A/N: I'm still struggling a little with the whole writing a story in more than one sitting, once I leave the computer I seem to totally forget where I was going…but I'm working on it, so please give me a little leeway. Thank you for the people who reviewed or put this story on their alert list, fudge for all!
Disclaimer: Yeah, unfortunately I don't own Inuyasha…if I did do you think it would be this hard to write another story? No most definitely not.
'Thoughts'
'Youkai thoughts'
"Speaking"
Chapter 2: A Tail?
Inuyasha shared a look with Miroku as they sat watch over camp two days after Kagome had returned, the last two days had passed in apparent normalcy, but their pace was drastically slowed to accommodate for Kagome's exhaustion, something that she hadn't managed to shake and was beginning to be a source of concern for the group.
"Miroku," Inuyasha almost whined from his perch in a tree, "do you have any idea what's wrong with Kagome, she's so exhausted, she hasn't even sat me since she came back, its worrying me." Miroku sighed and shook his head saying softly,
"I'm sorry Inuyasha, I do not know what is wrong with Kagome-sama, however, I have come to the conclusion that it's not normal. I understand her 'tests' are difficult, but from what I gather 'tests' are a test of knowledge, her exhaustion stems from physical exhaustion, so I do no believe they are the reason." Inuyasha whimpered unconsciously, both sides of his blood were concerned, Kagome was such a large part of his life, if something happened to her, he and the rest of the group would be left totally abandoned, she was the glue that held them together, if she was gone they would quickly fall to pieces. "Inuyasha," Miroku continued after some silence "I think you should take her to her era, you said her birthing day is coming soon did you not, you could take her home, let her relax, and ask her mother or grandfather if they have any knowledge about her…for lack of a better word…condition. They will be able to help." Nodding Inuyasha leapt from his perch and walked over to Kagome's sleeping bag. Gently he picked up the slumbering kitsune and handed him to Miroku, whispering
"I'll take her now, she's so tired she'll stay asleep and her birthing day is tomorrow, if we left then I wouldn't get her there in time anyways." Turning his back to Miroku Inuyasha carefully lifted Kagome out of her sleeping bag and onto his back, he made a motion of farewell to Miroku and silently leapt into the trees. Miroku turned his attention back to the wide-awake eyes of his companions; none had slept their worry for their friend overwhelming their own exhaustion, with a soft smile he gently reassured them
"Don't worry, Inuyasha will take her to her time, she'll be able to relax and hopefully her family will be able to determine what ails Kagome, I'm sure she'll be fine."
With Inuyasha
While Miroku was reassuring his companions Inuyasha was trying to reassure himself, as he jumped through the Bone Eater's Well and arrived in Kagome's era, 'Kagome's fine, all she needs is relaxation, besides, her era is advanced, if something is wrong they'll be able to fix her, there's nothing to worry about.' Shaking himself from his thoughts Inuyasha quickly leapt from the depths of the well and started towards Kagome's house; sighing quietly in relief at the sight of the lights, her family was still awake. Urgently he quickened his pace, almost instantly reaching the front door of the Higurashi home, careful of his sleeping cargo he knocked quietly on the doorframe and waited, impatiently, for a response.
"Inuyasha, why are you here, Kagome's birthday isn't until tomorrow, is there something wrong?" Kagome's mother asked, concerned, when she saw who their visitor was. Nodding swiftly Inuyasha croaked out, his voice somewhat choked with worry,
"Kagome has been like this since we left, her tiredness hasn't left, the monk says it's become worse. And, although I didn't mention this to the others, her scent has begun to change, I can't tell what's different about it, but something's off…we didn't know what to do…do you know what's wrong, can you fix her?" Kagome's mother sighed quietly and led Inuyasha into the house, solemnly speaking the whole time.
"Yes, unfortunately I think I do know what's wrong with my daughter, it's the reason her grandfather was so concerned about her returning for her birthday, all her symptoms revolve around that…here sit...I'll explain it all, but it may take some time." Inuyasha quickly situated himself on the couch, Kagome sleeping peacefully in his lap, and gestured for Ms. Higurashi to continue. "Well, to fully understand Kagome's condition I'll have to explain some about my family's history. When I was eighteen I met my first husband, Fukusei, Kagome's father. We were happy together, just the three of us, but unfortunately soon after Kagome's second birthday Fukusei disappeared, I was assured by his family he was still alive, and apparently still is, but he could no longer be associated with us, it was suggested I adopt a child, change my name back to my maiden name and make it common knowledge that my husband had died tragically, to cover any traces of Fukusei's association with us, for our own protection. But that is inconsequential, what really matters is Fukusei himself. You see Inuyasha, although youkai are far less common in the modern era they most powerful do still exist, they were able to adapt to the changes and make their livings in a modern fashion, many live without anyone except the immediate family knowing their secret, unfortunately, Fukusei was a powerful, influential youkai with numerous, powerful enemies, his human family were too vulnerable, so he left us, eliminating any trace of association to protect us." She paused, taking a deep breath and observing Inuyasha's reaction, who was waiting keenly for Ms. Higurashi to continue.
"Before he left he urgently explained some things about Kagome. He said that since she was our daughter my slight miko abilities would keep her youkai side dormant until her sixteenth birthday, then it would awaken and she would end up a hanyou, like yourself, but since she had matured without the demonic aspect of her personality its awakening would assuredly be painful and taxing, he said that if he hadn't returned to take her through the Bone Eater's Well, and find the village with the miko Kaede, she would be able to ease the pain, and hopefully be able to explain some things to Kagome and myself. Since Fukusei hasn't returned and her birthday is tomorrow, you need to get her to Kaede before the sun rises, she hopefully will be able to help." Inuyasha nodded dumbly, he was still shocked by the turn of events, 'Kagome's a hanyou, but…but…she's a miko, how can someone so pure have youkai blood, and what type of youkai blood, I don't recognize the name Fukusei, what type of youkai was he.' 'I told you hanyou, your subconscious reference to her being a bitch was not chance, I recognize her new scent as one similar to your own, besides, inu-hanyous are the most common, not many other demons are powerful and humanoid enough to live long in any situation.' Inuyasha's eyes widened,
"What type of youkai was Kagome's father? What kind of hanyou is Kagome? And how is it possible for her to be a miko and a hanyou, its impossible for a hanyou to have a completely pure soul isn't it, all hanyou souls are tainted by youkai influence, aren't they?" Ms. Higurashi shook her head, smiling gently,
"Your second question is more profound, so I'll answer that first. As Fukusei explained it and my later research confirmed, hanyous and youkai with pure souls are rare, but no rarer than humans with pure souls, the difference is that hanyous and youkai with pure souls are normally eliminated faster than those humans with pure souls. You see Inuyasha, the soul is set slightly apart from the body, the youkai blood, instincts, and influence are all centered on the earthly body, the soul extends farther than that it can only be tainted by choices, actions and to some extent by experiences, not by your body's composition." Inuyasha, unconsciously stroking Kagome's hair, not noticing when her eyes groggily opened, nodded thoughtfully,
"I guess that makes sense, it's just not what I was forced to accept as a child. But…doesn't that still mean she won't be able to manifest her miko powers? If she tried to shoot a purifying arrow she'd purify herself first…it wouldn't work." Ms. Higurashi nodded, not noticing Kagome's wakefulness, and answered Inuyasha's question
"Yes, she will no longer be able to manifest her powers directly, but she would still be able to make barriers, and sense sacred jewel shards. Besides, from what I gather the bow isn't really Kagome's weapon of choice, with hanyou abilities she could choose a different weapon, or go without." Kagome gasped silently, 'A hanyou, what? I'm a human, I've been human for the last sixteen years of my life, there's no way I'd suddenly become a hanyou…is there?' 'Why of course there is…what do you think that stunt outta the well was the other day, and are you really gonna chalk this exhaustion up to too many tests, and too much exertion, you've been resting for nearly two days straight and its gotten worse, there isn't any other explanation.' 'What, who are you? Am I going crazy, maybe this is a dream? Or I've suddenly developed a mental disorder?' 'I'm your youkai side, baka, you just haven't heard me before because I was dormant, and you'll rarely hear from me after this, I'm only suppose to interfere if the situation is important, like now, or your in a life-threatening situation, and then I may just posses you if you can't get yourself outta it.' With that the voice faded, and Kagome returned her attention to the renewed conversation,
"…what type of hanyou is Kagome anyways, I can't place her scent, and I've never heard of Fukusei." Inuyasha was asking, Kagome's mother smiled mischievously, looking at Kagome, who was now making no secret of her wakefulness, at least to her mother, and spoke, an impish lilt to her voice.
"Well, Inuyasha, you're an inu-hanyou, no. Did your family ever tell you what…breed, your line was?"
"Of course, mother told me that father was of the Akita line, we're Akita inus." He scoffed, then paused and hesitantly asked, "Why, what does that have to do with Kagome's type?" Giggling Ms. Higurashi looked Kagome right in the eye and said,
"Well, its common knowledge that the Shiba Inus are very similar to the Akitas, no? Slightly smaller, but they are very close breeds. Kagome's father, Fukusei, was the leader of the Shiba Inu pack, has been since the Feudal Times, the Lord of the Eastern Lands. Kagome is an inu-hanyou, much like yourself if I'm not mistaken." Both Kagome and Inuyasha's eyes widened to comical proportions,
"An Inu-hanyou…!" Kagome spluttered, finally altering Inuyasha to her wakefulness,
"Kagome, are you okay, do you feel alright?" Inuyasha quickly asked, concern layering his voice. Kagome nodded, and reassured him, shock and joy shining through her words.
"Yes, I feel alright for now, I'm just shocked, I mean, me…an inu-hanyou, complete with all your abilities? I never dreamed…" Kagome's mother laughed and nodded, ecstatic, that after 16 years of waiting her daughter finally knew the truth, her burden had been lifted.
"Yes dear, you'll have to discover and refine them, but I imagine your abilities will be much like Inuyasha's once they awaken." Kagome smile began to widen, abilities like Inuyasha's were something she thought would be out of her reach, until now. Suddenly a shooting pain ran through her body, making her gasp for air, and immediately drawing the attention of her mother and Inuyasha. "Inuyasha," her mother barked, "take her to Kaede, and explain whats going on, the sun must be about to rise. Go NOW!" Inuyasha nodded and leapt from the couch, out the door, and was down the well by the time Ms. Higurashi had made it to the front door and wished her daughter and her hanyou good luck.
Jumping from the depths of the well Inuyasha bounded, faster than ever before, through the forest, heading straight for Kaede's village, whispering reassuringly to a whimpering Kagome, thankfully it soon appeared on the horizon, along with the first beams of sunlight. Inuyasha pushed himself even faster, he had to reach the old woman before the sun, 'Run, run, run. Faster, faster, faster.' Racing the sun Inuyasha leapt the last stretch, to land directly in front of the miko's hut.
"Kaede, Kaede!" He yelled as he pushed aside the door hanging and stepped into the hut, laying a whining Kagome gently down on the unrolled futon, and sitting next to her. Turning he gestured the cooking old woman over
"Aye Inuyasha, what ails Kagome?" She questioned as she came over.
"Her father's a demon, and her demon side is awakening, her mother told me to bring her here before the sunrise, that you would be able to lessen the pain she'd be in." He explained hurriedly, his voice as close to a whimper as possible, keeping his eyes, and ears focused on the whimpering girl in front of him, concern etched into his gaze. Kaede sighed, relieved and nodded,
"That explains her exhaustion. And it is an easy enough matter to lessen the pain, I've a simple potion for her to take. Ah…here… I always have some ready made." She paused and handed the potion to Inuyasha, "You would probably have more success getting her to take it, and you should sit with her, she trusts you with her life, your presence will be comforting." Nodding, Inuyasha took the potion bottle from the old miko's hand, sheepishly whispering to her, as he tipped it into Kagome's mouth, holding her head so there wouldn't be any lost.
"Thank you Kaede-sama," Smiling slightly the old woman nodded and left Kagome to Inuyasha's care.
Inuyasha watched from the corner of his eye as the old miko left, then turned his attention back to Kagome, waiting for a few anxious minutes before her whimpering and thrashing calmed and she snuggled closer to his warmth, sighing slightly and whispering his name. Blushing slightly Inuyasha brushed her midnight black hair from her face and watched, enthralled as he saw the changes beginning to take place on her body. Her hair lengthened and darkened in his hands, it now reached to her thighs, and was a dark midnight-blue color. Her human ears disappeared and were replaced with smaller, black versions of his own delicate dog ears. Smirking slightly he rubbed them, returning her gesture from when he was pinned to the God Tree. Still rubbing he watched as the other changes took place; her skin became a few shades paler, her fingers grew dainty claws, small, but deadly, and much to Inuyasha's shock a long, curled, black tail sprouted from the base of her back, a tail very similar to those of the actual Shiba Inus. Shocked he returned his gaze to her face, meeting open crystal-blue eyes, and after a few minutes of surprised silence he spoke, a roughish grin on his face.
"Kagome…you have a tail." Taken aback Kagome stood and looked behind her, stunned to find a curly Shiba tail behind her, turning her dazed eyes back to Inuyasha she whispered, completely astonished
"I have…a tail."
A/N:KAGS IS A SHIBA INU HANYOU! Srry if that's kinda confusing, but I wanted to make her a canine, but not exactly like Inuyasha or kouga, so I resorted to her being a different breed of dog, its similar to Inuyasha, just not exactly the same. Oh and yes, I do have it from a reliable source that Inuyasha is suppose to be a Akita hanyou, its on Wikipedia, under akita's, it's one of the Interesting facts, or trivia.
Well, that's the newest chapter, oh, and I know a couple people will ask me why Kags has a tail, a lot of people associated tails with full demons, I just like the idea, and I didn't want to make her exactly the same as Inuyasha…so there's the reasoning.
REVIEW! PLEASE! –comments/tips and suggestions are needed!- And thank you those who did review!
Toodles,
blackartemis
