Kagome comes to find a blue crescent moon stone and because of it her whole life will change.
Chapter 1 – Crescent Moon Stone
DiscIaimer: I don't own any of the Inuyasha characters except for the one's that I made.
A/N: Hello! I have edited this chapter of Just A Stone. You should expect that I'll be going through the other chapters as well. These needed to be worked on again. If you spot anything that would need revision, then feel free to message me or leave a comment. Don't be shy now!
The darkness has been conquered; although not completely. There has been drastic change over the past few weeks. Feudal Japan seemed to be entering an era of peace. The Inuyasha gang had finally defeated Naraku, of course with the help of the others. It was an all-out battle.
The Shikon no Tama was recovered. Unfortunately, the Jewel of the Four Souls shattered once more. Maybe it wasn't meant to be as a whole once more. Maybe it was destined to be scattered in the form of shards. Maybe it wasn't meant to be in the Feudal Era. Nobody knows and nobody will ever know.
A 17 year old girl from Modern Japan, Kagome Higurashi is trying her best to complete the Jewel once more.
"I'm so late!" Kagome shouted as she dashed out of her house carrying her bright yellow backpack with her.
"Kagome! Wait! You forgot your jacket!" Her mom shouted as she came running to her daughter white jacket in hand.
"Thanks mom" Kagome said as she kissed her mom's cheek and waved goodbye as she jumped down the well.
Kagome landed on the other side of the well safely and looked up to see the dark night sky above her. She hurriedly threw her bag upwards and climbed up the well. She sat down the lip of the well and sighed. She didn't want to go back the group yet, expecting that Inuyasha would be there. With no other choice, she picked up her bag and headed toward the village.
"Kagome~!" Shippo wailed out as he saw his surrogate mother walking nearer. He jumped out of the hut and ran to Kagome, greeting her by perching on her shoulder and kissing her on the cheek.
"I missed you too Shippo." Kagome giggled out as Shippo jumped down to the floor and grinned at her.
"I stayed up late to wait for you." Chest puffed out with pride, Shippo told his mother while they were walking.
"You should have slept Shippo. Growing boys like you need all the rest you need." Kagome said making Shippo laugh. The two of them quietly went inside hoping not to disturb any of their sleeping friends. Miroku and Sango were seen sleeping on opposite sides of the hut with Kirara curled near Sango's feet. Inuyasha was not to be seen anywhere. The two quickly decided to make up their futon, brush it off and go to sleep.
"Hmmm . . . Where could he be?" Kagome felt compelled to find him.
"Oi Kagome! Wake up! You were already late yesterday and today, you plan to sleep in!" The barking sounds of anger made Kagome wake up. She rubbed the sleep off her eyes and looked around her. All things were arranged and her friends were already up; seeing that there were no other futon lying around.
"What? Now you plan to just sit there all day!" Inuyasha crankily shouted at her. His foot kept on tapping on the floor and his arms were crossed in an angry manner. Kagome looked at him with an angry glare.
"Sango went with Miroku to help out Old Lady Kaede. The brat went out to play with other brats." He said with his head up and titled to the side.
"Sit!" Kagome said making Inuyasha drop down the floor.
"Thank you for the warm and welcoming greeting Inuyasha." Kagome's tone was dripping with sarcasm. She stood up and grabbed her bathing supplies.
"I'm going for a bath." She plainly stated. With a puff, she turned around and stomped her way out of the hut.
"That Inuyasha! Why is he being such a jerk recently?! Arggggggh!"
Kagome settled down her supplies and stripped down naked. She quickly dipped in the spring; with a sigh from relief. After washing her hair and herself, Kagome grabbed her clothes and dressed up. It was unusual for her but she decided to try another set of her modern clothes.
"I hope the people won't bow down and pray for my soul for this. . ." Kagome funnily thought. She remembered her first day in the feudal era and she remembered how the people thought she was a monster in disguise too.
She wore plain black jeans and a white plain t-shirt. Over all those, she overlapped her jacket. Winter was coming soon and she planned to avoid all possible illnesses. Picking up her things, Kagome decided it was time to walk back to the hut.
On her way back, she felt a sudden presence following her. Not knowing what was following her; she picked up her pace and masked her scent. The presence picked up its pace as well making Kagome worry more. Kagome broke into a run and her pursuer followed as well. Seeing the end of the forest, Kagome sprinted as fast as she can. When she reached the edge of the forest, she snapped and looked at her back; trying to see who the one who followed her was.
"What are you looking for?" A voice said at her back making her jump up in shock. She turned around to see a smiling Miroku.
"Miroku! Don't you scare me like that you PERVERT!" Kagome shouted slapping Miroku on his arm. Miroku winced and looked at Kagome confusingly.
"What do you mean Kagome-sama?" Miroku asked holding his arm in pain.
"You were the one who followed me right!?" Kagome said in an irritated voice.
"No. I just recently saw you here Kagome-sama. I saw you standing there looking at the forest weirdly and came to see what I could do to help." Miroku stated in a hurt voice. He hung his head down low and tried to make Kagome guilty.
"Ohhhh . . . Oh my, I'm so sorry Miroku! I shouldn't have made false accusations." Nervously laughing, Kagome said to Miroku. The monk couldn't help but think of it as funny.
"Well then, welcome back Kagome-sama."
"Glad to be back, Miroku." She said smiling at her friend.
After her encounter at the forest, Kagome went back the hut and decided to practice her shooting skills. Getting her bow and arrow, she slung it to her right arm and went into the forest once again. She found a good spot to practice and a good tree to practice on.
"Just so I won't doubt about having to face a demon alone. I can do this!"
She quickly made a mark on the middle of the tree's trunk and began to practice her aim. Using up all her arrows, Kagome saw that she had made no progress. It was already sunset and the amount of sweat on her body made her want to take yet another bath. Sulking at the result of her practice, she gathered up her things and slung the bow and arrows again to her arm. She walked slowly to the Goshinboku tree knowing that it was the only place that she could be at peace at. As she came nearer she heard voices talking, she stopped and hid in a bush. Quietly peeking, Kagome saw Inuyasha with Kikyo. She immediately put her hands on her mouth. Kagome needed to stay hidden.
The two were holding hands facing each other so lovingly. Kikyo had put her hands on Inuyasha's chest and Inuyasha put his hands on her waist. They stared at each other's eyes as if they could drown into each other's souls.
"I still feel guilty about the battle Kikyo . . ." Inuyasha said looking down on the ground making Kikyo sigh. Kikyo titled Inuyasha's head back up with a finger.
"There is nothing to be guilty about Inuyasha. That is past and the past must be forgotten, the present is more important." Kikyo said as she cupped his cheek making him look at her once again.
"But . . . You almost died. I shouldn't have let Kagome protect you in that weak state of yours. I knew that girl couldn't be trusted with protecting things." He spat out the name Kagome and the word girl. Kagome, in the bushes, gasped quietly.
"Kikyo, let me be with you. Let me love you and we could be together again; just like in our time. That wench will be disposed of." Inuyasha said grabbing Kikyo's hands and pulling her closer. Her head now leaned to his chest and He protectively wrapped his arms around her frail clay body.
Kagome couldn't take it anymore. She treated Inuyasha like a brother and she looked up to him too. The scene she watched was too much. Kagome popped out of the bush she was hiding in, tears strained her cheeks and her eyes straightly went to Inuyasha. She whimpered and held back a sob but to no avail; she couldn't stop the overflowing tears anymore. Kagome let the tears flow and she opened her mouth as if trying to say something.
"In-Inu-Inuyasha . . ." Kagome whispered slowly stuttering the whole way. Kikyo froze up, she saw Kagome there staring at them. She quickly went out of Inuyasha's grasp.
"Ka-Kagome . . ." Kikyo said making Inuyasha turn around.
"Kikyo . . . Inuyasha . . ." Kagome said. Her body was shivering and her jaw felt tight. Kagome felt like she could splurge all her emotions out on that spot.
"I have had enough of this. You hurt me, Inuyasha!" Kagome felt her adrenaline rush in.
"You damn DOG! I thought I sacrificed for an important and trustworthy friend! I guess I was wrong! You are a backstabbing ungrateful JERK! I thought of you as my big br-bro-brother but sadly you don't think of me at the same level. I always looked up to you as my savior and as a shining knight. I admired you because I knew that deep down that stubborn and hard shell . . . Inside; lay a soft and loving Inuyasha. But to think . . . to think that you were the opposite! TO think ALL the SACRIFICE I did just to complete the shikon no tama and defeat Naraku was all a joke! You were going to get rid of me when we finished!" Kagome shouted out. Her lips quivered as she talked and her tone faltered as she held back sobs. Kikyo lowered her head. Inuyasha stared at Kagome, his eyes blank.
"Tch. This is pathetic." Inuyasha huffed out, facing the opposite way. He grabbed Kikyo by the shoulders, as if taunting Kagome to be angry more.
"I have had enough of this TREATMENT! I am done with all this stupidity we are playing! Why was I so blind to think that you were thinking the same way!" Kagome's eyes were shut off tight and she shouted at the top of her lungs. The tears continued to flow out of her eyes and down to her cheeks. Kagome wiped her own tears and glaringly darted her eyes to Inuyasha's pair of golden orbs.
"I will come back and I will prove to you that I am not weak. I am not just a pathetic wench! I was the one who held the shikon no tama inside my body! When we meet again you will regret everything half-breed" Sounding cold, Kagome swore that to Inuyasha. Inuyasha winced as he heard Kagome say 'half-breed'. He had never thought she would have the courage to heavily provoke him. Kagome turned her back on them and walked away.
"Goodbye Kikyo. Take care." Kagome said and gave Kikyo a faint smile before leaving.
"Hmpf. Stupid wench. She thinks so highly of herself. I bet in three days she'll come back crying." Inuyasha said getting a big slap on the cheek from Kikyo; the sound of the slap resonated throughout the whole forest.
"She is right Inuyasha! She doesn't deserve this treatment! She sacrificed many just to stick to her duties as the holder of the Shikon! She left her home, family, school, friends and many more just to stay here in our time and help the people! She helped us because she wanted to and not because she was forced to! You don't deserve her kindness and pureness. The time I almost died . . . Ka-Kagome healed me with her life force. She gave me a bit of her life. It's like she gave me another part of her soul! She did that, all because of you. She did it because she knew that if I died you'll sulk and she wouldn't want that to happen . . ." Kikyo frustratingly said. She put her hand on her chest.
"I'm alive right now because of that so called 'weak pathetic human wench'. If you were her, would you not feel tired because you are missing parts of your soul? Think about her Inuyasha. She has done nothing but help and we have done nothing but be ungrateful." Kikyo whispered as she called her soul catchers and flew away. Inuyasha froze on the spot not knowing what to do. He lowered his head and closed his eyes.
Kagome had walked aimlessly. Her tear-stained cheeks have dried. Luckily her clothes weren't tattered that much. Her bow and arrows were still intact. She examined her body looking for injuries. Seeing none, she ran back to the hut. Kagome needed to take her things first and say her farewells to her friends.
"Guys!" She called out as Sango, Miroku, Shippo and Kirara walked to her.
"Kagome! I missed you so much! I'm sorry I couldn't spend the day with you earlier. Much help was needed by Priestess Kaede." Hugging Kagome, Sango had explained. Kagome nodded and frowned a bit.
"I'm sorry you guys." Kagome said as she lowered her head and ran towards the hut surprising her friends.
"Kagome!" Shippo shouted while running after her.
Kagome took her bag and quickly got out of the hut. She covered her eyes with her bangs and lowered her head, as she expected her friends to come running. Sango came first, she grabbed Kagome by her shoulders and held on to her tightly.
"What's happening Kagome!?" Sango exclaimed. By this time the gang, without Inuyasha and Kikyo, was already there.
Kagome sniffed deeply and her tears flowed out once again. Sango embraced Kagome and tried to soothe her by patting her back. Kagome pushed Sango hard making her stumble back; luckily Miroku was able to catch her.
"I'm sorry but I have to go and prove myself! Don't worry you guys I'll come back! Be sure to stay safe okay?" Kagome said in her coarse voice, trying to sound happy to them. She slung the bag to her back and held onto the bows and arrows. She then sprinted as far as she could. The group was in so much shock, it took them a few more seconds to process what had happened. Kirara transformed and Sango quickly sat on her back. Before she could fly off to chase after Kagome, she was stopped by Shippo.
"Don't follow her Sango! Kagome said she would come back! She promised! I think it would be better to leave her be for a while." Shippo said in a mature voice. Sango gasped but then weakly nodded. Miroku helped her down Kirara and held hands with her for a while
"Shippo is right Sango. Lady Kagome told us that she'd come back." Miroku said getting a smile from Shippo and a nod from Sango.
"Yea she did promise. She never breaks promises." Sango said as she looked at the direction that Kagome ran, smiling all the while.
"You need to be strong Kagome!" She said to herself encouragingly.
Hot springs really helped her calm down and think straighter. Drowning in the warm water, she let her mind think of her upcoming plans. So far, Kagome planned to quickly look for a village that the gang had helped before. She would be able to stay there and help out for a while. The problem was: what village would be the best one to go to? She sunk in the warm water more. There was a faint rustle in the woods. Wasting no time, Kagome jerked up and grabbed her towel. Dressing in her usual school attire with an additional pair of black cycling underneath, she grabbed her bow and arrows and readied it. She slowly walked to where the rustle was heard.
"Grrrr . . ." A growl came from ahead. Kagome quickly aimed at the spot where the growl came from.
A black fox came out growling at her. Kagome released the arrow and shot the fox right at the head. It slowly disintegrated until a small shard was seen glowing. She ran to the shard picked it up and purified it. She then put it on a small vial and hanged it around her neck like a necklace.
One shard down. Finally, something positive.
Smiling she looked around and saw something shining on the forest ground. She knelt on the grass and found a blue crescent shaped stone. It shined a faint blue when she touched it and felt warm when she held it by her two hands.
"What a beautiful stone. Looks like a miniature moon." Kagome giggled.
"What a unique stone . . . but still it's just a stone. Even though . . . it is beautiful, so I'll keep it! I'll make a nice pendant." Ecstatic, Kagome quickly got her Shikon vial necklace and exchanged the vial with the moon pendant. It hung comfortably in the valley of her chest. She put the vial deep into her skirt's pocket.
"Hmm, south would be a good start. I have a feeling that the people there need help." She muttered while holding the necklace.
"It's like as if there is something there that is calling this stone . . ." Kagome said
"Or maybe I'm just hungry?" Kagome giggled to herself then started her trek to the southern part.
-After 3 days-
Kagome had walked more than any distance that she had walked in her life. Her clothes were in tatters from her encounters to some minor demons. She manage to hold her scent covering for the whole first day but after 2 days of straight scent covering, she couldn't manage to hold out more. The third day was the hardest because without the cover demons could easily track and smell her. She has been staggering on her steps. Kagome felt her courage dwindling.
"I can do this!" She shouted to herself encouragingly. Kagome heard footsteps and quickly clasped her mouth shut with her hands.
"W-who is there?" A small female voice said. Kagome slowly turned around to see an awfully injured Rin.
"Oh my goodness . . . Rin!" Kagome said worriedly as she hurriedly came to the little girl's side. She had a deep gash at her back like a claw mark. Blood seeped through the girl's clothes. Her face and hair was a mess and her clothes had cuts all over. Dried mud was seen sticking on her feet.
"St-st-stone . . ." Rin whispered softly then fainted in Kagome's arms. A deep growl rumbled in the area. Kagome stiffened at the sound and she held Rin tighter.
I need to go to the village and fast! Kagome thought as she picked up her pace.
Kagome briskly walked, minding not the people who were passing by her. When she saw the village she immediately broke into a run and stopped when she got to the village center. She dropped to her knees and sat down. The villagers stopped and looked at her.
"I need help!" Kagome exclaimed at the top of her lungs. The villagers came nearer to see what was happening.
"Yo-you are that miko who travels with the half dog demon!" A villager stated.
"Someone go get Kimu-sama!" A woman shouted as a man ran off to follow what she had said.
A middle-aged woman walked to them, her hair almost all white except for a few strands. She wore a black hakama and a jacket similar to that of Kaede's jacket but the difference was in the cream color. She wore the common footwear, tabi.
"Kimu-sama! The young priestess from before has come back again. She seeks help from you." A villager explained getting a nod from the elder priestess.
"Ah, Kagome-san you have come back. What is it that I may help?" Kimu asked. Kagome then let her see Rin, who was heavily breathing.
"I found her just recently I couldn't manage to treat her because I am already too tired and if any demon were to appear; I wouldn't be able to protect her or even myself. . ." Kagome said crying. The old woman knelt to her and took Rin from her arms.
"It's alright Kagome. You did the right thing as a priestess. Come and follow me to my hut and you shall rest while I treat the lass." Kimu said as she stood up. Kagome nodded and wiped her tears away. Both priestesses walked to Kimu's hut. Candles were the only source of light in the hut. Kagome followed what the elder miko instructed; she readied her futon and slept. Kimu on the other hand went and treated Rin. After dressing the girl's wounds she, herself, went to sleep.
-The Next Morning-
Kagome woke up from a major headache. She clutched her head with her right hand and cringed at the stinging pain. She tried to sit up but failed, by this time Kimu went in the hut and had helped her sit up.
"I see you have awakened. How are you feeling? I didn't get the chance to ask you this yesterday." Kimu asked while Kagome rubbed her temple.
"I'm having a major headache but other than that I'm just a bit tired." Kagome said smiling softly at the senior.
"I'll prepare you a meal. For the mean time how about you wash? There be a spring and river near the south of the village." Kimu said returning the smile.
"Where is Rin, Kimu-san?" Gathering her things for her bath, Kagome asked as she stood up slowly.
"She is outside gathering flowers with other lasses." Kimu said
"I found extra clothes that would be comfortable for you to wear." Kimu said as she handed clothes to Kagome and left.
Kagome looked around the hut and saw her other things piled up in a corner. Her bow and arrows were fine but they looked a dirty. Her bag had small cuts and some mud on it. Sighing, she really had to find a new bag in her time.
She returned wearing the same attire that Kimu had, black hakamas and a white not too loose jacket with a black inner layer. She wore a pair of slippers that she had and carried her bathing supplies. Her hair was tied into loose pigtails. On her neck was the necklace she wore yesterday with the crescent stone she found. The Shikon vial was safely tucked in her bag. When she came back to the village, the villagers bowed to her and greeted her and so she did to them. She blushed upon the attention she was given.
The attention feels nice. Kagome thought I wish Sango were here.
"Kagome-neechan!" A female voice called out. Kagome saw Rin straight ahead, holding a bunch of different colored flowers.
"Rin. Oh, I'm glad you are safe." Kagome said putting her things to the ground and hugging the petite child.
"Rin is glad too nee-chan. She is happy that you saved her." Rin said giving Kagome one of her cute toothy grins.
"How about we go inside and talk about how you got here?" Kagome said standing up holding the girl's hand. Rin looked up and nodded happily. The two went back to Kimu's hut. They put their things in the corner and sat at the entrance of the hut.
"Do you remember what you were doing there Rin?" Kagome asked softly.
"It's blurry. I don't remember everything, nee-chan." Rin said scooting near Kagome. Kagome let the child sit on her lap.
"It's okay. I won't force you to remember everything. But do you remember something in particular? Like if you were trying to find something or were you running away?" Kagome fixed the little girl's hair.
"Rin was trying to find something but it got lost? . . . She can't remember exactly. . ." Gloomy, Rin lowered her head.
"What were you trying to find Rin?" Kagome tried to peer into the child's memory some more.
"Find. . .Find. . . I was try-ing to find. . . a s-stone" Rin said her hands were at the sides of her head, as if she was having a headache. Rin closed her eyes for a minute. She suddenly jumped out of Kagome's lap and looked at her with a grin on her face.
"Moon stone!" Rin shouted happily.
A/N: Was that better? Can I improve my writing style more? Surely there would be errors here and there. Don't be shy and point them out! It'll do me a great favor, if you do so. Well then, I've prepared something that would make you guys look forward to following this story. For now, enjoy this edited version of chapter one and goodbye folks!