Who's That Girl
Disclaimer: I do not own, or make any money from, the stories of Inuyasha.
All Inuyasha characters are the sole property of Rumiko Takahashi, Sunrise and Viz.
Chapter Ten
Kazemaru
The summer days began to wane and autumn was in the air. Villagers, including Miroku and Inuyasha, prepared for the upcoming harsh winter months. Summer fields had been harvested and fall's bounty was beginning to open. The village was buzzing with daily activity, not the least of which was daily visits by demons and religious clerics visiting their new deity. Inuyasha was fed up,
"Arrghh. Can't they stop visiting? How are we supposed to get any work done with them interrupting us all the time!", he grumbled to Miroku.
"Let's face it, Inuyasha. It is a rare opportunity to see a living deity.", answered his friend.
This only angered Inuyasha more, "She's NOT a deity! She's KAGOME!"
With that said, he turned and stomped into his hut, his face red from anger. His contenance changed when his eyes landed upon the object of his desires. Kagome. SHE, however, was clearly frustrated,
"AAAAGGHH!", she cried out.
"What's the matter?", he asked.
"UGGH! This damn machine ... this ... this ... looper thingy ..."
"Loom.", Inuyasha corrected her gently. He had noticed that since the first visit of the demons, her language had taken on a rougher tone. He smiled to himself.
"LOOP. LOOM. WHATEVER! I'LL NEVER LEARN THIS DAMN THING!", her anger rose and as it did her aura increased.
"Uhhh ... Kagome ...", Inuyasha started to go to her and then,
ZAP!
A gourd filled with oil exploded in flames. Inuyasha quickly removed his hitoe and put out the fire. Looking back at Kagome, he saw she was starting to sob,
"I'm ... I'm so ... so ...sniff ... sorry ... Inuyasha."
He gently took her in his arms and sighed softly,
'Good. Her aura is dissipating.'
"It's alright, Kagome. It was an accident.", Inuyasha tried his best to comfort her, "At least it was only a gourd this time."
The previous weeks had been a nightmare. Ever since Kagome had first released her pent-up powers against the old priestess she had found it difficult to control them. Even the villagers were becoming nervous at her incredible powers. Her anger, sadness, and frustration could bring on an earthquake, a rainstorm, a firestorm, a windstorm. It was very unsettling to the villagers,
"But just think of what she could do when she learns to control it.", Miroku had said once.
Kagome pulled away,
"I just want to get a hold of these powers before something serious happens. Have you heard from Sesshoumaru or Toutousai recently?"
"No. And I'm getting fed up. When the hell is this Kazemaru person gonna come?"
"I hope it's soon.", Kagome leaned into Inuyasha. He had become her pillar of strength even more over these past few weeks,
"C'mon. I'll clean up that mess later. You need some fresh air. And besides, Sango's morning sickness has her really down. Maybe you can cheer her up."
Kagome nodded and knelt down at a bucket. Taking a moist rag, she wiped her face. She then took Inuyasha's hand and walked outside,
"No visitors right now?", Kagome queried as she took in the lack of newcomers in the village,
"Naah. I chased them all away. The religious people aren't happy that you're with me and the demons seem to think I'm some really bad guy. Geez, if I had known that all I needed to get respect was to mate a deity, I'd a done it a long time ago!", Inuyasha smiled his self-depreciating smile.
Kagome couldn't help but laugh at his remark but she decided to scold him anyway,
"Now, Inuyasha. That's not nice. And, I'm not a deity. I don't care what Sesshoumaru or Toutousai says!"
Inuyasha looked at her with a fake look of disbelief,
"Sesshoumaru bowed down to you ... that makes you pretty remarkable in my book! Anyway, it seems as long as you wear that pendant, others are gonna disagree with you."
Kagome smiled. Suddenly, she grasped her chest,
"Owww.", she winced.
Inuyasha looked at her concerned,
"Kagome? Are you ok?"
"It's that same feeling, Inuyasha. That burning feeling ..."
"That you've been getting since that priestess was here?"
"Yea. That.", she responded.
Inuyasha pushed aside the top of her kimono,
"That small burn mark is still there ... it's been there since that priestess used that small ball on you ... only ... it's redder now. Maybe we should have Kaede take a look at it.", he suggested.
Kagome straightened up, "No. I'm alright. Really. The pain is subsiding. I'm sure its nothing."
Inuyasha seemed deep in thought, "The redness is disappearing. It's definately related. I don't like this Kagome. I think that witch did something to you."
Kagome waived off his worry, "How do we know its not because of my powers being released?"
"Hmm. You've got a point. Still ..."
"Still nothing. I'm not going to have Kaede worrying over me.", she smiled at him, "So you stop worrying too."
"I dunno ..."
"Kagome!"
"Sango!", Kagome called back.
The demon slayer walked towards her friend. Two months had passed since her wedding night and Kaede had recently announced that the taijya was with child,
"I'll be seeing ya, Inuyasha.", Kagome hugged and kissed her husband before closing the gap between her and Sango. The two women started giggling as they walked away.
Miroku walked up to his friend,
"Ahhh. I'm glad Sango is feeling up to being outside. These mood swings of hers are killing me.", he said, rubbing his head where a permanent lump remained, "I'll be even happier when she can't lift that weapon of hers any longer."
"You probably deserved it, you lecher. Still going gaa-gaa over the pictures in those books Kagome's mother gave her?", Inuyasha gave the monk a knowing look.
"Ahh yes. The devices in her world ... what does she call them ... cameras? Yea ... much better than drawings.", Miroku sighed, a smile on his face.
"Yup. You definately deserved it.", replied Inuyasha.
--
In a southern village ...
The elderly miko entered the small hut. On the altar sat a pedestal with a glowing orb on top. The miko kneeled before the altar and chanted some prayers. The miko heard the reed door open quietly behind her,
"Lady Kame.", came a quiet, male voice.
"Mandhatri."
"Yes, my lady."
The priestess stood up,
"I need your spiritual guidance, Mandhatri. The body that once belonged to this fragmented soul is no longer in this world. I need to have the soul take up residence in another vessel."
"Lady Kame. This soul is powerful ... even though it is fragmented. The rest of the soul ... surely it belongs to a devi?"
"The woman who carries the rest of the soul is indeed powerful ... but she is no goddess. Not yet, anyway. I need to manifest this fragmented soul in another body so that she can fight for the remainder of her soul and take her rightful place in the world. The place she lost so many years ago when her life was struck down too soon."
"My lady. The death and subsequent reincarnation of this soul occurred for a reason. Are we to question Krishna's or Buddha's reasonings?
"Her death was the result of a demon. It was not natural by any means. I feel it is my duty to allow this soul's former identity to fulfill its destiny."
The young man looked at the glowing orb,
"My lady. The soul is upset. Sad."
"Yes, Mandhatri. I have been feeding into her sadness and regret. Her loss of life stopped her from fulfilling her one true wish. Of becoming an ordinary woman and living her life with the man she fell in love with. The current reincarnation is now with that same man ... but for this fragment ... that is not good enough for her ... she longs to be human once again ..."
"My lady. All souls carry some regret. It is the way of the world. It is something the soul must live with. If the reincarnation of this soul has found its way back to the man she once loved so passionately ... then the regret can be released. You should not force the soul to relive a former life ... to do so would be destructive to the soul ... and she would be unable to find peace in Heaven."
"SILENCE! The great and powerful Kikyou will live again and she will reclaim what the gods have stolen from her. Now, you will provide me with the knowledge I seek, little man, or I will destroy your pathetic family and your pathetic little life."
The man bowed, trembling, "Yes, my lady. As you wish."
--
Sesshoumaru felt the wind blow around him and he gazed up to the sky. He watched as a dog demon gracefully landed in front of him and transformed,
"Mother. Why are you here?"
"My son, I feel you must take it upon yourself to destroy Inuyasha. Then, perhaps, his mate would be inclined to assist you with her powers.", the woman commented smugly.
Sesshoumaru closed his eyes, "I will destroy Inuyasha. Someday. But, do you doubt my powers so much that you think that I, the great Sesshoumaru, would need the assistance of Inuyasha's mate?"
"A true daiyoukai knows his allies. You would be wise to consider this idea, my son. On top of that, my son, when are you going to create an heir? Inuyasha, the wretched abomination of your father and that filthy human, has mated. And you, my son, have not chosen your mate. Are none of the current inu-demonesses good enough for you?"
"I fail to see how mating and having an heir can benefit me at this time, mother."
"Your father's lands are what will benefit. Should Inuyasha's mate conceive a child ... it places Inuyasha in a position to rule the Western Lands ... your father's own doctrine stated as much ..."
"You assume too much, mother. Inuyasha has no desire to rule, that much is certain. And if he did, I would not let him. His death would be quick. And as for his mate bearing children ... a half-demon's lineage ends with the half-demon. They are unable to produce offspring ... or have you forgotten that?"
"HMPH! I put nothing past that horrible beast. Half-demons rarely survive to adulthood ... yet, he not only survived, he thrived, thanks to your father's plans. Your father wanted nothing more than to see his sons rule the West together ... I will not allow my son, the one pure offspring of the great Dog General, to be second to anyone, especially Inuyasha."
Sesshoumaru's patienced waned, "Is that all you came to talk to me about, mother?"
The female daiyoukai smiled, "Can't a mother visit her son every now and then?", she asked as she raised her hand to Sesshoumaru's cheek.
Sesshoumaru's eyes closed again, "I will handle Inuyasha and his mate. The Western Lands will be mine to rule. You need not worry about that."
"I see your father's teaching of compassion as seated itself well with you, Sesshoumaru. Do not allow that compassion to cloud your vision when it comes to Inuyasha and his mate."
The demoness back away and transformed into a giant white dog. Taking to the sky, she disappeared.
'What will you do, mother?', Sesshoumaru wondered as he watched her disappear.
--
"C'mon Master Jaken, let's play!", shouted Rin as she teased the little imp.
'Ohhh ... why did my lord insist I stay at this wretched human village with Rin? Where has he gone?', thought the imp.
"Master Jaken ... let's do a tongue twister ... She sells seashells by the seashore ... say it Master Jaken!", called the child.
"She shells seasells by the ..what??', Jaken attempted.
"Good try, Master Jaken ..."
Kohaku watched Rin play with the imp for a moment before he went back to his chores. Shippou hopped up on his shoulder,
"Hey Kohaku, have you seen Sorano around here?"
"The last time I saw her she was heading down towards the river with a bucket."
"Ok. Thanks.", said the kitsune, as he hopped off and headed down towards the riverbank.
Suddenly, a loud scream filled the village,
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! HELP ME! SOME ONE HELP PLEASE!!"
The vilagers raced towards the sound of the anquished screams. There, on the riverbank knelt a woman beside a body. Shippou recognized the body,
"SORANO!", he cried out.
Kaede rushed to the girl's side and looked her over,
"I do not know if I can save her.", she said, worriedly.
Kaede was soon joined by Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango and Kagome. Miroku began to offer prayers for the girl's soul when Kaede looked at them and said,
"She's not breathing."
Kagome knelt down and looked over the child,
"She drowned. She has fluid in her lungs. We must get the fluid out."
Working feverishly, Kagome turned the child over and pounded on her back. Water spewed out from the child's mouth. Turning the girl onto her back, Kagome began pumping her chest and blowing air into her lungs. Time and time again, she did this ritual. Kaede shook head,
"Let her go, Kagome. She is with the gods."
"No.", interjected Miroku, "Her soul has not left the body."
"Kagome?", Shippou said his friend's name nervously.
Kagome was obviously tiring. Minutes had passed. Inuyasha knelt beside her and put his arm on hers,
"Kagome. Stop. You're exhausted. It's not working."
But Kagome didn't listen. Her full focus was on Sorano. Just when Kagome thought she would pass out from all the exertion, the little girl coughed and sputtered back to life. The gathered crowd gasped in awe and amazement. Villagers fell onto their knees in respect,
"She truly is a goddess."
"She brought the child back to life."
"Amazing."
As Sorano sat up with Kagome's help, Kaede managed to shoo the astonished villagers away. The woman who had cried for help bowed before Kagome,
"Thank you so much for giving Sorano back to me. I do not know what I would have done if she had died."
Kagome blushed deeply, "S'ok.", she mumbled, embarrased by all the fuss.
Kagome made sure the color was back in Sorano's cheeks before allowing her to leave with her adopted mother,
"She's shaky ... but, I'm sure she'll be fine.", Kagome said to the gathered group.
"Kagome. That was truly amazing.", commented Miroku, "I had seen others give air through the mouth ... but ... what were you doing to her chest?", he asked.
"BAH!", came a loud, male voice, "She brings a child back from the dead and all of a sudden you think she's all powerful? I see nothing special about that."
The group turned to face the voice. Inuyasha withdrew Tessaiga,
"Who the hell is that?", Inuyasha demanded.
A tall, slightly pudgy man walked out of the weeds. His hair was pulled back in a long, black braid and his mustache hung down to his waist along with his beard. His face bore the wrinkles of many many years. He wore a multicolored cleric's garb and clearly appeared out of place in the current surroundings,
"Are you the woman they call Kagome?", he asked, his voice commanding and deep.
"I asked you, old man, who the hell are you?"
"I have come to see the woman known as Kagome. She who the gods have decided to bless with the Triforce of Energy."
"I am Kagome.", the young woman stood up.
"I see nothing remarkable about you, woman. Why would the gods place such a powerful item with you?", said the man.
"AGGGGGHHH! I'm getting tired of you, old man! Tell me ... who in the seven hells are you and what do you want with Kagome?", demanded Inuyasha.
The old man reached out and touched Tessaiga's blade. The blade re-transformed back into its rusty self.
"Wha..?", said a shocked Inuyasha.
"He reversed Tessaiga's transformation.", commented Sango.
"Incredible.", mumbled Miroku
"As if a demonic blade could hurt me ... the wise and powerful KAZEMARU!"
--
A/N: Devi is the Hindu name for goddess. Obviously, Kame is going outside the realm of Shintoism to bring Kikyou back among the living. Enjoy!