Kagome stood there with her bow ready to fire. Her knees felt weak. I'm only fifteen! I shouldn't be fighting evil half demons. I should be in school worrying about math tests and getting annoyed when my friends try to set me up with Hojo!
"WIND SCAR!" Inuyasha bellowed. The tentacle in front of her disintegrated in a mix of wind and yellow radiance.
"Damn it Kagome get it together!" He yelled before joining back in the fight. He dodged a tentacle and slashed it off. Another tentacle came and barreled him into a tree.
"Kukukuku. Poor Inuyasha, is this too much for you? If you would hand me the jewel shards I'll-" Kagome released her arrow. Waves of pink light exploded into the air and hit Naraku, who stopped in mid taunt. His left arm and part of his chest disappeared as if hit by acid. From his almost imperceptible grimace it probably felt that way too.
" Vile wench!" Naraku hissed. He crawled towards her.
" No you don't!" Sango shouted. Hiraikotsu flew from her hands and severed several of his limbs. Miroku, who was sitting behind her on Kirara, cut down whatever she had missed with his staff.
" Keep shooting at him Kagome! We've got your back!" Miroku hollered. They continued to fight as another horde of low class demons came through. Inuyasha got up and charged at Naraku. A centipede demon snuck past them.
" Foxfire!" Shippo quickly cast. It burnt off the demon's head and the body fell to the ground. Shippo ran back to Kagome. The demon's body rose and chased after. Shippo spotted it.
"Kagome watch out!" He cried. Kagome closed her eyes and covered her face. Nothing happened. She peeked through. There was Sesshomaru standing five feet away, his peculiar whip glowing as it ripped the flesh of various demons to pieces.
"Sesshomaru…" She whispered, in awe that he had saved her. He spared her a glance.
"Woman, keep firing at Naraku. He is in possession of most of the Shikon jewel shards. Therefore any damage caused by anyone beside you will not have a lasting effect. I shall assist the slayer and the monk." With that he was a blur on the battlefield. Kagome might have stayed there contemplating this new behavior of Sesshomaru's if he had not paused to glare at her. She squeaked and obeyed his orders. Sesshomaru might be helping us out, but he is still scary.
Inuyasha growled. There was just too much. When you cut something off it should stay cut off. Damn it to hell. He cursed as one of the tentacles pierced his abdomen. Is it just me or do I get hit here a lot? He slashed the tentacle and pulled it out of his stomach. Damn that hurts.
Kagome let loose another arrow. This time it hit the thong Naraku's neck that held the nearly whole Shikon. His neck separated from his body and the jewel flew a distance into the woods.
"Oh no!" Kagome ran after it, along with the rest of the demon population including Naraku's head.
" Kagome!" Inuyasha called but she paid no heed. Everyone gave chase after her. Now it was all one huge race for the Shikon shards.
Kagome felt as if time was slowing down. Her and, as disturbing as it is to say, Naraku's head were 'neck to neck'. The distance between them and the jewel was falling fast. Kagome's lungs were heaving and legs were burning. She was running faster than she had ever before. But it was not fast enough. The head shot forward as if in one last burst of speed.
It was a bit confusing what happened afterwards. Kagome remembered a flash of white hair and the cries of Naraku. Then everything seemed to swirl into darkness.
"Kagome? Kagome! Kagome don't be dead!" cried a distressed Shippo.
" Quiet kit. She is only unconscious." Said Sesshomaru.
" He's right Shippo. See, Kagome is waking up." Sango soothed the young demon.
"What's going on? Why is Sesshomaru here?" Kagome sat up. A headache surged abruptly over her. She clutched her head with one hand and reached for the jewels with the other. They weren't there.
"THE JEWEL SHARDS!" Kagome yelled. The group cringed, except for Sesshomaru who glared.
" All is well Lady Kagome. The jewel is beside you." Miroku was right. Beside her it lay. It's complete? Kagome picked it up. No, she rubbed the small crack in the jewel, its almost complete. I guess all that's left is the shard in Kohaku. And the two in Koga's legs.
" I guess we'll have to see that stupid wolf soon." Spoke up Inuyasha reluctantly as if reading her thoughts. A wind blew softly rustling his white hair. The last few moments before she blacked out rushed to Kagome.
" What happened after I ran out of the clearing and into the forest?" She asked.
" Well as you ran in their Naraku and all the other demons followed. But that's all I saw." Sango answered and Miroku nodded in agreement.
" You and Naraku were side by side racing each other. I didn't have enough time to help you out though. As soon as I looked away from you I was overcome by a bunch of demons." Inuyasha told her before murmuring, "Damn pests." Kagome giggled.
"I went into the forest to finish off Naraku. I seized the jewel so he could not get away with it." Sesshomaru paused and gazed up at the sky as if it were more interesting than this conversation. "I destroyed Naraku with Tokijen. The aftershock of my sword caused you to become unconscious." Kagome had a feeling that this clarification was his way of apologizing. He rarely explained anything to them on their sporadic encounters.
" Thank you Lord Sesshomaru." She smiled meekly.
" Practice your aim. You missed Naraku's head." That was all he said before disappearing amongst the trees. Kagome smiled a bit more confidently. Maybe he isn't so bad after all…
"Why did you thank him? You don't go around thanking basterds who knock you out! Are you crazy?" Inuyasha protested. Kagome sighed. He doesn't get it.
" Inuyasha…sit." Inuyasha cried out as he fell to the ground,
" Oh Inuyasha will you ever learn?" Shippo shook his head.
" Why is everyone so somber?" Miroku perked up. Sango gave him an odd look. " Come now!" Miroku tore off his prayer beads and showed his hand to everyone. Shippo fled.
" Its Gone! Yes!" Miroku sang. He grabbed Sango and hugged her. Sango was beet red. " Dance with me Sango." He held onto her hands and twirled her around. Sango laughed with him, despite the fact that hers was a bit more embarrassed.
Kagome watched them. They were a good pair. Miroku would be able to cheer Sango up when it came to her family. Sango would keep a good reign on Miroku and protect the women of Japan from him. Kagome just hoped that when Miroku proposed, he wouldn't use that 'Will you bear my children?' line. He probably wouldn't live long enough to finish the question.
"I think I should go home. I still feel a little woozy." Kagome announced.
"Okay Kagome. I bet Kirara wouldn't mind running you to the well. I'll ask Kaede to bandage up Inuyasha. You did tell me yesterday that we were almost out of bandages right?" Sango inquired. Kagome yawned and nodded.
" Yeah get some rest Kagome." Inuyasha told her as he too yawned. He leaned against the tree behind him.
" Lady Kagome you may want to come back tomorrow before dark. I'm sure the villagers would want to celebrate our victory." Miroku told her. He had his arm around Sango's shoulder. She seemed to be deliberately ignoring this.
"I'll come back after I catch up with some of my homework. I wonder if we will be wearing kimonos." Kagome said.
"The village women might so bring one with you. I hope I can borrow one from one of them." Sango said remembering sadly the one she used to have at her old village.
"I think your demon exterminator suit works just fine." Miroku smiled appreciatively. Sango didn't even bother replying. She just slapped him.
"Well I was just stating my opinion…" He trailed off with a pout. Inuyasha and Shippo rolled their eyes.
"Another grownup that will never learn." This remark earned Shippo a bop on the head from the half demon.
"If I can find one for you I'll bring it too, Sango." Kagome yawned again. " Bye guys." Kirara and her floated off and out of sight.
"I wonder why Kagome refers to all of us as guys even though I'm not a man?" Sango pondered aloud.
"I believe its just one of those 'slang' terms Kagome told us about." Miroku said with his finger on his chin in a thoughtful way.
"Slang?" Sango's eyebrows furrowed together.
"Yes. Like when she says 'cool' even though it is not cold out."
"Oh I get it. Its like the time when she said this guy was 'hot'. I asked her what she meant since the man did not have a fever. She told me that 'hot' in her time meant that the man was handsome." Sango said in an enlightened tone.
"Exactly Sango dear!" Miroku smiled. Inuyasha did not.
"Hey what did Kagome say!" He demanded. Sango discovered her slip-up.
"Its nothing Inuyasha." She searched the sky. "Look Miroku! Kirara has come back! I guess we should all head towards Kaede's hut." Sango, Miroku, and Shippo ran towards the cat demon.
"Come back here!" Inuyasha roared and hunted after them.
"Faster Kirara faster!" Cried Shippo. Kirara rose higher into the air. The fox demon threw his mushrooms at Inuyasha as he tried to pounce them. The half demon fell to the ground. Damn hole in my stomach…
"Good job Shippo that was close." Sango sighed.
"Tell me about it." Miroku's hand twitched.
SLAP!
"Real smooth Miroku." Miroku pushed Shippo off Kirara.
"NOOO!" The kit screamed.
"That was really unnecessary." Sango watched sadly as the kit fell to his doom.
"What can I say? Inuyasha would have caught up soon anyways. We are lucky Shippo sacrificed himself in order for the rest of us to escape."
"Sometimes I find it really hard to believe you're a monk."
"Oh Sango how could you ever doubt my virtuous ways?" Sango wondered how he kept a straight face as he said that.
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Nice of you to drop in…Shippo."
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O
KAGOME'S HOUSE
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Kagome opened the door and walked into her house. She slipped off her shoes. It was starting to get dark outside so her mom would be home soon. Mrs. Higurashi had gotten a job as a chef at a diner. Her best friend who ran the cozy little place had learned of Mrs. Higurashi's new hobby in cooking. Kagome and her mom had been trying a few new recipes when the friend came over. She offered Mrs. Higurashi the job, who accepted when she called her back the next day. The two got to brainstorming and decided the 'today's special' would be the new recipes she would try out.
Kagome sat down on the couch and chilled out. She didn't want to go to bed without seeing her mom first. Besides, she had to ask where Grandpa and Sota were. The house was as quiet as a grave. Kagome heard the door open and close.
Mrs. Higurashi slipped off her shoes before noticing Kagome.
"Welcome home dear." She smiled. She looked slightly more haggard than usual, but in a good way. Like when someone goes out to do a hard job but has fun doing it.
" Busy day at work?" Kagome asked.
"We were really busy today. Of course the new school arrangement helps a lot. The new students seem to have taken to the unique specials we have every day. Sasumi gave me a bonus since we had so many customers. She even suggested that if you felt better Kagome you could wait on some of the tables. We could use the extra pair of hands on these flooded Fridays." Mrs. Higurashi laughed a bit at her wording.
"Whose Sasumi?" Kagome followed her mom to the kitchen. Mrs. Higurashi grabbed tea from the fridge and went to get a cup.
"Kagome do you want some tea?" Kagome nodded. "Oh Sasumi was my friend who owned the diner. Don't you remember?"
"Now I do. Hey mom where is Grandpa and Sota?"
"Sota is having a special grandparent's day at his school. It goes on for a while after school hours. They should be home in a half hour or so. Kagome have you had anything to eat yet?"
"No I got home soon before you did." Kagome said. Mrs. Higurashi opened up a bag and took out a large number of food containers.
"Good. Sasumi got a bit too much bread and turkey. I brought some home so it wouldn't go to waste. Maybe you can bring the rest tomorrow for your friends in the feudal era. But there would still be so much left…" Mrs. Higurashi tapped her chin.
"I could bring all of it if you want. Miroku said the villagers would most likely want to celebrate since..." Kagome mentally winced. She almost spilled about Naraku.
"Since what Kagome?" Her mom set down two turkey sandwiches for them to eat.
"Uh since the jewel is almost complete!" Nice save Kagome. "We found a large piece today." Kagome smiled convincingly.
"That's wonderful Kagome. Will you need a kimono?" How did mother guess these things?
"Do we have one that Sango could use?"
"Actually I think the ones we have are too small. Do you have time to go shopping tomorrow? The diner won't need me until roughly lunch time."
"That's sounds good to me." Mrs. Higurashi stood and took the plate with her. Neither of them had realized they ate the sandwiches until now.
" Well I'm tired. Good night." Kagome stretched and headed upstairs.
"Good night Kagome."
"Kagome! Kagome are you awake?" Mrs. Higurashi peered through her daughter's door.
"Mmmphh!" Kagome grumbled.
"Good I'll go make breakfast. That should take about as long as for you to get ready." Mrs. Higurashi closed the door. Kagome rolled over only to fall off the bed.
"Are you alright Kagome?" Grandpa called from downstairs.
"She must have fallen off her bed. Again." She heard Sota tell Grandpa. Kagome got up stiffly and rubbed her now sore shoulder. Like a drunkard, Kagome did a sort of stumble walk to the bathroom. She quickly showered and brushed her teeth. Kagome wrapped her towel around herself and went back to her room. She slipped on her navy blue long sleeved shirt and her khaki skirt.
Kagome stared back at her reflection in the mirror as she brushed her hair. It was so strange. All of them in the feudal era had been put through many trials because of Naraku. They overcame each one and became stronger because of it. When they had finally defeated Naraku, in a fight was simple to kill. But now that she thought of it, intelligence and cunning had been his greatest weapons. Not brute strength. That was how he gained so much control over so many. That was how he hurt so many. The way he gave 'knowledge is power' a new meaning made her shiver.
In the end it was just a few hits from her purifying arrows and a blast from Tokijen. It was so…so…anticlimactic. But maybe that's better for everyone. This adventure was not some story to be read or some anime to be watched. This was real life. People die in real life. So in truth, anticlimactic was better. Kagome nodded at her reflection and walked downstairs. Now it was no time for brooding. It was time for celebration!
"Kagome how about you come to the diner for lunch? Your friends at school will be there so you might as well call them for homework."
"'Kay mom." Kagome slapped some pancakes on her plate and drizzled them with syrup. Kagome took a bite. It has chocolate chips! Kagome beamed at her mother, who smiled bewilderedly back at her daughter's cheerfulness. Kagome finished the rest of it quickly and called her friends. They agreed to bring the school assignments with them to the diner.
"Ready Kagome?" Called her mom as she searched her purse for car keys. Kagome slipped on her shoes and got into the car. They drove to the mall, which had a small shop tucked into the corner. It was dedicated to the traditional clothes such as what Kagome was looking for.
Kagome opened the door; it jingled lightly with the sound of bells, and was welcomed by a little old woman. Her face was covered with wrinkles, mainly around the eyes. The kind of wrinkles caused from years of laughter. Mrs. Higurashi sat down on a couch half occupied by a stranger with long red hair reading a book. Kagome couldn't see the person's face.
"So are you looking for a kimono young lady?" The old woman asked as she led her to where they were located.
"Yes. I need one for myself and one as a gift for my friend."
"What does this friend look like? Do you have her measurements?"
"She's a few centimeters taller than me. Her hair is a blackish brown. Anything else?"
"What kind of personality does she have?" The woman went from first to last in each line of kimonos.
"Strong and not very talkative. She usually shows her more feminine side when it's just me around. She's also in love with one of our other friends. He feels the same way but he's kind of a pervert."
"Hmm," the woman was looking at two different kimonos. She chose the right one.
"What do you think of this for your friend?" She held up a black and pink kimono. One sleeve was covered in delicate yet simple embroidered flowers.
"Perfect! She would look wonderful in it." The woman folded it for her and handed it to Kagome's mother. The woman stared at Kagome critically. She walked around the poor girl analyzing every detail.
"Lets see…blue…a dark cerulean…white…lots of it…maybe some green…"She trailed off. She went to a wrack and up another kimono.
"Try this one on." The woman pointed to a changing room. Kagome obliged her and entered the small stall. Another woman stepped out of the one next to it and brought the redhead's attention to herself.
" Shuichi, how do I look?" The woman spun around a bit, her brown hair fluttering. The kimono she wore was a pretty shade of light blue. The young man, as Mrs. Higurashi was now able to identify, lowered his book.
"Mother you look enchanting." He looked at her with a small smile.
" Oh son you're such a sweetheart." She said bashfully, "but I think you're right. I am gorgeous. Your stepfather will be awfully jealous of all the men staring at me. But Shuichi that's the price we pay for looking so good." She sighed resignedly. Then cracked up.
"Shuichi didn't you say that the detective agency you're working for was having a costume party?" He nodded. "Well you could probably find that fighting outfit you wanted for it here…"She drifted off.
"That sounds good." He got up and started talking to the little old woman.
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Kurama & Old Woman's Conversation
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Hello demon." Kurama spoke to break the ice. She stared at him with wide eyes.
"I-I haven't done anything wrong! I just make traditional wear that's all." She pleaded. "Oh I knew from the minute you walked in that you must be one of those spirit detectives. There has been talk of a red haired demonic human. Though I'm still confused with what that was supposed to mean…"
"Do not worry. I am not here to cause you any trouble. I was just wondering if you had any special fighting outfits available." He managed to calm her down. If the demoness had talked any louder his mother might have heard.
"Well if that's all," She smiled hesitantly, her friendly nature winning out, "I have some that you would probably approve of. Its good that most of them are masculine, depending on what you wear you could probably either look like a pretty girl or a handsome man." She chortled teasingly. Kurama glared politely at her as she led him to a back room.
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O
KAGOME (in the dressing room)
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Kagome felt as if she couldn't breathe. That conversation…she heard it all. The pleasant old woman…was a demon. And what about the rest of the things that were said? It was something about detectives and demonic humans. What was going on? This could not be good. Plus her mother was here. They could both be in danger from the young man! Maybe even the person he called mother. That lady spoke of his job as if she didn't know too much about it.
Wait a second! That boy could be just a demon in a human shell! She had said demonic human. It would be just like that one poor princess that Miroku met. A praying mantis demon had eaten her insides and… Kagome forced herself to stop thinking about it. It would be strange if she got sick in the dressing room.
"Kagome? Are you done yet?" Her mother called.
"Umm yeah I'll be right out!" Kagome schooled her features into an excited smile. She opened the door. Her mother squealed and twirled her daughter around.
"Kagome you look beautiful." The brown haired woman sighed at her.
"Oh Kagome this is Shiori," Her mother introduced, "apparently her son will be going to your school now since this strange school arrangement was made." Kagome felt like she was going to faint.
"Mom what school arrangement are you talking about?" She asked weakly. Shiori looked surprised.
"You don't know about it? But school started a little over a week ago!"
"My daughter's been very ill lately. But since this year she has gotten better. In fact that's why I'm shopping here with her. She had almost died from pneumonia so some old friends from out of town to see her before she departed." Mrs. Higurashi paused to sniff, her eyes becoming watery.
Kagome tried not to stare at her mother in wonder. She was great at this disease thing. Why didn't she ask her mother to do this last year? Grandpa kept giving her things like a life threatening case of athlete's foot. She had never been more embarrassed in her life. Especially when Hojo offered to rub medicinal frog grease on them. When a guy offers that you know he really likes you. Kagome felt bad sometimes that she didn't like him that way. Maybe she should hook him up with one of her friends?
" Luckily," Mrs. Higurashi continued, "She pulled through. So Kagome and her friends will be getting together to celebrate tomorrow." Shiori was sympathetic.
"Poor dear I know how you must of felt. I was in the same condition not to long ago. It's horrible to see your friends and family cry over you. I'm sorry Shuichi had to go through that experience. It was really tough on him." She frowned momentarily. "One strange thing I haven't forgotten though, besides my miraculous recovery. When he spoke to me on what was supposed to be my death bed, it seemed like he was leaving me more than I was leaving him." She shrugged. "It could just be a strange feeling brought by the illness."
"Mother?" Called the light voice from across the room. Shiori looked past them.
"You look so handsome Shuichi!" She ran over to him. Kagome manage to get a peek. His outfit was mainly black, but it was outlined in silver bands.
Their eyes met. Kagome felt her face starting to heat, so she glared at him. Remember Kagome, no matter how handsome he is, he could still be a danger. Shuichi looked away in surprise. He wondered if he had offended her in some way.
Mrs. Higurashi and Mrs. Minamino both started talking about their children. Kagome paid them no attention and went back into the dressing room.
"Kagome how about you go and buy some ice cream? Shiori and her son will be joining us today. I want to finish making these purchases."
"Shuichi can you help Kagome?" Mrs. Minamino took his outfit.
"Yes." He followed Kagome out. They walked a small ways out into the mall. Kurama wondered if she knew where she was going. The ice cream shop was at a left turn, not right. He watched her purposely walk towards the girl's bathroom. Oh.
Kurama stood outside a bit to wait for her. Apparently though she wanted him to wait inside, because she roughly pulled him in. And locked the door. And aimed pepper spray at him. This was not good.
"Okay demon boy, what's your business here?" Kagome demanded.
"Miss, may I remind you that you forced me in here?" He said calmly. Maybe he could steer her away from this 'demon' business. Hopefully she's just paranoid.
"You know what I mean!" She glared. He was impressed.
"Kagome," He said as he rolled the pepper spray bottle in his hand. She gawked at him. She hadn't seen his hand move. "If I was a threat, no one is this mall would be alive." Well that's minor exaggeration. Some would run away during the entire ruckus. But that's an unimportant detail…
"But, I'm not a danger to anyone. That is unless they're trying to attack the defenseless. That's what a spirit detective does, they protect the human world." Kurama stared her down.
" My question for you know, is how did you know I was supernatural?"
"You're not a demon?" Kagome asked confused.
"Technically no. It's complicated. Now answer the question." He said firmly.
" I overheard you and the old woman from the shop talking." Kagome looked at her feet.
"Why did you believe it? Most would just brush it off." Kurama could feel his curiosity killing him now.
"I have…met demons before." Kurama lifted her head to look at him. He opened his mouth just as someone knocked desperately on the bathroom door.
"The bathroom is out of order!" Kagome yelled. Both of them heard an aggravated whine come from the person outside.
"Will it be fixed soon?" The person called.
"Sorry Ma'am. It will take a half hour." Kagome snickered. "Can you wait that long?" There was a groan and the sound of someone running off.
They broke out in laughter and had to lean on the other to keep from falling over.
"Hehe, we'll have to continue this later. I would rather not have anyone else discover us in here, especially our mothers."
Kagome peeked through the doorway to make sure no one was paying attention. The coast was clear. Kagome pushed Kurama out. He stumbled and looked behind only to see her running off towards the ice cream shop. Kurama smiled and ran after her.