Miko by Blood

Summary: For decades Naraku has hunted and killed miko's, but what happens when he finds out that he missed one? Kikyo had a daughter, Kagome, raised farmer, untrained miko, and a threat to Naraku. What happens when he finds her?

a/n: I didn't know how this one was going to turn out, but I started anyways, so I hope you like it. Sorry to all the readers of "Dance with Me", but the new chapter has not been written yet, it's all in my head though so it's just a matter of time before I type it out.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha tear

Ch.1

The young teenager threw her thin pale legs over the bed covers, a chill throwing itself over her, making her want to forget her daily duties and stay in the warm straw bed. But she knew better than to keep her uncle waiting, so she quickly slipped on work pants overtop of her thin white sleep ones, and pulled on a thick work shirt. As her small feet touched the hard floor she held in a whimper and walked out the bedroom door.

"Well there you are, Kagome, I thought I was going to have to wake you this morning." Her uncle sat at the breakfast table smiling at her, "Crops can't harvest themselves ya know."

"If they did then I wouldn't be starved of sleep," her cousin Miroku muttered, smirking up at her as his father scowled at him.

"If you spent less time watching the villager girls we would've been done three days ago, now eat up. We must finish today; it's bound to frost over tonight." Kagome nodded along with Miroku as she sat down at the table by her uncle.

Ever since she had been a child she had been brought up in this household. Uncle Sakana was just like a father, and her Aunt Bria like a mother. Together the farming couple raised her since the day she had first been dropped at their doorstep by a mysterious stranger. Miroku had been five at the time and told her many times over and over again that the woman had been a beautiful and powerful Miko, but then Uncle would scorn him saying "she is your cousin from your mothers side twice removed." Miroku would then reply "we have miko in our blood?" in which his father would smack him across the head muttering. Even though according to Miroku Kagome's mother had been a Miko, Kagome had never shown even the smallest sign of such powers that should've been passed down to her.

"Good morning darling," her Aunt walked in carrying a steaming bowl of porridge, Kagome smiled warmly up at her.

"Good morning Auntie Bria." Her Aunt placed the bowl of thick plain porridge in front of her. Kagome looked at it with loathing, but ate it as to not upset her Aunt and Uncle. The farms income the past years had been very little, so the family was too poor to afford such luxuries as sugar or spices. Even the berries that Kagome would usually pick for their breakfasts had shriveled from the chill of winter coming. At least they still had wood for the fire, she thought, eating another bite of the hot porridge.

Kagome hunched over picking the rice from its wet home. Her fingers were frozen as were her feet, she couldn't even feel her toes. Damn fall, she growled bitterly. A little ways to her left and right were other workers, farmers from surrounding houses that shared in her uncle's profit; they too were showing signs of the cold.

"Oi Kagome!" came the rough call of her Uncle from the road side. He sat in a wagon with their lone ox leading the way. He motioned her over and Kagome waded over to him.

"Yes Uncle?" she sighed. The mud over by him was just as cold as the rice field because of the unforgiving sun hiding behind dark clouds.

"It looks like the other workers have the harvest almost complete. Go to the house and dress in your good clothes. You may come with me to the village." Kagome bowed politely and ran back to the cottage. They did not often go to the village, and when they did, usually only Miroku and her Uncle went, leaving her at home with Aunt Bria.

She burst into the house, surprising her Aunt who was scrubbing the dusty floors. "My dear child what is the matter?" she stood and followed Kagome to where she was now in her room pulling on a plain light blue kimono.

"Uncle is taking me into the village, where is Miroku?" she added as her Aunt spun her around to tie up the yellow cord that held on the kimono. Her Aunt's face lit up with joy, outlining her dimming blue eyes and creases around her mouth as she smiled.

"He was here just a few moments ago for the same reason. I didn't know that you were going as well," Bria smiled, taking a damp cloth and washing the mud streaked face of her niece. She then stepped back to look at Kagome proudly. "You look beautiful. It is very easy to believe that you are no longer my child, but a full grown woman." Her hand held Kagome's pale cheek lovingly and she gave her a small embrace. Kagome smiled. "You're going to make some man proud one day, just as you have made me." Her aunt always said things like that, but this time Kagome's heart warmed as her aunt gave her one last hug.

"Now go, do not keep your Uncle waiting," she whispered, pushing her out the door with a smile. Kagome laughed and waved behind her until she reached the dirt road that Miroku and Uncle Sakana were standing on. The aged man smiled and waved at his wife. Miroku gave Kagome a wink and then they headed off to the town.

Miroku told her all the events that had happened last time they had been in the village, Kagome hadn't been there since she was ten, and that was six years back, but Miroku had been there just two months ago. It seemed that the town was doing well, even if their farm was in financial aid, and there was a growth of people lately too, all heading south.

"And there's a new family of demon slayers," he said excitedly. "Their daughter is about your age, her name is Sango..." Kagome raised her brow and interrupted him, looking up at her Uncle.

"Demons have never been a problem here, why would we need demon slayers?" Sakana shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"There have been sightings of demons in the area…" he paused, Kagome knew there was more and waited patiently, hoping he'd continue, which he did finally, though it seemed to be against his better judgment.

"…the sightings are getting more frequent. And worse, they seem organized…the demons I mean."

Kagome scrunched up her nose. "How?"

Miroku, annoyed that his story had been interrupted, now added, "The demons haven't been this bad for sixteen years, when a village near here had been ransacked and destroyed. Our village worries that the same will happen to us."

"Oh." Kagome looked down at the ground by her bare feet as she walked. I wonder why it was destroyed. "Were they looking for something do you think?" The idea was out of her mouth before she could stop it. Her Uncle frowned.

"It does not concern you Kagome, so stop asking questions," he snapped irritably.

"Last time the demons were here was when that Miko had come and given you to us Kagome." Miroku said quietly.

The rest of the journey to the village was silent as Kagome and Miroku walked beside the wagon. But Kagome's mind was filled with questions that wanted answers. Who is the Miko Miroku speaks of? Mikos were supposed to have died off years ago weren't they? Why have the demons come back? Does it have anything to do with the Miko? Was she my mother? Why does Uncle Sakana never tell me anything about my parents? …

The village was in sight now as they stepped over the last hill and descended into the valley. One thing was for sure, Kagome was going to visit with the wise woman that lived in the village, Keade. She had met her many times when people on the farm had become ill, and Keade had come to heal them. But she was also known for her wide knowledge on demons and magic of the sort. Kagome would ask her about what really happened sixteen years ago…

"Miroku you keep an eye on Kagome while I go get supplies. I should have things wrapped up before dark, so don't wander off to far ya hear?" Her uncle looked at them sternly and then climbed off the wagon, handing them each a dull coin. "Get yourselves a treat, I know you don't get them often." With that, he walked off and into one of the town shops. Miroku turned to Kagome.

"Well Kags, I'm off to find that cute demon slayer, meet you before dusk?" Kagome nodded and Miroku smirked. You're such a ladies man Miroku. She chuckled to herself as she watched her cousin walk down the street, running up to girls and asking them to bare his children.

Kagome looked at the coin in her clenched hand. It wasn't much, but maybe she'd get a gift for Aunt Bria before visiting Lady Keade. Soothing her blue kimono, the innocent farm girl started off to the mountain's base where Keade's temple was.

Unnoticed to anyone, a tall man stood hidden in the shadows of a hut, looking at Kagome with great interest in his eyes. "What do we have here?" he purred as he watched the girl in the worn out kimono walk away. "Keade has much to explain to me…"

Almost every stall had something exotic that Kagome had never seen before, and strange but enchanting smells filled the marketplace. It seemed that the towns increase in population had brought with it new things from all around Japan. Foods were being cooked that she didn't recognize, fish from the river were being sold, some of them looked unfamiliar to her, and jewelry and perfumes could be seen glittering in fancy boxes and bottles. One man Kagome saw was trying to sell a stuffed baboon's head. Creepy… She continued to walk through the crowd, stopping at one that had dried flowers and herbs. Maybe Aunt Bria would like some cooking herbs or spices…Kagome thought as she looked through the flowers.

"Can I help you miss?" the store keeper asked politely, Kagome smiled back and shook her head, walking on to the next stall.

Following her silently through the crowd was the tall man from the street. His long black hair was loose over his shoulders, hiding much of his face so that no one could identify him. He watched as she stepped up to a jewelry stand and purchased a small purple stone attached to a strip of raw ox hide. Holding it tightly in her long delicate fingers, the small fragile girl started walking towards the mountain again. He smirked, she must be going to see Keade. What a coincidence, so am I.

"Keade, Lady Keade!" Kagome called as she walked up the many steps to a shrine. "Keade it's me Kagome," she stood at the top of the staircase, looking around her at her surroundings. The shrine looked abandoned, but the monk at the bottom had told Kagome that Keade would be up here somewhere, so she started to wander around until she reached a large garden. Upon entering, Kagome noticed that many of the flowers were starting to wilt from the winter's oncoming chill, yet they were still beautiful and full of color.

"Hello child," said a gentle voice from behind her. Kagome turned around and saw the elder that she had been looking for. Keade stood from where she had been kneeling quietly in the dirt. In her arms was a thin cloth containing the heads of a red flower and stems of another kind that was full of leaves. Kagome bowed her head in respect before helping Keade by taking the cloth that was held out for her.

"Lady Keade, how are you feeling?" Kagome asked, leading the grey haired lady to a small pond where they could sit.

"Quite well thank you Child." Keade looked at her affectionately with her one eye. "Under what honor do I owe this visit?" she asked warmly.

"Uncle Sakana allowed me to travel with him and Miroku today, and they said some things that I thought you could explain to me better." Kagome said this all rather fast, looking guiltily at the water, knowing how her uncle would feel about her digging for information that he had told her didn't concern her.

"I see," Keade murmured, catching Kagome's hesitant eyes. Kagome nodded and looked into the water for a bit before she continued.

"Lady Keade…what happened sixteen years ago? Miroku said a nearby village had been destroyed by demons, is that true?"

Keade's face held no emotion for the long silence that happened before she finally answered, "Yes child, it's true."

"And is it true that demon sightings are increasing again?"

"Yes."

"…do you think that their going to attack again?" Kagome's voice was laced with worry when she whispered the last question. A silent shadow hiding behind a tree smirked as he listened. Of course it's true, tell her the truth Keade… Keade sighed and looked straight into Kagome's eyes.

"What all did that stupid cousin of yours tell you?" Kagome was taken aback slightly by the question but answered it anyways.

"He told me that the last time the demons had attacked like this…so organized that is…was when my mother had left me on their doorstep."

"Is that all he told you?"

Kagome bit her lip. Her uncle would be so angry with her if he knew she had been talking to Keade about this… "He said that she was a beautiful miko…"

Keade chuckled. "Yes, I believe Miroku would've added the beautiful part in there, he wouldn't be a lecher if he didn't..." the old lady stood and picked up the flowers from Kagome, whose face was frozen, her eyes wide.

"…Do-does that mean that Miroku was right?" she got up and jogged to catch up to Keade who was walking to a small shed. Damn that old lady was fast. "Keade? Keade answer me…"

"It's getting late child, your uncle will be wondering where you are." Kagome was silent as she watched Keade place the flowers in the shed. She wanted to hear more…but Keade was right, she still had to find Miroku before going to meet her uncle. "Here, give these to your aunt for me. They should last your family for most of the winter." Keade handed her four pouches that Kagome recognized as spice sacs. "I know how much your cousin hates plain porridge." Keade smiled and motioned for Kagome to leave. She wanted to ask about miko powers, and why she didn't have them. She wanted to know what her mothers name was…but Keade's back was turned to her and was now humming a song while hanging the plants to dry.

Taking the hint, Kagome bowed again in respect then ran down the shrine steps and into the village.

The dark shadow of a man walked out from behind the tree in the garden, a visual smirk placed on his cruel lips. Keade looked up at him, but only enough to let him know she acknowledged him. "Do you usually listen to peoples conversations in person now Naraku?" she asked coldly, going back into the garden and shouldering him as she walked past his hard body.

"So you lied to me about Kikyo having a daughter," he growled softly, Keade scowled, "and then no one even tells the daughter who her mother was? Tsk tsk. I'm disappointed in you Keade."

She laughed darkly and spun around to look at him. "Ha! If I told you about Kagome you would have killed her as soon as she was born!"

"Or while she was still in the womb." He added with a cruel smile. Keade's hands were squeezed into tight white fists as she glared at him.

"We didn't tell her about her mother so that she wouldn't want to become a miko, and so you wouldn't kill her for being one!"

"Do you think I'm stupid Keade?" he looked at her with a cruel amused smirk, "You and I both know that even if she wasn't a trained miko, the holy powers would still reside in her blood. Therefore, she is a threat to me." He walked over to a tree and placed his large hand on it. Dark threads of smoke started to twist around the trunk and before Keade could stop him, the tree was dead and reeking of death. Her eye narrowed and his voice's playful tone vanished.

"The only reason I let you live Keade was because I knew you had lost most of your powers, and you were old. It was only a matter of time before you died like all the other miko's… and that bitch Kikyo." He added venomously to anger her more. Keade walked to the dead tree and put a shaking hand on it, pulling it back almost just as quickly as if it had burned her. "But now that you've lied to me," he continued, ignoring her glare, "I don't know if I'll be as generous this time."

"If you hurt one hair on Kagome's head…"

"Oh don't worry Keade, I'll take good care of her." He whispered as he took a step forward and cornered her against the dead tree. His demons emerged from his scarred back and Keade looked straight into his red eyes before they plunged into her heart. No scream emerged past her lips as her aged form dropped heavily to the ground.

a/n: So how was it? Review.