Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or its characters, that right belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Nor do I own Toriko or its characters, that right belongs to Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro.
Worry washed through Kagome as she searched her little two-bedroom house. Her daughter, Bruka, should have been in her room sleeping for her nap. And to make matters worse, she couldn't feel her daughters Reiki, which means that she was outside the protective barrier around the house. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, Kagome did her best not to panic over the whole situation.
When she felt calm enough, Kagome exhaled and opened her eyes. Turning, she marched out of her little home and went in search of her now three-year-old daughter. Trying to ignore the fact that something was telling her there was danger. Again her mind conjured up what her mother had been like when either she or Souta was in trouble. That a mother knows, words that she kept finding out were authentic.
Kagome looked on in horror at the sight before her. Bruka was sitting on the ground with a branch that had very distinctive berries on it. Her eyes glazed as her body glowed her pale silver and pink. A part of her was relieved to see her daughter's Reiki glowing like it was. It meant her daughter was safe for the moment. Rushing over to Bruka, Kagome scooped her up and pressed her confused and now pink-skinned daughter.
Using force, she popped Bruka's mouth opened and shoved her index finger into her daughter's mouth. The instant Bruka jerked her head back, snapping her mouth shut to bite her, fighting against what she was trying to do, Kagome wiggled her finger and feeling it brush against her tonsils. The instant reaction and the sickeningly sweet smell mixed with bile that now covered her was worth it.
"Sorry, Bruka, baby, Mommy has to do it again," she whispered.
The look of horror in Bruka's face hurt her heart and made Kagome want to cry. But to save her daughter, she had to make Bruka vomit as much of the poisonous berries as possible.
The sound of her alarms going off had Kagome lifting her head and sending out Reiki to sense who it was. When she recognized the aura of the Dryad that was always with the Darma Hermit. And it was concerning to feel the passive Dryads aura was flickering agitatedly. That was never a good sign when the sprites of nature were upset — picking up Bruka, who was half-awake and very weak from fighting off the poison of the black star berries. While not harmful to teens and adults, to small children and toddlers, it was life-threatening.
Making her way to the door and opening it, waving her hand to drop the barrier, allowing the Dryad in. When the sprite did not enter but turned and began to walk back towards the village, Kagome knew she was being summoned. That same niggling feeling of danger crept back into her stomach. Realizing she had to follow, Kagome bent and picked up the bag of healing supplies she just repacked after giving an herbal remedy to her daughter.
Darma watched silently as Kagome stood before him fuming. He wouldn't deny her right to refuse the help to the villagers. But having known her for as long as he had, he knew the route she would take
"You want me to heal your children? The same said children who led my daughter, whom they normally either ignore or tease without mercy?"
He let his gaze flick over those gathered. Seeing shock, horror, pain, anger at her words. But each knew she was speaking the truth.
"Your prejudices against me have been picked up by your children. And now the older ones have harmed not just my daughter, but your own!"
The way they all flinched back at how cold and harsh she sounded. And it was punctuated by the fact her Reiki was dancing visibly around her body.
"I have been nothing but polite, respectful to all of you. Knowing that by coming here, I was going to live a hard life. More-so with a daughter who is a half-breed," Kagome stated. "And time and time again, I have helped you. Protecting you from the stamped, purifying a crop blight, and not once did I ask a damn thing from you. Taking the dark looks, accepting the fact you overcharged me for the stuff I bought, and the rude things you all whispered when you think I couldn't hear."
Darma shifted his body as he leaned forward, holding out his goddaughter. She was showing them how her red-skin had paled to an almost human-ish pink. The way sweat beaded upon her tiny brow, making her magenta crescent moon stand out.
"She is right. I told you to accept her into our fold. You only showed her a mediocum of politeness after meeting her Lord and Guardian. Knowing he'd not hesitate to kill you. Yet, it is clear that Kagome is the bigger threat," He said.
The way they all bowed their heads, it showed that his words had hit the final nail in the coffin they built for themselves.
"I am not a cruel person, and I can read your aura's clearly. And can tell my point has been made and now punctuated by Darma," Kagome said softly after a small sigh. "Bring me your sick children, and I will show you how to start the healing process. And know that I already destroyed the plants so that this doesn't happen again."
The look of shock and awe on the villager's faces was all he needed. Pulling his arm back to cradle Baruka to his chest, Darma watched as Kagome began to show them what she had done for daughter while pulling out various jars and packets of herbs and solutions.
Sweat poured down his face as he finished the fight. All-day, he had a strange feeling he needed to head back to Hex Village. Rage filled his entire being as if something had harmed something precious to him. But that was ridiculous. The only thing he held dear in the village was his restaurant, and none of the villagers would ruin it. Most of the income he gave to the town to keep it afloat.
Shaking his head, Brunch looked at the small heard of Gatordillo's. If he were quick, he'd have a rather sizeable feast tonight. In eight months, he'd be heading back there to let the old Hermit know that in a year, the Four Kings and Komatsu would arrive and they'd begin the journey to gather Acacia's full course.
TBC!