Chapter 9

Just as she had planned on doing, Kagome woke up hours before she had to be at the stage and made her way into town and toward the weight shop that had given her the demon weights that she now wore. Just as she had walked into the store, Kagome couldn't help but laugh at the young and tainted miko's that had just tried to force the demon into giving them free weight. Before her demon friend could say a word, Kagome stopped her laughing and said, "I suggest you girls take your leave. You are years from catching up to me," as she began to glow a bright pink color.

When both girls realized that they would not win, they ran out of the store knowing that they would not be able to do a thing to remove the spell that the elder miko had placed. With a smile on his face, the demon greeted Kagome before asking, "What can I do for you today?"

"I was wondering if you had any seals that would hide the weights from view. I have a show today but I'm not done training and I don't want to risk not wearing them for a long period of time since we are doing three shows today." Kagome answered.

"Ah, well there is a method but you will be unable to remove it until you are done with your training or unless you will be taking a break and leaving them off for a whole day." The demon answered.

"Um…I guess I'll remove them for a day once I'm don't with the shows." Kagome answered.

"Alright, well all you have to do is place these seals on the weights and focus your energy over them. The seals should make it so that the weights fuse with your skin. But I warn you…if you get wet during this process it will be very painful and can rip your muscles apart." He explained.

"I understand. I'll be wearing them on and off from now on so you don't have to worry." Kagome answered with a smile on her face.

"Good…humans shouldn't be using demon weights anyway…I could get in a lot of trouble so place don't let anyone that you don't trust know that these are demon weights."

"You have my word, I will not get you into any trouble…I'll see you around…oh and these are for your family, I got some tickets for your kids. Hope to see you at the show." Kagome answered as she handed him the tickets and ran out of the store so that she could place the seals before going to the stage to warm up and get ready for the noon show.

Soon a month and a half passed by and the village was as it should be. While some of the children asked for Kagome, there were some that understood what it meant to have Lady Kikiyo back in the village while others just tried to forget about the kind hearted miko that they had grown to love and care for. While some of the villagers grew disappointed with the young hanyou, others tried to understand where he came from, he was only fulfilling a promise he had made long ago. He was a man of his word and would not back down or dishonor himself but not keeping his word, Inuyasha was just not that kind of man.

Inuyasha and Shippo had arrived back to the village days ago and began to get settled. While Shippo and Inuyasha wet out in the mornings to go and hunt for most of the village, some of the villagers couldn't help but smile when the saw their hanyou protector raising the child alone. Although the young fox kit still missed his mother, he didn't show it as much since Inuyasha was teaching him how to hunt and use his attacks properly. Inuyasha had just come back with some fish and land birds that he and Shippo had caught and were going to skin when Miroku came running toward him. Just as he looked down at Shippo, Inuyasha heard Miroku say, "Inuyasha, Inuyasha we have a problem."

"What is it now monk?" Inuyasha growled. "If there is another village asking for our help then you and Kikiyo can go this time, I'm going to show Shippo how to skin his catch properly."

"I'll take the catch back to Kaede and wait for you there." Shippo stated before leaving the two adults to talk. As they days passed he began to close himself off, he was no longer the little happy boy that loved to make fun of his father, now he was becoming more and more like his father and the others were starting to get worried.

"Feh, just go play with the village kids…they've been asking about you…now go." Inuyasha growled as he took hold of his son's catch once he realized that he would not get a chance to show Shippo what he had hoped to teach him.

With a smile on his face, Shippo ran off and did what his father told him to do with a smile on his face. Miroku turned to Inuyasha and said, "You always know how to make him smile."

"Feh, it would be better if that wench would just come back to us." Inuyasha growled as he turned to lock eyes with Miroku. "Now what is it?"

"Oh, Kikiyo and Kaede were attacked, however it was weird, Kikiyo did not do a thing to protect herself or her sister, it was as if she was possessed by the jewel it's self and purified the demon without an arrow." Miroku explained.

"And that is something bad?" Inuyasha growled in anger.

"No, the fact that Kikiyo later fell and lost all the souls, expect for Lady Kagome's soul is bad." Miroku answered. "She has yet to wake up and neither Kaede nor I can get the jewel away from her."

"Feh, the bitch should just stay as she is until I am able to make my wish." Inuyasha growled in anger as he began to follow after Miroku to see if there was anything he would be able to do.

"Inuyasha, what if we can't get Kagome's part of the soul to let go…what are we going to do?" Miroku asked in a worried voice. "It would only be easier for demons to take the jewel."

"Feh, if it really is my intended then no demon is getting near that jewel." Inuyasha stated in a proud voice.

"You mean Kagome?" Miroku asked in a gentle yet calm voice.

"Feh, who else would I be taking about monk." Inuyasha growled as he led Miroku to Kaede's hut.

Without another word, Miroku followed after Inuyasha toward Kaede's hut and left the catch they would have for dinner in Kaede's hut. After walking in and telling one of the younger girls that was being trained by them that the catch was for dinner and some was for some of the villagers, Miroku and Inuyasha began to make their way to the shrine. The shrine that once held Kikiyo's full remains and the shrine that had once been used to keep the jewel safe. As they grew closer to the shrine the village headman and some of the man that helped Miroku were waiting for the two of them. Once they reached the two, Inuyasha looked at them and asked, "What are you doing here?"

"We heard that Priestess Kaede, and Kikiyo were attacked but we haven't been able to reach them. They are within the barrier." He answered.

"Miroku, can you get in?" Inuyasha asked as he looked over the barrier.

"I can try but I might not be able to." Miroku answered before turning to the village headmen to say, "for now you should all go back to the village, I'll place a barrier around the village but you don't have to worry yourselves, I'm sure that they are just making sure that everything is clear before lowering the barrier."

"As you wish monk, Inuyasha I'll have Shippo with my daughter until you are finished here, take your time." The headmen stated before the three took their leave.

Inuyasha nodded his head at them before turning to Miroku and saying, "Well hurry up, I have to go and make sure that my pup is alright, I don't want him to worry."

"Alright, but you better catch me if I get thrown back." Miroku said.

Just as he was about to try to go through the barrier, they heard Sango's voice call out, "Would you two hurry up, if I got in then you two should be able to do so with no problem."

"Sango? Sango what are you doing in there?" Miroku asked in a worried voice as he looked at the top of the shrine steps only to find his wife waiting for him.

"I came after Kirara and then I was let in, I take it Kagome left us something if it's her soul that is doing all of this." Sango explained as she watched the two walk into the barrier without a problem.

"Feh, that's if it really is Kagome doing all of this." Inuyasha growled as he began to walk ahead of them.

"What do you mean by that?" Sango asked.

"He means that it could be that Kikiyo's powers have become to decrease once more and she has really been possessed by the jewel." Miroku explained.

"Ye is wrong Inuyasha." Kaede was heard as she came into view. "My sister is being controlled by Midoriku."

"Midoriku…so I finally get to tell the priestess what I want." Inuyasha growled as he got closer to the jewel.

"Inuyasha wait, what if you can't make your wish yet. The jewel isn't truly being purified since Kikiyo is out cold. Just look at the jewel yourself." Sango called as she tried to stop him only to be stopped by Miroku.

"Sango look, the jewel grows in purity as Inuyasha gets closer to it." Miroku told her.

"Well, you got my attention Midoriku, what do ya want." Inuyasha growled as he crossed his arms.

Suddenly a bright light was emitted from Kikiyo as Midoriku began to appear. Once she was fully visible, Midoriku stepped away from Kikiyo so that she could be closer to the four that stood before her. Once he was sure that she was not going to attack anyone, Inuyasha slightly relaxed and waited for her to say something, anything as to why she was there with them now. When she didn't say anything, all eyes were turned to Kirara who had joined the powerful miko's side.

"Kirara?" Sango called.

"It is alright demon slayer, she only feels like she must protect her first care taker." Midoriku replied.

"Kirara was your protector?" Sango asked.

"Indeed she was, however this is not why I am here." Midoriku spoke as she turned to face Inuyasha with a gentle yet sad smile on her face.

"Feh, about time, am I able to ask for my wish now?" Inuyasha growled.

"What did ye do to my nee-sama?" Kaede asked in worry.

"Do not fear Priestess Kaede, your sister is well, however she does not have the souls she needs to move, she will be unable to move until Inuyasha has made his wish." Midoriku explained.

"I thought he had to be gripping the jewel to make his wish or at least holding it." Miroku stated.

"Customary yes, he should have however since he has been worrying over no one but his intended the demons in the jewel decided to take it upon themselves to get him to the jewel." Midoriku answered. "They understand what it is like to be a part form their mates and they wish to help you since they can hear your inner demons growls."

"So then Inuyasha can make his wish now?" Miroku asked.

"Yes, so long as he is ready." Midoriku answered.

"Wait," Sango was heard. "If the demons are the ones that are helping you do all of this wouldn't it mean that his wish might get tainted."

"No, they will not taint a wish if it involves a demons might. That would break the laws that they follow." Midoriku answered.

"Alright then, I wish Kagome was back at my side as my mate." Inuyasha growled.

"We cannot do that." Midoriku answered in a sad voice.

"Why not?" Sango asked. "I thought you could grant any wish."

"And didn't you just imply that you would help him get his mate back?" Miroku added.

"That is why this jewel is tainted; most believe that we can grant anything when in truth we cannot." Midoriku explained.

"Feh then what good are you to me." Inuyasha growled as he turned to leave.

"I did not say that there was nothing I could do." Midoriku growled in a demon like voice as the demons that were within the jewel alongside her made themselves known.

"What do ye mean?" Kaede asked in a worried voice.

"Do not fear Kaede, I will not switch the souls or their bodies." Midoriku explained.

"Feh then what can you do?" Inuyasha growled. "If you can't bring my mate back what good are you?" Inuyasha yelled in anger as his strips and demon markings began to appear with the help of the jewels power.

With a smile on her face, Midoriku closed her eyes as she was surrounded by the demons that lay within the jewel and answered, "I can break her seal, allow you to go to her time so long as you bring her back here. Once you two are in the feudal era the rest of your wish will be granted. You both will leave together as mates; she will live through the five hundred years to see her family again and more."

"Are you saying that they will stop aging?" Sango asked.

"Yes, since the demons are going to be giving their power to the miko so that she becomes an inu hanyou like her mate, I will be giving her the last of my miko energy that resides in the jewel. The jewel will stay within your body and will not disappear until you and your mate have returned to this time." Midoriku explained.

And just as she had appeared, Inuyasha covered his eyes as they were all blinded by the bright light and began to emit from her before she and the demons that surrounded her disappeared from sight. Once they were all able to see again, Inuyasha opened his eyes only to find the shikon jewel in his hands as it began to glow in a pure with light before it slowly fused with his hand and within him. Miroku and Sango looked at Inuyasha in shock as they stared at the jewel with mouths open as it disappeared from sight. With a grin on his face, Inuyasha looked at his two friends and said, "I'll be back with Kagome."

"What about Shippo, he will worry if you don't go and tell him anything that just happened?" Sango pointed out.

"We'll look after your son; you just go and get Kagome back." Miroku stated with a smile on his face. "We all do miss her."

"Feh, you don't have to tell me that monk…I'll be back soon." Inuyasha growled before he ran off.

Without waiting for them so say another word, Inuyasha ran off and made his way to the well knowing that he would finally be able to see Kagome after a week of waiting for her to come back to the feudal era on her own. He would explain everything and he would tell her how he felt so that she could come back with him and live with him until they reached her time once more. He would soon be by her side and nothing was going to stop him, and no one was going to get in his way, if they did he was going to move them or kill them, whatever it took to get her back to his side. 'Just you wait wench, I'm coming to get you.' Inuyasha thought as he jumped into the well.

She took in calm and even breaths as she tried to ignore the pain that were running throughout her entire body. Since she had placed the seals she could not remove them until she would have a full day to recover from the stress that they were putting on her body and from the energy that she was using to keep them in place. Just as the light had been caught, Kagome allowed herself to drop down to the lower tight rope where she usually sat and waited for the lights to come back on before she took her bow with the rest of the crew. Just as she had landed and just as the light were going to be turned on, Kagome fell of the tight rope only to be caught and help in place as Leon landed next to Sora with her at his left side.

"That was a great show everyone!" Sora cried as she couldn't to smile and wave at the children around them.

"You should have taken those off after the first three days miko." Leon whispered into Kagome's ear once he realized that he was the only thing that was keeping her from falling to the ground.

"I'm fine…I just need to caught my breath, besides we have one more day of shows before we get our breaks." Kagome whispered in a soft tone so that only Leon would hear her clearly. Yes, almost half a month had already passed and even the adults were coming to see their show when they heard about the new effects they were using. 'They don't know that I'm the one using up my energy.' Kagome thought as she tried to stand on her own only to have Leon keep his hold on her.

"I said I was fine." Kagome hissed when he wouldn't let her go.

"Very well then, fall." Leon growled as he roughly let her go so that she would fall only to watch with amazement as she forced herself to stand still even as her body ached in pain. 'She truly is my uncles' mate.'

Once they had been led off the stage, Kagome made her way to the dressing room so that she could go and get changed before going to bed. Karlos had noticed the raise in the audience that he had added an extra week of the show just to make sure that everyone got a chance to see their show. Just as she was about to sneak away, Kagome was stopped when she heard her father call out to her. After forcing a smile onto her face, Kagome turned around to face her father and asked, "Yes father?"

"Karlos wants to talk to you. I think you'll get a chance at a lead role next show." James stated.

"I already told you that I don't want lead roles since I'll be gone in a month and a half." Kagome replied.

"Kagome, you're mother said that you would be here for six months, you are not going anywhere." James stated.

"I am because I'm eighteen and I don't need your permission. I'll be fine and I'll talk to Oka after I'm done with these shows." Kagome hissed.

"Kagome I am your father and you will do as I say. You are under my care and you will listen to me when I tell you to do something. That includes if I tell you to stay." James told her.

"You may be my father but you were never there so I will do what I want since I am no longer your little girl." Kagome hissed before turning around and greeting Karlos with a cold smile.

"Would you be willing to put on a small show for an upcoming event? We have been asked to provide entertainment and they asked for you." Karlos stated.

"I'd love to, I just need a heads up on what I'll be allowed to us." Kagome answered.

"You'll be working with Rosetta, Sora, May, Leon, and Jessica." Karlos told her.

"When do we start working on our routine?" Kagome asked. 'Shit…I won't get a chance to rest.'

"You'll have a week of rest after tomorrows show before the event." Karlos answered. "Meet with Sora the day after tomorrow."

"Is that all?" Kagome asked in a calm voice as she tried to not to make it noticeable that she was about ready to pass out.

"Yes, you can go." Karlos answered before he took his leave.

"We're not done here young lady." James stated as he reached over and took hold of her arm.

After pulling herself free from her father's hold, Kagome glared at him and said, "I have nothing more to say to you," before she ran off to go find somewhere where she would be able to just let herself fall to the ground in pure exhaustion and pain.

'I need to get a hold of Oka…I need to tell her that I'm not staying for six but for three months.' Kagome thought as she reached the back of the building and fell to the floor in pure pain and exhaustion. The last thing Kagome remembered seeing was a grinning Leon before the world around her went dark.