't really have anyone else…poor baby."
"I think it's adorable. It's good," Sango adds sadly, "to have a family or somebody to love you…especially after you've lost the ones closest to you." An emotional silence surrounds them and Sango focuses her gaze to the rolling waves, enjoying the rhythm of them beating across the warm sand. Kagome hesitates. Even now she still wasn't quite sure how to respond when Sango went into the sadness. It was obvious that the pain of loss wasn't as strong as it once was for Sango…but only because the survivor had a new urge besides grieving – revenge. Vengeance had become Sango's main purpose for existence now. The others could sense this no matter the attempt to hide it. Kagome outstretches her hand and places it on the demon slayer's.
"Naraku will pay for what he's done," Kagome states matter-of-factly with a soft smile, making Sango grin back in response.
But the moment is immediately shattered as Inuyasha declares, "Big talk if you ask me."
Kagome whips her head around to Inuyasha and replies back haughtily, "And just what are you trying to say Inuyasha?"
"I'm saying you need to start taking responsibilities for your actions. It makes no sense in promising someone Naraku's blood when you're the one ruining that chance."
"My actions?" Kagome yells incredulously. "You saying this is my fault? I guess it's my fault you're a half demon. It's my fault that Naraku is such a monster! It's my fault the sky is blue!"
"No," Inuyasha contradicts, "but it is your fault that the Shikon jewel got shattered and we have to try to find the shards before Naraku or some other demon does. It's your fault that we missed our chance at Naraku last night!"
Kagome grits her teeth. They were on the demon's trail last night, as well as near two shards of the jewel. Kagome headed them off into the right direction, but the shifting demon could sense their approach and sent a hoard of monsters to wreak havoc upon a nearby village. Inuyasha was bent on chasing after Naraku, but Kagome would not be bothered with the hunt – not while helpless people were dying. So she and the others abandoned their powerful counterpart to fight off the hoard until Inuyasha lost the trail and finally arrived, putting an end to the danger. But because of their detour Naraku had vanished so far that Kagome could no longer sense him; and along with his disappearance also fell the two shards. Angry that the quarry and shards were lost, Inuyasha pretty much made everyone travel through the night and morning in hopes of catching up to the treacherous Naraku…to no avail.
It bothered Kagome more than ever that Inuyasha could be so selfish. What was she supposed to do: let all those villagers be killed? Lately the girl had been feeling used and she was tired of it. Inuyasha acted as if Kagome didn't even exist except when a piece of the jewel was nearby. They may have fought many times before, but this was ridiculous. The reincarnation could not understand this: why he was being so cold to her; she hadn't done anything to him. And that wasn't all: she was nearby, following them stealthily. Kagome could feel her presence so strong, but refused to say anything to the half-demon. This was something else that pissed her off. Some weeks ago, Inuyasha had words with her and ever since then he had been acting strange around Kagome, staring at her as if he were trying to decide why he had the girl around – as if she was a nuisance. Ha! What type of bull was that? Kagome replies with narrowed brows, "You'll get more than your share of tries at Naraku. There's no point in getting upset: you would've gotten beat anyways. In case you've forgotten smartness, he has more shards than we do!"
Miroku rubs his hands together and lets out a sigh before adding, "She's right you know. The more we travel and demons we slay the stronger we become with and without the sacred jewel fragments. Naraku uses his cunning and fork-like tongue while we use our heads and build up strength. You should regard this as training."
Inuyasha disputes, "I don't need training! I need to sink my claws into Naraku. And I don't need you" he directs to Kagome, "to help me do that. Hell, I don't need you to even find the shards!" He turns away and murmurs, "Kikyo would've never let him get away."
"Dammit! That's IT!" Kagome jumps to her feet, her green pleated skirt leaping and flowing smoothly with her swift movement, giving a glance at her powder pink underwear underneath. Miroku catches a glimpse at this and, being the perverted bastard he was, begins to extend his hand. But it doesn't make it all the way as Kagome turns, slaps him, and faces Inuyasha once again. She inhales sharply and yells at the top of her lungs, "SIT BOY!" Immediately Inuyasha crashed into the earth with a yell.
"Why you-," Inuyasha coughs. "What the hell was that for?"
"Enough is enough!" Kagome yells. "Kikyo this, and Kikyo that…well, I'm not Kikyo!" She pauses. "No, I take that back. Other than the total bitchiness I AM Kikyo. And if you think she would've let those people die then you don't know her, or me, very well."
Inuyasha begins to rise slowly to his feet, gritting his teeth as he struggles against the extra weight forcing him to the ground. "You will never be her," he growls angrily, though he isn't quite sure why. "Kikyo isn't weak."
"Well, what do you have me around for?"
"I have no idea. Maybe if you leave everything will go back to normal and I can actually get some work done. You ruin-."
"SIT BOY!" Inuyasha crashes into the ground. "Why are you being such a…a meanie?" Kagome whines weakly. Something was different. This was not right.
"I just –," Inuyasha's voice softens. "I want to become a full demon. And being compassionate will never get me there. I…I had a vision with Kikyo that time. She showed me…that you were killed and there was nothing I could do about it." His eyes grow heavy and silence fills the air. But then he turns his gaze up to Kagome with ferocity, as if it bothered him to think about what he saw with Kikyo, "You were killed because you were too weak. And I'm not gonna have your death on my hands. You've weakened me enough as it is!"
Kagome sucks in her breath and balls up her fist. So that's how he felt. From the stare he gave her it appeared that the half-demon meant every word. She was…making him weak. She really was a nuisance. But Kagome bites her bottom lip. That couldn't really be it! There had to be something else to make Inuyasha act like this towards her: after all they had been through there had to be something else for making him so mean…but then again: whenever Kikyo was around it was as if Kagome didn't have a place in the world – like she had been pushed to the back of existence. It was no mystery that Inuyasha had been in love with Kikyo, and sometimes it felt as if Kagome was just a replacement: but now that the priestess was back… "This has something to do with her, doesn't it?" Kagome questions. "You don't want me around because she's back."
The eyes of the fellow travelers fall upon Inuyasha with a gasp. The half-demon couldn't be that maniacal could he? Inuyasha' ears flatten at her assessment. It wasn't that – he wanted to protect Kagome more than anything else in the world. He, needless to say, loved her. But all the time the demon tried to push her away, act as if there was nothing more between them because of what had happened to Kikyo. And when he saw that vision it just made things much more worse; bringing his greatest fear to reality for a brief moment. It was a great possibility that that the longer she stayed in this world to fight by his side and their friends, the greater the chance she had of getting killed by Naraku or even Sesshomaru…so to the point that it would happen – he had seen it take place in the vision. The memory of Kagome's lifeless, bloody body lying on the ground, her eyes open from the surprise of the attack, constantly flooded his mind. She was so cold, so pale – and there was nothing he could do to save her…it was his fault; this was the assumption that Inuyasha had come to realize. As long as he was alive the half dog demon would never let anyone destroy Kagome. Inuyasha lost one person he cared about…he would not lose this one too! He promised to always keep her safe and this, hurting her, was the only way to do it – despite the pain it would cause him. Inuyasha glares at Kagome and yells the words that she had always dreaded – and that would destroy the girl: "Don't you get it? The only reason I kept you around for so long was because of your face…it reminds me of Kikyo. The rest didn't matter! What?" Inuyasha questions with a crude smirk, "Did you think I wanted you, or something? Please! As if I could ever be with a frail, stupid little human like you."
A sharp pain strikes Kagome's chest as she peers at him completely dumbfounded. Yes, she had thought that he wanted her – as much as she wanted him. But, he was saying that that was all a fantasy; an escape from the reality that they were currently facing. A lie. She can hear what sounds like Miroku yelling and Sango and Kirara growling in unison.
"Stop it!" Miroku orders to Inuyasha. He points an accusing finger and adds, "You've gone too far this time."
Shippo hugs Kirara and whines, "Don't be mean to Kagome, Inuyasha. Please? Don't make her leave again."
Sango rises from the ground and plants her hands firmly on her hips. "What the hell is your problem, Inuyasha? Take it back! NOW!"
But Inuyasha doesn't respond, instead he remains fixed on Kagome in hopes of her getting so offended that she would leave. He's upset her before, forcing her to leave – this should be no different. Kagome doesn't speak, the defending of her friends not really connecting with her brain. Inuyasha…everything that she had once suspected of him was true. He…used her? It was all pretend? Kagome's body begins to tremble violently, her eyes beginning to burn and water. He used her! Higurashi lifts up her gaze and shoots the Inu Hanyou a cold stare; so cold that Inuyasha betrays surprise across his features. The look: tears ran heavily down Kagome's cheeks but her eyes were so blank yet full of hate at the same time. Pure disdain – just how Kikyo once stared at him. This wasn't just hurt – it was something else…darkness? Inuyasha begins to regret his words and plan as he realizes that he might have awakened something within Kagome that should have stayed dormant.
The aura flowing off the teen is enough to make Miroku leap back with his staff ready in hand. Kirara and Shippo slowly step away while Sango covers her mouth with a gasp in comprehension that the dark aura was emanating from Kagome. The group is awe-struck not only at Kagome's sudden vibe, but how the peaceful atmosphere could be so quickly shattered.
Meanwhile, Higurashi's mind runs. It was all a lie…and she was dumb enough to actually fall in love with him…with that…DOG! Kagome could now grasp an understanding as to why Kikyo had resented Inuyasha so strongly despite the fact that the priestess had been deceived by Naraku. The feeling rising within her: was it her own emotion of betrayal and abandonment? Or was it the long ago hate from her former self reawakening with full force? Whatever it was, caused Kagome to reach for her bow and load an arrow, pointing her weapon at the hanyou without much thought. Inuyasha rises slowly, murmuring for Kagome to stop. And then, a faint white light, only visible to her eyes, shines above the embankment; and she catches the glimpse of a soul stealer slithering through the air. Follow, her mind tells her. You're of no more use here. You're not wanted anymore… Snapping to her senses, Kagome puts her hands to her sides and begins to walk away from the group up the embankment. "Fine," her voice whispers.
Miroku extends his hand to Kagome's arm. "Kagome! Wait!"
Sango immediately trots to her side as well with Shippo in her arms. "Don't leave," Sango whispers. "We…we need you. We're a family."
Shippo adds, "You're like a mom to me…I don't want to be alone again!" He starts to wail and cups his wrists in front of his eyes.
But Kagome simply pulls out of the monk's hold and tenses her shoulders. "I'm leaving. And before you ask when am I coming back: I don't know." She continues up the embankment with a heavy freedom weighing down upon her body. Half of her wanted to stay and be with them, but the other half screamed for separation – even if only temporary – from the dog. He meant what he said, and that's what killed Kagome the most. Thinking on it more, did nothing but make her anger ever the greater.
Inuyasha huffs and declare with a surety that he didn't feel, "Stop you're whining. The little human girl will be back. She always comes-."
"I SAID: SIT, SIT, SIT, SIT, SIT, SIT, SIT BOY!"
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Kagome finally reaches the level ground and jogs across the dirt path and stops at the edge of the thick forest before her, blocking out the commotion of the companions down below by the lake. She raises her hand to her chest and bites her lip. The soul stealer went in here didn't it? The dark colored foliage and branches of the forest stretch themselves towards the reincarnation invitingly, as if coaxing her inside; but Kagome pauses: she didn't want to just run off on her own. And then the sounds of her friends coming towards the girl reach her ears and Kagome takes a deep breath before leaping inside the shelter of the wood.
She stands there amongst the life of the forest, listening silently to the sounds of the animals and wind whishing through the grass. Her eyes narrow at the remembrance of Inuyasha's words reverberating through her unsettled mind. The fact that he could say something like that to her, after all that they had been through together, it just…ached her inside. When he needed her for support – she was there. When he was injured – she was the one bounding and mending his wounds. When he needed someone to comfort him – she was the one wiping away all his tears and wrapping her arms around him…and he would respond back…so lovingly. Kagome grits her teeth. Lovingly? Lovingly? Everything that occurred between them was nothing but deceit! Inuyasha never cared for her…never wanted her around. She was just a replacement for Kikyo –for a dead priestess who was, at first, so bent on killing him. What twisted era had she come upon? Kagome's eyes begin to burn. She was nothing – just a stand in. Her knees grow weak and she collapses upon the ground, crying heavily, clenching the grass within her fist tightly. It hurt. It was painful. She…loved Inuyasha. And it seemed like the more she loved him the more suffering she was put through. Kagome's face digs into the grass in attempt to prevent her growing wails from attracting the others. They couldn't see her like this: so frail and losing her sanity over a half-demon!
She loved him – and she hated him as well. Perhaps there was never a way to return to her traveling companions. Shippo, Miroku, Sango…she would have to leave them behind. Perhaps it was for the best? Her tears begin to slow and the shaking of her body starts to subside, only do to an illumination that suddenly begins to faintly glow through her closed eyes. With a steady ease, Kagome opens her eyes and raises her tear streaked face up to the figure before her.
A white line flows in between the shadows, making a soft whispering sound. The soul stealer. It stares at the girl, watching her with an intensity that seems to connect within the shard seeker's soul. The stealer beckons, swishing from side to side in the mid-day air before the teen. But before Kagome can do anything, three more soul stealers appear around her, skimming their white skin along hers. Kagome cringes at this movement and tries to pull away with a strange sense of unease; but her plan does not work. In the midst of trying to retreat from the stealers, they swarm her, covering her body. Kagome prepares to let out a scream for help when two of the spirits wrap themselves around her arms in a restricting position while the third flies into her mouth, cutting off all sound. The reincarnation struggles at first; yanking and pulling from the hold frantically. What was happening? She had to break free! She needed Inuyasha…
The spirit begins to take control, relaxing the panic, and gently forcing the mortal to lose focus and sense of reality. Slowly yet surely the struggling begins to die away and cease as the brown eyes cloud over to a muddy grey. Blackness surrounds her mind and the stealers unwrap themselves from her motionless body. "Walk", an audible whisper commands smoothly. "Walk Mistress." Almost immediately Kagome's leg rises, lifting the possessed body up from the warm ground. She steps forward, following the white spirits through the forest, the calls of her distant friends completely melting away. The gentle voice continues to coax her, and she continues to oblige it. The farther the strange caravan parades through the vegetation the more beautiful the scenery becomes. Wild orchids bloomed heartily in the rich soil and a fragrance of pure honey, silk, and lily fills Kagome's nostrils, inflicting her gradual return to consciousness, mouth watering at the flavor upon her tongue.
Yet along with the beautiful sight and smells also came the appearance of more soul stealers dancing through the air like a scarf on the wind. Control is regained as they stop in a small clearing near a peaceful cascade. The soul stealer swims itself out of Kagome's chest as it jerks forward. A long sigh escapes from the girl's lips as her body descends softly upon the soft grass. She felt so refreshed and renewed, like for the brief moment that the soul stealer was in possession of her there was no hurting, no pressure and loss of her own mind. How she longed for him to return; to ease her pain and dry the tears, if only for that moment. After a few minutes pass, Higurashi looks around and asks aloud, "Wh – where am I?" The spirits dance around her, rubbing their serpentine dragon-like faces against her body; but this is not a disturbance as before. When the little spirit had been inside, Kagome could tell that it did not wish to cause any harm. In fact, the way it molded itself to her was completely meek and filled with compassion. It cared for her was perhaps the best way to describe it. She smiles and sticks out her hand, felling the cold scales and enjoying how tangible they were.
"It would appear my soul stealers have taken quite an infatuation with you, child," a melodic voice responds from the shadows of the foliage. Recognizing the voice all too well, Kagome loads her arrow quickly and points it in the direction of the words in preparation. There was a possibility that the originator of the voice would try to do something to Kagome…but not without consequence.
"Kikyo!"
A beautiful, pale woman steps forth out of the trees into view, and Kagome immediately begins to relish the priestess's beauty. To the girl: even though she was the reincarnation of her, Kagome believed she was nowhere near as lovely as Kikyo, neither could she ever possess the grace that Kikyo had…not in life at least. It was easy to see why Inuyasha had fallen in love with the once guardian of the Shikon Jewel. Kikyo continues, "But it should only be natural…" her eyes narrow, "…you are me, after all."
"I'm nothing like you!" Kagome disputes hotly.
Kikyo looks up into the blue sky. "That is not correct."
"You don't know anything about me Kikyo, so stop pretending that you do!"
"I know that you made the mistake of falling in love with a demon…And I know that you are hurting – just as I once did…as I still am." A gust of wind rushes through the clearing and Kagome narrows her eyes in confusion.
"Such words from a woman with no heart."
Kikyo smiles at her gently. "No soul either."
Kagome smirks and puts down her weapon, coming out of her defensive stance. Kikyo wasn't going to hurt her – this was obvious. But what Kagome couldn't quite understand was "why?" Why was she here? For so long the teen could feel Kikyo's constant presence following them, and it only added to the frustration. But standing here before the original priestess was rather soothing, along with the company of her soul stealers. "What," Kagome begins, "do you want?"
Kikyo shifts her gaze down to the ground uneasily. "I'm not quite sure…I could perceive your pain and anguish…and it…pained me. My body told me to react to this. I suppose…" Kikyo pauses, unsure. If her cold skin could feel warmth, she would blush. "I want…you." Kagome's face grows hot as she inhales slowly.
***Meanwhile… "Inuyasha! How could you be so heartless? So cruel? So -?"
"Shut it, Miroku! I don't wanna hear your stupid ranting."
Miroku grabs the half-demon's sleeve and yanks so as to stare at him eye-to-eye. "Well, you're going to hear it!" Miroku growls out angrily. "Look, I don't know what you called yourself doing back there, but Kagome's gone! Aren't you at least worried?"
Inuyasha guffaws while resting his palm on the hilt of his beloved Tetsusaiga, "Worried about what? She'll come back – she always does."
"How could you be so stupid!" the monk yells angrily. His fist clenches tightly to the red sleeve and Inuyasha eyes him with annoyance. "She won't come back! I can feel it! You're sending her away, especially when she's a major part to this life that we must live."
"Get this straight Miroku: if the dumb little girl wants to head back to her own time the so be it! I'm tired of having to look out for everyone all the damn time! Why don't you leave too, it'll make things so much simpler around here." His attention focuses on Shippo as the child falls on the ground and cries harder. If anyone was taking this abrupt separation hardest other than Inuyasha, it was him. The cub had lost a friend, but more importantly a mother. For a moment the half-demon can fully understand what Shippo was going through. More than anything the Tetsusaiga wielder knew the devastation of losing a mother. He remembers crying himself to sleep every night because she was gone…and knowing that no matter how much he pleaded or shed tears, no matter how strong he became, she – the one person in the world who loved him the most with an undying affection – would never come back. Regret once again washes over Inuyasha, but he quickly forces it away. "And stop crying you little brat! You're supposed to be a man, and men don't cry." He pushes Miroku off of him.
Sango clenches her fingers. "You cold-hearted demon! He's just a child. He has every right to cry after what you've done."
Inuyasha growls out, sick of getting the blunt of everyone's anger. Yes…he was wrong…he shouldn't have sent Kagome away. But he was just trying to keep her safe. Sango continues, "You sent her away because you don't want to see her die, right? Well has it ever occurred to you that maybe letting her go is what would be Kagome's demise?" Inuyasha's eyes open wide in shock as he feels the presence of something…two things. "You've killed Kagome!"
In a flash, Inuyasha shoots off into the forest. At first the others are confused until the half-demon pivots and yells, "Naraku's near…and so is Kagome!" Without another sound of argument the group leaps into action, running as fast they could through the dense greenery after Inuyasha. He flies on all fours, heading where his nose takes him. His mind races at the possibilities…Naraku was near Kagome. Why? Was he after her? Did he want to kill her? His speed increases substantially, leaving the others behind without hesitation. I'm sorry, Inuyasha thinks to himself. Kagome I'm sorry. Just hold on. I'm coming, and I'll never let you go again…just…live!
***In the clearing, Kagome ponders on everything she and Kikyo had talked about. They had one common goal…as well as two common enemies. It might be awkward at first, but they were one in the same. Kagome lets one of the soul stealers coil itself around her shoulders as she thinks. She didn't want to leave this era…she wanted to stay and fight – she wanted to become stronger. And being with Kikyo was the only way to accomplish that. Kagome looks up at Kikyo's expected gaze as the priestess sat across from her on her knees. Kagome smirks and is about to respond when they sense something coming their way. Both women rise and face the approaching threat. Before long, the all too familiar pair of red cloth and white hair comes bounding into the clearing. Kagome gasps at the sight of Inuyasha standing there looking out of breath and beyond frustrated. "Kagome," his raspy voice begins before setting eyes on, "Kikyo…"
The stare of longing that the dog directed towards the priestess is enough to make her blood boil over. How dare he come here and watch her? "Inuyasha," Kagome declares, "leave, NOW!"
Inuyasha regains his attention to Kagome. "What the hell do you mean leave? I'm not going anywhere. I came for you."
"No," Kikyo says. "Kagome is staying with me."
"With you?" Inuyasha questions. "Like hell she will!"
Kagome declares with a loathsome stare, "Yes I am! You wanted me to leave, then I will. I'm going to find the shards with Kikyo, to get stronger."
Inuyasha begins to burn with anger. "You're not going anywhere!" he yells. "You won't leave this spot!" And then it happens quickly. As Inuyasha takes a step forward and swings down his hand for Kagome, a series of bright lights come flashing from the sky straight for Kagome. Her eyes open wide in disbelief at the Iron Reverse Soul Stealer coming directly for her. Miroku and the others gasp in surprise at the image before their eyes. What was happening? That attack…it was Inuyasha's signature move – heading to kill the girl he was supposed to be in love with!
Kikyo grits her teeth, grabs Kagome by the arm, and pulls her out of the way…but not in time. A sharp sensation dances through Kagome. She falls to the ground quickly and heavily with a sharp sigh. At first she doesn't feel anything, but once Kikyo throws herself over the teen and calls her name, the pain strikes hard. A scream of anguish erupts from her mouth and her body convulses in horror. Inuyasha inhales sharply and feels his stomach grow nauseated. The blood…the blood pouring out of Kagome's ripped open side nearly throws the hanyou on his knees. He prepares to take a step forward when he is immediately jolted back by an invisible force. A barrier, one that Kikyo quickly set up to prevent him from entering…to protect Kagome.
Kagome's body continues to convulse strongly and her eyes cloud over as life begins to slip from her body. Kikyo caresses her reincarnation's face frantically, a gaze of sheer fear playing across the priestess's features obviously. This confounds Kagome briefly. The girl had never seen the wandering soul show any expression other than her general emotionless gaze. But it should make sense. Kagome and Kikyo were one and the same – they had a great knowledge of one another and spiritual tie that no one else in existence could ever dare to understand or accept. If something should happen to one then it should happen to the other. To the priestess, the most important thing was keeping Kagome alive and safe.
Kikyo whispers something unintelligible, and the pleas of Kagome's friends begin to fade away. The soul stealers surround them, and there is a flash of bright light. She doesn't notice her and Kikyo flying through the air…nor does she notice the wind upon her face or that she was dying. All Kagome remembers is one thing: Inuyasha tried to kill her. As the sensation of hatred that she once had begins to reignite, she slips, falling into the cold, yet comforting embrace of darkness.
From afar off, a form in a baboon cloak smirks and cackles quietly to his self. Naraku's plan was taking effect quite nicely.
TO BE CONTINUED…
