Title: Fated Souls
Rating: T
DISCLAIMER: Inuyasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi and Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo. Two respected mangaka! I do not own the characters in any way nor the story plot. Only the idea of this fanfiction!
MizukixTsukiyomi's Notes: It definitely has been awhile since I last updated this, but I was able to find the time to finish this chapter! Yay! Let us all celebrate! Well ever since I returned to college, I only found time to write the one-shots from my other series because these stories require more deep thought and time. I rather give you that excitement in each chapter than just a short whatever update!
But I really appreciate the love you give to this story! All of you! Even if you do not review, I know many read it and I thank you for that! I am just happy to be able to give you a good story.
Guess what part of the story we have arrived? You all will be excited! And Kagome has found out something else in this chapter!
I hope you all enjoy!
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Anime hotty lover 18, KaeterinaRomanov, Infinities Lover, stephanie, Nixie the Bloody Pixie, starmienight, anissa, guest, FleurSuoh, Twilight, Joker2113, Neo-Crystal, Scaehime, Speedykitten1643, dragonlily22, Mondtanz.
Thank you all!
Chapter 36: Life and Death Identity
"Oh? Well if it isn't Yoruichi-san!? You are back!" the shop owner quickly grabbed the cat into his hands and lifted up the mammal up in the air.
Jinta continued to blink away the scene, confusion washing over him: "What happened? That cat is…"
"Its name is Yoruichi," explained Tessai. "It is the boss's only relative."
"His only relative is a cat…?" he raised an eyebrow while crossing his arms. "Seems like our boss is very pitiful."
"I guess you could say that," Tessai's sweat dropped appeared, watching as his boss continued to talk to the cat with his cute voice.
The miko stood behind them at the entrance of the door, watching the cat stare into Urahara's eyes. This cat seemed more than just a regular cat to her. She could feel an aura surrounding it and it was not the aura of an animal. It was human yet it felt like reiatsu.
'This cat brought that bow to me…,' her eyes quickly caught the golden orbs of the black cat staring at her.
"Oh? She is quite interesting, is she not, Yoruichi-san?" smirked Urahara.
Kagome's eyes tightened in defense: "Who is the cat, Urahara-san?"
"Like Tessai said, a relative," he lowered his stripped hat to hide his eyes as he carried the cat over his shoulders. "A very close relative."
She was not sure if she could go further into her trust in the shop owner, but at her current condition and with her head being now a target to Soul Society, she had no choice in the end.
"Come. We will explain this further inside, Kagome-chan."
"Ichi~go~!" Keigo jumped in front of the strawberry while carrying his packaged bread and milk in his hands. "Let us go and eat lunch together!"
"Sure," Ichigo grabbed his bento, standing from his desk. "But how about we find someone to join us today?"
"Find who?!" exclaimed Keigo, turning around the moment the orange head walked past him. His eyes widened in horror seeing his close friend stop behind Uryuu.
"Ishida," called out Ichigo. "Let's eat lunch together."
"Why Ishida!?" his shout quivered in horror. "Why someone that is very boring going to eat lunch with us!? It is those bandages around him, right!? The bandages gives you a somewhat interesting feeling, Ichigo!"
"You are so noisy," Mizuiro's eyebrow twitched watching his loud friend catch all the students around in surprise before they could eat.
Uryuu slowly stood from his seat and glared at the orange head: "I do not want to."
"He rejected us!?" exclaimed Keigo.
"Keigo is treating us," Ichigo crossed his arms.
"What!?"
There was a moment pause while Uryuu adjusted his glasses. He cleared his throat lightly and spoke: "Very well. Then let us eat together."
"Free-loader!" shouted Keigo.
'Ugh, such a heavy atmosphere while eating!' Keigo began to munch on his bread, fake tears in his mind slipping through his eyes. 'It's not fun at all!'
"Keigo."
The brunette boy turned his head, facing the strawberry.
"Say some funny jokes to hype up the atmosphere."
Keigo's eyes widened in fear. 'You…You are being too harsh! The atmosphere is very low! Maybe you should have not invited Ishida!'
"Hurry up," Ichigo's eyebrow began to twitch which only made his friend quickly stand from his lunch spot and talk his stories.
"Kurosaki," whispered Uryuu. "Why did you invite me? Do you feel responsible for my injuries? If so, you are wrong and I do not want your sympathy."
"Shut up," Ichigo closed his eyes as he grabbed rice with his chopsticks. "I just felt like eating with you, but your company really sucks. So just say "thank you" and eat."
"Why should I thank you? I prefer to eat alone anyway."
"Well so do I. Don't look at me."
"Do you not eat with Kuchiki and Higurashi?"
Ichigo scoffed: "Those two follow me here."
Uryuu lowered his meal from his lips and looked at the orange head: "What is Higurashi exactly? She is obviously more than just a Shinigami."
"What do you mean?" Ichigo's eyes opened, wondering what the Quincy was getting at.
"Do not tell me you cannot see what I mean," Uryuu's eyebrow rose in question. Was the orange head this dense?
Ichigo looked away from his meal and towards the bars on the ceiling. Narrowing his eyes, he answered his question: "Kagome…could not even answer that for you."
"What are we going to do…?" Rukia gripped the bark under her nails as she sat on a branch looking out in the distance. Her mind was away in thought of the dangers that were coming near. She knew and had no doubt that someone from the Soul Society was coming soon. Kagome had a higher chance in escaping if she hid. No one could sense her.
She had no reiatsu.
But if they found out about Ichigo and questioned him, they would come into conclusion that it was either her or Kagome that gave him his abilities. The answer was obvious.
"If Kagome is caught…she will be placed with the highest punishment in Soul Society."
"Hey! There she is. Up in the tree!"
Hearing a feminine voice below, Rukia turned her face over her shoulder and noticed Orihime and her group of friends. Mahana smiled and waved at the petite girl: "Kuchiki-chan! Want to eat lunch with us?"
"I brought you some milk, Yoruichi-san!" Urahara smiled, bringing in a small bowl with the white liquid. Kagome looked to her side, seeing the shop owner come over where they sat. Here she was across the table while the black cat she was so curious about sat on the table itself. Kagome's eyes returned to see the said cat glaring Urahara.
"Cut the act, Kisuke."
Kagome blinked, surprised to have heard the mammal speak. A deep voice at that.
"You know why I am here and you know information that you should be telling this girl," Yoruichi continued. The golden eyes returned back to stare at the confused Shinigami. "I am aware of the events that occurred yesterday with the Menos Grande. You fired the arrow, correct?"
Kagome nodded slowly.
"What made you grab the bow that I gave you in the first place?"
Kagome's eyes shifted to look at her lap: "I…do not know. Instinct I guess."
"Instinct she says," smirked Urahara. "Or more like you already knew how to use it, right?"
The cat gave a soft sigh before closing its view: "Kisuke, she has no idea what she is, there is no sense in testing her or asking her."
Kagome looked at the cat once again: "What…do you mean? I am a Shinigami…"
"Well now you are," Yoruichi replied. "But you are unsure of your past life, correct? Kisuke here gave me a few bits of information that you had asked if it was possible for a Shinigami to remember their days of the living."
Kagome remained silent and took a glance at the shop owner. He sat on the other side of the table and brought his fan with a smirk.
"To answer your question, no. It is not possible for a Shinigami to remember their past, but you have something that a lot of people and even spiritual beings would like to get their hands on. Even demons."
"Demons?" repeated Kagome.
"Do you have any idea what you did to that Menos Grande yesterday?" questioned Yoruichi.
Kagome shook her head. "All I know is that I shot the arrow, but I was not expecting that pink light that engulfed it."
"That is your miko-ki."
Kagome's eyes widened at the given words. "M-Miko-ki? What do you mean? Only a miko is able to do that, right?"
"Is it not obvious to you now?" the cat scoffed lightly under its breath. "Kagome, you are a miko."
"Wait a minute, there is no way I am a miko! I am a Shinigami!"
"You were a miko during your living days and even during your days of being a Shinigami. Miko blood runs through your veins."
Kagome continued to shake her head in disbelief. She had heard and read about mikos in old books in the Soul Society, but as far as she knew they were nothing but dead history. The holiest of beings that served God and the people that lived and were dead were dead themselves. She could not be a miko. Not even in her past life. That was entirely impossible. If mikos did not exist in the Soul Society, there was no way a miko existed in Ichigo's present time.
Kagome gripped the bottom of her white kimono under the table. "You have no proof. I am not a miko."
"No proof?" repeated Yoruichi. "The proof was given to you since you set foot in Soul Society. You have no reiatsu. Other Shinigami are not trained into reading a miko's type of aura. But other than that, you are able to heal, correct?"
Kagome's mind quickly recalled the moment of her healing abilities and dropped her eyes to her lap again.
"You are able to create a barrier right? You do not call kidos. You have no need for it due to your miko abilities."
"That is impossible!" exclaimed Kagome. "And even if that is true…how is it that you know this? How is it possible that you know so much about me when I do not even know about myself?"
"I only researched on your abilities, Kagome. I do not know how you came to Soul Society and I am not quite sure why you are able to remember pieces of your past life, but I will tell you this," Yoruichi's golden orbs closed. "They…are here."
"Huh?"
"Is that not right, Kisuke?"
Urahara stopped the movement of his fan and revealed his eyes slightly under his hat's shadow. "Yes."
"Wait…who is here?" asked Kagome, looking back and forth between the two.
"You sensed it for a bit, did you not, Kagome?" questioned Yoruichi. The cat's eyes opened once again. "Two Shinigami have arrived here."
Kagome's eyes slowly widened. She had felt it for a tiny second late at night during her sleep but she was unsure if it was just a dream. She was unconscious.
"Do…you know who?" she asked back.
Yoruichi remained silent and looked at the shop owner. Urahara lowered his hat once again before answering: "I suggest you and Kuchiki-san to find a well hidden place and away from that Kurosaki boy. If you were to be near him, those two Shinigami will find out that one of you transferred their powers to him and it would not end well for the boy."
Kagome quickly stood from her sitting spot and rushed out the shop. Yoruichi turned its head, watching as the miko took a turn. Obvious to them that she was going to warn the petite Shinigami.
"The question still lingers," Yoruichi whispered.
"Her miko abilities are not allowing her to remember. Something else is," Urahara opened his fan again. "Perhaps doing some research?"
Yoruichi chuckled lightly before turning to the shop owner: "Why did you not tell her and Rukia about the other two being here?"
Urahara closed his eyes, placing the bowl of milk in front of the cat. "I am quite curious how this miko and new Shinigami will deal with the troubles ahead."
"So…do you like Ichigo?"
Rukia quickly spit out the juice from the juice box, taken by surprise from the sudden question. Juice slightly dripped from her chin while turning her head to Mahana, the owner of the question.
"H-Huh?"
"Seriously, what is between you two?"
"We are…just friends," blinked Rukia, unsure where this girl was getting her ideas from.
"Mahana! Gosh, you are tactless!" Michiru looked at her friend before she could spit anymore curious questions.
"Whatever! You are all dying to know, but none of you had guts to ask!" shouted Mahana.
Michiru blushed: "I-I did not want to know!"
"Of course not," Tatsuki blinked as she opened her lunch. "You were curious about Ichigo and Kagome."
"I-I was not!" the blush hue got darker on the girl.
Rukia looked between the girls as they began to speak about what they have been seeing in Ichigo and Kagome. Their interactions and talks amused the petite Shinigami, but what surprised her more was that they had been more observant in her own friends. Was she that obviously to see the connection between the orange head and her own Shinigami friend?
She was sure that Kagome was smart not to get too involved with the orange head. Not only would it end up hurting him and place him in danger, but Kagome could be in pain in return if there was a moment she had to abandon him.
"Who cares what you all think between those two!?" Chizuru quickly scooped Orihime into a tight hug. "It is all about Orihime and me!"
"What do you have to do with it?" glared Tatsuki.
"What do you think?" smirked Chizuru as she let the orange head female go. "If Kagome-chan gets Ichigo, I will have Orihime all to myself!" She quickly grabbed the petite Shinigami's hands into her own. "Good luck, Rukia-chan! Put those two together! I am rooting for you to help me! And Orihime will be mine! All mine!"
"H-Huh…?"
Mahana crossed her arms, returning her attention back to Rukia. "Well? What is going on between them, then? Kagome and Ichigo have been clinging to each other since you two arrived here. Are they an item?"
Rukia's eyes dropped down to her lap: "Kagome and Ichigo…," she loosened the grip on her juice box, "are just friends."
She received nothing but stares of confusion and shock. Rukia hoped they could just end the conversation and topic. As much as she would be glad that her friend were to find happiness, there was no way that Kagome could ever be with Ichigo. There was no way. No hope.
There could be nothing in between them.
Rukia opened her eyes, watching as the girls began to talk about other things. She smiled slightly: 'This is what is like to live. To have a circle of friends. Jealousy really is an ugly thing. But I can only be thankful that Kagome-chan and I have made it this far and safely. All I can do is protect her the best I can…from whatever danger is fearing her.'
"The sun is setting…where is she?" Kagome sat on Ichigo's bed – alone. She had waited all day after arriving from Urahara's shop to see if Rukia would arrive after school, but neither she nor Ichigo had come. But she was glad that the orange head had no arrived. Her thoughts drifted off to the news she was given by the mysterious cat.
A miko.
Although she was still in denial about the whole thing, it made sense. Her healing abilities. Her powers. Her sense of detecting others. Everything.
Is that why her captain, Aizen, was after her? Did he know about her identity? She shook her head knowing that it was not the time to dwell on the thoughts because she knew that there was something much more important that had to be dealt with.
She gripped the bed sheets below her hands. As much as it pained her and knowing she did not remember so much of her childhood friend, Ichigo, she knew that she would not see him anymore. There was no way she would allow to put him in danger after everything he had done for her and Rukia.
Sighing loudly, she heard the light footsteps on the window. Her cerulean eyes landed on the petite Shinigami arriving inside.
"Kagome-chan? What are you doing here?" she landed on the wooden floor and placed her backpack on the bed.
Kagome only gave her a silent stare of worry.
"Are you alright?" she questioned.
Kagome slowly stood from her spot and closed her eyes: "We…must leave."
Rukia's eyebrows tightened: "What are you talking about?"
"We can no longer stay here. They are here…," whispered Kagome. "If we stay here any longer, Kurosaki-san will be in danger. I cannot allow that."
"Who is here?" Rukia's eyes widened slowly. "Are they already here!?"
Kagome nodded slowly.
Rukia's hands formed tight fists as she looked outside the window. She gave Kagome a slight nod before making her way to the desk. "Then we will leave in five minutes. The least we can do is thank Ichigo for his help and hospitality."
Kagome remained silent for a few seconds while hearing Rukia beginning to write on a piece of paper. "Rukia-chan…whatever you do, do not take the fault."
"You are speaking as if they will catch us," Rukia began to fold the paper.
The miko looked towards the closed door, hoping that the orange head would not arrive. "Please, Rukia-chan. Do not take the fault."
Rukia looked over her shoulder after placing the folded note on Ichigo's desk. Sighing, the petite Shinigami nodded and grabbed her backpack: "Very well. Let us take out leave."
"Onii-chan!" Yuzu glared at the teen pouring himself some miso soup into the bowl. She had caught him getting food again for the night after he had already eaten his portion of dinner. "Raiding the leftovers again!"
"Just a little late-night snack," he replied. He always got himself a second plate for Rukia while Kagome got a plate of other things for her. He had wanted to go to the shop to check on her, but he received a call from his father to check on his sister because he was going to be home late.
He had only hoped Kagome was doing better. He was already getting use to seeing her every day and even in his own house. He carried the tray up the stairs, knowing his sister continued to glare at him.
"You are going to grow fat!"
"I won't swallow!" he answered back.
He opened the door to his room and went inside. Looking around, he closed the door behind him: "Rukia. Dinner time." He blinked seeing and sensing no soul around. "Huh? She took off again?"
Rukia took a glance from the corner of her eyes and noticed the worried expression painted on her friend's face. Something was definitely bothering her.
"Are you upset we left without telling Ichigo anything?" she questioned her.
Kagome shook her head: "…no. I think we did the right choice in just leaving without a trace."
"It seems like something else is bothering you," Rukia's eyes tightened.
The miko's eyes moved to the corner to see her petite friend staring at her intently as they ran in the middle of the street. "I am just…worried for Kurosaki-san."
Rukia sighed tiredly and looked ahead: "I am afraid we have stayed too long in this world."
"Yes! You are quite right!"
Both Kagome and Rukia immediately stopped in their run and jumped at the familiar voice. Looking over their shoulders, their eyes widened in horror to see another Shinigami with maroon hair in squat on a telephone pole.
"But then…," the Shinigami began to unsheathe his sword, "because you two stayed too long…you two were able to live a little longer than you two would have! Rukia! Kagome!"
Kagome took a step back: "Y-You…"
"Renji!" exclaimed Rukia, her fear beginning to spread. "Abarai Renji!"
Kagome quickly pushed herself and Rukia out of the way as Renji swung his sword down in a flash step in front of them. Kagome supported herself with one knee, feeling the trickle of blood run from the small cut on her cheek. Rukia looked from her spot to see Renji walking towards them with a smirk.
"Hunters from the Soul Society are on both your heels and you two are so lost in thought that you did not notice that we were here?" His eyes narrowed down, watching as both girls stood straight. "I realize you two are in a gigai but it only took you girls a couple of months to completely lose your edge!"
He swung his sword over his shoulder, resting it in place. The male Shinigami took a few steps forward: "Talk. Both of you. We are aware that a human took one of your powers. Now, where is the human and who was it that gave it to him?"
"What…are you talking about?" glared Rukia nervously. "Just because we are in a gigai does not mean that our powers were stolen."
"You have no proof that a human took one of our powers!" Kagome swallowed her fear the best she could and took a step towards the Shinigami in front of them.
"It was a human!" he shouted back. "That is why you two have such human expression on your face! You two act like I do not know you! Rukia and I grew up in the Rukon District, but you were taken in by the illustrious and noble Kuchiki Family, and you!" His eyes landed on the miko. "You were taken in by the Soul Society from the same place! You were immediately given entrance into the Gotei 13. I have never in seen such a pathetic and humanist look on your face! Kuchiki Rukia! Higurashi Kagome! You two were trained to be a Shinigami!"
His eyes tightened in anger: "You two are not allowed to wear a human expression! Right!? Kuchiki-taichou!?"
Kagome's and Rukia's eyes widened at the heard name and slowly looked behind them. Their eyes were in deep fear from the sight of the very cold eyes staring back at them.
"N-Nii-sama…," whispered Rukia.
"Rukia. Higurashi," his voice was cold and for what the miko knew now was that this was definitely the last time she would see this world.
She prayed for a miracle, but she knew that the miracle she wanted…could not save her or himself.
MizukixTsukiyomi's Notes: Well that does it for this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed.
Also, if you want to read a few one-shots with Kagome and paired with other anime male characters, read Dimensional Lovers. You are free to vote on my poll for the next pairing or even suggest one of your favorite male characters!
P.S. The Inu gang will be in this! Just wait and find out how they will tie with this story later on! Hope you all enjoyed!
Please review and thank you for reading!
Ja~ne!