Thank you all for reading the story, I hope you still have fun. Currently I'm a bit troubled as Kagome is starting to run off and cause trouble in feudal era. It's kind of hard to follow her and write it all down :-) so I will go back and try to keep up with her pace. Wish me luck.
#
Demon-slayer village
Kagome felt strangely. She lived in the village for three days and spent her time helping with everything. She wasn't treated like a woman but like a warrior and like two extra hands to aid those people. From rebuilding huts, to helping with the harvest, aiding the sick and assisting Kaede with a young woman giving birth to her first child.
Those were trying days to start a new life but as she could always do with additional training she didn't complain as she helped to fix roofs.
She of course needed to prove to the people of the village that she could be trusted and not for the first time she realized how much Kikyo's face had helped her originally. The first time she had come to feudal era everyone had flocked to her, Inuyasha of course had seen his dead lover in her but she realized now that the same had counted for Kaede and the villagers.
The jewel had known what it was doing as it was manipulating her DNA since birth to make her look like the diseased Miko. She wouldn't complain though, it was liberating to not be compared to the national hero for once. People now saw her for her and not for someone else and while she had now to work hard to earn her keep, she also didn't mind to not have to carry people's expectations.
It was also a bonus not having Inuyasha around, even if his disregard of her had initially hurt her more than she would have liked to let on.
Oh who am I kidding, he was the one I have come to love, the one I trusted to protect me. It just really hit home that those times are gone.
Yes it did hit home, with finality. Yet later she realized she felt also relieved, it seemed that she had become so used to work alone that she didn't mind not hearing his constant complains about her. It had of course stung, that he had simply disappeared and not shown up yet but without her resemblance to Kikyo he obviously had no reason to stick around.
At least she had received her own hut at the outskirts of the village. It was close to a river which bordered to the great forest. Kagome hadn't been surprised to hear that the former inhabitants had been slain by a surprise attack from a bear Youkai a few years ago.
No one else had wanted to live in there since, again not surprising to her. She vowed though that she wouldn't be scared away and would simply make the best out of the situation. It also had the upside that she wouldn't be bothered in there by the villagers as they still stayed clear of the hut.
With the hut located at the border she also would have an easier time to sneak away unseen if necessary. Therefore she felt happiness as she claimed her future home. She planted a small garden in her backyard, putting the seeds she had brought back with her to good use.
The interior of the hut still was really simple as it held only a place to cook and a place to sleep for her. Not that she would need any luxury and considering the time she was in, a one room hut was already considered luxury.
Later that day she went to the village's carpenter. There she acquired an additional table. She paid them a generous sum (she had brought some valuable pieces with her, which she could trade) for it. She couldn't know if she would receive guests and if she did she wanted to provide them with at least some comfort. Therefore she also got some cushions to sit on.
The table would also be used by her for her writing. She was still dead set on providing Kaede and the village with useful knowledge. Therefore she would need to work on the healing scripts she had already started but would need many more hours to be finished. It was her intention to gift them Kaede one day, it would be a repayment for all the times the old Miko had saved her or one of her friends. Even if the old lady couldn't know that, she still deserved every ounce of help Kagome could provide for her.
Finally it started to feel somewhat comfortable inside the hut and she thought that she would probably even able to feel at home there. It helped that she placed some rune circles around her new place; it cloaked everything in a feeling of warmth and comfort. It made the simple walls look less shabby and lifted the feeling of confinement somewhat. She mostly installed blessings as she didn't want to repel Youkai on general only those creatures with ill intent.
It would be a home not a fortress.
Kagome also thought that she couldn't ward the place to make it truly secure. Not against people like Sesshomaru or Naraku. Therefore she didn't bother to make this place seem like anything important, something that would hold anything of value to be raided.
Some of her things which weren't that important to always have on herself she placed inside her "house", like her calligraphy set, the kimono and other items she brought with her. Of course they were valuable especially in this time but not important to her mission. At least not important enough that she couldn't continue without them in case they would be "lost".
It lightened her backpack immense and helped to convince the villagers that she truly meant to stay with them.
#
Right now Kagome was sweaty from all the physical labor that day. She was tired and hungry and couldn't help her mind wandering but she couldn't complain. The people she was currently helping had promised to lend her a horse. It was really generous and only because she would be helping Kaede but Kagome knew that she had to be deeply grateful for that opportunity.
So she finished helping with making their roof as waterproof, wind resistant and long-lasting as it was possible. It was a boring and tiring work like most physical labor she had been doing. It also didn't help that she hadn't slept last night at all.
It had been the second night in the village and the first she could spend alone without anyone watching her suspiciously. Knowing of the events from her last life, she couldn't waste time and had to use the opportunity.
Flashback
She snuck out of the hut and made her way to Kikyo's gravesite. The stars allowed her to see enough to find her path. At moments like this she couldn't help but marvel the intensity of their glow. A sight which was unique for the feudal era as Kagome knew all too well.
Hoping beyond hope that no one would find her as it would probably destroy all of the fragile trust she had started to build with them, she carefully made her way through the night. She spread her senses out and was happy to find no Youkai or Hanyo in the surrounding area.
Kagome wouldn't have wanted to face a livid Inuyasha. From past experience she knew that her friend as kind as he normally was could never be argued with if it concerned Kikyo. Slowly she went to the grave and after double checking that still no one was watching her she started to dig.
She removed the earth carefully and silent until she found the small urn with Kikyo's ashes, always trying to be as quick and silent as possible as she could at that situation. Kagome then spoke blessings for the former Miko, she wanted for the soul to find piece in the afterlife.
After that she used the same ritual as she used with the Noh mask except for using a fire. As Kikyo's remains were already pure the ritual worked without as well and Kagome finally send the ash into the world. The wind carried it dutifully into all different directions and it would be spread out so thinly all over the country that no one would be able to summon it again for any evil deeds.
Kagome hoped that at least this time the woman could rest in peace.
Yet she wasn't finished, as the ashes of the old Miko had been used to protect the village. Kagome couldn't simply leave. The protection needed to be replaced in order to protect the people she cared for.
She closed the grave again and tried to put everything back to its former place. She even added some protection spells again. So at least on first sight everything should seem as before.
Then she went over to the statues and pillars guarding the place. She spoke a heartfelt prayer to protect the village and its people. She put all her love for her friends and the feudal era into it and she could feel how suddenly mighty waves of power pulsed through the prayer beads which she had brought along for this purpose.
An intense blue light danced within the beads, containing all their laughter with Shippo and Inuyasha. Her love for Sango and Miroku and all the good memories she had inside the village. The power increased tenfold.
She may have never liked Kikyo but after her death she had come to terms with everything and had also realized that she had never really met the "real" Kikyo. The living version of the old Miko had been a caring and nurturing person and for that sake and for Kagome's love of everyone she would come to know in this time, she finally put the prayer beads around one pillar and could feel a mighty field rise.
Unbeknown to her she wasn't as alone as she had hoped for. Hidden in the shadows, only a few steps away from her stood Naraku in his trademark white baboon fur. His eyes shone with a dark curiosity which had drawn him out and into the village.
Normally he would have only sent a Saimyousho or a Kugutsu but something about this woman made him want to visit her in person. After watching her from afar how she helped the village throughout the day, he somehow knew instinctively that there had to be more at work. As she had moved into a hut of her own, he had finally seen a way to reach out for her.
Knowing for sure that she would be in there alone and at his mercy, caused him to grin manically, Naraku felt his desire to hunt her down rise involuntarily. Feeling her tremble under his touch the moment he would force her to tell him all she knew, would be most satisfying. He simply had needed to know more about her for himself. He hadn't trusted his servants to not miss an important detail about "Kagome".
Naraku of course had hidden himself with his mightiest spells but somehow he had feared or rather anticipated that she would sense him anyway. Instead of finding her asleep he saw her silhouette hushing through the night. Every time her look would wander into his direction as if she was sensing him somehow caused a wave of desire to flood him.
Seeing her finally unearthing Kikyo's remains was nearly too much to watch. His demon half was laughing at the nerve of the woman to steal from those she had promised to protect but Onigumo's heart rebelled and wanted to force him to attack her. Of course Naraku wouldn't give into the useless urges of the human fool; instead he focused on enjoying the show.
The puzzle of that woman became satisfyingly more complex by the second. The more it did, the more this woman showed him that she wasn't some dimwitted fool, that instead he faced someone with hidden agendas, the more endearing his Youkai part found her. It even went so far that he found himself unable to look away from her.
He was deeply displeased to see that she only spread out the ashes and wasn't going to use them for some unknown purpose. It confused him as she couldn't be considered good nor evil in the end he realized that this was exactly the amount of confusing which caused her to become even more interesting. Frustratingly he found no clear answers but he wasn't irritated enough about it to confront her, yet.
Naraku also had to fight another battle with Onigumo as the fool still didn't accept his place and wanted to force him to attack the cloaked human. Naraku despised the human even more as he obviously couldn't even value the class of their newest victim. So occupied with his own inner conflict Naraku didn't realize fast enough what was happening next.
As he felt the immense surge of power it was already too late for him to get to safety. He was shocked into complete silence but could do nothing as the field grew and swept over him. The dark Hanyo was overwhelmed by the power and was quite sure that he would pay with his life for his careless act.
Yet no pain came. It took him a few moments to realize that while powerful, the field wasn't meant to harm Youkai. With his dark senses he tasted the power. He could feel the spell tingling on his skin but it wasn't painful as purifying powers should be.
He of course didn't wait that this Miko would finally realize he was there and decide to put his life to an end; therefore he didn't waste more time and vanished into the night.
End Flashback
Back in his hideout he had still been stunned. Naraku had crossed path with many "holy" people before but not once had he felt something alike the power shown by Kagome. His body still tingled in remembrance. This small being had achieved what no one had been able to do so before. Naraku was impressed.
After overcoming the initial shock he had started laughing hysterically, realizing that he had finally gotten at least some answers about this puzzle. He thought long on what he had learned. Obviously she was a Miko and the most powerful one he had ever met.
She also told no one about it which irked him. Normally even those which weren't much more than simple humans, with powers so small that they should hide away in shame, screamed to everyone what they were and even demanded respect. Not Kagome though… If she was asked, she only answered that she was a warrior and a healer.
He believed her claim of course, the way she moved had shown him that she was indeed a warrior and she had used her healing skills with the people in the village.
Not once had she mentioned to anyone though that she had sacred powers and no one seemed to have guessed. Even following her through the night, he hadn't been able to sense it.
Another wave of desire flooded him and he grinned, he loved the challenge she was providing.
Somehow this being had been able to fool him. At that thought his grin took on a more predatory note.
He wondered more about that topic, why did she hide herself? Wasn't she proud about what she was?
That led to other questions.
Why was she hiding her identity behind that mask?
He had watched her since the moment he had received the letter but with every piece of knowledge he found about her, he was only left with more questions.
A woman educated to write and heal was also a warrior… Who would educate her and then allow her to entangle herself with him? What was her plan?
The only worthwhile answer he had found at that moment was that he now believed without doubt that she possessed the Shikon jewel.
Only someone with great powers and the ability to hide them so thoroughly from the world would be able to carry the jewel without anyone able to sense its presence.
He had been intrigued by her from the start but now he had made his mind up.
#
Kagome was still sitting on the rooftop and the sun was slowly setting. In her sleepy head she recounted the conversation with Lady Kaede this morning.
"Child you are a Miko."
It hadn't been a question and the old woman had been sure that only their new addition to the village could have been responsible for the happenings last night. They couldn't know who stole the ashes of her sister but the field of protection around their settlement could only have come from her.
"Good Morning Lady Kaede-sama. No I never took the vows. Actually I'm just a human with holy powers no restrictions attached."
This announcement made Kaede think. No dark Miko could raise a shield like this but it was unheard of, that People as powerful as Kagome ran around without formal training or without taking the vows.
"If what you speak is true how does it come you never took the vows?"
Kagome was a bit at loss with that question. In her former life she could have simply told them that she had never received a formal training but now that wasn't true anymore. In her time of course no one had to take the oaths as being a Miko was only for show mostly and most of the temple students decided to study other crafts and simply incorporate their abilities and powers into those tasks. Therefore, what should she answer?
"I do not hate Youkais. I will always protect and aid innocent people but I will not fight a war against an entire species just because I'm oath bound to do so. Not all Youkais are evil, as well as not all humans are good. I decided to hunt those which are evil, sometimes they are Youkai but tell you what, most of the time I have to deal with human criminals."
Kaede had accepted her words. It had helped that Kagome had invited her in for tea and that both of them had talked about their feelings for Youkais in general afterwards. She had learned that Kaede also didn't despise Youkais on sight but that it was hard to let go of some lessons that had been ingrained into her since she was a small child.
They had parted amiably and decided the Kagome would continue to help around the village which led to her currently sitting on that particular roof.
Kagome was so lost in the events of this morning that she nearly missed the approaching Saimyousho. Only as she heard the "sirring" sound she looked up from her task. It had waited until no other humans were around before it approached her. She chuckled lightly.
Not for the first time Kagome admired Naraku's efficient workings. It didn't matter if it was silent approach, a trap, a manipulation or his unfolding plans he always did it with an accuracy and efficiency it was truly baffling.
A small concerned voice in the back of her head tried to remind her that she had to be careful with Naraku and that she shouldn't forget that he was the enemy. That she shouldn't forget what he has done to her friends and to her as well. The amount of pain that he had caused was of course deeply ingrained in her memory.
Those thoughts made her pause though. At first she didn't realize what caused her to be disturbed, she had thought along those patterns for years but now something about it was causing internal resistance…
Of course Naraku had attacked her, tried to manipulate and hurt her but only because of Inuyasha. She had been used to hurt him, to lure him into trouble but all the pain she had been dealt had never been because of her. Until the very end she had been a nuisance at best not something that was worth an afterthought. It was hard to swallow but the truth was that Kagome had never been important to their enemy.
No… not our enemy, Inuyasha's enemy!
It was true and without Inuyasha around this time, she had no intention to be pulled down into their quarrel again. Naraku was Inuyasha's enemy not hers and she had absolutely no obligation to change that!
The flying insect waited for her to retrieve the message it got for her. As she first touched the washi she immediately noted the fine quality, she was surprised that Naraku would go to such lengths for her. It made her curious.
She nodded respectfully towards the small being and took the letter from it. Within a few moments the insect disappeared into the evening sky again and Kagome put the letter into her Haori. She wanted to read it when she was away from the people and their prying eyes.
Naraku was a topic she wasn't comfortable to discuss with anyone.
After finally finishing the task, Kagome took the offered horse and made sure to thank the family thoroughly. Horses were indeed very valuable and she was really grateful that they would lend one to her. She still was a stranger to them and while they mostly did it to aid Kaede, it was still a huge risk for them.
Kagome took the holster with one last nod and then marched on to Lady Kaede's hut. As she had mentioned to the Miko that she intended to visit the demon slayer village the other woman had immediately asked her if she would take some healing plants to them.
Of course Kagome agreed as it would help the village. In order to get some of their weapons repaired by the smiths of the demon slayer they offered some of their harvest of healing plants to the people there in exchange. The demon slayers had skilled crafters and increased need for healing supplies, therefore it had been a mutual agreement for many years.
As she therefore arrived at Kaede's hut, she grabbed the offered saddlebags with plants. Lady Kaede had made sure to also pack some food for the journey and handed the young warrior the weapons which would be needed to be repaired. Only moments and some heartfelt goodbyes later she was finally on her way.
It was her first time back on the road and this time without her friends.
She knew where she had to go, thanks to her map; she also had a compass with her but preferred to navigate via stars. Especially when they were in the open, like they were tonight.
So Inuyasha who is so helpless now? Not me that's for sure!
Kagome tried to keep her spirits up. At moments like this when everything turned out to be so unusually silent, she missed them all dearly. Yet she needed to protect her family of heart and therefore needed to brave the tasks ahead of her.
Looking at her map, she knew that even if she was going by horse she would need to make camp somewhere and rest once in between. It was quite a distance but as she was used to riding and had faith in her steed she managed to go by an acceptable speed even if it was growing dark already.
She still rode many hours always keeping her senses on alert in case there were any Youkais or criminals out. She sensed no disturbances, it was a weird feeling. It seemed as if the land had become much less dangerous since her last travel…
Kagome you have to remember that last time you had a scent upon you and many lesser Youkai were attracted alone by that. Also had there been jewel shards all over the place and everything came out of hiding to beat the others over gaining even one shard.
It was true; it just didn't mean that she felt kind of surprised. She also had figured that with her stronger aura she was able to mute the jewel to some degree so she wasn't constantly approached about it. No one seemed to know about it too. Maybe it also helped that Inuyasha wasn't constantly making a ruckus, attacking everything that crossed their path…
Whatever had finally caused the changes, Kagome was able to appreciate it.
After making a good distance, she finally found a nice secluded place on a mountain path where she could put her makeshift camp up. She would only rest for a few hours not risking to really trying to sleep. She only needed to give her horse some rest.
Kagome therefore led the animal to a close by stream and made sure to tie it to a tree so it had access to water as well as grass. It made soft noises of agreement and Kagome had the idea of treating its muscles with Reiki. Very carefully she allowed some of her power to enter the body of the animal. The horse's breaths got deeper and it seemed to relax more and more.
After treating the horse she put a shield around the area and installed some spells which would warn her ahead of nearing danger. Then she started to set up a small campfire to keep away wild animals and prepared herself a light meal. Once again she was grateful that Kaede had provided her with food. It allowed her to travel at faster speed without needing to hunt in between.
She cleaned up after eating and settled down for the night. After the stressful and long day came to an end she finally found time to focus on Naraku's message. Carefully she pulled the letter out of her clothes and started to read.
Dear Lady Kagome,
allow me to reciprocate the well wishes.
It seems that we have found an agreement. One of my subordinates will be sent to accompany you to my residence on the day of the blood moon. I shall wait to hear this story of yours with curiosity and will hold you to your word that it will be a worthwhile one.
I also trust that you stay safe until we meet. I would be displeased if I had to intervene to keep our agreement secure.
Naraku
Kagome had to smile as she read the letter. Naraku had accepted and would arrange for her to meet him at the blood moon. Fine she thought, the first steps seemed to have gained some speed. She continued to study the letter more closely and found it odd that he even had agreed to hear her out; she had hoped he would but her more cynic side had argued that he would be only after the jewel. An agreement to meet had been the most she had dared to hope for. Yet, Naraku had also promised to hear her out…
Maybe she had triggered his curiosity?
Would that be good or bad?
She would have to wait and see.
His last lines oddly warmed her. Who would have thought that by all means Naraku would be the one to tell her to be careful? She of course knew that he was worried that the Shikon no Tama would fall in unworthy hands, but nonetheless…
What would the face of "her" Naraku have looked like, if he had known that he would actually care about her well-being?
Oh the irony. She snickered as she pictured his face distorted with disgust.
Or maybe he wouldn't have, at least not the Naraku from the last battle, Kagome felt surprisingly sure about it. She still remembered his look, sometimes she even dreamed of it.
Unpleasant shivers run down her spine as she was reminded of his resignation. Maybe that Naraku would have had cracked a smile at her for making such a bold move? She could even picture it yet she would never know.
Oddly enough she felt pleased about the current situation.
It seemed that whatever this Naraku thought of her in this time it at least had nothing to do with Kikyo. For her that felt nearly as good as finally defeating the jewel would feel.
She lay down to rest for a few hours, her journey would continue with sunrise and she needed to regain some strength.
With seeing the Miko retiring for the night, the one of Naraku's insect which had been tasked with guarding her, settled down as well. It was glad to get a bit of rest, as it wasn't easy to follow someone unnoticed when they were going so fast and through an area with less and less options to hide yourself.
The night remained clear of any interference and the Miko was actually able to rest undisturbed. There were of course owls, wolves and bats but those could be counted as the normal sounds of night. It would have been far more disturbing if there would be absolute silence. That would have been a sign for a dangerous predator close by and hunting…
Soon enough she got woken by the first sunrays. Tired and sore from all the exercise in the last days she slowly got up and prepared to leave.
As she saddled her horse and slowly guided it back to the path, she knew that another few hours of riding fast and without breaks lay ahead of them.
#
Kagome arrived, seeing the village and all his inhabitants alive and busy made her tear up a bit. It was such a good feeling to see them alive. She slowly guided her horse down the main road and to the people already awaiting her as she came closer.
It was a nice warm summer day and as always since Kagome was back she enjoyed the fresh air and the sound of the birds. It took a little bit until she could recognize the people waiting for her at the gate. It was a younger version of Sango and Kohaku. Both looked so happy and full of life, untouched by Naraku's manipulations. She smiled softly, which no one could see of course as her face was again hidden behind her mask.
Sango had seen the stranger approach two hours ago. She had circled the area on Kirara and had come back to warn her people about the unknown person. They were proud people but they had to learn the hard way to not be too trusting to strangers. With their growing reputation more and more powerful Youkais showed up and tried to eradicate them. Who knew what this new stranger had in mind?
"May I give my humble greetings to you_ my name is Kagome and I was send by Lady Kaede."
Kagome spoke carefully as she approached the five slayers awaiting her at the gate. She hopped off her horse and bowed lightly in greeting.
"Lady Kaede scheduled the next meeting only after the harvest season, why should we believe your claim?"
Kagome pondered on Sango's words, they had of course every reason to be careful but she had hoped that by now they would have sensed that she was no Youkai.
"I came to talk to your chief and as I'm currently staying at Lady Kaede's village she asked me if I could deliver the herbs for her. She is very busy at the moment, as due to the season there are more injuries and due to the weather more children to be born."
Sango nodded, deciding to accept the stranger's words for the moment. It was very likely that the old Miko would ask someone else to make the journey if she was so busy. She also had reached an age that made traveling even harder. They would soon enough see if this was any kind of trap or not…
"I see. Well, we shall take you to see our father. We will walk by the workshop so you could put the weapons there and we shall deliver the herbs."
Kagome bowed politely and went to the task. At the workshop she was told that the weapons would be ready early next morning. She promised to come back by then to pick them up.
Then she had the meeting with their chief.
Hope you liked it :-) as I mentioned before I'm still able to take in requests, so if something caught your eye, just let me know.
Bye, see you soon at least after I sucessfully sat through that conversation of Kagome and the chief.
