Sorry for not updating for so long! I had my final exams and now that they are over, here's the chapter! :)
Chapter 11: A New Quest
Kanade's P.O.V
"Kanade! Please play with us!"
"Yeah! You've already rested enough!"
"PLEASE?" The twins chorused. I groaned and put the sheets over me. Sora was now hitting my body with his wooden toy sword. Takeo was just standing at the side, fortunately more mature than the rest and was telling them to stop disturbing me despite being the youngest.
"Leave me alone…" I groaned. I didn't want to go out today.
Since that battle on the North Mountain, most of us have received major injuries in battle, especially Kohaku and me. Koga and Ayame sent us back to Kaede's village just yesterday so that we may rest and recover. But with these kids all around me, what kind of rest and recovery am I receiving?
But it wasn't just my injuries and wounds that bothered me. It was the fact that I had turned into my demon form yet again. How can I let such a thing happen? After I promised myself not to do it again. Not only that, I was beaten down way before I could even reach Shiguri. How can I even beat him in battle. He obviously doesn't see me as a worthy opponent.
Damn it! If I had soaked myself before the day of the battle, I wouldn't be so… weak!
"Kanade~"
"I SAID LEAVE ME ALONE!" I exclaimed as I pulled the covers down and yelled at the twins. The twins kept quiet. Sora let his toy hit my leg gently one last time before he stopped. Then I saw the children were about to cry. Oh no. "I'm just very, very tired okay. Let me rest."
"See? I told you." Takeo said as I lay down again.
"But we want to play!" Chika exclaimed.
"You want to play?" I said. "I'll tell you a game that you can play. Well not really a game but it's fun."
"What is it?" Chie asked.
"My sister and I used to go to the river and collect seashells for my mother to make into necklaces." I said.
"Necklaces? Are you going to make that for us?" Chika asked.
"Necklaces? I don't want those." Sora said.
"No, I never learnt how to make them. I was always busy protecting the tribe." I said.
"Why you? Aren't there others like you?" Chie asked.
"No, I was the only one who can fight with my powers. Nymph normally aren't able to do that." I said.
"So what is the game?" Sora said.
"My sisters would take pebbles from the river and the skip them across the water as far as they can, seeing who can get the most number of skips. I used to make obstacles courses for them but just throwing the stones is fine." I said.
"Throwing the stones?" Chika asked.
"Yeah, it will just jump off the water." I said.
"Wow! Can you teach us?" Sora asked.
"Well… if you can't do it then I will come. But try it first okay, let me rest." I told them. The children cheered and left Lady Kaede's house to try the game. Takeo left last yelling after them to wait for him as Lady Kaede entered the house.
"My, my, I hope you weren't too disturbed by them." Lady Kaede said "So how are you doing?"
"Better than before." I said as Lady Kaede slowly sits down next to me and dips a wet cloth into a bucket of water she had brought in. "Sorry for troubling you."
"No, it's fine." Lady Kaede said. "I heard what happened. It must have really tired you out."
"I just wished I could have tried harder." I said as Lady Kaede took my arm, rolled up my sleeve and started wiping it with the water. "If only I had been more careful…"
"Even if you had been more careful, you wouldn't have been able to defeat him." Lady Kaede said. I glared at her. She didn't get mad. "You have a lot of potential Kanade, it's just that you were rushing things. How do you expect to defeat Shiguri if you can't even defeat his servants? He is a master for a reason."
"But I've defeated them!" I exclaimed.
"Just barely." Lady Kaede said "You turned into your wolf demon form in battle. It is a strong weapon but that shows you are incapable of fighting in your normal form. Going into battle with someone extremely powerful without much experience is stupid. Even Inuyasha knows that."
"I just… want to avenge my tribe." I said softly. Lady Kaede put down my arm and took the other, wiping it also. My skin absorbed the water that I needed.
"Yes, everyone wants to get back something. But fighting isn't always the case. Yes Shiguri needs to be punished but do not let your emotions control you. You have been warned several times not to rush into battle. You cannot turn a blind eye to advice." Lady Kaede explained.
"Then… what do we do now?" I asked as Lady Kaede took off my kimono and started wiping my back. "We have no leads and Shiguri has a new servant we know nothing of. Koga and Ayame said they couldn't catch up in time to see who he really is."
"Do you know how he looks like?" Lady Kaede asked. I nodded.
"Well at least that is something. You also seen Shiguri so know how he looks like." Lady Kaede said. "I advice you to help people."
"Help?" I asked.
"Yes. When you help people, you face troubles. Those troubles give you experience to fight and gives you a better chance of beating Shiguri. Sometimes these people will give you something in return, sometimes in a way you don't expect it to be." Lady Kaede explained.
"Well… I guess you're right. I remember the people that we helped, each one of them told us more information about Shiguri." I said, remembering the times I met the village head, Souten, the monkey bandits… all of them helped in a direct and indirect way. "Do you think it would also give us a lead on Shiguri?"
"Maybe." Lady Kaede said. "Also, you must need a weapon."
"A weapon." I repeated.
"Powers are sometimes not enough to inflict damage, which is the reason why we still have weapons." Lady Kaede said "Many people used powerful weapons to defeat their opponents, like a secondary limb. It will also be easier for you."
"But where am I going to get a good weapon?" I asked. "I can't just take it from a blacksmith can I?"
"You can ask Totosai." Lady Kaede said as she helped me put my kimono back on. "He's the master of making weapons. He could forge you a good weapon to help you defeat Shiguri. He made Kohaku's pickaxe, the Tessaiga and many more powerful weapons."
"Okay, thanks. I'll keep that in mind." I said. Then I heard voices whisper outside the house. I looked behind Kaede. A voice said "Takeo! You go!"
Then suddenly Takeo stumbled into the house, nearly falling. Then he looked back and said "Why is it always me!"
"May I help you?" Lady Kaede asked. Takeo got a bit shocked and faced us. He looked as bit shy as he crossed his legs with one foot digging the ground and his hands behind his back. Then he looked up at me and said "C-can you teach us how to skip stones? W-we can't figure out how."
"I think I should-"
"That would be a great idea." Lady Kaede said. Then she turned to me and said "You don't only have to heal physically. I think you should get some sun anyway."
"Really? You would?" Takeo said. Then one of the twins, probably Chika, popped her head through the cloth door and said "You would?"
"I guess why not?" I said, a bit unsure. Then I got up and said "Alright, bring me there."
"Yay!" Chika exclaimed. Then she ran in, with Chie after her. Then the twins pulled me forward, with each of them taking one arm. The chatter of the little children annoyed me. I wonder how Kagome and Sango handle these kids! I walked out, trying to keep up the fast pace. As we were walking to the river, I heard a voice call out to me.
"Hey Kanade, how are you feeling?" A loud, rude voice exclaimed. I looked down a hill and saw Inuyasha with Miroku. Kohaku and Shippo is also with them.
"Fine!" I called back.
"Kanade! Hurry up!" Sora said as he pulled my arm. What is up with these kids and pulling.
"Wait wait!" I exclaimed. "Slow down!'
"They seem to like you." Miroku said smiling.
"A little too much if you ask me." I said, looking down at Sora. "Hey Kohaku, how are you doing?"
"Okay." Kohaku told me. "I should be better in a few days."
"Take your time." I said. "Um… anyone want to follow me?"
"Kanade! Hurry up!" Takeo called out.
"Go ahead and babysit them Kanade." Shippo said, giving me a smirk. Damn. He knows how I can't handle kids.
"Daddy, Shippo, Uncle Miroku, do you want to play with us?" Takeo said "We're going to skip stones."
"Nah go ahead, we'll just be here." Miroku said.
"Doing what?" Chie asked "Staring at other women while mama is not around?" I can imagine a brick hitting Miroku's head. Chie is pretty blunt for a child.
"Sounds boring." Inuyasha said "Hey Shippo, you go."
"Why me?" Shippo protested.
"Hey Shippo, I bet you can't beat me in stone skipping. You probably stuck at it anyway." I said.
Shippo got up and said "I can! I would be better than anyone of you! I challenge you!"
"Sure, sure." I said as I started walking with the children. "Have it your way."
Eventually Shippo caught up with us and said in a low whisper in my ear "You tricked me didn't you?"
"Yup, I know you too well. Now you're stuck here with me." I said as I smirked. Shippo gave a dissatisfied pout. We made it to the river. Takeo picked up a small thin stone and said "Can you teach us?"
"Sure, it's pretty simple really." I said as I hold the stone up. "Don't throw the stone like you normally do. Just a simple flick of the wrist will do." Then I stepped back, drew my arm back and threw the stone in a flicking like manner. The small stone skipped on the blue clear water four times before it suck into the river. The children were awed. Then they tried to do the same.
"That's it? Easy!" Shippo explained as he picked up a large stone. That's too big. I knew her would fail. Then he threw the stone in a flinging manner, making the stone go far but it sunk immediately. I laughed at him. Ha! Better than me? Yeah right.
"Um… I haven't done it in awhile." Shippo said, trying to keep his pride up as he looked away.
"You stink." I said. I hear several stone plunge into the water.
"I'll get it the next time." Shippo said as he picked up another rock, this time it is thinner. Then I saw a stone skip once before plunging into the water.
"Yes! I got it!" Sora exclaimed.
"Hey! Teach me Kanade." Chika said.
"Me too." Chie complained.
"Okay, okay. One at a time." I said, sighing. This would take some time. I taught the little ones how to skip the stones. The twins seems to grasp it after awhile. Takeo took nearly forever. But when he got it, he seemed to be going pretty well. Sora is just a natural.
"Thank Kanade." Takeo said after he managed to skip a stone three times. "But I think you need to help Shippo… he's struggling…"
Takeo and I looked at Shippo who looked super angry, he picked up a huge rock and threw it into the water out of frustration. I sighed and then walked towards him. The kids behind me were playing with the stones, seeing who can make the most skips.
"Do you need help?" I asked.
"I'm fine." Shippo said. Still trying to keep his pride up huh? Then he sighed and said "Yes, I don't know how to skip stones at all."
"So does that mean I win the challenge?" I asked him.
"Yeah. Just teach me." Shippo said, then he picked up a big stone.
"First you need a light stone, that one is too big." I said. "You need a small stone."
"I knew that." Shippo said as he put down the big stone and picked up the small one. He was about to throw the stone the wrong way when I grabbed his arm.
"Not like that." I said. I stood behind him and put his arm down to the right position. For some reason, I felt my cheeks heat up. This is not the first time I've been so close to Shippo, but it somehow makes me a bit nervous. Maybe we weren't close like this before. My heart started to pound. Concentrate Kanade!
"Then you throw it back and fling it like you're throwing a whip." I said, moving his arm in a certain direction. Then I let go. Shippo did as I instructed him, but he did it in a slightly throwing fashion and it didn't skip.
"Try again, make sure you keep your arms straight." I said as I picked up a stone and fling it, it skip on the water five times. Shippo tried again, this time it skipped once. Shippo grinned.
"I did it!" Shippo said, smiling. I smiled too. The idiot.
"Aw! Shippo and Kanade are blushing!" A voice exclaimed. I jumped in shock. Then I looked behind me. It was Chika, smiling widely. Chie, who was behind her sister, looked at us and nodded. "Are you two a couple?"
"What?" I said, blushing and nearly yelling.
The twins looked at each other and smiled cheekily. Then I heard Shippo stammer "U-um it's not like that."
"Shippo and Kanade sitting in a tree!" The twins chorused. "K.I.S.S.I.N.G."
Usually people don't get annoyed by those stupid little things but I did. I felt myself blush a deep red. Then they ran away, sticking their tongues out. I ran after them, yelling "You little brats! You'll get it!"
Argh, this is why I don't like little kids.
Shippo's P.O.V
I just stood there, watching furious Kanade chase after the twins who were laughing. I didn't know what to do. I was about to give them a chase myself if Kanade hadn't beat me to it. Sora just continued skipping stones, engrossed in the activity. Takeo continued to watch them with me.
Then the little part demon, part human looked at me and asked "Do you love Kanade?"
I felt myself blush, kids are really blunt. Was I really like that when I was younger? I've been punched many times by Inuyasha by mentioning his crush on Kagome. Well it was pretty obvious. Kids are the most attentive observers.
I looked away and said "Of course not."
"You're lying." Takeo said. "The both of you act like mommy and daddy."
"Well they are your parents." I told him. "Inuyasha and Kagome are strange in their own way."
"Do you love Kanade?" Takeo asked again. I looked at Kanade. She stopped and sighed. She pushed her hair aside. I smiled.
I didn't expect myself to meet a hot headed girl a month or so ago. She's not exactly strange. I've met girls like her. I've travelled with girls like her even! But she's so determined, even when she's sad in the inside. It reminds me of myself sometimes. Also, she's fun to be around with. She's pretty too, though she doesn't appreciate it. Love?
"Maybe." I said as I squatted down to look at Takeo. "But there are times I also can't stand her."
Takeo blinked. Then he nodded. Then I rubbed the top of his head and said while putting a finger on my lips "Don't tell anyone okay?"
Takeo nodded. Then I saw Kanade walking toward me. She put her hands to her hips and said "So do I get my reward."
"Yeah, what is it?" I asked her.
"Remember the time I turned into a wolf demon." She said as she cracked her knuckles. Uh oh. "That you said I could head dunk you?"
"Uh… I didn't?" I said sheepishly. Uh oh. I recalled the time when I tried to stop Kanade from killing us, daring her to head dunk me. I shouldn't have said that. The next thing I knew, My head hit the ground, twice. Ouch! Doesn't she know how painful that is?
"That was for being a boastful fool." She said "And the other for the bet." Then she got on her knees and rubbed the top of my head. I looked at her. "That was for helping me. Thanks."
"Welcome." I said despite not knowing what I did. Kanade smiled. I hate her, but I also have feelings for her.
Now I see why Inuyasha and Miroku took so long. I might too myself.
Kanade's P.O.V
I walked around the village, just to get away from the children and Shippo for a moment. I need some real peace for awhile. The turmoil within me hasn't subsided. I should tell the group about my plans if they want to continue. I was thinking of searching for Totosai first to get a proper weapon. Lady Kaede's right, I need a weapon. It was reckless. I feel a bit ashamed.
I took in a deep breath and then looked around. I had wandered for some time and I was now on top of a hill, looking down at the village. I could see several people from here. I saw Rin with Sesshomaru-sama, walking around together with Jaken who was probably nagging again. I wonder how Rin deals with the little imp. Kohaku was sitting by the riverside, watching Shippo and the children play with the stones and the small ice obstacle course I created. Shippo kept losing. I smiled. It seems to peaceful.
I turned around and looked at the forest. I wonder if the legend of Kagome coming from the future is true. If I remember correctly, she fell out of the well within this forest where she first met Inuyasha. I looked back at the village. I suppose it won't hurt to explore a bit. I'll be back very quick. I don't want to go too far.
I started walking into the forest in a slow pace, looking at the greenery around me. The sun shone bright, giving me a happy bright feeling. As I walked closer and closer, I realised there was something in the distance, and someone was there. I walked faster. Then I saw it.
There was a small well made of stone, covered all over with creepers. It's square shaped and looked big enough for a person to fall into. Beside the well is Kagome, looking over. What is she doing here?
"Hello Kagome, am I disturbing you?" I asked. Kagome looked up at me and shook her head "No, I was just about to leave."
"So the legend's true I guess." I said as I went closer to the well and looked over, The well was deep, but dry. I wonder how Kagome travelled through the well.
"Legend?" Kagome asked me. "Oh right, you heard about us right? What did the legend say?"
"The legend says that you came to our well through this well. I wasn't sure if it was true because it said you came from the future." I said,
"That's all true." Kagome said "I love it here, but someone I can't help but miss my family."
"How's your family like?" I asked.
"I lived in a shrine with my family, but I wasn't a priestess then. Just a simple student in school." Kagome said.
"You go to school?" I asked.
"Yes, in the future all children go to school." Kagome said.
"That's really fortunate." I said.
"Not exactly, I was suffering there." Kagome said.
"Suffering? Did they torture you?" I questioned even further.
"You could say that, but not in the way of fighting of course." Kagome said. Torturing a person by not fighting? I don't get it.
"Anyway, I lived there with Gramps, my mom, my little brother Sota and my fat cat Buyo. We are all one big happy family." Kagome said.
"What about your father?" I asked her.
"He died in a car accident when I was young." Kagome told me.
"What's a car?" I asked her. Sounds like a weird device. Must be something dangerous if you can get an accident from it.
"It's like your carts here except you don't need horses and extremely fast." Kagome said.
"No horses? Wow. That must be some magic." I said, looking down at the well.
"I guess so." Kagome said. For some reason, she looked a bit… off. Oh well.
"I never knew my father." I told her. "He left my mother before I was born. All I know of him is his name. At least your family is safe."
"Yeah." Kagome said. Then she stepped away from the well. "I'm going back to the village."
"Alright, I'll be right you." I said before looking in the well one last time. After looking in it for awhile, it does look interesting. I can't believe this was used to travel to the-
I saw a bright light at the bottom of the well. I narrowed my eyes at the light. Is that suppose to happen?
"Kagome, exactly how did you travel here?" I asked her as I took a step back. Kagome looked back at me and said "Why?"
Suddenly, I heard a loud scream. I quickly looked down at the well, Kagome followed after me, who seemed even more surprised and shocked than me.
I saw a boy with short black hair with his fringe sticking out. He was rubbing the top of his head. He wore a black long-sleeved shirt with a tall collar with long black pants with brown shoes. Hung over his shoulder is a blue bag filled with something. Then he looked up at us with his big brown eyes.
"Hey! Do you need help there? How did you get there?" I yelled.
"Mama?" The boy asked. I blinked. This guy is so confused. "Gramps?"
"Wait there." I said. Then I drew a water whip from my water pouch and shot it down the well. The boy freaked out and tried to stand but my whip already grabbed his ankle. I pulled him up and the boy screamed. I placed him on the ground gently, with several things spilling out of his strange bag. The boy rubbed his sore parts before saying "Hey! Don't… where am I?"
The boy looked around, completely surprised and confused. Kagome narrowed her eyes at the boy who looks around 17. Then she gasped and exclaimed "Sota?!"
I released the whip and asked "Sota?"
"Onee-chan?" The boy asked, surprised as he looked up at Kagome.
Onee-chan? I looked at the boy again. Then he got up and hugged Kagome. A family reunion. A nice sweet one, and I felt completely out of place.
Yay! We're meeting Sota again! Well he's not exactly my favourite character but it's nice to bring him back in the story right? But why is he back? That will be in the next chapter.