Chapter 4: Barrier

Kagome landed outside of the hut Jinenji occupied with his mother. She knocked and entered to see the Hanyou crying by the form of his mother. She approached him and placed a hand on his large shoulder, her power going to sooth him. "I am sorry for your loss, Jinenji," She whispered. "You are welcome to come with me; I can really use your help. You will be greatly appreciated." He turned and looked at her.

"Kagome?" She nodded. "You look so different."

"I know. The others betrayed me, drove me away. Will you do the same?" He could see the sadness in her eyes.

"I would never. You accepted me when others would not." Kagome smiled.

"Thank you. We have one more person to see." Jinenji nodded and stepped out of the hut with her. He was amazed when a cloud of youki formed under them and took off into the distance. He had never been this high in the air before, or ever traveled this quickly. His large blue eyes took in everything. He looked down to see a village. They were landing here.

The cloud vanished and Kagome walked through the village. It was night and no one was out. The barrier was down, which was bad, so she moved quickly. She found the hut, only to see it was burned down. She panicked as she started to search her out. She could feel her, so took off running. It was faint but she knew where she was. She moved into the bat demon cave. She saw the bat tribe surrounding Shiori. She moved closer and they turned towards her, weapons at the ready.

"I am not here to harm anyone." She raised her hands, dropping her bow and arrows. "I only wish to help her and know what happened."

"Where is Inuyasha?" One asked.

"He has turned his back on me after I defeated Naraku." She sighed. "I can heal Shiori." She slowly approached and placed a hand above Shiori. Her miko powers flooded into Shiori, reversing the damage done. She gave a sigh and opened her lavender eyes.

"Kagome?" She nodded. "You are different."

"I am." She smiled. "Inuyasha tried to kill me for being what I am. I fled south and lost them. That was a good month ago. I need your aid to protect those lands now. You are all welcome to come, as long as you stop attacking human villages. They are lands of peace, where it does not matter if you are human, demon, or Hanyou."

"Those lands are cursed," a male said.

"They were cursed. I have broken the curse, and in turn the people there have named me ruler. I am trying to re-establish the lands. You are all skilled warriors and I can use your help, seeing as the village has turned their back on you. Join me and you will have food and a place to stay."

"We should go," Shiori said voice soft. She was their leader now, being who her father was. "I am sure she has a nice mountain for us to stay in."

"The castle of the south was made around a mountain." Shiori nodded and sat up. There was a barrier placed around them and Jinenji. It took off into the distance and towards the south.

Scene Change – Southern Lands

He was landing in the courtyard now, his blind sister sliding from his back. He reverted to his human form. He took his sister's hand and headed towards the castle.

"Something is coming," he heard his sister say. He stopped and turned to see a barrier approaching. His sister stopped and turned as well. He stayed and watched as the barrier touched down, two Hanyou and a group of bat demons were with his lady.

"My lady, I had not known you left the castle." He bowed and kissed her hand. "I had just returned with my sister."

"I was in need of more help. The bat demons are strong warriors, and Shiori, the lavender-eyed girl, is their leader. Jinenji is good with herbs and farming." She smiled as she looked at the girl. Her eyes were a milky amber color and she had the same coloring as Ryuusuke.

"Kindness," she whispered. "And power. There is compassion and a need to help others." She smiled. "I am more than happy to serve someone as pure hearted as you." She bowed.

"What is your name?" Kagome was curious. This girl was a good judge of character.

"I was known as Hanamei."

"You can help and serve these lands by becoming a healer in the castle. You will be well taken care of and no one will judge you for your lack of sight. You will be appreciated here." She smiled. "Your brother will always be near." Hanamei nodded. "Good." Ryuusuke, it is time for you to train the army. Shiori, all I ask from you is a barrier around the castle and the village at the base." Shiori nodded and threw up the barrier.

"It will only allow those with no malice to enter." Kagome nodded. "I will be going with the others of my people into the tallest part of the mountain." Kagome nodded and they were gone, taking off on mighty wings.

"Jinenji, there is a plot of land on the eastern portion of the castle grounds. Can you toil it, and grow both crops and medicinal herbs? There is a large hut over there that you can live in."

Jinenji blushed. "Anything for you, Kagome." He twiddled his fingers before walking off. He would do anything for Kagome.

"I think he has a crush on you," Ryuusuke said.

"I was the first person, aside from his own mother, to accept him for what and who he is." She looked at the dragon demon. He was a handsome man and now her general. "You should go train the men."

"I will, my lady." He bowed and kissed her hand before walking towards the training grounds.

Kagome turned and headed into the castle, Sora and Yuki grasping her legs. "Did you two miss me?" They nodded. "I had gone to get more help." She ruffled their hair. "I am going to see the black smiths. When that is done, we can go see how the village is coming along, and then see how all the other orphans are doing." The twins nodded. They followed her into the forge. It was smoky and hot and there were clangs of metal. It would seem they went right to work.

"How is it going?" The elderly man came forward.

"Well, we're working with what we have, but we are making progress." He chuckled. "The men are not comfortable working with a woman."

"They are scared I'll make them look bad," she commented as she came forward. "My great grandfather was a blacksmith and taught me everything I know."

"What was his name?"

"Totosai. He was the blacksmith of the west."

"Yes, he was a friend of mine." She smiled. "He is the best blacksmith I know." She turned. "I look forward to seeing what you are able to do." The twins left with her and she walked out the gate, the twins with her. There were several huts already built and some stands. The men worked fast. This pleased her. She called to the nearest man. "What do you have to report?"

"We are roughly a fourth of the way done. We should be done within a week." Kagome nodded.

"Such great craftsmanship. You will be able to make a good living in these lands."

"Thank you, my lady. I should get back to work." Kagome nodded and walked off with the twins. They headed back into the castle and to the medical wing to see Hanamei looking over a few of the worse children. The others were up and about, almost eager to explore. "Your brother didn't lie. You are a gifted healer."

"It came easier to me the day I lost my sight. My brother has always worried about me, especially with the curse that was on these lands. You've saved us all, and now my brother doesn't have to worry about me so much. I'll be safe here." She smiled. She had a purpose here, and no one so far had seemed to notice her disability. It was a relief because in her village, she only heard about how it was a pity she could not see. But here she did her work without being pitied or judged. She liked it. "The other children should be up and about within the next couple days."

"Good job, Hanamei." The girl blushed. "We'll come get you for dinner."

"I'll be able to find my way," she whispered. "I might not be able to see, but all my other senses have been sharpened."

"Alright." Kagome turned and left with the twins, a swarm of children following after her. "Off to the gardens, little ones. Sora, Yuki, go have fun. I am going to go hunt for dinner and possibly find more wild vegetables."

"Can we have soup tonight?" Sora asked.

"You'll have to ask the cooks for that." She smiled at the innocence of her and watched her run to the kitchens while the other children scurried to the gardens. She felt weird having to care for so many children, and to protect so much land and people. She needed an advisor, and a council, but that would require people she trusted and only had the interest of the people in mind. Maybe Hanamei could lend her services in this regard. She would discuss it with her after dinner. She was sure Ryuusuke would be there as well. There was something about him…

Author's Note: Here is the next chapter. I'm a little disappointed with the lack of reviews for this story. So please, a bit more reviews, or I might just not continue this story. I mean four reviews for three chapters isn't a lot, not like with my other stories of ten reviews per chapter, give or take a few. But read, enjoy, and please review.