Shikon no Go

The Language of the Shikon

A Fanfic in 100 Chapters

By DQBunny

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DISCLAIMER: This story is based off of "Kendo no Go: A Fanfic in 100 Chapters" by Akai Kitsune. Her story in turn is a parody of "In the Language of Love," a story by Diane Schoemperlen. My thanks and appreciation goes out to Akai Kitsune for letting me borrow her fic idea! "Inuyasha" is the property of Takahashi Rumiko.

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Chapter 56: Justice

For Kagome, justice used to be something that was black and white.

If you do something bad, there was consequences.

If she didn't look both ways before crossing the street, she could get hit by a car. It was justice for being a bad little girl and not listening to her mother.

If someone stole something, they went to jail. It was justice for stealing.

If someone killed someone, they went to jail. It was justice for murder.

If you broke the law, there would be consequences. You would be justly punished with restrictions and the loss of freedom.

And that was that.

But it wasn't like that at all.

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"I don't think I've ever seen so much hatred before," Kagome commented to Miroku as they gathered mushrooms to supplant their evening meal. "People did things that are wrong in my world, but I've never seen so much hate."

"Why do you say that, Kagome-sama?"

She balanced the shallow basket on her hip. "Well, Kikyo hates Inuyasha. Kouga-kun hates Inuyasha. Sesshomaru hates Inuyasha and Inuyasha hates both Sesshomaru and Kouga-kun. Everyone hates Naraku and Naraku hates everyone."

"When you feel hatred, that is the seed of bad things that are usually done. Some bad things happen like accident, such as what happened to Inuyasha and Kikyo-sama. Others are planted as revenge. Such as Naraku."

"He wanted to get revenge on Kikyo for not being interested in him, right?"

"Not exactly. You explained to me a phrase a little while ago...being a product of the system?"

"Yes. It was in the book I lent you."

"You could say that Onigumo was a product of the system. My best guess is that as a bandit, someone like Kikyo-sama would not be in his reach. He resented his place in life and resented her place. If she had chosen a different life's path, he could pursue her."

"But, Onigumo was in no position to pursue her."

"Nor, was Kikyo-sama in a position to really pursue anyone - Inuyasha included. You know, they say that when a miko loses her virginity, her power drains away."

Kagome knelt to snap off another mushroom, hoping to hide the sudden blush on her cheeks. "So, by turning Inuyasha human and they uh...married...then she would no longer be a miko, right?"

"According to the customs of this time, yes. She would be relieved of her duties to the shrine."

"So she wants justice against Inuyasha because she can no longer have that life?"

"Exactly. Kikyo-sama wants justice against Naraku for killing her. She wants justice against Inuyasha because he lived." And loved again, Miroku silently added.

Kagome sat back on her heels. "In my time, if someone like Naraku existed, he would be captured and put in jail. Killing someone just for killing other people isn't right."

"Yet, when we kill Naraku, do you feel justice will be served?"

"Yes, of course."

"Do you think it should cancel out everyone's hatred for each other?"

"Of course. Except Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. That was different."

Miroku twirled a mushroom in his hand. "Different people see justice a different way. Most agree that death or justly punishment should be involved. But, I see things in a different way. We might kill Naraku, but there is one way to get justice."

"What's that?"

Miroku placed his hand on her shoulder. His right hand. Kagome felt the cool beads sealing his hand press into her blouse.

"To live, Kagome-sama. To live, love, be happy and be free. That is the greatest justice we can achieve against Naraku."

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Wheee! Two for one chapter! The original title for this chapter was "Justice," so I kept the same theme. The timeline for this is sometime after Kagura's first appearance, but before episode 48 in the anime/volume 18 in the manga. There was one of two ways to take this chapter - one from Kagome's point of view and the second from Kagura. But, Kagura's sounded very close to another chapter, so I went with Kagome and Miroku.