Raven black hair blew in the wind on a bright and sunny day in the Sengoku jidai. The owner of said hair was anything but bright and sunny as she usually was though. Sitting on the rim of the Bone-eaters well, Kagome soured her mood thinking of what she was suppose to do. Her heart was torn, scattered and lost as the Shikon once was. The Shikon no Tama, a curse and a blessing, was the root of her life being turned upside down and literally her body, mind and soul being torn apart. It caused so much destruction, so much pain and loss and it was her fault. Broken, it gave her reason, a duty to return time and time again to fix her mistake. Now, unlike her heart, the Shikon was finally made whole, and was gone from the world by the wish her hanyou made. How selfless he was, wishing for Kohaku's life instead of turning full youkai as he always wanted.
With the jewel gone, was her time here done? It was always her duty to come back, with it gone, was she just supposed to go home, never to return? To forget her second family, the people who she shared her blood, sweat and tears with over the past four years? Kagome threw her hands up and sighed in exasperation, this was way too confusing. On one hand she knew she should leave, this wasn't her time, she could really mess things up right? With her strange clothes and gadgets along with her independent modern personality, nothing but trouble could come that.
But on the other hand, would she just be expected to leave? Her heart tightened in her chest as she thought of the people she loved here in the past. Sango, Miroku... Kaede and Shippo... Inuyasha, oh how her heart aches for his. Would the gods be so cruel, to thrust the burden of the jewel on her, the responsibility and feud that was never her own but forced to finish, only to rip her away from the only positive aspect? Questions, uncertainty and doubt seemed endless to Kagome, she felt so overwhelmed by it all, all she could do was sit there, staring at the bugs fly around the grass at her feet and absentmindedly feel jealous how free they were.
A thought crossed her mind and she spoke aloud to herself, "That's if the well lets me through at all though..." The jewel was gone, she might be stuck here and not even know it. The decision would be out of her hands. Peaking around her shoulder she looked down into the darkness of the well. Smiling slightly she felt some tension leave her, "If that's the case, then so be it..." She felt a slight pang of fear and sadness for her family on the other side but with that an understanding dawned on her. The feeling of the loss of the family on the other side didn't compare to the loss she contemplated just moments before with her family here. It suddenly became a bit clearer what her inner self was more leaning towards.
Feeling slightly more optimistic, she stood turning towards the village. Kagome wanted to talk to Kaede before any decision would be made. Perhaps the understanding and wise miko would be the unbiased voice of reason she would need. The others, they'd want her to stay regardless of the consequences she was sure.
Making her way through the growing village, Kagome passed Miroku and Sango's new home. She smiled, thinking of how they were now free to build a family like they want, all that was missing was a few items from home. Sango and Kohaku with the help of Miroku took a trip to old demon exterminators village to see if there was anything salvageable of their old home yesterday morning. Kagome hoped they found whatever it was they were looking for, even if it was only closure.
Reaching Kaede's, Kagome pushed through the door and smiled a greeting at the old woman she was looking for. Stirring the pot of broth in front of her, "Hello child, how is Kagome today?" Kaede answered Kagome's smile with one of her own.
Frowning a bit, Kagome absently rubbed her arm and looked away, "Well, not the greatest. I... I need to talk to you about something."
Turning away from the simmering pot, Kaede took a spot on a mat on the floor, "Ye are wondering what should ye do now that the Shikon no Tama is gone."
Gasping, Kagome looked down into the understanding miko's eyes. Of course she would know exactly what was bothering her, she always did. "Well yeah, I've been thinking 'bout it for a while and I want to stay but I know I should go but then I know that maybe I can't or shouldn't go and Inuyasha but then my mom-"
"Child.." Kaede cut off her ramblings, "Ye not have to worry."
Coming to sit in front of her, "What do you mean I don't have to worry? I'm so scared now that I'll lose a part of me with whatever choice I do make..."
"When the moment is right, ye will make the decision that is the right one. It will be so obvious that ye will wonder why you even contemplated any other."
Kagome blinked, not quite satisfied, "So you're not telling me to stay or to go, just that I will know when I know?"
Sighing slightly, "Nay Kagome, ye need to come to the point in life when the answer comes, it shall not just pop into ye head. Live Kagome, give it some time, the Shikon was just wished upon three nights passed... Ye need not rush child, enjoy what ye have and make memories that will make up ye life. Ye need not worry..."
Understanding, Kagome smiled, Kaede's words sinking in. She was never given enough credit for the insight she bestowed upon us, what a gift she was to everyone. Knowing she really didn't have to rush the inevitable decision like she previously thought, Kagome felt light and happier than she felt in a long while. "Thank you Kaede, you-"
"KAGOME!" The door flew open as Shippo flew through it into her arms, cutting off her conversation with Kaede.
Holding him up, Kagome saw the panic in his eyes, "What's the matter Shippo?"
"Inuyasha- fighting demons- says holy powers- need you!" He breathed out fast, trying to catch his breath.
Standing swiftly, Kagome yelled a goodbye to Kaede as she rushed out of the hut snagging her bow and arrows on the way. She hadn't sensed anything but then again she wasn't trying to. Shippo pointing in the direction of the hanyou, she took off immediately. Expanding her senses, instantaneously she felt her body pulse and Kagome's eyes widened, 'It couldn't be...'
Running closer she could hear the fight just up ahead over the hill, again she felt the familiar pulse but somehow, different. Whatever it was though, Kagome knew it was a good thing Shippo came for her. Coming over the edge of the hill was the battle and she stopped, taking note of all whom were there. Inuyasha with his sword out, pushed back a rather large boar demon with red beady eyes, a murder of crow demons above him, trying to attack Inuyasha as he was preoccupied with the largest of the group and finally a scorpion demon was to the right them, try to impale a very mangy looking human. Snapping her attention back to her hanyou, she watched as he heaved the large boar demon across the field.
"Kaze no Kizu!" Inuyasha's voiced roared as the wind scar plowed across the land shredding the boar.
Responding to their leaders demise, the crows swarmed Inuyasha. Impulsively, Kagome notched an arrow and let it fly. The vibrant glow of her miko powers shot with the arrow taking about half of the lot of birds. Inuyasha sprang free, gave her an acknowledging look before attacking the birds, pecking them off one by one, their numbers diminishing quickly.
Turning her attention back to the scorpion, she notched another arrow as she tried to get a clearer shot. For being as large as it was, it was quite fast. Still trying to stab the unknown man with its stinger, it kept hitting the ground as he, as gracefully as she ever seen a human, dodge its attacks. But a human can only keep up with a demon for so long, right when she was about to let her arrow go, the scorpion struck the ground in front of the man so hard it sent grass and dirt particles along with the man through the air. As the dust settled, Kagome saw the scorpion set eyes on the now unmoving man. Before it could make its death blow her sacred arrow purified it into nothingness just as Inuyasha pecked off the last crow, a cloud of black bloody feathers falling around him as he landed.
Hurrying towards the unconscious man, Kagome made sure he was still alive. Inuyasha came up beside her as she stood up.
"Inuyasha, what happened?" Kagome asked, looking up at him.
Crossing his arms over his chest, "Tch, I dunno... I felt some demons and holy powers coming towards the village, that's when Shippo took off to go get you. When I got here I found this dumb-ass trying to take them on. They were demanding they give him 'the power' or whatever. He must have a death wish or something, baka."
Looking back down at the man, Kagome felt her body pulse again, harder this time. Something about him was hauntingly familiar. From the way he looked, to the strange aura that pulsed around him. It was like the Shikon Jewel, but not. She didn't know how to explain it. He was caked in mud, head to toe, like he ran through a swamp. Blood botched his brown-grey stained clothes and his quite long black hair was missing a large chunk. It was cut off above his shoulders, like he barely missed a death swing to his neck and it took half his hair instead. What mysteries this man has brought.
"Inuyasha, can you pick him up and bring him to Kaede?"
Inuyasha grunted in response, but right as he was about to grab him, the unknown man's dark brown eyes shot open in a glare, "Do not dare to touch me, filthy half-breed."
Gasping, Kagome took a step back, her head reeling. She knew that voice...
"What did ya just say to me punk? I just saved your worthless human ass!" Inuyasha bellowed, his hand clutching Tetsusaiga hilt.
Kagome watched as the not so unknown man stand, watched his glare and felt a shiver of remembrance. "Inuyasha..." Kagome warned, putting a hand on his arm.
Taking it as a warning not to harm ignorant humans, Inuyasha shrugged his shoulders, "Tch... not worth my time anyway, just another idiot human... let's go Kagome." Inuyasha turned around and started to walk away.
Kagome looked at the being in front her one last time and looked away, turning around to follow Inuyasha but froze when he spoke behind her, "Miko."
Turning back around, Kagome look back at him, into his cold brown eyes, "Yes?" was all she could manage as a shiver ran up her spine.
Narrowing his eyes, "You know who I am?"
Hearing Inuyasha approaching her from behind, she calmed a bit and nodded, "Yes."
"You know this guy Kagome? Why didn't you say anything, who is he, how do -you- know him?" Inuyasha spoke behind her, a tinge of jealousy seeping into his voice. How could his Kagome know somebody in the past that he, Inuyasha did not know?
Ignoring Inuyasha, Kagome watched as the impossibly human man moved his arm towards her, hand closed as if he wanted her to take what was in there. "Why are you here?" Kagome asked quietly.
Golden eyes flashed angrily at being ignored, "Who the fuck is this guy Kagome?!" Inuyasha all but yelled beside her.
Looking into the hanyou's eyes, Kagome gave him a look of confusion. How could he not see it, he was human yes, covered in dirt and blood and only Kami knows what but everything about him was the same. His face, his arm missing, his voice... how could he not know?!
Feeling a nudge to her hand, Kagome whipped her head around and saw that the most dangerous person she met was standing right in front of her, pushing something in her hand. She felt it fall into her palm right as Inuyasha shoved him back, "Back off fucktard, what the fuck do you think you are doing touching her!" Inuyasha pushed Kagome behind him in a protective manner.
Thoroughly fed up with the situation, Inuyasha's eyebrow twitched with irritation in being left in the dark. Something was going on here between these two and he wanted to know what. Behind Inuyasha's back, Kagome gasped for the umpteenth today. Running her thumb across the smooth orb, she stared into the glowing colors as it turned a bright pink, fully purified. The Shikon Jewel, it was back, but it wasn't the same. Peeking around Inuyasha red shoulder, she caught him staring at her.
"Miko."
Tensing, she moved to Inuyasha side once more, "How?"
Lazily blinking, "That is why I am here."
"WILL SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?!" Inuyasha yelled, pushing Kagome behind him once more.
Shoving back, tired of being manhandled, "Inuyasha, how can you not see what's right in front of you?" She opened her palm revealing the jewel.
"That's not what I fucking think it is?" He grabbed the tiny ball and brought it right in front of his eyes.
Grabbing it away from him, "Obviously it isn't the same one, but yeah, it's right here in front of us... I don't know much more than that."
"And how the hell did you end up with it?" Inuyasha demanded an answer turning towards the male.
Glaring at the loud hanyou, "It is me."
Face twisting in confusion, "What do you mean 'it's you'? You're a human..."
Kagome moved forward, holding his jewel out to him until it fell into his palm. She sighed, "Inuyasha, can you not see who it is you are talking to?"
Inuyasha sized up the man before them, there was nothing that triggered any memory... His scent was unmistakenly human... he's a cold looking being, long hair, one arm- Comprehension turned gears in his brain and his eyes widened, taking a step back Inuyasha felt many emotions flow through him at that moment.
Looking bored, resisting the urge to roll his eyes at the sheer denseness of his hanyou half-brother, "This Sesshoumaru has seeked out you, Shikon Miko, in aid to return this Sesshoumaru to his rightful demonic self."
Kagome watched as Inuyasha fell in a heap of laughter at his brothers predicament. Turning her eyes back onto Sesshoumaru glaring daggers at the hanyou she sighed, another jewel, another mission, another duty... 'Kaede was right,' she humorlessly laughed at herself, 'I didn't have to worry...'
A/N
Hope you guys liked it, please review as I love to read what you guys think and guess what I have coming :) I know some of you guys might have noticed certain key things of Sesshoumaru (Swords, Armor, Mokomoko ect) are missing, it will be explain in next chappy. :)
~Alunna 3
