On Dokuga, I broke these chapters up. But it is super annoying to upload all of them as separate documents. So I just put my upload in one big chunk!
This will be a drabble, not a perfect one!
Enjoy
Chapter 1
Kagome bent down to fill up her water bucket. She sighed as she sat back on the grass. Coming back to the Feudal Era hadn't been exactly what she thought it would be. Not that she was unhappy, she just—it was complicated. The well had closed for three years after the death of Naraku.
And one day it opened again.
The last time she was forced into the Feudal Era, there was a purpose—she had a reason. But now, she was empty. Why in the world was she brought back here?
She had thought it might be to be with Inuyasha. But even as she climbed out of the well for the first time in three years she knew, in her heart, that wasn't it. When her eyes rested on him for the first time in three years, all she felt was sisterly love. His aura was approaching as she continued to fill the bucket with water. Maybe they had been through too much together to be romantically involved. She knew him better than she knew anybody, and she knew he wasn't for her. There wasn't a spark anymore, nothing to inspire lust. She felt his aura behind her.
"What are you doing?" Inuyasha asked her.
"Sango needs water." She said.
"Where is her lazy ass?" He asked, picking up the bucket.
"She is four months pregnant, I refused to let her do this."
"Well, I want her to pop so that I could meet my nephew."
"Or niece." Kagome reminded, walking with him back to Sango's hut.
Inuyasha scoffed, "I can tell it's a boy."
"Hm." She made a sound that disagreed with him.
"You think it's a girl?" He asked.
"I have no idea, and I am not guessing. I just want a healthy baby and mom."
"Yeah, yeah." He said, waving her off.
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Chapter 2
"Kagome?" Sango called to her, pulling her from her thoughts. Kagome stopped looking out the window and turned to her, "You are looking glum."
Kagome laughed, "Just having one of those days that you question everything that you are doing in your life." She said it lightly because it was funny and giggled at her admission.
"I have those too." Sango said sitting next to her, "I ask myself why I chose to settle down," Her tone as light as Kagome's, "Why I decided to marry such a lecher?"
Kagome laughed, "Why you let him handle your bum?"
"Why I let him touch me at all?" Sango said with a giggle. Then her face got serious, "I think because we had such a big purpose for so long, it's difficult to get back into normal life. You know? Once we were saving the world, and now we're just living in it."
"That makes us sound so ungrateful." Kagome said with a laugh.
Sango laughed with her, "Eh, we saved the world. We can be a bit snobby."
Kagome was quiet, "But the well opened again."
"It doesn't have to mean something Kagome." Sango said softly
"But it is bending time and risking the future. What if I need to do something and I don't know what? What if I don't do it and the future is destroyed?"
"If it bent time to get you here, I don't think it would be as vague as to your duty. Trust in yourself to know what to do."
"Last time it was pretty obvious." Kagome said with a huff.
"Things never happen the same way twice."
Kagome smiled, "You're right, I should enjoy the break."
"Kagome?" Rin called, popping her head around the corner. She had started staying in the village a bit more now that she was older. Though Kagome could tell she missed her time with Sesshomaru, she was glad to live in the village. Still, Sesshomaru would come around often, and sometimes he would take her with him.
"Yes?"
"Yasha needs your help."
"He asked for my help?" Kagome asked confused, and Rin laughed.
"No, but I don't think he knows the word 'help' yet." Rin said. Kagome felt like Rin got her quick wordplay from Sesshomaru.
"What's wrong?"
"A minor demon is approaching."
"Hm," Kagome said standing up, "I better help. Last time that happened, he got blood everywhere."
"And there were body bits everywhere. The smell was disgusting." Sango added.
Kagome stood up and grabbed her bow.
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Chapter 3
"Woman! Why are you mad?" Inuyasha asked.
"You blasted him over three hundred yards! The smell is going to last for days! I told you to let me purify him!"
"I don't need your help!"
"I DIDN'T SAY YOU NEEDED HELP!" She yelled, "CLEAN THIS UP!"
"BITCH—"
"INUYASHA!" She growled back.
"Is there a problem here?" A man asked.
"What are you doing here?" Inuyasha asked
"Inuyasha!" Kagome yelled.
"What?"
"Stop being rude!" Kagome wanted to punch him.
"You don't know who he is!"
"Do you?" Kagome asked.
"One of the bastard's soldiers."
"Sesshomaru-sama's?" Kagome questioned, looking to the yokai. He looked like a soldier though he wasn't wearing a uniform.
"We are here for recruiting." He answered, "I simply came here to tell the head of the village."
"Well, you told me. Now leave."
"We are allowed to recruit here." The soldier said stiffly.
"Inuyasha, let him be."
"My lord told me a young miko is in charge of the village here." The soldier said, "Where is she?"
"That would be me." Kagome said smartly.
"Just because the bastard said you are in charge doesn't make it true." Inuyasha said with a huff.
The soldier laughed good naturedly, "My lord told me you would be different."
"He was right." Kagome said.
The soldier laughed again, "Takeo." He introduced himself.
"Kagome." She responded.
"Why do you have to say it like that?" Inuyasha asked.
"What?" Kagome asked, she knew exactly what he meant but she wanted to purposefully make him say it.
"All like— you know— how you said it." Inuyasha said.
"Do you need some place to stay?" Kagome asked Takeo, avoiding Inuyasha's gaze.
"We will be fine, miko." He said kindly,
"We?" She asked.
"Two more traveled with me."
"Tell them to come in, I will make dinner."
"Miko—" Takeo started to protest.
"Come on, she won't stop pestering until you come along." Inuyasha said, starting to walk home.
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Chapter 4
Kagome ended up making dinner for three soldiers, Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, Rin, Kaede and Shippo. Kagome loved when her hut was like this, it had so many people in it that it was bursting. Kagome put an equal amount of oden in each bowl before serving.
"Thank you miss." One soldier said; he had green marks down his face with brilliant green eyes to match, "I am Kyo."
"Kagome" She replied.
"Masa" The last one said. He had a crescent moon on his neck, and Kagome could feel that he was the strongest one in the room, "Are you sure this situation is acceptable miko? There is no need for all of us to stay in your abode."
"Please, there is no need for you to be outside when I have—well—not plenty of room, but room enough." She said, sitting down.
"That's a lot of men in your hut." Miroku said protectively.
"We will not infringe upon her honor." Masa said seriously,
Takeo took a bite of his oden, "Hm, this is delicious Kagome."
"Thank you." She said.
"Did you give him more than me?" Kyo asked.
She laughed, "No, everyone got the same."
"You are my lord's ward?" Masa asked Rin, and Rin nodded, "It is nice to finally to meet you."
"How long have you been in Sesshomaru-sama's service?" Rin asked,
"I served his father before I served him." He answered.
Kagome noticed Inuyasha's ears flick in curiosity, but he didn't ask a question.
"Kagome?" Sango whispered beside her. Kagome knew well that all three demons could hear but were pretending not to for her sake, "Are you sure you are alright with this?"
"I will be fine." Kagome assured her.
She didn't know exactly why, but she trusted all of them.
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Chapter 5
Kagome walked out of her room in the early morning, just as dawn was touching the horizon. All three male yokai were sleeping in the middle of the floor. Each of their silver heads poking out of their cocoon of blankets. Kyo had pulled the table up and pushed it against the wall so all three could sleep comfortably.
Quietly, she started a fire and made a quick pot of tea before drinking it greedily. She stared through her open window. It was still early spring, so the mornings were a bit chilly. Kagome grabbed her bow.
"Miko, there is no need to hunt. I will go." Masa said quietly.
"No, sleep. I will be back." She promised, slinging her quiver over her shoulder.
"It will not take me nearly as long."
She laughed softly, "It's okay, Masa. I quite like hunting."
He nodded, snuggling down deeper into the blankets. Kagome pulled up the blankets on Kyo as he slept.
Kagome opened the door to her hut and stepped outside in the morning air. She took a deep breath, smelling the morning dew, and then walked out into the woods.
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Chapter 6
"We will be in the village the next few days looking for recruits for the Western Army." Masa said in the center of the small village. There was quite a crowd gathered for the size of the village, nearly everyone was looking at the three male yokai.
"Are you sure they are safe, Kagome-sama?" A village male asked her, pulling her from watching Masa.
"They are staying with me." Kagome said with an easy smile, "I wouldn't let them if I thought they were going to harm us."
"So they are not dangerous?" He asked.
"They are trained soldiers of the West, of course they are dangerous. Just like myself or Inuyasha." He nodded, but still seemed uneasy as she walked away.
"Any willing body, male or female, human or not, can sign up." Masa said.
He looked at Kagome when he said it.
A tingling feeling started at the base of her neck and moved down her spine. It spread through her fingers and made her feel warm.
Was this her next calling?
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Chapter 7
Kagome sighed as she took another shot at the target. It hit the bull's-eye with a decisive twang, imbedding deep into the hay. It wasn't challenging anymore. She was used to fighting demons, fighting for her life. This was not a challenge.
Still the thrum in her heart called her to sign up.
"You are quiet, miko." Takeo observed.
"I'm thinking." She told him.
"Masa wants you to join us."
"Why?" Kagome asked.
"You have a heart for being a warrior."
"But I hate death. I fight only when I have to."
"So are all the best warriors. Only the cruel enjoy death."
"So you think I should sign up?" Kagome asked him as she hit the target again.
"That is a question only you can answer, miko."
"Have there ever been mikos to sign up?"
"Many have; mostly younger siblings that do not have the burden of taking care of the village."
"So I would not be alone?"
He laughed, "No, as a warrior you are nearly never alone. Sometimes it is aggravating."
"I will think on it." Kagome said quietly.
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Chapter 8
"Kagome?" Sango called to her, pulling her from her thoughts. She did that too often.
"Yes?"
"You are thinking about going with them, aren't you?" Her sister always knew her best.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I can just feel it in my gut."
"Are you sure?"
Kagome took a deep breath, closing her eyes and truly feeling her gut, "Yes. I am going with them."
"Inuyasha is going to flip."
Kagome sighed, "I am not his to protect anymore."
"Are you sure Kagome?" Sango asked
This time Kagome looked to her sister seriously, "I am sure. I do not love him anymore."
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Chapter 9
Masa, Takeo and Kyo had been there for a week, but Kagome had not spoken to Masa about her decision. It was the last day they would be in Edo. She woke up to find three dogs in her hut, and softly smiled as they began stretching in their true forms before transforming to their humanoid ones.
"Are you ready to go with us, Kagome?" Masa asked her.
She smiled at his assumption, "I have everything packed"
"So you are going with us?" Takeo asked excitedly, and Kagome nodded.
"Who wants to tell Inuyasha?" Kagome asked.
"That would be your job." Kyo said kindly, taking a teacup from her cabinet.
"Well, if I don't survive telling him, then it's on you guys." She said with a sigh.
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Chapter 10
"No" Inuyasha said sternly.
"You can't tell me not to go!" She yelled back.
"I can prevent you from going!"
"Why would you do that if you know I'll be unhappy?"
"I can't protect you there!"
"I don't need you to protect me! Stay here, take care of the village. I will be back as soon as I can."
"Why do you want to serve the bastard anyway?"
"It's not about that. I just can feel it. It's something I have to do."
"But what about us?" He asked softly.
"Inuyasha." She spoke quietly, "We both need to move on."
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Chapter 11
The nerves were building in her stomach as she walked out of her empty hut. No matter how much she knew this was the right decision, she was also incredibly nervous. Going on an adventure without Sango, Miroku, and Inuyasha almost felt like cheating.
"You frightened?" Masa asked her, "Training will be easy compared to what you usually do in the morning." He had watched her usual morning routine of running, muscle building, and target practice.
"It's not that." She took a breath, "When I came here, Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku became my family because I had to leave mine behind—and now" She dragged off.
"Sometimes we must leave home to realize how important it is." Masa said.
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Chapter 12
Kagome was at the front of the small pack of humans that followed Takeo, Kyo and Masa to training. It was a few weeks travel away. Most of the humans were too afraid to walk near the yokai.
"Humans need a break." She said softly to Masa.
"We have only been walking a few hours" Kyo said.
"Humans need breaks." She said with a smile on her lips, "Our feeble bodies aren't as withstanding as yours."
"We rest." Masa ordered, and there was a sigh of relief as most of the humans fell to the ground with little regard to what they would hit on the way down.
When the three yokai looked at her, she smiled, "Inuyasha was worse than you three."
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Chapter 13
Walking into the camp was probably one of the most overwhelming things Kagome had ever done. There were hundreds of people walking in and out of tents; Yokai, hanyou, miko, priests, all types of different people.
"It's incredible." Kagome whispered
"It is." Takeo agreed.
"So many different types of people."
"A United cause creates united people." Takeo told her, leading her to her tent.
He pushed open the tent, there was another woman inside.
"This is your roommate." Takeo told her.
"I'm Jena. You steal my shit, and I will slit your throat."
"Same goes to you." Kagome retorted. Takeo winked at Kagome before leaving her alone.
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Chapter 14
Kagome crawled back into her tent after a hard day's work. She didn't think her body had ever been so sore in her life. Even when Inuyasha was a slave driver to get shards, it was never this bad.
"I can't feel my feet." Kagome said good-naturedly to her roommate.
"Then maybe you shouldn't be here."
"I think I'm fine" Kagome said a bit more guardedly.
"The West only takes the best, and if you insist on complaining, you can go back to whatever hovel you came out of."
"When did you want to join?" Kagome asked her, disregarding her attitude.
"Since I understood the word serve. My parents both served Touga-sama and actually met him and Sesshomaru-sama."
Kagome did not say she knew Sesshomaru.