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Chapter 35: The Jewel

-Start—

Pain, pain, pain, pain.

"Breathe, Kagome. You have to breathe."

I drew in a shaky breath, trying to follow orders.

Pain!

I couldn't do it. It hurt to breathe. My eyes slit open and I was hit with the impression of lights.

"Damnit, he went through a rib and punctured a lung. We've got to keep her breathing."

The voice was alien to me. A dark shape moved into my line of sight, but I couldn't bring it into focus. My eyes slipped close again and I jerked reflexively as a pair of hands descended onto my chest.

"Stay with me, Kagome."

That voice I recognized.

"Stay with me."

I stayed.

I blinked up at the ceiling, studying the divided tiles silently. It was an unfamiliar ceiling.

Where was I?

This wasn't the hotel, I was sure. What was going on?

I blinked again and then tried to sit up. A shot of pain lanced through my side and I fell back with a whimper.

"Kagome! Oh, thank God. You're finally awake." I glanced sideways and Sango rushed towards me, an anxious expression on her face. "I've been so worried! You've been unconscious for nearly 48 hours."

I stared at her quietly, trying to gather my thoughts. I've been out for nearly 48 hours? What happened?

And then it all came back. The concert. Naraku. His Army. Koga. My injury. The Jewel. Inuyasha's voice. "Where are we Sango?" I croaked. My throat was dry.

"Hold on," she said. "Drink this." She held a small glass of water against my lips and tilted my head so I could drink.

Just as I drained the last drops of liquid, the door opened and a large figure strode into the room. I couldn't tell who he was until he spoke. "So I see you've awoken," Inuyasha's father commented. "That's quite an improvement." He pushed a button on the side of my bed and the mattress began to lift so that I was in a sitting position.

"Thanks," I mumbled, slightly disoriented. Mr. Taisho stared at me carefully, his golden eyes showing only the slightest bit of interest. I stared back, a question forming on my lips. "Can you explain what's going on?"

Normally, I'd strive for politeness; but we'd passed the realm of 'normal' a long time ago. I was hurt, confused, and I wanted some damn answers.

Sango quietly moved away from my bed and sat down in her chair. Mr. Taisho sighed and shifted his gaze toward the window. "The only thing you need to know is when the next flight to Japan departs."

"Is Naraku going back to Japan?" I questioned.

"No."

"Then neither am I."

Mr. Taisho's eyes found mine once more and he glared at me fiercely before speaking in a dangerously low voice. "Naraku is none of your concern, Kagome."

"Naraku is my only concern!" I exploded. I was tired of being kept in the dark, of working in secrecy, shouldering this burden on my own. I wanted to talk about it with someone who knew what they were doing.

"You do not need to get involved in this!"

"I became involved the moment Naraku murdered my father," I replied forcefully. It hurt to yell.

Mr. Taisho studied me silently for a moment, his jaw working as he ground his teeth.

"How much do you know, Kagome?"

"Enough to want Naraku's head on a platter." I looked down at the faded blanket that was thrown over my legs. "I know that he murdered my father. I know that he is building an army, here, in America. And I know that a youkai war is brewing." My eyes shot up, meeting Mr. Taisho's. "I want to join your force. Let me fight."

"It is too dangerous, Kagome. A youkai war is no place for a human girl," Mr. Taisho rumbled.

"So why do you allow Kikyo to fight?" I countered.

He eyed me for a moment and then spoke tightly. "She is special."

"She is a miko." I carefully reached behind my neck, mindful of my limited ability to move, and unfastened my lock necklace, allowing it to fall into my lap. My power gave a start and then flared outward like an invisible wave. His eyes narrowed.

"Let me fight," I bartered softly. "I can defend myself."

"And yet you are lying in a hospital bed."

I frowned. "That's not fair. Naraku took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting him."

Mr. Taisho shook his head and began to turn away. "He's not going to wait for you to line up an attack, Kagome. This is war, and Naraku is the type of man who will resort to anything in order to win. He has no honor, no pride. He will kill you in a second and feel no remorse."

I stubbornly glared at the back of Mr. Taisho's head, willing him to turn around and face me. I knew what kind of man Naraku was. I also knew exactly what I was getting myself into. "I won't go home," I repeated.

He turned to glance at me once more and then continued toward the door. "You have no choice."

I clenched my teeth in anger.

"Well, that went well," Sango said flatly as soon as the door shut.

I turned my attention to her. "Do you have any idea where we are?"

"We're in a regular house," she sighed, crossing her arms. "But I think they treat it like a hospital. All the rooms are set up like this one." Her hand flicked in a gesture that encompassed the entire room and I took a moment really look around. It was small, but definitely set up like a regular hospital room. I noticed that my right arm was attached to a machine that quietly beeped in sync with my heart; my left arm was hooked to an IV. Other equipment surrounded me too, but I had no idea what any of it was for. Sango occupied the only chair.

"We're still in New York?"

"Yeah. Just a little ways outside of the main city."

I grew quiet again and Sango gave me time to think. I was feeling a little sluggish after my quick round of words with Inuyasha's father.

"So," I finally asked, "what happened the other night after I went down?"

Sango frowned, remembering. "From what I could see, Naraku stabbed you, whispered something, and then disappeared. He literally vanished right on the spot." Her brow wrinkled in confusion. "And then everyone started fighting."

"Why?" I wondered.

"Apparently Mr. Taisho had a lot of his people scattered throughout the audience, acting as spies. Their cover was blown when Inuyasha tried to make a break for you."

I closed my eyes, vaguely recalling the shouting and chaos that had ensued just a few feet from my prone body. "Inuyasha saved me, didn't he?"

"He picked you up and got you out of there, yeah, but it was Sesshomaru who saved you."

My eyes flew open. "Sesshomaru?"

"Turns out he's a surgeon," Sango answered. "Naraku fractured a rib and punctured one of your lungs when he stabbed you. Inuyasha managed to get you here, and Miroku and I followed, but after that we were all clueless. You were gasping and starting to leak this weird, bloody froth from your mouth. Thank God Sesshomaru happened to be around."

She grew quiet and stared at me for a minute. "Maybe you should go back to sleep. You look like Hell."

I grinned weakly. "I can always count on you to make me feel better, Sango."

She stood and smiled back. "Hey, what are friends for?" She pressed a button and my bed began to recline back into its original position. "Now get some rest."

"Thanks."

I closed my eyes and tried to clear my mind, still upset about Mr. Taisho's words, but a certain pair of expressionless blue eyes haunted me. Why? Pain sliced through my heart and I tightly pressed my lips together in order to keep from crying out. Why, Koga? How could you possibly be pretending all this time? Moments from the past two years flew through my head, and unwillingly, things began to click. I traced my way backwards, all the way to the beginning, when Koga and I had first started hanging out.

We'd started out as partners on a stupid project, and then from there Koga had slowly eased his way into my personal life. He'd been there through Plan J, using it as a ruse, I realized, to spend more time with me, isolate me. And then I'd been practically forced into the "band." My first meeting with Naraku flashed brightly through my mind.

"So…This is her, Koga?"

I'd been brought in for inspection; Naraku had wanted to see me in person.

"You know what will happen if you screw up, right?" Naraku warned.

My mind flicked to another memory. Koga and I were in the mall, eating lunch.

"So what happens if he's disappointed?" I'd asked.

Koga turned his head away and stared off into the mass of people that was streaming past our table. "Bad things," he replied cryptically.

Even then he'd been hiding things; he wouldn't even meet my eyes. Obviously Koga had displeased Naraku at some point in their twisted relationship and been punished. I frowned at the thought and twitched uncomfortably under my blanket.

But what was their relationship? How had Koga gotten involved with such a bad man?

Does it even matter? I thought bitterly. Koga had obviously used me just as much as Naraku. I recalled the autumn night we spent on a Ferris wheel in Kyoto.

"Kagome…"

Koga's hand tightened around my own.

"You know I'd never hurt you, right?"

He continued to stare at me, his eyes searching my own blank ones.

"Do you like spending time with me?"

My head lolled back and forth in a nod. My brain was starting to repair itself, connect the dots, acknowledge what was going on. I forced my mouth to move. "You know I love spending time with you, Koga," I gently pulled my hand from his, "but I can'tlet Inuyasha go."

"Then I'll wait."

I paused. "Wait?"

Koga reached for my hand again. "I'm not going to give up that easily Kagome."

Right. And that was only because Naraku wasn't going to let him.

"You know I'd never hurt you right?"

What a liar.

I swallowed a lump in my throat and prayed that Sango would disregard the sudden frantic beeping of the heart monitor. It hurt to think of Koga's betrayal. It hurt a lot. But it was a mixture of pain and anger. I was well and truly pissed.

If I ever saw Koga again, things were going to end badly.

Now was not the time for me to get upset though. I needed to focus. Thoughts of Koga could be dealt with later, when I felt up to it. My body relaxed and I unconsciously gripped my lock necklace just to be sure it was still there. What I was about to do would drain me, but it'd be well worth it in the end.

I slipped into a trance, activating my miko powers, and began the consuming task of healing myself.

I awoke the next morning to a new visitor.

"Hello, Kagome."

I stared up at Kikyo tiredly. "Why are you here, Kikyo?"

She smiled down at me. "Don't you want some answers?"

My pulse quickened and I sat up stiffly. A full night of magical healing could do wonders. "Go on."

She sat down in Sango's chair. We were the only two in the room. "I have to say, you've done much better than I expected."

"I aim to please," I said flatly.

Kikyo laughed, a quick burst of sound, and then grew serious once more. "You've changed, Kagome. You've hardened."

"Believe me, I know," I said with downcast eyes. I wasn't sure whether I was proud or ashamed of my recent shift in behavior. "Now start talking." My gaze shot up. "I'm ready for some answers."

Kikyo studied me quietly for a moment, her dark eyes intense and searching. "I almost don't know where to begin," she said, tilting her head. "I guess I should start with the Jewel."

"Is this the same Jewel that Naraku was talking about?"

She nodded. "It's known as the Shikon no Tama. According to legend, the Jewel disappeared during the Feudal Era, around the time of Naraku's death. You know that entire story, right? We talked about it in class a couple of years ago."

"Yeah." I thought back to our field trip in the 11th grade. "Historians also claim that Naraku's death was uncertain."

Kikyo's expression grew harsh. "It's not uncertain. He survived. The Naraku we face today is the same Naraku from 550 years ago."

I stared at her and then finally asked the question. "How do you know?"

"My mother told me," Kikyo exhaled softly, as though it hurt to speak of her mom. "She also told me the true story of the Shikon No Tama."

I cocked a brow, not sure whether the word of Kikyo's mother was completely reliable. "So what's the real story of the Shikon no Tama?" I asked critically. I was skeptical of all this, yes, but I was also willing to listen. I too had once made the connection between the Naraku of the past and the Naraku of the present. What if my suspicions turned out to be true and he's somehow survived?

Kikyo sighed again and then drew herself upright. "It's a long, complicating story."

I nodded impatiently and gestured for her to continue.

"50 years ago, a girl by the name of Kagome Higurashi traveled back in time to the Feudal Era."

I must have looked like I was about to interject because Kikyo held her hand up before continuing. "This girl contained the reincarnated soul of the last Keeper of the Jewel, who was a female miko also known as Kikyo."

Kagome Higurashi? Kikyo? Who were these people? Why do we all have the same names?

"It was soon discovered that Kagome's body was actually a vessel for the Shikon no Tama. The Jewel had resided quietly within her flesh, completely unnoticed by the girl herself. But the Jewel was uncovered while she was in the Feudal Era, and she immediately became the target of many demons, including an inu-hanyou by the name of Inuyasha."

"Are you kidding me?"

"Just listen," Kikyo said in annoyance. "I'll explain the names later."

"Being from the future where demons lived in secrecy," she continued, "Kagome had no idea how to deal with youkai, much less protect the Jewel. A demon eventually managed to snag the Jewel, and in an attempt to get it back, Kagome accidentally shattered the Shikon no Tama into hundreds of pieces which then scattered all over Japan. This event sparked a race against time and an unlikely alliance between Kagome and Inuyasha as they struggled to rebuild the Jewel before any other demon could do so. Naraku soon became their main competitor, and thus the War of the Feudal Era began."

This sounds like complete bogus. First off, how can a girl time travel? And yet, besides the time traveling girl, Kikyo's story was matching up with the information I'd stumbled upon in the library all those months ago when I was researching mikos. The book I'd read had claimed that Kikyo's reincarnation had showed up 50 years after her death. Could that girl have possibly been Kagome Higurashi?

Kikyo kept talking. "Anyway, it eventually came down to a final battle between Naraku and Kagome's little band of friends. The battle was long, but Kagome was eventually able to secure the fully reformed Jewel, and once she had it, she took it back to the future and safely out of Naraku's clutches."

She paused for a moment, thinking. I waited patiently, interested in the story despite myself.

"That was the last time Kagome was able to travel through time. The well closed behind her for good, severing her connection to her friends in the Feudal Era. Once home, Kagome used her priestess powers to raise a barrier around her house, shielding the presence of the Jewel. She knew it was highly possible that Naraku had managed to survive and could still be searching for the Shikon no Tama in her time as well."

Kikyo's eyes met mine and we stared at each other.

"The barrier lasted for as long as Kagome lived, but the moment she died, her shield disintegrated and the Jewel disappeared once more."

I was starting to get an idea about where this story was headed.

"We think that the moment the shield fell, Naraku sensed Kagome's passing and suspected that the Jewel was going to be relocated into a new body; probably within the next generation of female children born into the Higurashi family following Kagome's death."

I began shaking my head before Kikyo even finished her sentence. "Oh no, I am not the reincarnated version of my Great Aunt Kagome. That's insane."

Kikyo grinned wryly. "So you're catching on."

"This story is ridiculous."

"Naraku took a gamble," Kikyo continued. "You were born the day after your Great Aunt Kagome's death, which immediately made you the most likely candidate for the Jewel." She paused and stared at the floor, not meeting my eyes. "Turns out he got lucky," she said quietly. "The Jewel could have very well been inside of me."

"Wait," I said in confusion. "You just told me that the Jewel would probably relocate inside a female child born within the Higurashi family. How could the Jewel possibly have been inside of you if we aren't even related?"

Kikyo sighed and finally lifted her eyes to meet my own. "We are related, Kagome."

"Explain."

"We share the same father. I'm your half-sister."

-End—

Say what? Haha. I don't think Kagome saw that coming.

Anyway, this chapter was getting pretty long and I had to split it in two. Which is probably a good thing because that means I'm pretty much done with the next chapter. Hazah! :)

I humbly apologize for taking so long to update. Summer has made me completely and utterly lazy. Also, I was having an extremely hard time figuring out how to write this particular scene. Luckily, I pushed through. I really want to finish this story.

So leave a review, and expect an update by next week!

Thanks!

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