CHAPTER 11
Inuyasha and Kagome arrived in the feudal era, along with an extra item neither one had time to question. They just grabbed it and ran. She still couldn't believe that she had never felt its presence before. Not even when she held it in her hands! She shook her head before she noticed Inuyasha taking in a large whiff.
"What is it?" she asked, prepared for anything.
"That dagger, the scent on it. It's faded, but…it almost seems familiar. But then again, not something that I've ever smelled before."
Kagome narrowed her eyes at the small golden dagger hanging around her waist, just in front of her ningato. Great, another mystery!
They made their way quickly to the village, unfortunately she didn't have time for the warm welcome by the villagers. She nodded and gave a brief smile, but they could tell all was not well with their greatest defense.
It was hard on her for her to take care of this village when she not only traveled with the group, but was at home when not traveling. She tried to explain this to the village council after Kaede's passing, but they wouldn't hear her. They only said that they trusted her companions in her absence. And that often the former priestess Kikyo would protect them if needed in her absence while looking for Naraku.
Regardless, she would not be able to continue in her duties to the small village once this adventure finally came to a close, especially if it claimed her life.
"Soon." said Inuyasha, interrupting her thoughts.
"It won't be soon before long. I need to train, ugh, there's so many things that still needs to be done." she sighed.
They finally came to the clearing of her hut, and found humans, monks, and demons alike. In the center was Miroku keeping Sango and Kohaku in one of his shields. That wasn't a good sign. She immediately turned to Sesshomaru.
"Hn. He's the same boy who kidnapped my ward, yet your pack protects him."
"Sesshomaru! That's Sango's brother."
"So I've been told, just as he was under the influence of Naraku."
Something in the way he said that got her to thinking it over. Trying to think of what he said exactly. She knew he was trying to tell her something that he didn't want anyone else to hear.
"Miroku, please release the shield before you pass out. What good would you be to Sango then?" Kagome pleaded.
He shakily nodded his head, "My apologies Lady Kagome, But Kohaku was threatening to take Rin again as well and hold her as hostage as well."
Kagome frowned at that bit of news, why didn't Sesshomaru say so? She immediately drew out her Ivasusaiga and held it to Kohaku's throat, completely ignoring the pleading look in Sango's eyes. If she acknowledged Sango at this point, then Kohaku would never take her seriously, or her threat.
"What do you want?"
Kohaku was still frowning, but released his sister nonetheless. "To speak with you in private. No one else." he said indicating his sister.
Kagome could tell this hurt her sister-friend, but felt it was best for now, to protect her in the end. She knew that no matter what she would not end this boys life, it would be like killing Souta. "Then follow me."
They weaved through the forestry around them. Knowing her pack would trust her, and hoping that all the others would let it be. After a good distance away, she set up her own barrier around the two. That's when she figured out what Sesshomaru was relaying to her.
"I know you are no longer under his control, why are you acting as if you are?" she asked out right. And why didn't she notice this sooner, as her group came across him quite a few times over the years. One of the few things keeping her sister sane. To simply know her only remaining kin was alive.
"H-how did you know?" he asked, eyes going wide.
"It's a good thing too, you'll need to keep away from him from now on, or he'll kill you."
"What? How? W-why?" He was fully expecting to be running this conversation, he was not expecting these turn of events.
"Those jewel shards of yours have now been purified."
Now it made sense, he thought, "Oh. It's true, I've had my memories back for 2 years now. It's been hard to keep from Sango all this time. But it's almost time, that's why I'm finally coming to her. To you."
"Explain please Kohaku, I think I understand why you did what you did, but…you've killed so many innocent people in the last couple years.""I did as was ordered, to keep myself informed. So that I could find a way to defeat him, to make him pay for every death he's caused."
"That must've been hard for you."
He kept his expression blank, "She's worth it."
Kagome wanted to cry for her sister, Sango was going to get her brother back. Finally. She was so happy for her, for her best friend, the girl who stayed so strong and fought so hard. It was hard to keep the moisture from her eyes. And to think that Kohaku…all this time, knowing and being haunted by what he was forced to do, to kill his family and kinsmen. "So are you Kohaku, I'm glad you were brave and strong enough to go through what you've had to endure."
"That's the past now, I do have some information for you. Are you sure that we cannot be overheard?"
She nodded her response.
"I'll trust you then, …he has been laying with the deceased miko for years. I know that you and her have been in contact with Kagura and are, together, working on a plan. Kikyo will betray both of your trust. She will spin it to put you both against each other."
She was shocked, "But..she's mated to Inuyasha!?" How could she hide the scent from Inuyasha?
He nodded, "Normally a demon mating is permanent, however. Her body is of clay, not flesh to be marked and claimed. So you know, Kagura is aware of my predicament. She has helped me, for her own selfish reasons, but still. She has helped me these past years, taking the brunt of Naraku's attention to spare me his wrath."
"I can't believe this. Kohaku, does Kagura know of Kikyo and Naraku's plans?"
She saw his immediate frown, "Not that I know, I don't know their true plans either."
She drew in a deep breath, "Okay, do you know when he plans to attack. Do you know what his weakness is?"
"Kikyo. Everything is about Kikyo. He tries and tries to rid the human crush he once had on her, only since they've been together, …its his one obsession."
"Other than trying to take over the world as it is." she said sarcastically.
"Hai. I can get you in his general direction, he's been hiding in the south."
"Okay, but we have to tell the others Kohaku. Otherwise I won't be able to protect you."
"So then, you accept me into your pack?" he said with a small boyish grin.
She was delighted to finally have one mystery solved, "As the seventh member, I welcome you with open arms."
She roughed his pony tail and then lowered the barrier around them. "Come."
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Kimi watched as her future husband / mate stalked away, she understood his concern. He knew better than most of what Kagome was currently going through at this time in the past. He only told her snippets, and said that Kagome will need her before it was all over. Whether it be a shoulder to cry on, or to heal her wounds. That gave Kimi hope, the knowledge that her daughter would need her. That meant that she would survive.
She constantly felt horrible for allowing her then sixteen year old baby girl to travel through time. Helping her father come up with illnesses to explain her constant absences from school. But felt it was her destiny from the beginning.
Finally stepping into the Kurosaki clinic, she saw the boy her daughter has wanted to introduce her to, getting ready to leave.
"Oh, hello ma'am, my father will be out of his office shortly. I'm sorry, but I must be going now." he said moving past her.
"Ichigo?" she asked in a soft voice.
Recognition lit his eyes, "…I'm sorry, do I know you?" he only remembered the voice.
"We didn't get to meet, but you were in my kitchen Saturday morning. I am Kagome's mother, my name is Kimi."
"Oh! I was just headed over there, I was hoping to catch Kagome before she…"
"Unfortunately, she's not feeling very well and won…"
"She's already gone then?" he asked.
Kimi was correct in her choice of words, and hoped the boy knew what that would mean, "Yes. Last night sometime. So you know then?"
He nodded, "Damn. I really needed to speak with her before she went back…"
"I'm sure that she will return again soon. She's always kept us informed of her adventures."
Again, he nodded, "I guess I should get to school…"
"Wait please Kurosaki-san, Kagome, she…left this for you."
"Oh." he reached out and lightly grasped the unsealed envelope from Kagome's mother.
"I'll be seeing you around Ichigo, just because Kagome isn't here right now, doesn't mean you can't stop by. I know my father enjoyed telling that story to you, I'm sure he would like to tell you more…"
He wouldn't respond to her, but she just turned and walked away. She probably knew that he wouldn't take her up on that offer. But knew that courtesy demanded it. But if he found any extra time (yeah right), he just might stop by.
He walked his way to class, stopping in the park on the way. He sat down on the bench, took a deep breath, and opened the envelope.
It was a short note. So, why was he holding his breath?
Ichigo,
I've dropped all of my classes until this is over. Inuyasha is here, and something has come up, so I must return. I doubt I'll be back soon, and honestly…I don't know my own fate yet. I don't even know if I'll ever return. Or if I'll survive.
You have brought me true happiness in the short time we've known each other. Happiness is a blessing in this time of war, so I thank you.
All I ask of you, is to not wait.
Kagome
'Not wait?' he thought to himself, 'Good thing I've always had a hard time listening.'
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A/N: I originally intended for Ichigo to be the 7th member, but it just didn't fit into the direction I want to take. Oh well, at least Sango gets her brother back! Thank you everyone for the reviews/favorites/alerts! Very awesome! To answer a few questions…
Music ADD: I hope I answered your question in this chapter update, if not let me know.
Shiroi no Yume: Not abandoned yet (it was almost a year tho!) I'll try to avoid such a long update again, I hope anyway. And now you know what's up with Kohaku! J More to come.
Sakura Lisel: You bring up very good questions, and more will be coming out in future chapters. I will definitely try to answer your questions. Hmm…
LeafeKnight7: Kimi's lover will be making their appearance soon, but not quite yet. I'm sure it can be guessed as to who it is though. And no, it isn't Ichigo's father, although that would be awkward! J
Thank you everyone else who has reviewed as well, they keep me encouraged, and I'm sorry if I missed anyone else. (Ayjah, Ichigo Mirai, deadpeace6868, Kuronueslover, & kitsunkuroushii) And to everyone else who has reviewed in previous chapters. I will try harder to keep updates coming out more consistently. THANKS!