"Alright." Kagome turned to Brian, taking in his powerful aura and kind smile. "You can fight and your barriers are strong. I guess you can come with us to fight Naraku but answer this question... why do you want to do that? Why are you risking everything for us when you do not know us or Naraku? You have a life in our time, a place to be, friends, family... why potentially give all of that up for us?" She had to know that answer, in truth it was the reason she had denied him before. Knowing it, knowing why he would risk so much for them... endure so much for strangers... He had no idea what he was even risking.
For a moment the boy said nothing, just looked at her sadly before a long smile came onto his face. "Purpose... Kaede told me what you are trying to accomplish... Saving Nippon from Naraku's evil, saving everyone from the damage of the shattered Shikon Jewel... a noble pursuit and one I wish to be apart of. I may die because of my infection, before I am given the chance to be healed. I want to make my days worth something, knowing I fought for someone, or something... It may sound selfish to you, but to me it is everything. I won't necessarily be remembered by my actions and their impact will grant me an immorality that my injuries have denied me.
She recoiled, the raw pain in his words, they reminded her of how Miroku talked about his pursuits, of why he pursued an heir. In a way, looking at his boy, who was actually older then she was, she saw so much of Miroku in him. He wasn't a perv or lecher but he was intelligent and kind and courageous. He hated injustice and was wounded by a demon without choice or action. His very future had been decided for him and he hated it, he had seen his death and he knew it was coming one day soon...
Her heart melted for him.
"I'm sorry for saying no earlier, I thought you didn't get the reality of what we were up against. I mean you have no grudge against Naraku, you haven't seen his evil or been touched by the malice of the Shikon jewel shards. But watching you fight, seeing how you stood up for Jinenji and me... I realized that you did understand it, you got the depth of what we were willing to do."
His smile was radiant. "It's fine... and now I have to teach you all about wielding spiritual power so you can pay me back by healing me."
She couldn't help but laugh at him.
Several loud thuds signaled Jinenji's presence next to her, she turned and looked up at the man. On his back was a large sack, containing all of his herbs and worldly belongings. "Are you ready?"
"Yes... as is Mother." He turned, showing his mother who had a walking cane in one hand and a sack on her back.
"Wonderful, we'll join you for half of your trip then separate for the last part. We have to go north west were as you just have to go west."
The large half demon just nodded and they all began their trip back to where they belonged.
"""
"I'll miss you Jinenji." Brian embraced the large Halfdemon, squeezing him tight. He could tell he threw the man off a little, as it took a few seconds before Jinenji wrapped an arm around him. "Behave yourself, and make sure you send your mom ahead of you so she can tell Kaede to expect you. And make sure you give her my letter."
Jinenji nodded, a force that all but shook Brian off of his body. " I will remember, thank you for convincing me to leave. I fear I may have been stuck there forever if you didn't."
"Not a problem, my friend. You will be more then welcomed at this village. Your herbs are amazing and your powers will make the area grow to great heights. You can even help Kaede with caring for the sick and injured. You can make it your home, some place you are loved and welcomed."
Letting out a long sigh, the half demon pulled away. "I look forward to that."
"Don't be a stranger, ya hear?" The crone said, looking a little misty eyed at Brian. "Make sure you visit my boy here, he won't stop talking about you so I know he will be sad to have you gone too long."
"Ma!" Jinenji's face turned beet red, making Brian laugh loudly before kissing his cheek. That made the red deepen.
Kagome laughed behind him, and Inuyasha just turned away.
"Good bye Jinenji." Kagome managed to bark out past her laughter, getting a wave from the half demon and his mother as they separated from them and marched down the road, towards their new life. "Well, time to get to the others. We're closer to our camp then we are Kaede's village so we should make it in a few hours."
"Awesome, while we travel I can start teaching you." From inside one of the pockets on the inside of his robish thing he pulled out a slip of paper with several kanji written into it. "Do you know what this is?"
Kagome took it from him, examining it from each side. "It's a Sacred sutra, right?"
"Yes, and what does this one do? Actually what do they all do?"
Her cute face scrunched up, but it was Inuyasha who answered. "Burn demons and half demons."
"It can but that's not all. They are foci for our spells, basically they are written prayers and spells that channel our powers for temporary events like barriers, curses, purification, locator spells, and more. It depends on what is written on it really, and on the power inside the person casting the spell. I use them for Chi and Spiritual energy but for Chi I have to channel more power into and use it immediately as Chi doesn't like to stick in things long. Spiritual energy is better at that. Anyway for a novice or someone with low power levels this is the best place to start. Your insanely powerful but your so new to your powers. I bet Miasma and spells don't even affect you, your just release so much power your basically immune to them aren't you?"
Kagome nodded, eyes wide. "Yeah, basically... you can sense that?"
"Yup. I have little power so I chose to focus on a few things like sutra, sensing, healing and barriers as they were the most useful for someone like me. Now I want to teach you how to channel your power into Sutra so you can help more in battle then with just your arrows. This should also help you regulate how much power is put into your bow at any one time. You can unleash a lot more then you did on that demon we fought yesterday. You can fight with your hands, blasting out power like when you purified my wound. You can channel your power into the sutra to bind demons in place or shock them or burn them or a whole host of things. When we get to your friends I want to try to experiment with healing. Your strong enough that you can heal with just your spiritual energy." He froze for a second. " Actually since you have a monk with you I am surprised you don't know some of this anyway... barriers are hard but with your power it should be a simple matter to cast powerful barriers or spells to really turn the tide of battle."
The eyes on the girls were wide. "I never thought to ask him... and I think he never thought to ask me. I thought our powers just worked differently."
"They don't it is just a matter of style. Honestly if I were you I would also learn to use a bo staff like me or something since arrows are limited in battle. I know you don't like to fight but it could save your life."
She seemed contemplative... but he felt sort of annoyed. 'Why would she not have at least tried to master her powers when her life is in danger so frequently?' A glance at Inuyasha made it clear. 'It's because he protects her... she expects it now. Maybe I can help him too, I mean he has spiritual power too being a half demon.' Smiling he turned to Inuyasha fully. "What about you Inuyasha? Do you have any experience with wielding your spiritual powers?"
The boy froze, confused. " I have no spiritual powers, I'm a half demon."
"No, all humans have spiritual powers on some level so that means you do to. I know half breeds lose their powers every so often, my master told me about that in my lessons. You have some spiritual power so exercising it would make you less helpless on those times whenever it is. And working on your sword skills."
"My swords skills are just fine and I don't need to work on spiritual powers."
"Why not and If so then fight me when after we heal your friends. If I win or get first blood you will agree to work on at least one of those things. If not I'll leave you alone on the matter. Deal?"
Inuyasha rolled his eyes but nodded. " Fine but don't come crying to me when you lose."
'Oh I won't Inuyasha, don't' worry. I noticed you have no stance when you wielded your blade, nor do you walk like a fighter. Stance was the first thing I was instructed on, it's a telling sign. Master Gin would have my head if I didn't correct it or even notice it. Beside this will show you guys that I am a capable fighter and nor helpless...'
Satisfied with his plans, Brian turned his attention back to Kagome. " Now you used a sacred arrow so I know you know how to channel your powers into them, it's the same theory for sutra only you have to monitor your exertion of power so you don't over do it and burn the paper. It can only hold so much power at any one time. You might over do your spell to making it unstable. Same goes for healing and Chi... "
The girl nodded. "That sounds hard... but I'll try. I have wanted to be more useful in battle, I am tired of getting captured all of the time or needing saving. But can you explain Chi to me? I mean you told us a little about it but I don't see what makes it different the spiritual energy or Demonic energy."
Happy to explain, he launched into teaching mode, explain in perfect detail all his master had taught him on the subject. Happy to grant another the knowledge they sought.
/
"I see." Jinenji waited with bated breathe as Kaede looked at him, the women was fierce in her gaze even with one eye. He didn't want to fail whatever test she had for him. "So you can heal and you have a skill in gardening. Brian has written that you wish to be of service to my village and are willing to not only protect it but to help with my healing of others. Is that true?"
The half demon nodded, still terrified. " Yes, my lady."
A beautiful smile crossed Kaede's face. "Then welcome to my village, you and your mother are more then welcome here. We have an empty field where you can plant your garden and a hut where you two can stay. We lost it's previous inhabitants shortly after Kagome entered this realm at the hands of Mistress Centipede. I think it will do well to have someone else calling it home."
"That will do nicely, thank you again Lady Kaede." His mother bowed low to the priestess. " And thank you for not judging my son on his blood."
"I have met many demons and a few half breeds. Many were good, not just Inuyasha and Shippo. I try not to judge on blood but the value of a person's heart and soul. Now let us get you set up before night falls completely, shall we?"
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the review.
A little bit of filler, a start of educating Kagome and making her less of a damsel.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.