Chapter 11-Legend of the Woods Witch
Checking, checking, nope. I do not own Inuyasha or related characters. Ichiro's mine.
The sun went down, as it always did. Two hanyou changed. In both cases, they swore to themselves as it happened. Senses faded. Silver hair turned both black...and grey. Nearly blue eyes-but one had crow's feet bracketing them. One cursed having perfect mortal vision and being in superb shape...the other his nearsightedness and suddenly aching joints.
In one case, a Priestess finished and charged the last ofuda to raise a protective barrier as usual to guard her beloved-not incidentally standing outside the hut as she placed it. The grandfatherly man and the young looking wolf saw and cursed!
"You two are sooo staying here!"
"Kagome! Let us out! You said you'd take her with you!" the same bark, but rougher, older.
"I lied. Ayame, keep an eye on him, please."
"I will! Be careful!" the wolf called, and she smiled.
Thank Kami she'd brought a less nice kimono! She and Ayame had beaten it up and she'd burnt a special incense stick to cover her as well. It would cloud youkai senses of smell. One hand tapped an ofuda Kagome had placed over her mating mark to conceal it from anyone capable of sensing it. Gathering her nerve, she walked towards a camp.
On the way, she collected a few early mushrooms and put them into a cloth. Always paid to pay attention to detail, after all.
Unfortunately-she rather forgot a big one in her eagerness to get rid of something. Ayame had as well, to be fair...and so had Inuyasha.
"Someone's coming!" Shippo announced, and everyone looked as an old woman was slowly making her way towards them through the trees. Slim, with grey hair bound up in a scarf and wearing a worn kimono, carrying a small bundle. She smiled at the group, her fine featured face laced lightly with wrinkles, and she looked say-in her well preserved sixties.
"I sense spiritual powers. Strong ones," Miroku warned.
"Hello, strangers! Might an old woman share your fire for a time and warm up?" she called, making her way in and smiling.
"Welcome, grandmother. Er-are you lost? These woods aren't safe," Sango asked, and the woman smiled at her wistfully. Sango.
"No, no, dear. Merely collecting mushrooms. It's better to pick them at night, and it's safe enough. Who'd harm a little old woman like me?" she answered as she showed them her gathering, and they helped her to sit. Food was offered, and she shook her head.
"My-what kind ones you are to offer! And what a lovely girl you are, young Priestess," a hand reached over and she brushed Kagome's hair back. Her younger self. With such awful hair. What was she thinking with that haircut? Ick.
"Thank you...but I'm not really a Priestess. Why would you think that?" Kagome thought the woman looked oddly familiar. Like her own late grandmother.
"Oh, I've a little gift. Enough to know you are most certainly one with the talent! Also, that you young people seem to be youkai hunting," she answered lightly, waving a finger at them.
"So I sense, Priestess. Your spiritual powers are far from small," Miroku told her respectfully. The monk looked closely...at the richest mortal aura he'd ever seen. Layers of complexity, of depth he'd never seen in a human. Such pure power! They gave their names, and she told them her name was Ai. They smiled.
But her eyes went right to Ichiro.
Who twitched. She smiled. He twitched again. She smiled wider. Ichiro looked ill. He knew this kindly old woman, alright. Who'd...hm. Forgotten to remove her wedding band. Ok, she was insane. Oh, yes.
'Sweet Kami, Mom! What the hell are you up to??' he thought, and started to sweat.
"Something wrong, dear child?" she asked archly as she warmed her hands, and he shook his head.
"No, not a thing," he managed.
"Well, I feel better now, so nice to have a fire. I feel like I owe you something, children. Perhaps-a fortune? I'm rather good with palms," the kindly old lady asked pleasantly.
"Are you? I haven't had it done in some time. That would be kind," Miroku answered, and offered his. She took it-looked hopefully, maybe...but no.
"My, my. Quite a tale here, Hoshi. Quite a curse. I cannot lift it, though I would gladly try," she looked up and smiled sadly, "that's beyond even my little power. I'm very sorry."
"Don't be. It's a strong curse, and I work to lift it on my own," he told her kindly, and she smiled.
"As you say. Hm. So many battles...and so many women!" she tutted. He paled as Sango frowned.
"However-I see an end to your curse in time. That love has caught your heart and you will never stray from it. And children! Yes...lovely children. Take comfort from that."
"An end to the curse? Children?" Miroku asked eagerly.
"Yes. But I see little more. Your curse clouds your fate, but that I see," a warm, regretful smile.
"No, that's fine. Thank you!" he told her, and Kagome-or Ai-patted his hands.
"My pleasure, hoshi," her voice turned brisk as she looked around. "I would read yours, stranger," she pointed at Ichiro.
"Mine? Really?" Ichiro asked. A nod. He came over and dutifully offered his hands. Their eyes met, and she leaned in to peck his cheek.
"I feel that your Mother would want me to do that, dear," a smile as he made a face. "Now, what do we have here?" she traced his hand with a look of amusement.
"Please, tell me."
"You are far from home, young one. But have an impressive long lifespan. A fine woman as yours...ahhhh. You've misplaced something-or someone? Someone. I think you will find that lost one when you return home. That they are with friends, a visit with relatives, perhaps?" she looked significantly at him, and he looked relieved. The others exchanged impressed looks. The aged Priestess was skilled to see these things.
Actually, Kagome sucked at divination, both spell and ritual.
But Ichiro knew why she was here now. To tell him Ayame was with them and safe, that they'd meet up at the well. Only Mom would think to march right up tonight and tell him!
"Thank you, oh wise Grandmother Priestess," he grinned, and so did she.
"My pleasure. I am glad you understand the fates," a soft smile.
"Now...the ladies, hm?" Sango and Kagome looked nervous and nudged each other.
"Come now. Don't be afraid," 'Ai' entreated.
"I'll go," Sango decided, and Ichiro moved to let her sit. Ai took her hands and sighed.
"My my. You poor child. Such loss. So much of it...I am sorry," she said, and the tajiya shrugged.
"It is as it was meant to be."
"As you say. I see-ahhh. Marriage! To a man with dark hair," her hands were gently turned this way and that, "children as well-oh. I see," her eyes went to Miroku and Sango blushed.
"A very happy one. And-less happy. A...brother? Yes. A warning for you, brave child. Remember it. All things have a price. At times a hard one. But you cannot stop one who chooses to pay it to be free of darkness. He will wish you to be happy, no matter what. I will say no more, dear one, for that is all I see," she said sadly, and Sango looked worried. Kohaku. Would he be freed? Cost?
"How did-you saw him?"
"Only what I saw. That he lives, and the price. But no more."
"Thank you," Sango managed. He lived. She would hold onto that.
"Ohhh. Such hard fortunes. Perhaps you will have a kinder one, young Priestess."
"Mine? I-I'm not-" the girl blushed.
"She seems quite accurate, Kagome," Miroku suggested.
"Alright," Sango moved and Kagome nervously sat. She offered her own hands, and the old woman smiled. Ichiro looked fascinated. He wondered what she'd say, really.
"Dear me! The world on your shoulders. Such a burden. Such a fate," again there was clucking. Kagome was startled. But the old woman pulled something from her haori.
"What is it?" Kagome asked.
"This is yours, I think. Make a wish, and sleep with it beneath your pillow. A gift will come to you when it is opened after lunch tomorrow. The pouch has a little power as well, good magic for you," the small green pouch was pressed into her free hand. Kagome stared at it, and hesitantly accepted it, discovering it felt like soft silk. She frowned, and put it away when the aged Priestess gestured. Ichiro frowned too, wondering what it was.
"I will!" she promised, wide-eyed. But her hand was taken again.
"Let me look now...ahhhhh. I see! Such a man I see as your husband," Kagome blinked. She did? The young miko found herself leaning closer. The old woman frowned over her hand-and her son managed not to grin. It wasn't easy.
"Really?"
"Yes. An unusual one. But he loves you. Ohhh, does he ever. You love him. You will have a fine family, I see strong healthy children, sons and a daughter, and much happiness for you."
"Do I...know him?"
"Oh, yes, dearie. You do. My, my, quite passionate, this man of yours. Quite a skillful lover as well-eventually. He'll be very pleasing that way once you get used to each other, maiden," a speculative look at her hand. She looked up innocently as Kagome blushed. Ichiro shook his head as he looked into the trees. Fast. At anything but her at the moment. He mouthed the words 'dearie' and 'lover' and shook his head. He wasn't hearing that. His Mother was not telling her younger self about her future sex life. No.
No. No, wasn't happening...okay. Didn't happen. Denial was a good thing.
"What the hell kind of crap are you selling!?" the yell echoed from the woods. She looked over, and it was the past. Black hair, blue eyes...so handsome. Still was, really. Such a man she had...one night a month. Adorable the rest of the time as well.
"Excuse me?" 'Ai' asked haughtily.
"How dare you talk of such things to Kagome?" Inuyasha sputtered as Ichiro stared. The hanyou ignored him as he stormed into the firelight to stop such filthy talk around his Kagome!
"I only say what I see."
"You don't talk about-that stuff!!"
"Oh? Let's see your hand, rude young man. Or...is it man?" she asked, and he paled.
"I ain't afraid of old witches!"
"Then let's see," she held out her hand.
"I don't need a fortuneteller to tell me my future. I'll become a great youkai."
"As you say. But I warn you-it's bad luck to refuse a reading."
"Let her do it!" Kagome piped up. He looked at her and then stuck his hand out peremptorily. It was taken and the old woman smiled.
"Ahhhh. Very interesting," he froze, "I see it clear as day. Interesting..." her eyes met his intently. She didn't say another word.
"Well? You gonna finish or not?" Inuyasha demanded. 'Ai' hid a grin. She knew how to play him like a fiddle, really.
"Are you going to continue to be grumpy?" he looked down, "alright then. Hm. Two women. Priestesses both. You are torn between them. But you will have one to wife. A most kind, loving, forgiving, and amazingly patient creature she is too. A better cook than you give her credit for as well, and you cannot manage a thing without her, not without mucking it up hopelessly. The other...I see-pottery? Broken pottery, and rest," at that, he stared at her in confusion. Not to mention at the oddly pleased tone she used.
"You...see that?"
"Yes. You seek change, but you should learn to accept your true nature. You are as you are, and shall remain. You will find happiness if you remember this," she finished.
"Uh..." he looked away as she let go of his hand. There was a mumble as Kagome gulped. The old woman had said that she knew the guy she'd...and had called her a Priestess...not to mention broken pottery! Oh. The girl blushed deeply and Inuyasha wasn't much better.
Ai thought that perhaps she'd been a little too accurate.
"Will you do mine, Priestess?" Shippo. Her heart turned over.
"I will, little kitsune. Come here, if you promise to not play any tricks on an old woman," he bounced into her lap and she gasped. Just as he was. She looked absolutely stunned for a moment before she collected herself again.
"Let's see," his small hands were taken, "my my, what a brave little one you are. I see great adventure. And-good fortune. That you are loved, and will always be loved by those who are closest to you now. That's a rare thing," she noted, and he smiled.
"You don't see any more?" a head shake. She patted his head fondly, and shooing him off her lap she rose to her feet slowly.
"Well. I've got to go home. An interesting evening," 'Ai' commented.
"Can we not escort you to your village?" Sango asked, and she was waved off.
"No. But I thank you. I will manage well enough," she answered with a smile.
"Oh, she can manage," Ichiro noted wryly.
"Hm," a smile as she gathered her bundle. The old woman seemed to consider something, nearly say something-but just smiled.
"My blessings on you all, dear ones. Know this, I see great love here, and much warmth. Be happy," a hand lifted gracefully in blessing before she left.
Damn if they didn't feel...truly blessed, somehow.
They all stared after her. What she'd said...
"That was a powerful Priestess," Miroku managed. Amazing power, really. He'd never sensed it's like.
"Like a yoda," Ichiro sighed, looking after her. The monk jumped slightly. Yoda. No! The odd word he'd used to describe...a glance upwards. The New Moon. He looked at Ichiro, and his eyebrows rose. The man smiled back, and nodded very slightly.
Miroku went pale, obscured by the firelight.
"The force is with her, then?" Kagome had to giggle. Ichiro nodded and laughed as everyone looked blankly at them.
"Guess so. She seemed pretty kind," he replied, and looked with interest at Inuyasha. "So, the ears would be where now...?" he asked. The hanyou froze. Damned old filthy-talking hag!
"Once a month, um, hanyou-" Kagome began.
"Time of weakness. I've heard of it. Don't worry, I won't say a word," Ichiro promised. He glanced at his hand with amusement.
"I wonder if she was right," Sango said.
"She nailed me," Ichiro noted.
"She saw my future. And the nature of my curse," Miroku commented. Those 'readings'. Warnings and a glimpse into the future she knew would be. In time, he would have Sango to wife, and many fine children. A kind act, typical of her.
His curse would lift! He knew also that she must have hoped to be able to banish it for him. He lifted a hand in blessing after her. Even if she could not tell them how it would be or lift it herself...she had given him hope. For that, he was deeply grateful.
Sango frowned questioningly when she saw Miroku's expression, but he didn't say a word. Not even to her.
The old woman made her way back to her beloved...and slumped against a tree, tears starting. Kagome had to leave then, because she couldn't take anymore. She lived as a youkai did and hardly noticed the years turn by anymore-until moments like this. When she was reminded and staggered under the weight.
It was best not to think of time passing most days. Youkai lived for centuries, yes. They were suited to it, it was natural for them. They could accept the fact that centuries were like months to them. A blink and a year passed, and a decade felt like nothing. But not mortals. The few who were like her eldest, who lived as long as she did, they felt the weight of time too. But even they didn't understand, because she was unique. Because she remembered.
Kagome remembered things that would be as she'd lived the intervening years between now and the time she was born in. It could easily have driven her mad if she'd chosen to dwell on it as she watched her world, her native time form, the pieces fitting together like a vast puzzle. If she'd spoken out, given warnings...she could easily have changed the course of many events and forced time itself to change. But if she'd decided to act, time itself may well have unraveled, gone down worse paths.
It was easier to forget she'd ever been a mere mortal...or had been born in the future.
Kagome had decided not to even try to remember the day she'd written down a few important dates and events to warn herself-and burned her textbooks. The day after her last trip into the future. The day she'd visited Mom's new grave and said goodbye to Souta, then a Shrine Priest with a fine family of his own. A family she'd never met...at his request. Their meetings over the last few decades, he'd met her at the well with supplies and she'd gone back into the endless timelessness of a youkai...the last time she'd immediately known something was wrong.
'Souta-why are you-you look older. You don't look well, what is it?' how long had it been? Thirty years? Forty? No...over sixty. Mama had lived past the century mark. He had used a cane...grey haired, thinner and unwell...she'd hardly noticed the years before. Kagome looked just the same, aging with her hanyou at around a decade a century.
'No, sister. I'm not. I'm old and I'm dying, big sister. Don't grieve, I'm alright with it. My sons are fine Priests, my wife will be well looked after here, with my grandchildren...'
'No! Souta, you can't be old!' he'd looked so surprised at that. Souta had realized his sister didn't really get that she was actually...eighty-one years old. Of course not, she still looked seventeen.
'Hah. Kagome, listen. I needed to talk to you, see you again,' he sighed heavily as she helped him sit.
'Souta...' he patted her shoulder.
'Now, now. Kagome...it's been decades, big sister. Mom's gone, and Grandpa. It's just me left now, and...this is goodbye. It's time. I've carried the secret long enough, and it will die with me. Go home, and live fully in your chosen age. Be happy, and know your little brother loves you still,' he'd hugged her and sent her home then, and she knew he was right. She had sealed the well, keying it to reopen when a girl of fifteen would approach with a completed Jewel in her body. The ofuda on it that day had been her own.
Kagome had elected to stay out of history's way. But, alright-she did do one little thing. She'd warned the youkai who hadn't taken the Tokugawa's plan to exterminate them or drive them into the sea seriously. That there were no such creatures in her time. If she hadn't, within a century of this Era there wouldn't be any youkai in Japan. The kitsune had listened...and saved them all. Even the hanyou, all of them, out of respect for her and Inuyasha's past deeds.
In so doing, yes, she'd changed things, but to right a wrong. Not all youkai or even most were evil. She'd never felt any guilt over it. Except for one little thing. The thing that taught her most cruelly the true nature of unintended consequences.
To save them had cost her...cost humanity...the tajiya.
Sango and Miroku would wed, have five beautiful children, and die thirty years from now after refounding the slayer village. Fever would take them, she remembered. Then their grandchildren would honor their friendship when she called them in to help the Kitsune create the first generation of illusion charms. She, Kagome, had done it. Privately and secretly, not even her mate knew that she'd been the one who convinced them to help. Because she knew they were her only hope in the terrible days of the Hunt.
When she learned why there were no youkai in her time.
Help the innocent hide as Sango and Miroku would wish, she'd begged. Teach them how to evade the methods of ferreting them out that the tajiya had given to the authorities, help them test the charms with their own training and gifts. No youkai would use them to kill a human, only to survive, and they would kill any who broke the deal themselves. They had agreed to her terms and helped create and test the magics. But they would be slaughtered soon after by their fellow humans for their refusal to exterminate harmless youkai. The human warriors were meticulous, and not a one survived the village's second razing.
Even now...she felt shame.
Because she'd do it again in a heartbeat. Would do it again...and wouldn't lift a finger to stop it. That was the price to save her beloved, and she paid it. Kagome would, could, and had done whatever was needed to protect him and the children. If that meant living with the burden of their friend's descendants fate on her soul, she accepted it. Her hands were already coated in blood from the Jewel, after all.
If Kikyou hadn't succored Onigumo and opened the door to weakness and destruction because of pride and loneliness, if she hadn't failed the first time...Naraku would not have been. All the dead he left in his wake were partially her fault. Fate had permitted her to return and restore the balance, to partially finish the Jewel's destiny and cleanse away the crimes of losing it and helping to create Naraku in the first place when she'd been incarnated as Kikyou. It was a bad idea to push it.
'I'm sorry, Sango. We never forgot you, dear friends, and I know you would have been the first in line to help us if you had lived to see what happened. Your people...I can only say it was worth the cost. All youkai remember them with great respect, as a people who fought and died with honor. There's even a small festival of remembrance and gratitude at the site of your village each year,' she thought sadly. But she and Inuyasha never attended. It was too painful.
Kagome dragged herself up, and tried to forget as she walked back.
But the next day, the group entered the nearby village...and heard there was no old woman Priestess here. Never had been. No, not a one. They never had one, and no, they didn't see one last night.
Worried looks were exchanged as Kagome pulled out the pouch she'd been given and frowned. Inuyasha wanted her to get rid of it, but she'd sensed no evil from the woman. Oddly, Ichiro was on her side. After lunch, she'd said. So they ate at a teahouse, and only after she'd eaten everything did she open the pouch. With everyone watching her. Shaking fingers undid the strings...and...
Gasps.
A Shard, a purified one. Kagome gaped. She'd sensed nothing! A real Shard, no battle, no nothing. It was just given to them!
"That was a witch," Shippo said firmly, staring at the Shard.
"A good spirit, maybe. She must have known you were purehearted and gave it to you, Kagome. Perhaps she was the local Guardian. Maybe her powers shielded it until you were told to open it as a test of some sort," Sango suggested.
"Possible. All possible. We can't ask her now, and that was probably her plan," Ichiro agreed, but Miroku was very quiet. Only two human women could carry a pure Shard. Neither of them were able to conceal one.
No, three. Really three. So. That was what a human Priestess looked like after five hundred years...Miroku decided he never wished to meet a 'Yoda' if this was a sample of her level of skill. He did wonder what 'force' she walked with. And why Ichiro, when asked about this discretely-went outside to laugh. But the villagers listened...and a local legend was born.
Author's notes-Oh, yes. The tajiya all get killed because of her meddling. And yes, Kagome's a bit ruthless and will let it happen again! I've always loved this little streak of it I see in her character as I've noted in my other stories. It was interesting going into how five centuries of life might affect someone a bit, since she would know what was to happen. Also yes, I am aware Ayame needs a Shard to use the well, and that they just handed off theirs. I hope you enjoyed this, and Thanks for Reading as always!-Namiyo