Author's Note: Hello again. Sorry about the wait for this chapter. I ran into a bit of writer's block while I was home.
I appreciate all the reviews and the favs. I never imagined this story would be so popular. Well, I'm glad you are all liking it.
To Amaterasu's Son: She is inu-hanyou. I say it in this chapter, but I thought I'd give you a heads-up before hand.
Terms: hanyou half-demon, youkai demon. If I missed any, I'm sorry.
On with the show!
Inuyasha had gone to the village to try and alleviate his boredom. So far, he'd heard three different villagers tell him the same tale, all from a different point of view, he'd watched Miroku grope Sango and she'd slapped him no less than a dozen times, and Shippo had tried to use his fox magic on Inuyasha before being hit on the head.
Now, Inuyasha was looking for something to sharpen his claws on. He never liked sitting around and waiting for something to happen. That's why he always insisted that the group continue to move as often as possible. He was currently cracking his knuckles and glaring menacingly at the wall.
Miroku and Sango were as worried about Kagome as Inuyasha was, but they were much calmer about it. Indeed, they were sipping tea and discussing where to look for Naraku next.
"We've not been east to the sea yet. Perhaps we should try there next," Miroku remarked, flexing his fingers. Sango shook her head."We should travel west. There are lands near the Great Forest that haven't been explored yet."
Even Shippo put his two cents in. "The south has sun and a lot of fox tribes. Maybe we could go there."
Inuyasha just growled. Kagome would decide for them, and not before.
Kagome stood outside the inn, head bowed and her hands hidden in her sleeves. She looked as if she were thinking or praying, but rather she was steeling herself for the interrogation to come. 'I just have to stay calm. I'll be fine as long as I don't panic.' She took a deep breath and stepped forward, going to look for her friends.
Inuyasha caught the whiff of Kagome's scent long before he heard her. He brightened, sitting up a little straighter. That meant she was okay. He'd been worried about her.
Soon, even Miroku and Sango could hear someone shuffling down the corridor. They were all on their feet when the door opened, but what they saw surprised them. Gone was the short green skirt and white top. In it's place was the red and white of a priestess. On the girl's head there sat a straw hat, completely covering her face in shadow.
They all bent to get a look and heard a cough. "It's me, guys. I'm fine. We should really be going though." All eyes went wide and everyone took a step back. Kagome's voice had come from this unusually dressed person.
She lifted her head, just enough so that they could tell it really was her. "Well? Are we leaving or not?" She turned on a heel, retreating the way she'd come. The group scrambled to gather their belongings and were soon traipsing behind Kagome.
She breathed a sigh of relief. So far no one had voiced their opinions about her new outfit. For that she was grateful. That meant she wouldn't have to delve into a lengthy lie.
In truth, everyone was still stunned by the change that had come over Kagome. Sango wondered what Kagome was thinking. 'She's going to get herself killed, parading around like that. Priestess are like youkai magnets in that outfit.' Miroku's thought's were much more lecherous. 'I never realized how beautiful Kagome looked in red and white. Perhaps Sango will forgive me for desiring after Kagome.'
Shippo was a little curious about this 'new' Kagome, but he had no thoughts on the subject. Inuyasha, on the other hand, could barely breathe. At first, he thought Kikyou had returned to him, but when he smelled and heard Kagome, he was bewildered. He remembered long ago when she'd first worn the outfit. Then, she had been like a miniature Kikyou clone. Now, though... She definitely doesn't smell like Kikyou, although that feral dog smell is hanging around.' He scrunched up his nose and sneezed. It was definitely strong.
Kagome stiffened. Had Inuyasha smelled something strange about her? She chided herself on such thoughts and kept walking, heading east for a jewel shard they'd heard rumors of.
It was two days before Kagome spoke again. She could usually avoid saying anything by gestures or disappearing altogether. Everyone was beginning to wonder if anything had happened to this outspoken girl to make her turn to silence.
Even Inuyasha couldn't make sense of Kagome's speechlessness. He couldn't remember doing anything to make her mad at him, and even if he had, she would at least talk to the rest of the group. He also noticed that the feral dog smell, instead of fading, had remained constant. He had half a mind to turn around and return to Kaede to see if anything could be done, but he also wanted to find the rest of the shards.
Sango had tried a few times to approach Kagome to find out what was wrong, but the girl had shied away from her company so far. Tonight, she had a plan. They had stopped at a hot spring and everyone knew how hard it was for Kagome to resist such a temptation.
She was trying but the smell of the hot water and slight saltiness was luring her to the hot spring against her will. She made sure she wasn't able to be seen before stripping and sliding into the warmth with a sigh. She sank to sit on a rock and leaned back against the edge. Without thinking, she quickly washed away her makeup and soaped her hair.
Sango counted to one hundred then stood up, saying she was going to take a bath. She received nods of acknowledgement and left, creeping as slowly as she could. She was soon at the hot spring and when she saw Kagome lounging in the water, she gasped.
Kagome nearly screamed at the sound. She ducked down in the water, making sure her ears were tucked back against her head. She looked around, eyes narrowed as she readied her claws. Whoever was spying was going to pay.
Hurriedly, Sango made her way closer. "Kagome. It's just me. Please. Relax." If what she'd seen had been correct and not some trick, she knew the girl-turned-hanyou would be ready to kill if necessary. She knelt next the hot spring, hands on her knees. "It's alright. I'm not going to do anything."
Kagome relaxed but only marginally. "Sango. Now you know why I hide myself from everyone. I'm a freak, a monster." She held up her clawed hands, flexing them. "I shouldn't be alive," she whispered, clenching her hands into fists.
Sango smiled gently and shook her head. "But you are alive, Kagome. That must mean your purpose is still unfulfilled. Besides, I see neither 'freak' nor monster. You are a half-demon, true, but you are still Kagome and you still have your priestess powers." They'd seen her use her sacred arrows on a few of the demons they met with.
Kagome said nothing. She merely went back to staring at her hands.
Sango bit her lip, then stood slowly. "Perhaps I should speak to Inuyasha-"
"NO!" Kagome was at her friends side in an instant, gripping the demon-slayers wrist. "No one else can know. You aren't even supposed to know. Please," she said, pleading.
Sango sighed heavily. "All right. No one else will know." 'For know. Inuyasha will figure it out eventually. That nose of his can't be fooled forever.'
Kagome smiled, revealing the tips of her fangs. "Thank you, Sango." She slid back to her resting place to finish soaking.
Sango smiled and stripped, joining her friend. "You're welcome, Kagome. So tell me, how has this change affected you? I can see some physical aspects, but is there more?"
Kagome thought for a minute. 'I never wanted to tell anyone, but now that I can I'm sorta glad Sango found out.' She grinned and proceeded to tell her new confidant everything.
Well, how was it? I was originally going to end with another cliffie but I think I'll save that for a bit. I also had a more... 'intense' reaction from Inuyasha, but decided that could also wait for a while.
Any and all reviewers get cookies. Dark Side Soul cookies: Give us your soul and get a free cookie! (Insert evil laughter)
Anyway, leave me a review. You know you want to.
Later, peeps. Red out.