(To answer a question left by a reviewer from the first chapter, yes, Kagome is 40 years old. But you have to realize that none of the characters look their age in the anime, so they don't all have wrinkles and such. Also, I don't know if Hitoshi is a Japanese name or not, but I know I've heard it in an anime somewhere and I like it, so I used it. Read on!)
Kagome smiled at all the children who ran in circles around her. It had been three days since she woke up. She was still sad sometimes, but as she surveyed the everyday life of her friends, she realized that everyone really was happy. She was thankful for that. She spent her days working in the herb gardens, playing with the children and working with Kikyo to heal the injured and tend to the sick. The elder priestess was very kind and compassionate toward Kagome; Kagome expected her to ask about her future plans. But Kikyo never said anything, and Kagome was both glad and disappointed.
She spent her nights staring at the stars and trying to get back to her time. She had pretty much given up getting back to her time, at least for now. She let her mind wander a lot and she couldn't stop feeling left out. All of her friends had found their place; where was she supposed to go? What was her purpose now? Kagome had to find out.
The children all bowed to her and ran off to find somewhere new to play. Kagome waved them off, then went back into the hut. She picked up her bag and made sure she had everything again. Nodding to herself she flung it onto her back, picked up her bow and arrows and left the hut again. She looked over the small village before smiling sadly and walking up the path, away from everything and everyone she had ever known.
Kagome didn't get very far before she spotted Inuyasha and Kikyo waiting for her. Smiling and waving to them she quickened her pace. When she reached them Kikyo gave her a tight hug.
"Are you sure you want to do this Kagome? You are more than welcome to stay in the village with us," the miko said, her hand resting on Kagome's shoulder.
"I need to find some place where I'm needed. And then I will come back. Don't worry about me; I'm always alright."
"I can go with you, at least for awhile," Inuyasha said, concern evident on his face. Kagome moved past Kikyo and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Thanks Inuyasha, but you have a life here. I can take care of myself, at least for the most part. I'm pretty sure that if I was able to recover from all those injuries on my own, my miko powers are stronger then we know. I'll see you soon." Kagome lightly kissed his cheek, waved to Kikyo, jumped on her bike and peddled down the path. She felt the wind blow through her hair and sped up. She needed to feel free.
After traveling for a couple of hours, she decided to take a break. She found a small grassy meadow to rest in. She pulled the blanket out of her bag, spread it on the grass and lay down on top of it. She didn't have any idea of where she was going or what she was going to do. She figured she could find a small village and settle down to help the villagers. She really didn't expect much more than that. Without Inuyasha the idea of finding someone to settle down with just felt wrong. She put those thoughts out of her mind, but she couldn't help but have a twinge of regret when she realized that not getting married also meant not having children.
Not willing to let herself fall into a depression again, Kagome pulled some food out of her bag. She snacked briefly, then packed her back again and started on her way again. She hadn't been traveling for more than fifteen minutes when she heard the sound of a child crying. It sounded like a little boy. She quickly left the path and headed to the left. After a few moments she spotted a group of children huddled around something on the ground.
"Hey!" Kagome called, and some of the children looked up. Kagome stopped her bike and jumped off, leaving it lying on the ground. She ran to the group and saw a little boy, no older than five, lying on the ground. He was crying very loudly. "What happened?"
"Who are you?" asked a boy of about nine.
"My name is Kagome. I'm a priestess."
"Please, Lady Kagome, he fell on his arm and I don't know what to do," said another child in the group. The moved aside as Kagome slowly walked closer to the boy. She knelt down next to him. He instantly quieted down and watched her with curious eyes.
"Hi there. My name is Kagome. What's yours?"
The boy sniffled. "Hitoshi," he murmured.
"Well Hitoshi, I'm a priestess. Can I see your arm? I want to see if I can make it all better."
Hitoshi nodded and slowly picked his left arm up off the ground. He moved it close enough for Kagome to touch, and winced in pain as her gentle fingers moved up and down his wrist.
"I'm afraid there's a broken bone in your wrist. Can you stand up and walk?" Hitoshi nodded and slowly stood up, Kagome supporting his weight. "Okay, good job. Now where is your village? I'll make sure you get home."
Hitoshi pointed with his right arm to his right, and Kagome started walking with him. She noticed one of the bigger kids had grabbed her bike and was pushing it behind them. She smiled her thanks and concentrated on keeping Hitoshi's attention off of the pain. She told stories that she had heard in her own time, and she seemed to have their complete attention. All too soon, for her at least, they were at the village.
Kagome asked the girl to leave her bike outside the village and had Hitoshi direct her to his hut. She guided him to the door and knocked. A moment later an older lady stepped out. She eyed Kagome suspiciously before she noticed her son.
"Hitoshi! What happened? Are you okay?"
"Yes mama. I fell on my arm. Lady Kagome showed up and said I broke a bone in my arm. She walked us all home."
"Lady Kagome? Are you a priestess?" The woman looked up at her, and Kagome nodded. "Thank you kindly for bringing my son home, Lady Kagome."
"No trouble. But I need to wrap up his arm so that the bones mend properly. Do you have a couple pieces of wood and some cloth?"
The lady nodded and led Kagome into her hut. She gave the miko everything she had requested and watched her bandage the boy's arm. "We haven't had a priestess come by in many a year. A lot of the older villagers have gotten sick and passed. We have our village leader, of course, but there is only so much she can do. We thank the heavens everyday for what she does though. Will you be able to stay with us for awhile, my lady priestess?"
Kagome finished tying the makeshift sling and smiled at the now sleepy boy. She helped him lie down in his pallet and he was asleep in moments. She watched him for a moment, then turned back to his mother. "I am looking for a new place for myself. The last village I was at now has a priestess, a very skilled one, and I was no longer needed. If there is need for a priestess here then I shall stay. But I cannot say for how long."
"Oh thank the heavens. You must meet our village leader and the lord of the castle. Come; I know where our leader is now." Kagome followed the lady out of the hut.
Once Kagome was outside she got a chance to look around. There were a great number of huts in this village, she thought to herself. She could hear men and women working in the fields that must lie just outside the village. Children ran and played everywhere while some older ladies kept a watchful eye on them. Kagome smiled to herself; she would like to stay in this cheerful village if she could. She looked past the huts and for the first time, she noticed the large castle that towered about the small homes.
It was made of dark grey stone. There was a high stone fence surrounding it with a large entry way at the end of the very long path she was on now. It didn't look scary, but Kagome imagined it could be very menacing at night. There seemed to be one main building and two small building, but she couldn't tell for sure because of the stone wall. She knew instinctively that whoever lived in that castle was a powerful lord.
Kagome turned her attention back to the lady in front of her as they approached a hut that was slightly larger than any of the others. Kagome stops at the door at the behest of the older lady, who enters the hut. A moment later she emerges again, this time followed by a young lady no more than thirty years in age.
Kagome looked over the woman. She had long, wild black hair that seemed to head in every direction at once. She had bright brown eyes, filled with intelligence. She wore a kimono that was white with small flowers on it. She smiled at Kagome and Kagome automatically smiled back.
"I hear from my friend here that you helped her son, my lady priestess," she said, her voice strong but pleasant. "I thank you for that. She also says you are looking for a new home. I offer you an invitation to stay here, pending approval from our lord of the castle, of course."
"That would be wonderful. And please, call me Kagome," Kagome said, smiling brightly.
"Kagome?" The woman blinked. "That name sounds familiar to me. Yes, I believe I knew a Kagome once. It was a very long time ago, when I was young. Oh well. Please call me Rin."
Kagome smiled at her, then stilled. Rin? No, this couldn't be the same one… "May I ask you something Rin?" At her nod, Kagome cocked her head to the left. "Did you ever know a demon named AhUnn?" Kagome was too afraid to ask about the larger, and more dangerous, demon.
"Aye, I knew AhUnn. He was a two headed dragon demon. He watched over me whenever I needed help. But how do you know of him?"
Kagome grinned widely. "I do believe I'm the Kagome you knew so long ago. I traveled with Inuyasha and the others, tracking down Naraku."
Rin was still for a moment, then her face broke out in a large smile. "Kagome! Oh wow, I haven't seen you in years! Come in; I'll be in in a moment." Kagome nodded and went past her into the hut.
This hut looked different. There were flowers everywhere; on the walls, on the small table in the corner, and in some places on the floor. There was a stack of colorful kimonos stacked in the corner, and a rolled up pallet was next to it. Kagome sat down next to the small fire that was burning and waited. Moments later, Rin was sitting next to her.
"It's been so long. What happened to you? We ran into Inuyasha while we were battling Naraku, but you weren't there. I never got a chance to ask Sango where you were. Sesshomaru asked me but I told him I did not know."
Kagome explained what had happened to her and everything that had happened while she was in the coma. Rin nodded and asked her a few questions, but for the most part she just listened. By the time she was finished talking Kagome was crying again. Rin moved closer and embraced her in a tight hug. Kagome got a hold of her emotions after a few minutes and asked Rin what had been happening with her.
"Well actually, after we defeated Naraku, we just mostly went back to wandering. I could deal with it for awhile, but when I was about fifteen we decided it was time for us to have a real home. We came here and pretty soon, we found other people who's villages had been destroyed in the war. We invited them here, since this village is pretty hidden, and it just flourished. Everyone here is hard working and they pull their own weight, so we grow a lot of crops. The winter months aren't that hard. Since I learned how to cure some minor cuts and things like that, I was made village leader. And that's about it."
"So, the lord in the castle, who is that?" Kagome asked.
Rin lowered her voice and leaned close to Kagome. "Sesshomaru watches over this village. But don't tell anyone; he doesn't want anyone to know. And when he must meet with other demons he either goes to where they are or he meets them at another castle that he owns. He says it's because he doesn't want anyone to think he's gotten 'soft on humans,' but I know it's because he doesn't want anyone to get hurt. Hey, come with me; I'm supposed to go see him for dinner, and we can ask him about you staying in the village!"
Kagome wanted to object, but she couldn't think of a single excuse. So, with a sigh, she got up and followed Rin out of the hut and up the path. Along the way villagers waved to Rin, and she waved back, asking about family members and other such small things. Everyone seemed to like Rin and she could remember everyone's names, which meant she cared for them as well.
Kagome's nerves were jangled as she and her friend walked through the gates. They walked up to the door and went in. Rin seemed to know her way around; she led Kagome down different hallways and past several rooms. Kagome heard sounds from different rooms, and when she asked Rin about it, Rin said it was servants. "Sesshomaru doesn't let any human besides me visit him here. Don't worry; you're perfectly safe as long as you're with me." Kagome didn't feel reassured.
Finally they reached a large room in the back. Rin knocked on the door. "Lord Sesshomaru, it's Rin. May I come in?"
"Yes Rin, come in," came a gruff reply from behind the door.
Rin opened the door and she walked into the room, Kagome on her heels. Kagome looked around and noticed that the room was pretty plain; there was a table and a couple pillows for sitting on. She assumed it was because this was an eating room and not a bedroom. She peeked around Rin's shoulder at the daiyoukai, trying to stay hidden from his view.
Nothing seemed to be different about Sesshomaru. He wore the same outfit with the same armor. His hair was the same length, and his face appeared the same. Kagome had always sensed a large power coming from him, and it was no different, but now it seemed to be gentler and calmer; less dangerous, Kagome thought.
"Good evening Rin. And you've brought someone with you. Who…?' Sesshomaru trailed off as the scent of the miko reached his nose. He tensed internally. He would recognize her scent anywhere. He remembered her as clearly as if she was standing directly in front of her. He remembered the rumors of her death and disappearance many years ago. He had disregarded them, until the last time he had seen Inuyasha. He hadn't thought to ask his younger brother, but the pain on the hanyo's face had led him to believe that at least part of the rumors were true.
Sesshomaru took a moment to collect himself. "You can come out from behind her, miko. I know you're there."
Kagome breathed deep and stepped around Rin, who just stood there, smiling. She smiled nervously. "Hello, Lord Sesshomaru."
Sesshomaru took in her features. She looked the same, but a bit older. But that was to be expected; it had been many years since they had seen each other. He could sense the fear emanating from her and smiled inwardly. For as long as he could remember he had kept up his reputation of being a ruthless and cruel demon lord. He didn't want anything to change.
"It has been a long time, miko. There were rumors of what happened to you, but my half breed brother must have kept a tight lid on everything, if you are standing before me."
"Lord Sesshomaru, Kagome would like to stay in the village and become our priestess. Would this be alright?" Rin asked, sitting down at the table next to her demon lord. After a moment Kagome sat next to her and across from Sesshomaru. He eyed her for a moment before turning back to Rin.
"That would be alright." Rin smiled at Kagome. "But," the demon lord continued, "to make sure that rumors do not spread again, I want you to stay here in the castle."
Kagome couldn't believe her ears. Stay here, with Sesshomaru? Her wariness must have shown in her eyes, because he smiled coldly at her.
"You can stay in one of the rooms anywhere in the castle. The servants here will be told to do as you ask. You are moments from the village, so if there is an emergency, Rin can get to you quickly. Also, you will not have anyone coming into your hut against your will. I only ask that you do not tell any of the villagers that I am a daiyoukai. It might cause them to turn on me, you, or Rin. I would hate to have to kill them and waste the energy."
Rin just giggled as Kagome's eyes widened. Apparently she was used to Sesshomaru making such threats and thought nothing of it. Kagome ran his words over and over in her mind. He did make a lot of sense; she didn't want the curious glances when the word that the miko in a coma had awoken and was not living in the village. She also did not want to deal with the suitors that were bound to be in the village. She looked up at Sesshomaru, her eyes hardening.
"I will stay here, but only if you call me by my name. I don't answer to miko; I answer to Kagome or Lady Kagome. And in return I will call you Lord Sesshomaru instead of just Sesshomaru. Is it a deal?" She braced herself for his anger, but none was forthcoming. He just titled his head to the left and nodded slightly. Kagome breathed a sigh of relief as the small demon servants brought in plates of food.
Dinner was a silent affair, on her part. Rin talked on and on about things that were happening in the village, and Sesshomaru seemed to be listening to her, even though his expression was blank. His eyes, however, drifted back to the young priestess sitting opposite him. His thoughts traveled back through times to all the encounters they had; how she defended Inuyasha against him, how she stood up to him. But he also noticed a few little things that had escaped his notice. Like how she was always fair, compassionate and honest. She never fought him when he was at a disadvantage. She never injured him when he knew she could. And time and time again, he noticed that she never held anything against him. She was a very interesting miko, and perhaps someone who could hold his interest for more than two minutes.
When dinner was finished Rin bid them goodnight and headed back to her village. Kagome suddenly felt nervous and played with the corner of her shirt, looking anywhere but at the daiyoukai in front of her.
"So, Kagome," Sesshomaru said slowly, sensing her wariness and telling himself that she must overcome at least part of it if she is the stay in the castle. "Do tell me what has happened to you all of these years."
Kagome slowly repeated the story she had told once already that day, and managed to hold her tears in. But when she was talking about her feelings when she discovered Inuyasha and Kikyo were married, she looked up at Sesshomaru, and the demon lord almost cringed. Her eyes were hollow and emotionless, as if she had died in that moment. Sesshomaru had only ever seen eyes that looked like that when he stood over dead bodies. Something in Sesshomaru seemed to melt as he watched her continue to talk. He could see that misery was written everywhere else on her face, but her eyes remained empty, like an endless void.
"And then Rin offered to let me stay here, and here I am," Kagome finished. She was becoming tired; her traveling, talking and crying had pushed her to her limit. Sesshomaru seemed to sense this, because he called for a servant that was standing in the corner.
"You are to take Kagome to a room in the… Kagome, where would you like to stay?"
"Somewhere close to the village, so that I don't have to travel a long way to get there if I'm needed."
"Very well. Take her to a room in the front of the main building, then send a note tonight to tell Rin where she is staying. Make sure she is comfortable and has everything she needs. You are to pass the word on that any harm that is done to her is done so at the cost of your lives. Understood?" The meek little demon nodded and looked at the priestess.
Kagome stood and looked down at him. "Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru. I bid you a pleasant night." She followed the servant out of the room.
Sesshomaru sat still for a few long minutes. He had no great liking for humans, with the exception of Rin, who took him as he was and did not judge him. But since meeting his little ward his great hate for them had dissolved. He understood that there were stupid and ignorant humans, just as there were stupid and ignorant demons. But Kagome seemed to be different; there was something about her that made him want to protect her. He thought of her empty eyes and felt his heart drop into his stomach. No one, demon or human, should ever have to live with that sort of pain. He silently cursed his younger brother, then looked out the window into the sky. He hoped that someday, Kagome would return to her usual self. Until then, he would do the only thing that she allowed him to; he would protect her from the outside world while she fought the pain inside.
(Chapter 3 will be uploaded tomorrow night. XD)