There she laid staring up at the starlite sky, sleep escaping her once again. The air crisp and cool as to warn them of the cold winter that was to come. She sighed; she wasn't thrilled to go through winter in the Federal Era envying the modern luxuries that was in the future. Kagome shivered then looked down at the little fox demon curled up next to her, then at her friends across the fire, noticing the fire diming. She slowly got up from her warm sleeping bag careful to not wake the kit, she knew she had to add more wood to the fire which was usually Inuyasha's job. She sighed again and looked towards the tree Inuyasha had been in before everyone fell to sleep knowing he wasn't there. Then looked off into the distance knowing full well he was with her. Turmoil hit her stomach then anger coursed through her. It wasn't the fact that he would sneak off to her that angered her, she was over that, but it was the fact that he would leave them…her…unprotected just to go running off to Kikyo, then pretend like he didn't do anything wrong. To make matters worse, he would no doubt complain at her for being slow, not being able to keep up with them, or whatever else he could point out that was due to her lack of sleep. Every time he left them unprotected, she would jolt awake, if she was able to sleep in the first place and then stay awake and alert in case any threat came upon them. She usually would not be able to rest once he came back because of her anger towards him or the fact that sometimes he would be out all night and only return before everyone woke up. She shook her head and went to the pile of wood they collected before dinner and added a few to it. Flames awakening again. Warmth hit her face and body. She closed her eyes and breathed in the clean air mixed with the burning wood.
Feeling the chills hitting her again she proceeds back to her sleeping bag and again tried not to wake Shippo as she curled him back to her side. She stayed there looking up at the stars, thoughts coming across her mind.
'Three years and still the beauty of past still amazes me.'
She loved the comforts she had in the future, but her heart always pulsed faster upon seeing the beauty not yet to be touched and destroyed in the era she was in.
'Three whole years' she sighed again.
A lot had changed in the span of those three years. For one, she had almost flunked out of school that was until her and her mom decided homeschooling would be the best option for her. It was, she was able to go at her own pace not having to worry about deadlines except that everything was due the last day of the school year. She would be traveling the Feudal Era hunting shards and fighting off demons that Naraku sent during the day and at night or any other spare time she had she did her schoolwork. Then once a week every month she would travel home and submit all the work and do whatever exams she had. She also took that time to gather any books at the library she may need and stock up on supplies as to not make any trips back until she had to return again. By doing her schooling this way she was able to go from the bottom of her class to top scores and finishing ahead of her peers.
She sighed again; it was great to have finished high school early and not have to stress about it and not have to worry about disappointing her family. But she also knew Inuyasha blamed her a little from focusing more on her studies than the jewel, which was why they were still hunting them now. It seemed like that every time they made significant progress, something would happen that would hinder them and almost make them start back at zero. It was a constant fight between them. Sango and Miroku understood, if their mission proved successful the jewel might return her back to her time without a passage back. Thus, she had to continue the things in her time that would allow her to continue a life there. Inuyasha on the other hand did not…which started the constant comparison he made between her and Kikyo slowly diminishing her love for him in any romantic way. She loved and cared about him but only as a close friend.
This changed the whole dynamic of the group. She no longer ran off when Inuyasha hurt her feelings, no longer used the "sit" word unless he really pissed her off, no longer cried over him, no longer needed her friends to shield her when Inuyasha ran off to Kikyo. She learned to become independent not having to count on Inuyasha always saving her. She eventually asked Sango with help on teaching her how to fight or at least defend herself and asked help from Miroku on how to algin her chi and center her Reiki power. She got stronger and wiser, which added more fuel to the imagery fire the Inuyasha lit. Even though he never voiced it they all knew he choose Kikyo, but he didn't think that Kagome's need and love for him would disappear. He hadn't planned on it. He knew it was selfish to want both women, but he couldn't help the feelings he had for both of them. Thus, came more friction to their friendship, he did not know, or his ego did not know, how to handle a more independent Kagome.
There was also another fact that didn't escape anyone's attention, Kagome no longer looked like a girl. Her body had formed into that of a young woman. She grew slightly taller as her face thinned out, but her curves became curvier in her bust and bottom area. Thanks to Sango's training, she had defined arms and legs, a sculpted stomach, and round booty. Her blacken unruly locks became longer and with waves in them and her blueish eyes became darker. She attracted more attention to herself demon and human alike which only fueled Inuyasha's anger and possessiveness towards her. Her beauty riveled Kikyo's, some saying it surpassed it.
'When will he learn that I am nothing like Kikyo, that I am my own person? I don't care if I am her reincarnation or not, I am Kagome."
She thought about all of Inuyasha's comparisons between the two mikos a lot, more than she would like to admit to herself. But the fact remained that they were completely different people. Their spiritual powers were different and not because of the different level they both were at. Kagome felt the essence of her and Kikyo's powers numerous times and they felt different, Kagome could never put her finger on as to why. Their personalities were also different, Kagome normally genuinely happy and warm while Kikyo was cold and distant. They also loved different. With that in mind she couldn't help but to wonder how one soul in two body's make each person so utterly different. Weren't they meant to be somewhat similar besides sharing similar looks? It bothered her more and more as Inuyasha bluntly compared the two more and more.
She sensed his presence slowly making his way back to camp and rolled her eyes, 'About time.'
She steadied her breathing resulting in her heartrate slowing down just enough that he would think she was asleep. A lovely trick Miroku taught confused as to why she wanted to learn but taught her regardless.
Once he got at the camp, he studied each one of them then added another wood log onto the fire and jumped back up to his spot in the tree where he was before. Without even looking she knew he was staring at her; she could feel his gaze. Trying to ignore his unwelcoming stares, she rolled over to her side and pushed Shippo into her chest almost cradling him. He snuggled closer to his mother and slightly purred into her. She smirked as she heard Inuyasha huff. Soon after sleep took her over followed by nightmarish insecurities and doubt.
"Wench get up, we are burning daylight here!"
Kagome woke up to the rude intrusion of her sleep. Once she stretched and rubbed sleep away from her eyes. She opened them to find everyone already eating their morning meal.
She looked at Sango, "Why didn't you wake me earlier?"
Sango looked at her friend, almost like a sister to her, "Shippo said you had a rough sleep last night, MIROKU AND MYSELF," she emphases them both while glaring daggers into the hanyou, "thought it best to let you rest a little but more."
"Oh, thank you," she looked down at the little fox demon that become her son, of course he would feel her restlessness.
He looked up at his mama and smiled at her, she giggled and leaned down to Eskimo kiss his nose resulting in him blushing, "Mama, not now everyone is watching."
She laughed some more than patted his head.
She then processed to get up and start her day.
Not long on their travels they came upon a rock demon with a shard imbedded in his forehead, the battle was long and tiresome. No one was critically hurt just minor scraps, cuts, and bruises.
However, just as Kagome finished untainting the jewel shard, Kagura and other dead risen demons attacked them for it before anyone could react.
Now on their way back to Kaede's village with the feeling of dread from winning the battle with the rock demon only to lose the shard to Naraku, everyone was dishearten, but Inuyasha was pissed and of course aiming his anger towards Kagome.
"Kikyo wouldn't have let the shard fall into Kagura's hands." He paused before he continued, "Hell, she would have sensed all those damn demons and that wind bitch coming miles away."
"Inuyasha, that is unfair. We all were strained form the battle with the rock demon and none of us sensed the herd coming our way, not even you." Miroku tried to speck up on her behalf, but Kagome just nodded at him not to, it would only egg Inuyasha on.
Inuyasha huffed, "Yeah, but if she had nearly the amount of power as Kikyo she wouldn't have been so drained to not sense the herd and protect the jewel."
Kagome snorted then proceed to pull out her iPod and headphones, thanking the Gods she decided to invest in it as well as a portable sun powered charger. Especially when he acted like this, and she had a way to drain him out.
"Wench I am talking to you!" He called out to her.
"Enough Inuyasha," Sango looked at the hanyou fiercely, "WE were unable to defend Kagome thus resulting in US losing the jewel. We all agreed to this quest therefore it does not fall on only Kagome's shoulders. We win as a team, but we also loose as a team. If you proceed with your damn mouth, I will shut it for you! Do you understand?"
He looked at Sango, he knew a pissed Kagome would never hurt him but that didn't mean she wouldn't stop a pissed Sango from hurting him. Hell she barely used the "sit" word to plumet him into the ground anymore. He huffed and was about to keep walking until Shippo decided to speak up, "Besides if Kagome had gotten enough rest, she might have been able to do all the things you claimed she failed at!" He stuck his togue out at him.
"Well, the wench had plenty of time to rest last night, she even got to sleep in."
Shippo's ears sagged as he looked onwards to his mother that had kept walking onward in front of the group. He knew all along what Kagome had been doing.
"What is wrong Shippo?" Sango looked at him then at Kagome.
"I don't know if I should say anything…" he paused, "let's just say that she rarely finds rest at night. She mainly stays awake."
"There is no way, she is always asleep before I, "Inuyasha stooped mid-sentence not willing to finish it, no one knew that he snuck off most of the time.
Shippo rolled his eyes then caught up to his mother jumping unto her shoulders.
Sango caught it though, "You what Inuyasha? What do you do?", crossing her arms across her chest.
He rubbed his hand at the back of his neck, "I just randomly check to see if you all are asleep that is all and every time I do, she is asleep."
Miroku looked at him then back towards Kagome remembering when she had asked him to teach her to steady her heart rate. Now beginning to question as to why and why she wanted to hide the fact from Inuyasha that she wasn't really asleep. He would keep his thoughts to himself for the time being.
"You are up to something; I am not sure what but when I find out and if it effects Kagome, I swear I will kick your ass." Sango yelled at him then proceed to catch up to her friend.
Miroku could see nervous sweat drops rolling down Inuyasha's forehead the patted him on the shoulder, "Dread carefully my friend." Then walked ahead to the rest of the group.
"Yeah, whatever, as if I am scared." He huffed his nose to the air, folded his arms across his chest and continued to follow the group.
Miroku just laughed and shook his head.
They reached the small village at sundown just in time for diner. They all huddled inside Kaede's hunt as they ate and Shippo told the old women of their travels. Afterwards they all receded to the two huts they all built together, one for the girls and Shippo and then the other for the boys. They built them with some distance between the two for privacy, all knowing how the monk is, but close enough that if something happened, they all could react in time.
Once everyone was asleep, Kagome could sense that Inuyasha was rushing off to Kikyo yet again.
'Probably going to tell her of all the ways I failed today and how better the group would be with her in it. Agh!"
Though she tried to ignore Inuyasha and his rantings today, it still hurt. Period. Though she knew he wasn't not in love with her he was still her friend and was supposed to support her and tell her it was okay not point out all of her errors in such a brutal way. Sleep wasn't coming to her yet again. Knowing Kaede was close by and that they were surrounded by people, she deiced to change into her jogging outfit and head out for a nightly run. Something she did often to work off her stress. She quietly pulled on her black leggings that had a leg pocket on the side and slid a knife in it, could never be too careful. She grabbed a sports bra, a black long sleeve tight shirt followed by a black tight zip up jacket. She wanted her iPod but decided against it since it was dark out and wanted all of her senses on alert just in case. Once her sneakers were tied tight, and her hair in a high ponytail, she quickly folded her pjs next to her cot. A signal for Sango, if she were to wake, that she was okay. They learned to do that after the first time she nearly scared everyone to death when Sango woke to find her gone. She then pulled out her jogging bag that normally held a small towel, extra cloths, water, and another knife, just in case.
One foot in front of the other she jogged the familiar path she took every time she ran around the outskirts of the village. She loved the feeling of the coolness of air caressing her face and the power she felt in her legs, and she pressed forward. She began to push her limits by breaking off into a sprint than full blown running. With each time she hastily put her foot to the ground her anger stayed behind her leaving her body. The faster she ran the more her lungs fought against her the more she pushed herself, wanting to forget all the hateful words spoken to her in the past couple of days.
Then out of nowhere she stopped dead in her tracks, desperately finding the air her lungs needed.
Once she felt it easier to breathe, she looked away from her path towards the west.
'What is that? What could I possibly be sensing right now? It doesn't feel malicious or like a jewel shard for that matter. What could it be I wonder?'
She was about to press on, but then the aura began to pulse towards her almost calling her towards it. Without a second thought she turned to the west to find the source of what she was sensing.
She pushed through trees, brushes, and high grass a like until she came upon a clearing.
Her breathe stilled as she took in her surroundings stunned by its beauty.
Infront of her was a crystal-clear lake, she knew it was clear because even in the darkness the moon light up the lake and she could see the pebbled rocks that looked like coved the entire bottom of the lake and some even reflected the moonlight back to the surface. Above the lake danced fireflies adding to the peaceful and mystic ambience around her. Around the lake stood different colorful trees and bushes. To her right just before the lake was a huge rock feature. It looked like a cave, but she wasn't quite sure for vines with white flowers blanketed what looked like maybe the entrance. Unfortunately, it was up higher than she could possibly reach, and it being night she wasn't about to go exploring it. To her left was a gorgeous giant wisteria tree, its light purple vines streaming down some caressing the grass and some even into the lake even though it was a little bit away from the tree but that was just how huge it was.
Lost in taking in her surroundings, she slowly made her way up to the edge of the lake. She brushed her fingers across the surface feeling the coolness of it and watched the ripples spread across in tiny little waves.
She wanted to desperately get it.
She looked around and pushed her aura out and saw nor sensed anything.
She stood up sliding her bag off finding a boulder nearby under the wisteria tree then placing it on it. She got out of her clothes but not before folding them and placing them on top of her bag.
She turned to the lake and slowly slide under further with each step she took. It was only slightly chilly in this area compare to wear they were a couple of nights ago, but with her body was still heated from her running and anger. The coolness of the water eased her muscles and felt amazing. Don't get her wrong she loved her hot spring, but she loved the water in general no matter the temperature.
She took her time ducking under the water to find different pebbled rocks that interested her. The full moon lite up the bottom and she could see clearly as she expected she could.
After a while she deiced, she should get out and dry off, she slowly swam her way toward the tree vines touched the water, only to realize that just under the tree's vines the lake dropped in depth instead of leveling up to the shore. She could barely stand, then she realized it housed two boulders that looked like it had been carved into to make seat into them. The vines of the tree at covered the area as to hide a private pool.
She tilted her head slightly, 'Why would that be here?'
Her gaze then fell upon a stone like stairs leading up the surface.
"I hope I am not intruding upon's someone property."
"Miko, you trespass on this one's property." A voice came from above her. A voice she knew to well. A voice that belonged to the Inu daiyoukai that she dreadfully realized had been here the entire time.