Authoress' Notes: I'm so happy that I got so many reviews so fast. Thank you to all of my reviewers for inspiring me to write. Here is your reward. And stayed tuned until the end of the chapter where some important announcements will be made.
Special Chapter Dedication to: naru-chan13- My first reviewer for the new story!
Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King or Inuyasha and claim no rights to them but I DO own this fan fiction story.
RECAP
Kagome was not so normal... At all.
She was as normal as a girl who came from a long line of priests could be...
And, her two best friends were not your ordinary thirteen-year-olds either.
One was Oyamada Manta: He entered the cemetery through the black iron gates that eerily creaked open as he rushed through them. The cemetery was as grassy as any other one. Tomb stones of all shapes and sizes protruded from the green-covered earth, and gray cement stairs led upward to grassy hills where thousands were buried. There was also a small shrine for any mourners to pray for their dearly departed. Although he was usually afraid of things like this, Manta still took the huge cemetery as a short cut home... Manta laughed at his silliness after pretending to be some hero in some kind of ghost story.
When I realized I was just standing there…
Somehow I felt…
That there was someone calling me
Was his silly make-believe thoughts about some supernatural influence on his detour home. Manta's jog and self brought laughter was soon interrupted by a content sigh followed by a matching voice.
The other was Asakura Yoh: "Shall we do it then? Alright! …Amidamaru!" Yoh called, raising his arm. Kagome and Manta watched awestruck as Amidamaru went into Ghost-ball mode. Ryu's minions did not seem to notice.
"I am a shaman," Yoh informed everyone who cared. "The one who links this world and the next."
'Asakura-kun is a…'
"Sha… Shaman," Manta asked stunned.
"Let's go!" Yoh stated to Amidamaru before pushing the Ghost-ball into his chest.
"Over-Soul Merge!"
"The spirit went into his body?" inquired Manta aloud. The edge of Kagome's mouth slowly began to twitch then curve upward. The two men who did not notice Amidamaru merge into Yoh, foolishly charged at him. Manta gasped when Yoh drew his wooden sword and easily defeated the two with a single swing.
"T-That was awesome, Asakura-kun!" Kagome cheered from behind Yoh.
People had always told her she would be someone great, someone special, someone extraordinary... Kagome never really wanted to accept that.
But suddenly, her life and opinions were changing, and she did not even notice.
Ever since she was small, she disliked when people told her how special and different she would be. It was probably because she did not- even could not believe that she was different from any other girl.
Kagome pretended she did not believe in the supernatural, demons, spirits, or even Kami-sama. She liked cute things, she loved shopping, she enjoyed giggling and gossiping with her friends, and she dreamed of a beautiful marriage to a handsome prince...
She wanted to like those things and that's what she wanted to believe... There always had been a small inkling that she felt at random times... As she grew older, the inkling became strong vibes that she felt. Her friends thought it was odd... So she did not like it. On her thirteenth birthday, she fled from the shrine and all the strange vibes she received-
Kagome now lived in a small house in a small, quiet, yet strange neighborhood in Tokyo. Although she was only thirteen years old, she was currently living alone, and she had her reasons. The night before she started attending her new school, she had her first encounter with the two boys who became her best friends...
It did not occur to the girl that hanging around people like Yoh would bring trouble and the things she tried to escape her way. And it probably did not matter because Yoh and Manta were now apart of her new routine...
Chapter 2: The Waiting Samurai
It was odd how the young trio turned a cemetery into a relaxing hangout.
"Shaman…" Manta read aloud. "They willingly put themselves into trances and communicate with spiritual beings such as God, Spirits, and spirits of dead. Shamans borrow the spirits' abilities and powers to cure disease and manipulate the government. Since ancient times, shamans have been the epicenter of human societies. Even at this very moment, shamans exist all over the world."
"What's that book?" asked Yoh curiously.
Manta smiled upon looking at the book, "Fountain of knowledge, 'Manjien'."
Kagome leaned over and peered down at the text. "You sure do love reading Manta-kun," she pointed out. "But isn't there a more interesting way to find out about shamans?"
"I'm not sure." Manta admitted. "There are not many people who know about shamans. And besides that… I still don't quite get it, even with this book."
"What?"
"About shamans," Manta said. "It said in this book it's different from ESP users. I don't get it at all."
Kagome tapped her chin, looking thoughtful for a moment. "…Ano…" she whispered.
"What is it, Kagome-chan?" Manta asked.
Kagome sat up and smiled, asking, "Did I ever tell you guys that I'm a miko?"
Yoh sat up too and asked, "As in a shrine maiden?"
The black haired girl nodded, "Un! I used to live at a shrine on the outskirts of Tokyo. My grandfather always used to tell me different stories and legends. The storage house has thousands of old scrolls and stuff Manta-kun… We could visit there and borrow some scrolls if you want."
Manta's eyes widened with excitement, "R-really? When?"
Kagome closed her eyes and replied, "Maybe next week if you're available…" She then looked at the brown haired boy lying down on the other side of her. "You'll come too, won't you Yoh-kun?"
Yoh grinned and replied, "Of course. As long as we take the bus!" he joked.
Kagome giggled and responded, "Don't be silly Yoh-kun. We're gonna bike it!"
"B-Bike?!"
Kagome smiled and said, "Yup! Biking it up past downtown Tokyo will be good exercise!"
"Demo…" sobbed Yoh.
"Besides, technically we are in Tokyo, ne? Just a little bit out, ne?"
Yoh groaned, plopping down completely on the grassy hill, "I hate exercise!" he almost whined.
"I don't think I could make it that far either Kagome-chan..." Manta added, laughing awkwardly.
Kagome waved her hand dismissively, "I was only joking. It would be easy for me to bike it, but I don't think I'd feel like it either." She imitated Yoh by lying down completely on the grass.
"I think you picked up Yoh-kun's laziness already, Kagome-chan!" Manta stated with a smile.
"Don't joke like that Manta-kun!"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Yoh asked before smiling.
"It means when you grow up, you'll be obese."
"Now you don't joke like that, Kagome-chan."
Kagome smiled softly, looking up at the cloudy sky. "Ne..." Manta said.
Yoh and Kagome inquired in unison, "What?"
"What exactly is a shaman?"
Yoh sat up quickly, pointing his thumb at himself, "Me!"
Manta raised the huge book and threatened, "I'll hit you!"
Kagome and Yoh laughed. "Isn't it exactly like what the book says?" Yoh asked. "All of my family does similar sort of work."
"What about you?"
Yoh sighed and admitted, "I'm not interested in politics or religion." Yoh then stood up and patted dust off his pants. Kagome sat up and watched as Yoh began to walk away.
"Why did you come to Tokyo in the first place?" Manta asked.
Yoh stopped walking at the beginning of the hill's slope. "I came to gather partners. A shaman's level is determined by the strength of the spirits that aid him. To put it simply, by having a strong spirit at one's side, one is acknowledged to be a full-fledged shaman."
Yoh looked out to at downtown Tokyo. "I'm sure I can meet a powerful spirit in this huge city." The boy blinked when suddenly Kagome was standing beside him with her hand on his shoulder.
She smiled and said, "Manta-kun and I will help you find a powerful spirit- Eh-?" Before she could continue, Yoh was suddenly gone and standing in front of Amidamaru with a sincere smile on his face.
"So, be my partner, Amidamaru!" Yoh said cheerfully.
Kagome anime fell and stated, "You're way too blunt about it!"
"What kind of way is that to ask a spirit?" Manta asked shocked.
Amidamaru inquired, "You're asking me… to join you?"
"Yeah," Yoh replied. "Your swordsmanship was amazing! If it's you as my primary spirit…"
The samurai spirit stood up and told him, "I refuse. It was only a coincidence that your goal was the same as mine. Besides that, I have no reason to help you."
Kagome interrupted, "How about from the goodness of your heart?" Her eyes were shining with stars.
Amidamaru sent Kagome a disapproving look that made her squeak in surprise, "I have no intention of leaving this place." With that said, he turned around and disappeared within his tombstone. Yoh stared down at the stone with a disappointed expression.
Kagome knelt down in front of the tombstone and caressed its surface. "Amidamaru-sama must have some attachment to this place…" she thought sympathetically. "Poor guy…"
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
"Jeez! What are you thinking?!" Manta asked, outraged.
Yoh stared down at the river with a glum expression. "About what?" He asked in boredom.
"What do you mean 'about what'?!" yelled Manta. "You're trying to befriend that kind of a samurai! Amidamaru used to be known as a devil. He disobeyed his shogun and he mercilessly killed the hundreds of people sent after him."
"Hmm? A devil you say?" Yoh asked in the same bored tone.
Manta did not seem to notice, he kept babbling, "That's right! It's a well-known legend around this area. If you make him your primary spirit, you're sure to be killed! Just give up on him."
Yoh stopped leaning against the banister that helped hold up the bridge over the river and
sighed. Kagome sighed and propped her elbow on the rail, cupping her cheek in one hand.
"Manta-kun… You shouldn't be so quick to judge like that…" she stated.
"Eh? What are you talking about? The legend of Ami-"
"Manta-kun… Remember that since I am a miko, I have a strong spiritual connection with God, spirits, and other such things just like shamans." Kagome said. "I may not have been trained properly but I can feel it…" she whispered. "Amidamaru-sama was and still is a good person." It was odd, while with Manta and Yoh, she was not afraid to acknowledge her abilities.
Manta argued, "But you said you're not properly trained, so how can you know for sure?"
Yoh turned away from the two that were about to argue. "I guess… I'll have to make him my ally after all. He looks so strong!"
Kagome yelled aloud, "HA!"
Manta pulled at his hair while crying, "Weren't you listening to me at all?! You're just siding with Kagome-chan because she's so cute! That's not fair!"
Yoh looked at Manta and smiled, "Come on… It's only a legend."
"So you won't believe me?!"
Yoh stared off into the distance and explained, "That's not what I'm saying… I think such matters should be ignored. When I became one with him…" The brown haired boy placed his hand over his chest and stated, "It felt somewhat… warm."
"Warm?"
"Yeah," Yoh replied. "You just know those kinds of things… Ne, Kagome-chan?" He asked, looking at Kagome. She nodded enthusiastically and balled up her fist.
"Uh oh… That means Kagome-chan has an idea…" Manta whispered, taking a step back from his female friend with a fiery aura.
"Heh heh, you're sure burning bright all of a sudden!" Yoh joked.
Kagome smiled and nodded, "I've decided. I'll be a shaman too."
"Nani?" both boys asked in unison, Kagome nodded again.
"Are you crazy?/That's awesome!" Manta and Yoh exclaimed in unison again. Manta said the first part and Yoh saying the second.
Kagome grinned, nudging Yoh in the ribs playfully, "And maybe when I do become a shaman, Amidamaru-sama will agree to be my primary spirit!"
Manta tugged at his hair again, almost succeeding in pulling some out this time. "You too?!"
Yoh and Kagome looked at each other before Yoh continued explaining, "When you become one with a spirit, you know its true form… I don't think… he's a bad guy… However, I also felt a whirlwind of emotions within him. That guy… Why didn't he want to leave that place?"
Kagome frowned and looked up at the sky. "Amidamaru-sama… He still has a very strong attachment to this world… To that place." Yoh 'hm'ed and nodded in agreement. Manta looked between the two taller teenagers. He felt a bit lost. They both knew something he didn't.
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Amidamaru was quietly resting on near his tombstone on the hill in Crow Cemetery. The silence was broken when a fellow spirit greeted, "Yo, Amidamaru-san!" The samurai spirit opened his eyes and watched as the spirit of a man appeared next to him. He asked curiously, "Why did you refuse the kid's offer?"
The man's uni-brow furrowed in angry as he shook his fists. "Damn! What a waste! With that body, you could have had all sorts of fun."
Amidamaru replied, "I am not like you, who was killed by a bear. I am not a fool who likes violence."
The idiot who was killed by a bear yelled angrily, "What? What did you say you heartless killer?! How could you say that when you killed hundreds?"
Amidamaru sighed, holding in his anger, "Don't dwell on it now." he said as he stood up. The samurai known as a devil looked up at the starry sky, a habit he already picked up from Yoh, "I'm here… to wait for someone." The samurai spirit did not know, but when he looked up at the moon... He saw the image of the black haired friend of Yoh's from earlier...
"How about from the goodness of your heart…?"
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Ryu strutted through downtown Tokyo with his hands stuffed into his pockets. He did not like it. He did not like this situation at all. Bystanders snickered and laughed openly at him- at his haircut. They were supposed to fear him. Ryu stopped in front of a store with glass windows. He sent kids away screaming when he pressed his face against the glass. The gangster stared at his reflection, remembering how Yoh used a wooden sword to cut his hair… He growled angrily. "That kid… Oh yes…" Ryu of the Wooden Sword would have his revenge.
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Today's field trip had been all Yoh's idea. Surprise, surprise. Of all places, he chose the local museum, but they only went to see one exhibit. No one complained though. It was a bit of a distance on foot, but they had all had a reason for going- a goal.
"Eh? It's amazing," marveled Yoh. "How Amidamaru's sword from 600 years ago is still in good shape like this." The trio walked through a lush park area, down an unpaved road that led to the museum. Manta, the shortest, walked between Kagome and Yoh with her on his left and him on his right.
"Well, it's still an important part of the town's history." Manta stated matter-of-factly. "Anyway, why do you wanna see such things?"
"That's obvious. I want to know more about Amidamaru." Yoh replied.
Kagome, who had been thinking very deeply about the samurai spirit, finally spoke after a while. "I think visiting Amidamaru-sama's sword will be a good opportunity." She told the two.
"Opportunity…? For what?" Manta asked.
"To find more clues about what binds Amidamaru-sama to this world." Kagome said.
"I understand Yoh's interest in Amidamaru since he's a shaman, but why do you care so much, Kagome-chan?" asked the shortest of the three.
Kagome crossed her arms and frowned, "I come from a long line of priests. I won't let a poor spirit suffer eternally. Every spirit deserves its rest. Even if they are called a devil."
Yoh laughed, patting Kagome's head, "You're cute when you're trying to be noble." He joked.
Kagome's cheeks went aflame before she removed the hand on her head. "Mou. Don't treat me like a kid."
Manta smiled and teased, "Aw, she's blushing."
The trio stopped momentarily as a small building came into sight. "Harusame is displayed in that museum." Manta told them. Once they got to the front door Manta read the sign on the door and swore, "Damn! It's closed?!"
Yoh laughed, "I guess we came here for nothing."
Kagome sighed, "What a waste… Maybe we can come back another time."
They turned around at the sound of a bike coming to a halt. A man in a green uniform with a broom asked curiously, "What's wrong guys? Do you have some business here?" It was a janitor. They were lucky- Really lucky.
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
The kind man flicked on all of the lights and unlocked the doors to the exhibits. "I'm sorry, even though it's closed today..." Manta apologized. "You still bothered to let us look around..."
The janitor responded, "You came with the interest of this town's history. I can't just send you away."
"Ano… about Harusame…" Yoh began slowly.
The man laughed and said, "That's right. Harusame will be happy too."
Kagome smiled and nodded, "I'm sure it will be. Arigato Gozaimasu." She stated, bowing thankfully. Yoh and Manta imitated her before going to the visit the exhibit. Once they reached the small exhibit, the shortest of the three proceeded to read the information about Harusame. The katana and its sheath were displayed within a glass casing.
Kagome stared down at the rusted old katana and asked, "So this is Harusame…?"
The janitor summarized the caption and said, "It is said that Amidamaru, the devil, loved this katana so much that he was able to wield like it was a part of his body.
Kagome smiled and whispered aloud, "Amidamaru-sama sure is amazing…"
"Is?" Inquired the eldest person in the room.
Manta grinned cheesily and lied, "Oh! Our friend meant the legend of Amidamaru is amazing because people still fear him today! Ne, Yoh-kun?"
"Un." Yoh nodded in agreement.
Manta looked up at the man and changed the subject, "Anyway, what did you mean by what you said before… That Harusame would be happy?"
"I was wondering the same thing." Kagome added.
"There's a rumor that Harusame sheds tears at night. It is said that sniffling sounds can be heard. A katana is the spirit of a samurai after all. There must have been a strong bond between Amidamaru and Harusame. If possible, I wanted to place it next to his tombstone…"
All four of them stared down at the katana with gazes of wonder for a moment. "Well, at least someone came by." The man stated almost cheerfully. "Why don't you be Harusame's companion, in place of Amidamaru? Harusame will surely be happy." With that said, the janitor walked away slowly to go about his business.
Manta laughed nervously and looked up at Yoh, "Even though you're a shaman, you can't talk to katanas, right?"
Yoh went to sit down on a bench and mumbled, "Hmm… I'm not sure."
"Eh? Y-You can?"
Kagome said bluntly, "That's a bit freaky."
"Ah, forget about it." Yoh told them. "So, do you wanna see when Harusame cries?"
Manta looked at his feet and stammered, "Th- that is…"
Kagome patted his head causing the small boy to look up at her. She placed her hands on her hips and offered him a big smile, "Don't worry about a thing. I'll be here too."
Taking Manta's silence as a 'yes', Yoh stated, "Well then, let's wait."
--Later that Night--
Yoh, Manta, and Kagome were still waiting for Harusame to cry. But Manta had fallen asleep after a while, Yoh still watched the katana intently, and Kagome had become so bored that she began reading the book about shamans that Manta brought along with them. Suddenly the sandy haired lad was aroused from sleep by a strange sound. He sat slowly and asked fearfully, "What was that…?"
Yoh rubbed his stomach, finally turning his gaze from Harusame to his two friends. "I'm hungry, wanna go buy something?" Manta anime fell; to think he thought there was something to be afraid of!
"Are you trying to use me as your servant?" Manta asked in an annoyed tone.
Yoh grinned, admitting almost shamelessly, "Well, actually, I don't have any money…"
Kagome smoothed some wrinkles out of her tan skirt and smiled apologetically, "Gomen ne, I left my wallet at home since this skirt has no pockets."
Manta yelled, "Jeez! You're both so irresponsi-"
The faint sound of a water droplet dropping into a puddle made his blood run cold. "W-What… What is it this time…?" His eyes trailed down from a puddle on the floor up onto a trail of water that lead back up to Harusame's case. "It's… It's crying! Harusame is crying!"
Yoh stood up and told Manta, "Look carefully. It's not Harusame that's crying. It's that man."
The smile on Kagome's face soon melted into a soft, sympathetic expression.
"It! It has shown itself!" Manta shrieked, panicking.
The man looked up, his eyes filled with fresh tears. "What…What do you mean shown itself? You guys can see me?" The man asked.
Kagome nodded silently and allowed Manta to finish panicking, "Yeah! Very clearly!"
The man showed his manly pride by turning away to wipe the tears away from his eyes. "This isn't good. I'm embarrassed that you saw that."
"You don't have to be embarrassed." Yoh told him. The man was sitting cross-legged, had raggedy and unkempt, spiky black hair. He wore raggedy old clothing from what looked like a few centuries ago... If it were not for the sympathy that she held for the man, Kagome would have critiqued him on his choice of clothing. Hid-e-ous!
Kagome closed the book and placed it on the bench; she then stood up and stood behind the man just beside Yoh. "Daijoubou ka, mister?" she asked. "Why were you crying?"
Instead of answering the girl's question, the strange spirit turned around. He glared at the teens and he asked suspiciously, "What's going on? Who are you people?"
Yoh responded in a laidback voice, "I'm Yoh. And these are my friends, Manta and Kagome."
He pointed at the two others.
H-Hi." Manta greeted nervously.
"Hey."
The man crossed his arms and introduced himself, "I am a sword smith, Mosuke."
"Mosuke?" Yoh asked. "Hmm… That's an old name."
Mosuke yelled back, "It's a 600 year old name! Of course it's old!"
"Oh… I guess that's right."
"Yoh, you're an idiot." Kagome stated before she and the friend she just insulted laughed.
Something clicked inside of Manta's head and asked, "600 years?! That's during the same era as Amidamaru's legend!"
Mosuke asked in a shocked tone, "Do you guys know Amidamaru?"
Yoh replied, "A little. By the way, why are you haunting Harusame? That's Amidamaru's katana, isn't it?"
Mosuke lowered his head and admitted, "This is… also my katana."
"Really?" Kagome asked.
"Yes…" Mosuke said. "This Harusame… was forged by me…"
"That's amazing!" Kagome praised. "So you knew Amidamaru when you two were alive?"
"Yes, I know him well." Mosuke said. "I was the one… who killed him."
Kagome gasped and Manta asked, "Huh? You killed the devil?!"
"Somehow I doubt that…" Kagome laughed nervously but kept her thoughts to herself.
"You little idiot!" Mosuke yelled. This almost made Manta jumped out of his skin. The sword smith's shoulders trembled as he lowered his head again. "Don't… Don't you dare call him a devil! He's… He's not… He's not like that…"
"Yeah, Amidamaru isn't an evil being." Yoh stated. "Mosuke, tell me. What happened 600 years ago? What's the relationship between you and Amidamaru?"
Mosuke blinked away more tears and began his tale, "He's… Amidamaru is… My… One and only true friend." Kagome smiled softly, she was almost right about it. Mosuke began his tale, "It was a miserable era... War did not know how to stop… Great starvation… Terror from bandits... People were mercilessly murdered… In that kind of living hell, we lived only to make our dreams come true…"
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
"It's a wonderfully made katana." The rich man marveled aloud. "Wanderers," he stated, addressing Amidamaru and Mosuke. "Was this Harusame made by you two?"
"Yes, my lord." Mosuke replied respectfully.
He looked up at the fine blade and chuckled. "I have an eye for swords too. How about it? Would you two like to work here?"
Mosuke and Amidamaru exchanged excited glances before turning back to the lord. "Yes sir!" They chorused in unison while bowing respectfully. The lord chuckled his annoying laughed even more.
But in the end… Hell was still hell
"Kill Mosuke!" Amidamaru shouted.
The lord hushed the samurai and said, "Don't say it so loudly."
"Uh… however…"
"The eerie light cast by the sword is mesmerizing… Mosuke truly has talent. However, you know the more rare something is, the more value it holds. A katana like this… There must not be another sword like it anywhere. Do you understand, Amidamaru?" asked the shogun. "At least being killed by a friend is still pity, isn't it?"
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
"How can this be?" Mosuke asked. "We've come this far! Everything was just about to start!" He yelled, punching the tree on the hilltop where he and his friend stood. Mosuke sighed, "Do it, Amidamaru. For a samurai… A shogun's order is…"
"Run away." Amidamaru told Mosuke. "Quickly, get out of here."
Mosuke protested, "You idiot! If you do that, you will be…"
Amidamaru looked out into the starry sky and replied, "Don't worry about it. I'm doing it because I want to."
Mosuke grinned when he saw the smile on his friend's face. "Alright, give me the Harusame. We may never meet again. But I want to give you the finest sword. The finest Harusame." Mosuke explained with tears in his eyes.
"Mosuke…"
"I'll have it ready in half a day. Let's meet here tomorrow night."
"I understand."
"It's a promise!"
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
"Those were the last words we exchanged." Mosuke finished.
"Last…?"
"What do you mean 'last'?" Kagome asked curiously. "Did something…" she narrowed her eyes at as she continued her question, "… happen?"
"Yeah, there was someone spying on us at the site. He reported to the shogun." Everything was starting to piece together like a puzzle; only, Mosuke was the missing piece.
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
"No matter how long you wait for Mosuke, he won't be coming."
"We took care of him for you."
"We'll send you to the other world soon too."
Amidamaru told the shogun's flunkies stubbornly, "I have no intention of leaving this place!" With that said, the faithful samurai drew his twin katana and the slaughter of hundreds began. The once pure white moon was now glowing red as if the human blood had stained its surface.
"That night… He became a legend. Because of his powerful swordsmanship, he was nicknamed the Devil. However without Harusame, Amidamaru eventually ran out of strength and…"
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Mosuke held his head in his hands as he berated himself. "If I didn't exist, he wouldn't have died! It's the same as killing him myself…" By this time, elephant sized tears flowed down Manta's cheeks as he was sucked into the ancient tale of truth.
Kagome's fist tightened and she stepped in front of Mosuke. "That is not true, Mosuke-san." She whispered. "It is not your fault that Amidamaru-sama died. He is only human, or he was anyway. Every living being comes to an end somehow." She placed her hand on his shoulder, suppressing a gasp when she was able to touch the sorrowful spirit.
Mosuke retorted, "No! You don't understand at all! If it weren't for me, Amidamaru would not have died that way… Him… Being called a devil is all my…"
Kagome shook her head and told him, "Iie. I understand your pain Mosuke-san. I can feel it inside me…" she said, placing her hand over her heart. "When I touch you… If I were you… I would be honored."
"Honored?! Are you stupid or just heartless?!" Mosuke yelled.
Yoh filled in for Kagome. "I agree with Kagome-chan. It is an honor that such a great samurai would risk so much just to keep a promise."
Mosuke continued to cry. "Besides that… Until I give Amidamaru the Harusame as I promised… I can't rest in peace!"
"Then give it to him." Yoh replied casually, smiling as usual.
Mosuke looked up from the ground. Manta stood up, sobbing, "That's right! Amidamaru is waiting for Mosuke-san too. For 600 years, in the promised place."
"Wha-?" Mosuke removed his head from his hands. He could not believe what he was hearing. After all that time, Amidamaru was still waiting for him to deliver Harusame to him?
"Well, let's go." Yoh said.
Mosuke looked down at Harusame and whispered, "That is…"
"What's the matter?" Kagome asked. She really felt sorry for Amidamaru-sama and Mosuke-san. She would do anything for the two to be able to finally rest in peace. They deserved it after all.
Mosuke continued speaking, with an aura of shame and sorrow about him, "… impossible. With the Harusame in this condition… And to see his face now…" The sword smith tightened his fist in frustration.
"It's okay," came the response of the brown haired shaman. "Just leave it to me." He stated with another smile. Slapping his hand over his heart, "I am a shaman. The one who links this world to the next."
"A shaman…?"
"Use my body, Mosuke. Then make the finest katana."
"Is such a thing possible?" asked Mosuke.
Yoh nodded and smiled, "Yeah, it is possible." Kagome and Manta watched as a serious expression suddenly appeared on their friend's face. "Let's go, Mosuke. Mosuke, Ghost Ball Mode!"
Manta whispered in awe, "It's almost as amazing as seeing it the first time."
Kagome smiled and nodded, "Yoh-kun is so awesome!" Seeing the annoyed expression on Manta's face. She laughed nervously, "Eh heh" she patted his head and added, "Oh, you're okay too."
"Hyoi Gattai!" Yoh yelled as Mosuke merged into his body. The light that was being emitted by Yoh was so bright that the two others in the room had to look away and shield their eyes from it. Kagome could not help but notice how scary Yoh looked hunched over with his body steaming and his head low so that his eyes were not visible.
When Yoh began to move and he asked, "You said your names were Manta and Kagome, right? Take me to the nearest iron factory!"
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
The lavender haired samurai stared at the shining, new katana that Yoh held in his hands with awe. "T-This is… Harusame." Amidamaru whispered. "C… Could it be you?"
"Mosuke-san was still wandering around in this world without being able to rest." Manta told him.
"It is… Only he could have forged this sword…" Amidamaru stated, impressed, shocked, and... His emotions were once again swirling around inside of him.
Yoh sheathed the katana and stated, "A message from Mosuke: 'I made you wait'… Or so he says." Yoh grinned up at Amidamaru.
"Where is Mosuke?" Amidamaru asked stepping forward.
"Mosuke-san moved on…" Kagome whispered. "He said he couldn't face you after making you wait 600 years. So he already crossed into the other world." She explained.
Amidamaru laughed and said, "That's just like him."
Yoh placed the new Harusame in front of Amidamaru's feet and smiled, "And with this, you can also rest in peace. I'll leave this here. Later." With that said, Yoh began to walk away. Manta silently watched him before following suit.
"Ah- Wait, wait! Wait for me Yoh-kun!" The small fry yelled as he ran after Yoh.
"Yoh-dono…" Amidamaru whispered as he watched the two go. A moment before he began his crossing, the samurai spirit stopped. The girl, Kagome, was still standing there. "Kagome-san…?" he asked.
The black haired girl shook her head, smiling, "I want to watch if you don't mind… I want to see you off to the other world, Amidamaru-sama." she told him.
"Hai…" the samurai whispered. "Thank you."
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Yoh and Manta slowly walked down the stairs in the Crow Cemetery. They stopped to watch Amidamaru go from a distance. "Since he no longer has an attachment to this world, Amidamaru will rest in peace just like Mosuke-san, right? Now it's no longer possible for you to make Amidamaru your primary spirit."
"I guess… I did a regrettable thing." The shaman stated crossing him arms and nodding to himself. "Finding a strong spirit like him isn't easy." Yoh looked at Manta. "But if he rests in peace, that's the best thing."
"Eh? Don't tell me you… Even from the beginning, you were planning to-" Before Manta could finish asking his question, Yoh continued leaving the cemetery. "Wait! Was that it, Yoh-kun?!"
"Huh?" they asked in unison when Ryu suddenly stepped in front of them.
"I found you… kid." Ryu stated solemnly.
"Ryu of the Wooden Sword!" Manta dramatically said.
Yoh grinned, raising his hand and greeted, "Yo."
"Yo…" Ryu replied, "MY ASS! Because you messed up my hairdo, I am the laughing stock of the town- no, the world!" He got into a fighting stance with his wooden sword and said, "I will return the favor! Prepare yourself!" Yoh and Manta frozen for a moment before running back up the stairs.
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Kagome watched Amidamaru silently as he crossed over; a pale white light surrounded his spiritual body and shot upward into the sky. "I'm happy for you Amidamaru-sama…" she whispered. The look of peace and serenity on the samurai's face warmed her heart and made her insides feel fuzzy.
Yoh placed the new Harusame in front of Amidamaru's feet and smiled, "and with this, you can also rest in peace."
That memory suddenly came to Amidamaru's mind. But the bliss the samurai spirit and the miko shared was sliced open by the sound of Yoh's and Manta's screams. Kagome turned and saw Ryu of the Wooden Sword beating on her friends.
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
"Why…" Manta asked as Yoh held him steady to his feet.
"You okay, Manta?" Yoh asked with concern.
"You should worry more about yourself than others." Ryu told Yoh before swinging his sword down at them again. Yoh quickly grabbed Manta and got up and ran, narrowly dodging the attack. "And don't expect me to forgive you with that little bit of punishment."
"Aren't you overreacting? It's only hair." Yoh asked.
"That's not the reason! This is still my 'Best Place'!"
Yoh dodged another attack and replied, "Since everyone is so annoyed with you, go find some other place to go!"
"Everyone?! Just who the hell is everyone?" Ryu asked angrily.
"That was close…" Yoh said as he finished evading another attack.
"There is no need to dodge!"
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
"No! Yoh-kun! Manta-kun!" Kagome yelled. "Without Amidamaru… Yoh-kun can't win on his own." She looked up at Amidamaru and told him, balling up her fist. "I'm going to help them! Forgive me for not being here to see you off." She bowed quickly, yet deeply. The girl then took off, leaving Amidamaru alone.
She looked over her shoulder and yelled, "Rest in peace, Amidamaru-sama!" She ran down the stairs and gasped when Yoh and Manta fell to her feet. The fiery spirited girl glared up at Ryu and growled lowly.
"What's that?" Ryu asked. "You again? You're not very smart, always hanging around with these two."
"Shut up! How dare you pick on my friends!" Kagome yelled back. "If you were as tough as you act, then you'd pick on someone your own size! You're not a man, you're just a bully!"
Yoh slowly tried to get up. "K-Kagome…chan… Run away, quickly. You can make it without me." Once he was back on his feet, Yoh said, "And take Manta with you."
Kagome went to Yoh's side and helped him stand by wrapping her arm around his shoulder. "Iie, I couldn't leave you." She smiled, "We're friends Yoh-kun. We have to face everything together. It's better that way."
Ryu smirked and said, "How touching. I'd hate to do this but all three of you can be friends forever," he raised his sword and swung at them. "In the other world!" The gangster proceeded to beat the stuffing out of the three of them.
"O-onegai… yamette…" Kagome said as they were tossed into a tombstone.
"It looks like you're cornered now!" Ryu announced.
"You're pretty persistent." Yoh said, still smiling lopsidedly through his pain.
"Should I finish this now?" Ryu asked, gazing down at the three of them.
"Yoh-dono!"
"That's…" Kagome said, looking away from Ryu who raised his sword once again and up at Amidamaru.
"This is the end!"
Yoh shut his eyes closed. But alas, Amidamaru merged into his body at the last second and he caught the sword between his hands.
"Why…" Yoh asked the samurai spirit. "This has nothing to do with you."
Amidamaru replied, "Of course it has something to go with me. It is a samurai's duty to return a favor."
Yoh laughed, "You're stubborn…"
Ryu was slight taken aback, "Wha… What are you mumbling about…?"
"Amidamaru… sama… Thank goodness…" Kagome sighed tiredly. She took the unconscious Manta into her arms and scooted a few feet away.
"Are you ready?" Amidamaru/Yoh asked Ryu solemnly. Then he used the sword in his hands to flip Ryu over and send him flying into a tree. The gangster had been defeated once again.
Amidamaru exited Yoh's body and appeared before the young shaman. Yoh grinned and said, "Thank you. You saved us. Now go. Mosuke is waiting for you."
"It's seems like I can't do that either…" Amidamaru said. "Even though I would like to follow Mosuke, it seems like it'll be a while before I can go to the other world." This statement made Yoh's smile widen.
And so Amidamaru and Yoh-kun bonded with each other. And, Harusame became nice and shiny overnight, and was in the local newspaper with headline "Harusame's Miracle"
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Kagome, Manta, and Yoh were walking across the street in downtown Tokyo. "I can't wait for us to reach your shrine, Kagome-chan." Manta stated with a smile.
Kagome smiled and laughed, "Me either. But I wish you hadn't brought that book along, Manta-kun, we're visiting for scrolls and stuff anyway."
"That's just the way he is." Yoh said laughing.
"You're right." Kagome sighed.
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
"Nothing, nothing." Kagome replied. She gasped when suddenly everyone and everything disappeared except her and Yoh. "What's going on, Yoh-kun? Where did Manta-kun go?" She asked.
Yoh did not answer.
"Yoh-kun…?" He just stood there. Kagome looked around; suddenly they were standing waist deep in a sea of blood. "Wh- What is this?" Her eyes widened at the sight of a shark fin rising above the surface of the sea, just enough so that she could see it. It was headed for Yoh.
"Watch out, Yoh-kun! Watch out! It'll get you! It'll get you!" She yelled.
Gasping for breath, Kagome's eyes shot open. She was panting heavily and her body was drenched in sweat. She was lying in her bed… "Yume wo…" she asked. Kagome looked at her digital clock sitting on a nightstand next to her bed. "Only three in the morning… The bewitching hour."
'What does that mean…?'
(Chapter 2: The Waiting Samurai)
(!ENDS!)
Authoress' Notes: And that concludes chapter two. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and continue with lovely, inspiring reviews. I think Ren Tao enters in the next chapter and I think Kagome will find her primary spirit. It depends on how much I feel like writing.
Between these three people, who should Kagome's primary spirit be:
1) Kikyou - 1 vote Poor girl… She's got no love
2) Midoriko - 8 votes More popular than Kikyou but less popular than-
3) Sesshomaru - 15 votes Wow, 15 out of 23 people voted for him
4) Multi - 1 vote I don't really have a comment on this one
But oh well, everyone I would appreciate if you helped me out with that. This is the final chapter where you can vote so if you try voting on Chapter 3, it will NOT count!
Also, like I said before I was thinking of doing a Kagome/Harem. But here are the votes for the pairings so far:
1) Pro-Kagome/Harem - 1 vote Someone agrees with me! pouts lol
2) Anti-Kagome/Harem - 1 vote …Okay, I guess I get your point…
3) Yoh/Kagome - 4 votes Somehow, I have nothing to say
4) Faust/Kagome - 1 vote Uh… Oo Oh my… Okay, I got it
5) Ren/Kagome - 1 vote Hmm, this pairing was more popular before… shrugs
Okay people, you were so excited about Kagome's primary spirit that barely anyone voted for pairings. The romance that I'll write later are based on what's the most popular and what's the least popular. So if suddenly you see a pairing you don't like, you'll know why! Anyway, for anyone who is curious about the Kagome/Harem. Anyone who you want to be in it will be in it, like I said, it depends on what the majority says.
Alright, here is this chapter's mini Japanese glossary:
1) Ano - Uh; um
2) Miko - Priestess; a shrine maiden
3) Ne - Right?; hey
4) Mou - A way of complaining or expressing discomfort or being unpleased
5) Arigato gozaimasu - Thank you very much; a very formal way of saying Thank you
6) Gomen ne - Sorry
7) Daijoubou - Are you alright?; it's alright (in this chapter, the first definition was used)
8) Hyoi gattai - Over-soul mode
9) Onegai - Please
10) Yamette – feminine version of Stop; stop it
11) -dono - an honorific that means Master
12) Yume wo - A dream
Lastly, I would like to thank all of my reviews again because my story made it to 24 reviews, 3 C2s, 16 favorites, and 31 alerts. I'm not disappointed thanks to you guys. KYAH! Thanks so much!
I look forward to more encouraging reviews. I hope you guys enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it. See you next time!
