Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or related characters.
Changing Winds
Chapter 3: Destiny Fulfilled
"Hurry up Kagome!", Inuyasha was growing impatient, " you should really let me help you out of the well, you are soooo slow!"
Kagome huffed back, "if you want me to move faster than take my bag! It's really heavy."
"If you didn't insist on all this junk it wouldn't be so heavy."
"You like the food I bring, and because you are so reckless we always need the first aid kit."
"I don't need your kit to heal!"
"Maybe, but you still like the food!"
"Whatever Kagome, if you weren't a human in the first place..."
"SIT!"
As Inuyasha came crashing to the ground Sango walked up to Kagome and gave her a proper greeting. Shippo was hot on her heels, Kagome noted how much bigger he already was since they first met.
'Has it really been almost 4 years?', she sighed, 'well they say time flies when your having fun!'
Sango looked warmly at Kagome and asked, " how was your day of graduation?".
"It went well, I never thought it would feel so good to accomplish something like that."
"It would feel even better if we can get rid of Naraku!", Inuyasha retorted as he picked up Kagome's bag and started towards kaede's village.
"Don't mind him Kagome", Shippo piped up, " he's just sore that Sesshoumaru and you can talk for hours about stuff he knows nothing about."
Kagome thought on this as they walked. As if it wasn't bad enough that she almost didn't finish high school, Sesshoumaru had joined their group about a year ago. He was as unapproachable as ever, and seemed to be an even better killer than Kagome had remembered.
She secretly thought he joined so Rin would have a woman figure to look up to seeing as she was nearing her pre-teens. Kagome looked after Rin like she did Shippo. It didn't take long before the two were almost inseparable from Kagome. Sesshoumaru hadn't minded this interaction at all, it was only proper after all that his young ward be around humans. What had bothered Sesshoumaru was her inability to stop talking about nonsense.
After three months of traveling together he had had enough of her complaining about these 'tests' of hers. He finally suggested, when no one was around, that she show them her archer skills as a 'test' of her prowess. He said no one would ask another 'test' of her if they knew how powerful she was.
Though Kagome knew she couldn't just purify her way through high school it had given her a marvelous idea.
She joined the archery club! Top honors. The extra credits where the only reason she even graduated. Even though she was the schools' star archer it couldn't make up for her poor school work. As a result no college would even look at her. She didn't really mind though. All these years of fighting demons had given her a very strange outlook on life. If she finished the jewel and had to return home, never to go back, she decided becoming the shrine's priestess was hardly a waste of time. It would be her great gift to pass on what she knows about demons, hanyous, monks, and priestesses to the future generations. She thought she could enjoy being a teacher.
She was snapped from her revere when a very tall youkai landed and started walking along side of her. "Sesshoumaru", she smiled warmly. 'He hates it when I'm in such a good mood', she smirked inwardly.
"Miko."
"You know, in my time people are greeted with their names, not their positions."
"You are in my time miko, in my lands."
"Perhaps, but change always had to have started somewhere."
"Not here."
"Oh Sesshoumaru you are the lord of these lands, if anyone was to start a huge trend such as this you would be the one to start it."
"The weak minded follow someone stronger than themselves, and they in turn follow someone stronger. I miko am stronger than all of them.", he straighted his back a little, "however, I am not the one the masses of weak initially follow, therefore I am not the one who will start this trend."
Kagome was positively smiling. She never thought she would enjoy the little chats her and Sesshoumaru had. It all started some four months back. She was trying to explain the meteor shower to Inuyasha, a truly hopeless cause, when Sesshoumaru broke the impended fight off by finishing Kagome's explanation of the stars. You could have heard a pin drop in the grass through the silence that followed. Naturally Kagome became overly animated and instantly dropped into heavy discussion with the Western Lord. Sesshoumaru had always been impressed with the young miko's knowledge of things only a high ranking lord, such as himself, would know. And though he would never admit it, he truly enjoyed the good mental exercise only Kagome could give.
'She hasn't smiled for days', he thought, 'it's good to see her smile. Inuyasha certainly isn't helping her disposition.' He looked over at the tense hanyou a few feet away. Kikyo had been following closely lately. The end was coming, and Inuyasha knew Kikyo had changed. She would never return to the person she was. She haunted him with the knowledge. Sesshoumaru could see it in the way he walked, always far too guarded to let Kagome in.
Kagome had felt Kikyo's arrival as well. Though she was more concerned about the effect on Inuyasha's emotions to worry about her own. Her new outlook on life had made her realize she would always have Inuyasha's undying friendship and love. He protected her, and she built him up. There would always be something there stronger than any other relationship. They would never be a 'couple', but they would always have each other.
Sesshoumaru leaned in towards Kagome slightly, "Kikyo is at the old miko's hut."
Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru and nodded, she knew what that meant. Kikyo knew where Naraku was, and would be joining them to the end battle. She needed to be there for Inuyasha, he would need no distractions in order to defeat Naraku. Sesshoumaru wanted Kagome to keep his half-brother focused. She couldn't yet call him a friend, but they definitely had a connection...of sorts.
"Inuyasha"
"yeah"
"Kikyo is here. You need to talk to her, she may not continue to lead this half life of hers after Naraku is dead. The both of you need to properly say your goodbye's"
Inuyasha looked into Kagome's wide eyes. How could he say no to her? When she looked at him like that he knew the world would be alright. All Inuyasha could do was nod and give Kagome a small warm smile. He loved that woman to no end, she would always be there, even after he would have to say goodbye to his first love again.
The rest of the gang waited on the outskirts of town as Inuyasha and Kikyo talked with Kaede. As soon as the two joined the group they set out. When the sky was turning a golden hue tinged with reds and pinks they made their final camp. Inuyasha and Kagome set out to talk.
"Are you OK Inuyasha?"
"What happens when it's all over Kagome? Do you leave too?"
"Maybe. If I do...know that I am in the future. I will have never really left you."
He smiled sadly and shook his head. How did she always seem to know what he was really feeling?
"If I don't come back...will you look for me in my time?"
"Don't be so silly! Why wouldn't I? I would need to tease you 'bout how much more I would know than YOU!"
They laughed till it hurt, something so rare that the rest of the group was worried something was wrong. They continued reminiscing about past battles until both Sesshoumaru and Kikyo came to attention. He was here.
They worked like a well oiled machine. Kagome and Kikyo fired arrows at his barriers, their combined powers easily making them fall. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha hit their marks perfectly; his chest, throat, and limbs, over and over weakening his ability to quickly recover. Sango, Kilala, and Miroku took care of the demons that escaped from Naraku's body.
Naraku had never suspected them to ever work together. And he never thought the young wolf demon would ever get the better of Kagura. He was running out of minions. He had no where to escape.
Kagome saw the Shikon No Tama where his heart should be. She dropped her bow and ran towards Naraku. Kikyo knew what she was about to do and she gathered all her remaining strength into one arrow, notched it and waited for the right moment.
"His chest!", Kagome yelled.
Inuyasha heard this in mid flight. He quickly rolled back from his flight path, gathered his strength and loosed the adamant barrage while Kikyo simultaneously let go of her arrow. The force of the combined powers split Naraku in two and began to burn away his flesh. Kagome saw her chance and she leapt into the air at the tainted Jewel. Sesshoumaru saw her plan and with deft speed grabbed Kagome around the waist to propel her towards her goal.
She grabbed it, held it to her chest, and said a prayer. Sesshoumaru cradled her when she did this, her mind not on her safety, and gently touched down beside Inuyasha. Setting her to rights Kagome's eyes flew open, rage tinging her perfect orbs. Her head held high the Western Lord could feel the strength that came off her in waves as she stared at the enemy. His hanyou brother could not stand the power her aura was creating and fell to his knees. The youkai watched in admiration as the young miko made her statement with not a trace of fear or pain. She was...intense.
"The demons should have swallowed your soul Naraku, and never given you anything in return."
The Jewel glowed pale pink and blue,encircling and absorbing into her body. Kagome was shocked, but she kept her composure. As Naraku made a lurching motion towards her Sesshoumaru felt the sudden need to protect her. Somehow she had become part of his 'pack' so to speak and he needed to shield her from danger. He glanced at her protector only to see him still unable to get up from the wake of power she was wielding. Sesshoumaru knew he was the only one who could approach her now, and it wasn't because he was a full youkai either, that secret he would never tell.
As he wrapped himself around the priestess the evil in front of them began to burn away with sickening screams. "What the HELL!", was all Inuyasha could muster.
The Western Lord backed away slightly to see what had Inuyasha so speechless. His eyes were as wide as the priestesses, the evil they had fought for so long was disappearing – dying. When he was gone and the air cleared of his stench her beautiful wide eyes met his even gold ones, and silently she thanked him.
He stepped away and tried to feign indifference toward what had just happened. Miroku took Sango into an almost embarrassing embrace, Shippo and Rin could be heard in the distance cheering and singing a song. Inuyasha and Kagome smiled at each other just as a cry rang out across the clearing, it was Kikyo...she was bleeding!
The two friends ran to her side, but before either of them could say anything she wrapped herself around Kagome in a fierce hug. "You saved me."
"I...I...I did what?", Kagome was so confused and startled at her reaction she could not process what was going on. Sango and Miroku watched on just as shocked as she.
"You were always the Jewels true owner", Kikyo said as she unwrapped herself and held Kagome's hands, "I was only a keeper. You made your wish and Naraku was consumed by the very demons that gave him life. The Jewel is a part of your soul now, so mine was returned to me. I should however have died in peace with my soul, but the gods have given me this chance and I must take it. Kagome I may not be around but for a short time, I must teach you all I know and train your priestess powers."
Kagome too stunned to speak closed her gaping mouth and simply nodded consent. Inuyasha's concerned face broke her wandering mind,"oh Kikyo! We must fix these wounds immediately or you won't be around to teach me." They both took an arm and started to lead Kikyo off to a nearby stream when something caught their eye.
At the end of the clearing stood a woman in a dark green dress, her long hair flowing softly in the summer breeze. She was clearly looking at Sesshoumaru. Kagome looked his way, "take Rin to help you", he stated with his usual flat even tone. She knew he meant keep her busy, and nodded.
"Come on Rin, Shippo, I will need help!"
"Inuyasha, who is that?"
"She is here for Sesshoumaru. Let's go."
Kagome stole a glance back and he walked steadily towards the woman. She was powerful, that much Kagome could sense, and for some reason she wished he was walking with her, not towards the mysterious woman.
"Youkai", her strong voice lifted to his ears.
"High Priestess"
"He had fulfilled his destiny, now you must start yours."
Perplexed he frowned deeply, his eyebrows drawing down, "my destiny is my own."
"Is is now?", her face a mask, "the miko can train her powers, but she will need to learn defense. I can not teach her yet, this task falls to you."
"You are hiding something.", she was the only one who trained miko's as powerful as Kagome had just become.
"I can not train her until she has mastered her powers more. There are things you can only learn with time, and she will now have lots of time to learn."
"Mortals do not have lots of time."
"The Jewel is a part of her, and not only is she now aware of it, she has called upon it's powers. Only someone as pure as her could do so, the Jewel has accepted her...so to speak. She has joined the ranks of the immortal humans."
He realized this new revelation was going to hit Kagome hard, 'She can't return home now.'
They didn't need to share anymore words. Their almost twin eyes met and she gave him a half smile taking his strong chin in her hand. She nodded once as if in approval then turned and left. Though she hardly left a mark in the dirt she seemed to leave a wake as she left. 'So much energy', he noted. He could tell by her actions that she was proud of his involvement in the battle. He never needed the proverbial pat-on-the-back, but the young lord still found himself wanting it from her.
He turned on his heel and set out towards the stream where the others were gathered. "My Lord!", screamed Jaken as he ran across the clearing to his master. 'Now what does the fool want?', he turned a lazy eye to Jaken without even breaking his stride.
"MY LORD! What a glorious victory! You showed that hanyou who the lord of these lands really is, your strength and .."
"Enough"
"...oh, yes my lord I..."
"Go to the castle and bring back training gear fit for a small human, you can take Ah-Un, and be quick Jaken."
"Of course my Lord!", Jaken quickly ran from his master to set about his task. 'Who could my Lord need small gear for? Perhaps he will finally teach Rin and I can stop being that childs' watcher.'
'I should get something to keep his mouth from flapping one of these days', Sesshoumaru thought as he came into view of the group. Rin and Shippo were starting a small fire for Kagome, Kilala was in true form acting as a screen between the men and the woman by the stream, Sesshoumaru knew they would have had to remove some of Kikyo's clothes to patch her wounds. The monk was trying to calm down his hot heat brother while the wolf demon egged him on. Inuyasha did look like he wanted to kill something, and it would get his mind off of Kikyo's pain.
Inuyasha spotted Sesshoumaru and decided that he was a better outlet for his rage. After all they had become good sparing partners, and he knew his arrogant brother wouldn't hold back
"What did she want!?"
"Nothing that can be said here hanyou.", 'he wants a fight.'
"What could possibly not be said here."
Sesshoumaru looked over in the direction of Kagome and Sango. Inuyasha followed his gaze, his eyes flared, "what did that woman tell you." He barely got the words out through his clenched teeth, his body had gone rigid and his hand laid at his sword.
Kouga normally never took Inuyasha's side, however, he didn't like how this was sounding. "If it involves our Kagome you had better get talking dog breath."
'Now', Sesshoumaru thought, 'I know why I travel alone.'
"Inuyasha!", Kagome interrupted the impending fight as she ran up to the group. "I need a few herbs to help her heal."
"What's wrong...is she dying...don't lie to me!!"
"SIT", 'ahh, we need some piece and quite'. She only had moments while Inuyasha was still on the ground, she set concerned eyes on the Western Lord, silently pleading with him to help. She didn't know why it should be him, but she did know he was the only one she wanted to turn to.
Her gazed fixed on him, those soft pleading eyes asking for help. He growled low as he unsheathed his sword, 'somehow those eyes will be the death of me'. Inuyasha recovered just in time to see Sesshoumaru lunge at him. They took to the skies as metal on metal clashed through the valley. Kouga wouldn't miss the hanyou's impending beating for the world and followed the brothers' fleeting forms.
"Miroku could you get the herbs I need?"
"I think that perhaps I should keep guard, demons aside, the villagers near here are wary of strangers"
She sighed, perhaps he was right. "I can help you Kagome! Rin knows what herbs you need!", the young girl could definitely go about without being noticed. Kagome figured it came from being around a youkai for so long.
"All right, but please be careful Rin."
"I will!", and with that she bounded off.
Miroku turned once more to Kagome, "will she make it?"
"I don't know, every wound she sustained in battle is finally opening. If we can stitch up her wounds before she bleeds out, and she doesn't get an infection, she should live."
Sango came up to them with the needle from Kagome's kit,"we need to sterilize this Kagome."
"Shippo has the fire ready, and Rin went off to get what we need.", Sango nodded and stole a look at Miroku.
Miroku gave Sango a kiss on the cheek before departing to guard the makeshift camp, making Sango blush thoroughly. Kagome smiled at this as her 'sister' went off in search of Shippo. Then she went towards Kilala to tend to the miko.
Somewhere in the forest beyond the Lord of the Western Lands was beginning to wonder how he managed to let himself become his half-brothers 'babysitter'. 'Her ability for conversation may rival none, but there simply is nothing else that draws me to her...except her eyes; her large, soft, beautiful eyes. As far as humans go she is pretty, with her long black hair, perfect skin, and gorgeous figure...'
CLANG!
He had been so wrapped up in his thoughts he had let Inuyasha past his guard. The hanyou smirked in satisfaction, and thinking his brother weakened he lunged forward with reckless abandon. Sesshoumaru threw his sword with great accuracy and spun left grabbing Inuyasha by his sword hand and pulling him to the ground sword first. It stuck in ground with enough force for him to feel it up through his arm. The youkai deftly grabbed his sword from the ground and spun around in time to rest the blade against the back of his half-brothers neck. (a/n: he still has only one arm, hence the need to throw his sword before he grabbed Inuyasha) He spoke with more care in his voice than he had intended.
"She can't go home."
Kouga was as startled as Inuyasha upon hearing this and miss-judged his landing. He flipped in a vain attempt to avoid the massive tree but instead managed to smack into its large trunk and slid down it quite ungracefully. "What in the hell are you babbling about!", he grumbled as he rubbed his now aching head.
"What!...Miore...she told you this, didn't she.", Inuyasha's eyes were large as he looked sideways at his brother. Their golden eyes held the same look of concern.
"Yes"
"So the well sealed?"
"She has become immortal."
"No.", the word was but a breathe on the lips of both Kouga and Inuyasha. They knew how difficult it was to be immortal, to see their mortal friends go the the netherworld. Unlike them Kagome was not born into this life, it would be much harder for her, she would go through much pain over this. Though neither would admit it Sesshoumaru was right. She couldn't go home now. She would have to wait 500 years to see her family, but a moment for them, would be a long lifetime for her.
"When will the High Priestess start training her?", Kouga knew Miore would be the one to teach the now very powerful Kagome.
"It falls to Miko Kikyo, I will give her battle training."
Inuyasha had been suspicious of his motives before, now he was positive something was up. "I will be the only one to teach Kagome anything. So stay away from her Sesshoumaru."
"Don't forget little hanyou, I was the one who trained you."
"Besides," Kouga chimed,"you and Kikyo will be busy with each other."
"Can-it wolf! As long as Kagome needs to be protected I will protect her!"
He didn't wait for any answer, he simply stepped from Sesshoumaru's sword and started to walk back to camp. He had a choice to make and he needed time to think.
"Well...," Kouga said as he lazily rocked on his heels,"if Kagome is gonna be around for awhile I think maybe I'll go say goodbye and head back to my pack. Who knows what kind of trouble they've gotten themselves into. Oh... and YOU can tell Kagome. I would like to live to see another day!" With that the wolf speed off.
Never in his life did Sesshoumaru think he would rather die than see the hurt that would be in Kagome's eyes. He had truly begun to care for her. A hard thing to admit. Having feelings for a human, even and immortal one, wasn't the problem. He still had lands to run, and though he would take any criticism for being with Kagome, he could not put her life in danger. It had killed Inuyasha's mother once. He would never put her in that position, no matter how strong she became. 'Perhaps in the future things will be different between youkai and humans. Kagome seems to think so.'
He took to the air, being alone with his thoughts didn't seem to be a good idea at the moment. And he had the terrible task of breaking the news to Kagome before Inuyasha got back to camp.
He touched down in time to see Kagome wave goodbye to the retreating form of the wolf youkai. He waited for her to walk towards him before speaking.
"The miko will live.", as always he said more like a statement than a question.
"Yes, she is very weak though. I'm not sure we can move her for a few days at least. Sango went off in search of a better shelter."
They both looked over at the Miko resting in Kagome's sleeping bag by the fire. The children tending to her like dutiful nurses.
"I must have a word with you Kagome."
Her eyes just about bulged out of her head. 'He has NEVER, EVER said my name! I wonder what's wrong.' She nodded her head and followed him a short distance to the edge of the clearing. They could see the camp without being herd. The sun had set some time ago and the sky was absolutely beautiful. Kagome thought she could look at the stars forever.
"You have gained great power today miko."
"I do feel a little stronger. I could even feel Kouga coming from about 2 miles away! I guess I just absorbed the jewel back into my body."
"In a sense. You gained more power when you called upon the power of the Jewel itself. It has made itself a part of you. You are to be it's new protector for as long as time requires of you."
Kagome hadn't caught his meaning at first, "how long would time itself require of me?"
"As long as time exists."
..."oh my god!"..."I...but, how?"
"You are a pure soul, you have been chosen to become an immortal human. You are now one of only six that exist on this world."
He looked up at the starry sky as he said this. He could not bear to see the sadness in her eyes. It was already in her voice. The silence between them stretched on for far too long, he finally broke the uncomfortable silence.
"You will need to be able to defend yourself, I will teach you."
"Thank you for the offer Sesshoumaru but I don't even know how to use my new powers."
"The Miko will teach you. Her soul is restless and has a need to fulfill what it could not in it's previous life. You will have time to learn what you need from her. The rest you can only get with time."
"How do you know these things?", she was a touch suspicious. 'Was he telling the truth? Or does he think he can get something from me?'
"Sit Kagome, there is a legend that as an immortal, you need to know."
She looked like she might just pass out. Sesshoumaru hoped she would sit at his suggestion. She was looking straight at him and he couldn't help but look her in the eye as he began telling the story of the immortal High Priestess.
'His eyes are so beautiful tonight, he is really worried about my reaction! As if this news wasn't jarring enough I have the strange feeling Sesshoumaru likes me! Well...it wouldn't be the worst thing to happen to me, he's cute and strong and smart and... concentrate! He's talking to you girl.' Kagome then listened intently without ever breaking eye contact with him. She hadn't even noticed the movement in camp.
The demon slayer had come back and the monk had settled down next to her by the time Sesshoumaru finished. Inuyasha had checked on Kikyo and was waiting for him to leave.
"What's it like Sesshoumaru, to live to long?"
"That Miko, depends on how you spend your time.", with that he gracefully got up and walked towards the already sleeping Rin.
Inuyasha slowly made his way to Kagome. Never had he been so scared in his life. "Are you alright Kagome?", his voice was small as he sat next to her on the grass. She leaned into his strong chest and sighed, she felt safe, yet totally alone.
"I know I will see my family again, but I still will have to go without them for 500 years! I don't even have a picture with me. After Kikyo and Sesshoumaru are done training me where will I go?"
"You have time to worry 'bout those things later."
Silence fell between them for a moment and he knew that this was his chance. "Kagome, I want to stay with Kikyo till she passes. But, I don't want to leave you alone, if you need me instead I will stay with you..."
"Inuyasha stop.", he was thinking about that night. She could never forget it either, but Kagome had always said that all she could ever do was make him happy for as long as she could. It was time to move on.
"Kikyo is here to live the life she never got to have as the protector of the Sacred Jewel. That life includes you. Your my best friend Inuyasha, she is your love."
He gave a huge smile and hugged Kagome before bouncing off to Kikyo's side leaving her to look at the stars. She smiled sadly, 'The stars I will have an eternity to get to know.'
I'm not sure this is how I wanted this to go. I just had to get it out and over with so the story could move on. Tell me what ya think. Love it great! Hate it and I won't post any more chapters!
